You’ll feel like you’re floating on air as you traverse the harshest alien landscapes in this bubble-based rover by Andreas Lenander. With Febrovery upon us, your social media feed is probably filled with new builds that pay tribute to classic space rovers. One way for a rover creation to stand out from the pack is an unconventional wheel. These giant trans-clear half spheres are a perfect candidate for that. Not only do they give the rover a lift up, but they let us see through, so we can admire the detail of the cracked landscape, made from slopes laid on their sides. One has to wonder though, with such a bubbly ride in such a fascinating landscape, what’s got that spaceman looking so angry?
Category Archives: LEGO
You better not cry, Winter Village Mech is coming to town
LEGO builder Anders Martin Hulth has combined at least 5 separate Winter Village sets into the most terrifyingly festive Winter Village Mech that is ready to kick in your doors for merely thinking of throwing out that Christmas tree before Three Kings Day. Nobody is done with Christmas! His 4-barreled rotating reindeer Gatling gun repurposed from Santa’s Workshop will make you take back your cliched joke about how early the mall starts playing Christmas music. You better hope that is just tree sap when his evergreen fist comes smashing through your kitchen window after hearing you say eggnog tastes like toothpaste. This Jingle bell Juggernaut is a Voltroned together Winter Village Station, Santa’s Workshop, Elf Club House, Gingerbread house, Winter Village Cottage and does not suffer fools gladly who deny Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
LEGO Technic 42141 McLaren Formula 1 Race Car unveiled [News]
Following an exciting teaser, today, LEGO presents the next Technic licensed set, 42141 McLaren Formula 1 Race Car. Becoming the first open-wheeler in nearly 10 years, the new McLaren’s 2022 F1 car is a massive surprise for all the racing fans. The set features 1,432 pieces and will be available starting March 1 for a hefty price of US $179.99 | CA $239.99 | 179,99 € | AU $279.99.
Enjoy high-stakes dining at the High-Rock Café.
If you’re a weary ocean traveler in need of food and refreshment, the High-Rock Café is to place to go. Stephan Gofers has crafted a cozy seaside eatery and balanced it precariously on a twisted hunk of rock, rising from the sea like something Dr. Seuss has drawn. While this makes for a great ocean view, we imagine the motorized windmill can cause the place to shake a bit on the edge of that crag. But, hey, you’re an experienced sailor. You’ve got your sea legs. And if you drink a little too much and can’t make it back down the rickety steps on your own, the staff will be happy to lower you to your boat in the crane.
The rover with no blind spots...on the sides
The LEGO builder who is apparently a cat, Koosya the Cat has rendered a space rover that ranks A+ for having no blind spots. At least when you look out from the sides. Results may vary if looking out the front or rear. But who needs driver safety when exploring another planet? The probability of a Toyota Carolla cutting you off is pretty minimal out there in space so I’d say go nuts with whatever wild and crazy rover design you want. If it turns out other planets are full of pedestrians, at least you can see them down below once you run them over. Which could happen for that one astronaut who apparently has to hoof it all the way back to the base. I guess he lost that Rochambeau. Better luck next time, buddy!
A gangster’s roadster: please admire from a distance
A roadster too sleek for the 1930s. Open top and exposed engine. Is it some vintage Batmobile or a hot-rod noir? Jonathan Elliott presents his latest custom minifig-scale car to add to his portfolio, a roadster that could give the current Vintage Taxi GWP a run for its money. Lacking any other colour, there is just enough and barely enough chrome to break up a predominantly black visage. The owner of this vehicle must be classy and dangerous, and it definitely takes my mind to old gangster movies…
If you see this parked in front of a speakeasy of your choice, RUN!
See more of Jonathan’s wonderful creations here.
St. Basil’s Cathedral is bursting with colour
Koen Zwanenburg has built this incredible recreation of the iconic Russian cathedral. The dark orange with hints of teal are the most prominent colours in the structure, however, it is the spires that really draw in the eye. Each has its own unique colour scheme and design from jagged blocky shapes to smooth flowing textures. Koen has found inventive ways to represent the swirling patterns of the spires as green minifigure arms are even used in one of the peaks.
Round the back of the display, horned tendrils portray more of the complex designs of the spires. After looking at the building for some time, the structure shares some similarities with gingerbread houses, mainly thanks to the white trim and vibrant colours used in this creation.
If Bionicle had looked this good, I probably would have bought more of it
Bionicle was a LEGO theme from the early 2000s that mostly escaped my attention. But, if the entire line had been done in the style of Redverse’s Kane-Ra re-imagining, I might have taken a little more notice. In Bionicle lore, the Kane-Ra were buffalo-like biomechanical creatures with two front legs and a single tank-tread in place of any back feet. The biomechanical aspect of the creature is still obvious in the details of Redverse’s update. But the more naturally shaped body and details like four legs with hooves (cleverly made from Technic figure helmet visors) immediately call to mind an organic member of the Bovidae family.
But Redverse hasn’t completely abandoned what made the Rahi unique. The rear legs of this new Kane-Ra can transform into a set of tank treads to speed it across the Mata Nui landscape, just like its predecessor. It’s a marriage of function and style that has me wishing for Bionicle to make an official return.
Good...doggie...beast
Looking like an extra from a reboot of AAAHH!!! Real Monsters, the Skulkhound isn’t something you’d want to find rummaging through your rubbish. Builder Djokson is quite a practiced character artist with a great eye for design and parts usage. This creepy little doggo is a perfect example of both. The sharp, spindly legs provide just enough support for the arching, unnaturally thin spine of this Chupacabra-esque cutie. Clever color-blocking with DOTs bracelets of different thickness give the beast a cartoonish coat that almost distracts from its jagged smile.
It may have a face only its creator could love but look at it a little longer. You know it’s cute, just in a “good boy, don’t eat my soul, here’s your graveyard kibble” kind of way. If creepy isn’t your thing, I wouldn’t recommend checking out too many of Djokson’s other creatures. Some are much less cuddly than others but they’re all full of life.
Remember to consult the owner’s manual before off-road driving
But seriously, why else would they give you a copy of the owner’s manual with your new car? I guess Stas Revin has carefully studied his copy of the book, as his latest Ford Bronco R is an outstanding LEGO Technic replica of the future Ford truck. Copying the style and livery of the smaller System build from LEGO Speed Champions 76905 Ford GT Heritage Edition and Bronco R, this beast looks a bit insidious. Only after a closer look did I figure out the actual size and scale of this Technic model. With a scale of 1:10, it is powered with four Control+ motors, which is a lot for this model.
If you liked the body and the exterior, you would surely fall in love with the chassis. Powered by four independent countors of tubes, this Bronco can adapt its suspension however you like. It’s a shame Stass opted for third-party tires, but, you know, they say that the tires are 50% of the car’s look. So…
BMO busts a move
From those that joined Finn and Jake for Adventure Time back in the day to those that are just discovering the magic memories of the distant lands of Ooo, the characters will always hold a special place in our hearts. Builder H.Y. Leung perfectly captured the look of the duo’s iconic companion, BMO. This little, imaginative robot blends contemplative, emotional moments with the reckless abandon of a child. This model captures BMO’s character design almost exactly, built at a scale that allows the proper proportions for practically every element.
Thomas has just got new friends
Do you like trains? Sure, we all do. And Canadian steam engines? Well, those are just super-sweet. I mean check out these great digital builds of U-4-A “Northern Type” engines by Nemowerty. Sure, only five of these were ever built in real life, but that’s no reason to exclude them from having LEGO representation. I love the sleek styling of these 1:44/1:45 versions, and the in-progress view Nemowerty shared is a tempting jumping off point for folks to start building their own.
We’re trying to expand of coverage of great LEGO train builds. Know of a builder who should be on our radar? Let us know in the comments below!