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.

Stunning scale model of F-4 Phantom II made of 6,000 LEGO bricks

James Cherry has posted images of his beautiful F-4J Phantom II which I highlighted as my “Best In Show” in the roundup of BRICK2015 in London.

The model is 1.2m long, contains around 6,000 pieces, and took James nearly 5 months to design and build. But beyond the impressive scale and the lovely custom stickering, it’s the smooth curves and the shaping of the various sections which make this creation stand out for me. I also really like the handful of studs left exposed, creating a feel of riveted panels around the intakes.

James managed to squeeze no less than 5 Power Functions motors inside the model, allowing the rudder and various flaps to be operated using a remote control. It was very cool to see these features “in the brick” in London last weekend, and I wasn’t alone in thinking it was a highlight of the show. Carl Greatrix – one of the best LEGO plane modelers around – spent ages examining this creation and pronounced it “Bloody good”. High praise indeed.

I’d heartily recommend a visit to James’ Flickr photostream to check out all the details of this amazing model in the close-up images, as well as photos of his beautiful custom-chrome P-51 Mustang model.

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Disney Princesses as microscale Christmas ornaments

Every year Markus Rollbühler creates some new LEGO Christmas decorations for the tree, and he shared this year’s collection of Disney Princesses in microscale.

From left to right:

Leia and R2-D2
Ariel, Flounder, and Sebastian (from The Little Mermaid)
Snow White and a deer
Tiana and Naveen (from The Princess and the Frog)
Elsa and Anna (from Frozen)

The details are fantastic at this scale, making the characters easily recognisable. I love Flounder and Sebastian, created using simple 1×1 tiles or plates with clips and 1×1 plates. Another favourite is R2-D2 who is simply a 1×1 Technic brick resting on a silver 1×1 round plate, two white minifig hands and a blue-based lever – inspired use of parts!

Thanks to Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, Princess Leia can be officially described as a Disney Princess too…

The many Star Wars faces of Unikitty

Unikitty is one of my favorite characters from The LEGO Movie, but I don’t know that I love all the line-ups of Unikitty variations I’m constantly running across. But this one is different. tankm has built nineteen different Unikitties as characters from the entire Star Wars saga.

Here are my three favorites, conveniently in a single picture — Unikitty Chewie, Unikitty Han Solo, and Unikitty Han Solo in carbonite.

I also like Luke & Leia’s parents — the expression on Unikitty Queen Amidala’s face is priceless.

2015 LEGO Star Wars & LEGO Friends Advent Calendars (Days 18 & 19)

I was so focused on the new Star Wars movie yesterday (have you heard? there’s a new Star Wars movie out!) that I totally forgot to post yesterday’s installment of our virtual LEGO Advent Calendar series, so here’s Day 18 & 19 together.

We’ll be unveiling the mini-kits or minifigs from each Advent Calendar around this time every day, and we won’t ruin the surprise — you’ll need to click through to reveal the LEGO behind the tiny doors.

Click to see the Day 18 & 19 mini-kits!

A heap of scrap, assembled to perfection

If you’ve never tried building with someone else’s LEGO collection, I highly recommend it. Everyone organizes their collection a little differently. As a result, you’ll often see strange parts being stored together and inspiration will strike. Or, more likely, you’ll be unable to locate some of your go-to “comfort” pieces and be forced to try something new. Also, it’s just plain fun to build alongside your friends!

I’m not sure if Nooroyd learned any new tricks when he built this scene with his friend Andreas’ LEGO collection, but the result is stunning! The ramshackle building feels very organic and the cluttered composition draws the eye in several directions at once without being completely overwhelming. I particularly love the use of fabric, string, and tubing.

Darth Vader’s lightsaber with brick-built blade

Lightsaber handles are a popular subject in LEGO, but it’s very rare to see a fully brick-built blade. This LEGO lightsaber by Cole Edmonson has all the details a LEGO lightsaber needs, but he goes one step farther by making the brick-built blade strong enough to swing around.

Watch the lightsaber in action in this video Cole made. Interestingly, he built the red lightsaber with a white core, which works beautifully when in motion.

The NYC skyline comes to life with LEGO Architecture 21028 New York City [Review]

I’ve traveled to New York City five times in the last two years for work, and it has quickly become one of my favorite cities in the world. I’ve spent most of my time indoors in museums, but I’ve also admired the city’s wonderful architecture — the pinnacle of human art and engineering. LEGO recently sent us a copy of the forthcoming LEGO Architecture set 21028 New York City.

SPOILER! There are a variety of very tall buildings in New York City. Oh, sorry, I’ve gotten so used to writing LEGO set reviews about The Force Awakens that it’s hard to break the habit.

Click through to read the full review!

BRICK 2015 – London LEGO show roundup [News]

Last weekend saw thousands of LEGO fans descend upon London’s Docklands to visit BRICK 2015, the UK’s largest LEGO show, now in its second year. The Brothers Brick were there, and here’s a roundup of some of the coolest models we saw.

Builders from across the UK and Europe brought some amazing displays, including a number of models previously featured here. The enormous Hadrian’s Wall layout, the stunning recreation of Her Majesty’s Theatre, and Lasse Vestergard’s little gem History of the World. It was a genuine pleasure to see these all “in the brick”.

But onto other things, like the Brick Abyss from a trio of Swiss builders. A huge magical steampunk island archipelago with motorised elements, lighting, and smoke machines, the Abyss display was mobbed by kids and adults alike for the entire weekend…

More great models from the show after the jump

Hell, it’s about time!

We don’t want any of our readers to be distracted from completing the final Protoss chapter of StarCraft II, which was released last month. But as long as you’re here, have a look at this massive build by Tim Schwalfenberg, which was inspired by the StarCraft 2 trailer from 2009. It’s one of those dioramas that makes you stop scrolling the photostream and devote your whole lunch break to examining all the smart design features. The way Tim used regular yellow pieces to accentuate the robot arms deserves special attention. And check out this close-up of the marine as well.

Resistance T-70 X-wing starfighter from the Force Awakens

I just got home from seeing The Force Awakens, and all I’ll share is that it was a Star Wars movie. Note that I cannot say the same for the Prequel Trilogy. It feels good to love Star Wars again. While several of us from the TBB team were off seeing Episode VII together, David Hensel posted his 21st build for the current round of Iron Builder — an X-wing in gray and blue to match 75102 Poe’s X-wing in black and orange.

My critique of the official set — that the LEGO X-wing is missing the long, tapered angle of the nose forward of the cockpit — applies to David’s own design as well, and it’s a bit unfortunate that he doesn’t seem to have the excellent new X-wing cockpit to use. Nevertheless, this is a great rendition of the iconic fighter from the new movie.

2015 LEGO Star Wars & LEGO Friends Advent Calendars (Day 17)

We’re 17 days into TBB’s virtual LEGO Advent Calendar, and there’s a part of me that’s hoping for some sort of Episode VII easter egg.

Click to see the Day 17 mini-kits!

You’re one ugly mother

Some things are just so beautiful they’re ugly. Or maybe it’s the other way around. Either way, the latest portrait by Kiwi builder Grantmasters is for sure one ugly beautiful something:

Utilizing a number of typically specialized pieces such as cookie tiles, mushroom tops, and pterodactyl wings, Grantmasters has constructed a stunning portrait of one of cinema’s most infamous monsters, the creature known only as the Predator. Not only that, but this build is also the perfect companion piece to another portrait Grantmasters built back in April, that of the Predator’s arch nemesis, the Alien: