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.

Isembard Kingdom Brunel engineered from LEGO

This weekend sees The Great Western Brick Show take place in the UK at the STEAM Railway Museum in Swindon. Some of the displays this year will mark the fact that it’s 175 years since Isembard Kingdom Brunel opened his maintenance facility, whose surviving buildings house the museum. Jimmy Clinch has chosen to celebrate the occasion with a brilliant mosaic of the big man himself…

Brunel is something of a hero of mine: the most audacious engineer of the 19th century — a designer of tunnels, bridges, railway lines and enormous steamships. He’s a pinup-boy for any self-respecting steampunk fan and I would love to hang this mosaic on my wall.

I had a crack at building my own tribute to him a few years ago, recreating the famous image taken in front of the SS Great Eastern…

If you get the chance to make it to the show this weekend, show your respect with a doff of the top hat to Jimmy’s mosaic. I’m sure Isembard would appreciate it.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

LEGO StarCraft Protoss Carrier measures over 31 inches long

As I am not a StarCraft player, I had to look up a Protoss Carrier as it appears in game to judge the accuracy of Tim Schwalfenberg’s LEGO scale replica. I’m looking at this carrier, and I’m thinking, “There’s no way this could be built with LEGO.” But it was built, and built beautifully. Brilliant use of brick bending techniques brings the alien curves to life. Tim adds that his Protoss Carrier was built to 100 LEGO studs in length (just over 31 inches) in only six days, making his build that much more impressive.

A tiny Tokyo skyline

This Tokyo skyline by Cecilie Fritzvold is simply stunning. I love the juxtaposition of old and new buildings. Her build is littered with clean lines, pops of color, and wonderfully diverse textures. And to top it all off, the subtle composition of this photograph is excellent. Cecilie’s LEGO skyline includes, from left to right: Meiji Jingu, Tokyo Tower, the Imperial palace, Tokyo Skytree, and Senso-ji.

Nice parts usage for a nice-looking vehicle

You don’t always have to increase a LEGO model’s scale to create more detail — some creations show off how we can be tricked into thinking pieces are something they’re not. Take this ’67 Mustang Fastback by George Panteleon for example…

The lights are actually empty Technic pin holes, the side mirrors are old trailer hitch pieces, and the exhausts are one piece – the classic 1X2 plate with handles on each side. How many more clever parts usages can you find?

It’s not a dragon if it has no wings

After bringing us an almost perfect rendition of Samus Aran, Finnish builder Eero Okkonen returns with a beast that looks like a dragon, but isn’t. Called “Guechex” this monster makes good use of printed Bionicle armour pieces as well as a solid red and black colour scheme to tell us that this is a fiery being. Check out the builder’s personal blog for additional pictures.

Return to the Valley of the Wind

More than ten years ago, we featured a LEGO model inspired by the Pejite gunship from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Well, here’s another one. Proving once again that inspiration is a close cousin of creative innovation, Nate Rehm-Daly takes us even further from the original source material. Now, instead of being dark red, it’s a combination of blue and neutral tones. And the sleek anime space style has been replaced by something more akin to dieselpulp. But the result stands on its own. That canopy combination is outstanding, and the poseable blue parts are sweet play features. I’d love to see a swarm of these dive down from the clouds.

Space streamlined

Jonathan Walker has the art of SHIP-building down to a science. His innovative organic designs and advanced building techniques are evident in his latest work called the Dreadful Angel. The curved engine core and the dual prongs are distinct features that come together nicely in one fluid model.

Don’t forget the pickles

Despite being in my 20’s, I will always enjoy the cleverness and humor of SpongeBob Squarepants, and still drop quotes from the show in conversation. Block Head has created a cute SpongeBob, complete with Krusty Krab hat and spatula, with another thing I haven’t outgrown from my childhood: LEGO bricks. Just don’t eat too many LEGO Krabby Patties. They’ll go right to your thighs, and then you blow up.

These are the LEGO droids you’re looking for

Archimedes Chen built some fun LEGO takes on C-3PO, BB-8, R2-D2, and Stormtroopers, as they appear in The Force Awakens. Though my favorites here are the First Order Stormtroopers with clever parts usage on each helmet’s face mask, all six are packed with just the right amount of recognizable details without looking busy.

One step beyond

It must be love! The original Brick Nerd Tommy Williamson has built this fine LEGO facsimile of a classic album cover. But there is a method to Tommy’s, erm, madness. The theme of this year’s BrickCon is Madness and as life long Ska fans, Tommy and I are very excited that the organizers have decided to honor one of our favorite bands in this fashion. To celebrate, this year’s Bricks of Character display will be suitably themed, from the trophies, to the badge bricks, and maybe even our outfits. So come visit our house, in the middle of the Con, and prepare for a cardiac arrest!

Run, run, as fast as you can...

As a child, I was always a little on edge about the idea of a gingerbread man coming to life. Now I’m just plain terrified. This maniacal-looking LEGO cookie by Kelvin Low is truly a thing of nightmares. Don’t let the gumdrop buttons or frosting swirls fool you, if this guy comes out of your oven… run!

ECM Cruiser Parakeet is ready to go

I admit to being a sucker for a ship with lovely curves, and the Parakeet (by Pico van Grootveld) certainly delivers. Like most of the LEGO ships coming out around this time, this green and white beauty is over 100 studs long.

The silhouette is interesting, with fins and a nice form, but that head-on view is just perfect with the engines and those amazing curved circles.

Check out the flickr gallery for some work-in-progress shots!