Category Archives: Models

This is what we’re all about. We scour the web for the best custom LEGO models to share with you. From castles and spaceships to planes, trains, and automobiles, you’ll find the best LEGO creations from builders all over the world right here on The Brothers Brick.

Time to bring back New Wave and parachute pants? We think so!

If you have the sudden urge to don a yellow vinyl jumpsuit and some eyeliner and listen to Devo, Gary Numan, or A Flock of Seagulls it may have something to do with this new LEGO creation by Duncan Lindbo. It’s called Synthwave Sunset and with its bold lines, bright colors, and computer grid graphics it most certainly has an 80s synth-wave feel. It nearly resembles the Suncoast Video logo or something from the Outrun video game. Whatever the inspiration, Duncan really captures the 80s vibe nicely. By the way, the three aforementioned New Wave bands are still producing work in the modern age so maybe it’s time to bring back parachute pants. While you’re mulling that over, check out what else Duncan Lindbo has been up to lately.

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Jumping puddles in Classic Space

Do they have puddles in space? I sure hope so, because that looks to be right where this little puddle jumper of a spaceship belongs. LEGO builder Inthert needed a tiny spacecraft to fill out a larger diorama by Simonmocs, and thus the Classic Space Cargo Jumper was born. What I love most about this vessel is that it eschews the typical spaceship design and goes for a split canopy with VTOL-like engines.

And of course, we have to see it in situ with Simonmocs gorgeous spaceport diorama, too, where you can see the little spaceship being serviced.

Joss rings in the new year with a roar

On the final day, in the final throes of 2022, LEGO builder Joss Woodyard presents The Cloud Beast. While most of us would like to leave 2022 in the rearview mirror, it might be good to reflect back on the amazing techniques this build encompasses. I love the use of the cloth sails as well as the stance, colors, and tail of this build loosely based on the Chinese Guardian Lion or “Foo Dog”. The expression is great too. But the star of the show here is a detail I would have missed if Joss didn’t point it out himself. His favorite detail is the LEGO plant sprue used as the lips. It is next-level building like this that makes Joss Woodyard one of our favorite all-time builders. Please check out his other creatures; you won’t be disappointed.

Prepare thyself to be school’d, mediaeval style!

You know what we don’t see a lot of in LEGO castles? Monks and monasteries. Which, given their importance in the Western medieval world, is a shame, even if knights and castles are more exciting. Thankfully Ben Smith is on hand to scratch that scholarly itch. Ben is clearly a learned man when it comes to wall texturing. There’s a huge variety of tiled parts on show in the weathered walls, giving it a mix between graceful architecture and the reality of what time does to buildings. I like how the bust above the doorway makes use of a forestman’s hat (a part closely associated with LEGO castle folklore, of course) in grey, as a shield. Very meta.

A castle as classic as can be

The Black Falcons have proven to be the most popular of the 80s LEGO castle factions, but despite having a few small castles, one thing they never got was a proper large castle of their own. Enter Steven Erickson with a redux of the iconic 6074 Black Falcon’s Fortress from 1986, a set so beloved that LEGO re-released it in 2001. Steven’s version is a significant upgrade from the original 404-piece set, bringing the tiny fortress up to a respectable size and adorning it with modern techniques while still retaining the old-school feel.

A dark ocean on an alien world

Builder Ralf Langer has a particular knack for making LEGO bricks feel like fluids. Whether it’s a mind-blowingly impressive curve or a serene tide pool, Ralf always seems to turn the bricks into liquid in his hands. And he’s done it again with this build representing the aftermath of a distant war on an alien landscape. Ralf has made excellent use of reflections so that the rubble of a futuristic vehicle sinks beneath the dark waters with no visible seams. It’s an effect so realistic that it makes my thalassophobia kick in.

Look at this terrifying LEGO deer. Or, on second thought, don’t

A lot has changed since the Black Falcons first appeared in LEGO canon. There have been a lot of new parts introduced, and minifigures have become a lot more expressive. Both are ably demonstrated by Ids de Jong here. The terrified faces combined with those helmets give a definite Monty Python “run away! run away!” vibe. And they’re right to be bricking it: Ids has created something rather unsettling called a Hirska. No big deal, just an all-seeing, oversized deer that apparently doesn’t take kindly to being looked at the wrong way. Or being looked at at all, for that matter. You know what, why don’t we all admire the quaint tree and rockwork instead? I don’t fancy adding ‘running scared from a deer demi-God’ to my personal repertoire of facial expressions any time soon…

A gnome home for a fantasy biome

If I had to sum up this beautiful gnomish LEGO dwelling by Jakub Drobny in a single word, it would be “wiry.” Everywhere you look in this construction, you’ll find the expert use of bars and clips. This creates intricate little features in the build, like the spindly tree trunks and fine woodwork around the hut’s windows. I particularly like the design of the hanging lantern coming down from one side of the tread-laden roof. The landscape surrounding the abode is an excellent mash-up of curves and slopes in earthen hues and contrasts the tan of the hut’s walls nicely. And don’t forget that adorably ramshackle chimney set askew atop the house. It almost looks as if the structure is being held together with some gnomish magic!

The grand market suqare of Rindael

I love a good LEGO diorama every once and a while. The grand market square of Rindael by Ids de Jong features all the things we fancy when it comes to a medieval LEGO creation. We get beautiful Tudor-style buildings, which are exceptionally well done. There are hardly any gaps in the walls and those that happen to be there are intentional. We also get multiple castle factions: Black Falcons, Elves, Cyclopes, Snake folk, and Centaurs. There also happens to be a Faun herding a small flock of goats. Which happens to be another thing that we like to see spruce up a medieval creation. One thing I also always like is well-designed figures and there are a whole lot of those visiting this lovely market. I love seeing how some city, collectible, and licensed-themed parts lend themselves wonderfully to the castle theme as if they were designed to go there. Now if you’ll excuse me, I am going to look for the stall that sells roasted chestnuts.

A LEGO ŁM-50 that has the ultimate no-look shot

Were you aware of Znap, a line of LEGO sets from 1999? What about the ŁM-50 overhead loader, a piece of Polish construction equipment from the 1960’s? Well, Maciej Szymański uses the specialized pieces in the former to make the latter. It was essential to get the proper curved track up and over the operator’s head, depositing the contents of the front-loading scoop behind the machine. Based on reference pictures online, the shaping here is spot on, with some great part choices to recreate the loader’s red wheels. The model feels very clean and intentional. And the panel of intricate wires and tubing feels right at home on equipment like this.

But choosing the correct parts for that overhead track is only worthwhile if the model moves, right? Well, this model comes with motorized treads and an operational winch hooked to the front bucket. I really like the design that drops the bucket at the end of the track, completing its over-the-shoulder hook shot. Check out the ŁM-50 in action below!

Majisto’s Tower updated in majestic style

Hot on the heels of the last classic 1990s LEGO Castle revamp we featured, comes John Tooker with this mega re-imagining of 1906 Majisto’s Tower. Released only in North America, the original set featured just 195 pieces. John has used a little more than that to recreate some of the set’s key features in stunning detail! The printed dragon motifs are now brick-built from gold bricks and look great. The brickwork has been given a similar treatment. This might be my favourite bit, as it’s done so well that the original printed wall pieces can be used and blend in seamlessly with the new techniques. These aren’t the only pieces to be re-used, though. The flag, horse’s cowl, and the cart wings all carry over some of the set’s charm without appearing out of place. Same goes for the minifigures. Now that’s some wizardry Majisto would be proud of!

Sand castles don’t last forever, even ones made of the Sands of Time

This LEGO hourglass is something magical with its grains building a castle as time passes. Builder Simon Liu presents this unique hourglass for the Brickscalibur contest. As time moves, so does the construction of the castle. And when it’s complete, time is up. It’s a clever idea to showcase the passage of time and life. Being an hourglass, it represents the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The build uses a wonderful assortment of tan pieces to give the castle definition. There are even some walls and bits in the top portion of the hourglass from the last sand castle. The build also makes some good use of gold pieces to give the timepiece a gilded elegance. This is a really cool design and idea, and is certainly one of my favorite time-related LEGO builds.