Just a quick announcement.
For the first time in nearly 2 years, we at the Starfighters Group are having a monthly build challenge. This month’s theme was suggested by Shannon Sproule and is quite simple; just build a starfighter based on or inspired by the iconic video game series R-Type.
So if you are interested in partaking in the fun, just head on over to the discussion thread, we’d be happy to have you as part of our Space Corps!
When your brightly colored pointy spaceship breaks down on the side of the intergalactic superhighway and you’re not even sure where the gas-cap is, don’t panic, just call THEO. Brought to you by TBB newcomer Galaltek, the THEO series of space-tugs can get you out of a jam in no time flat. I really enjoyed the use of TIREs, which according to the builder, stands for “Totally Integrated Repulsion Emitters” for safe pushing of space freighters or barges. Enjoy this microscale delight.
This all started with an email from Peter Morris a few months back which basically said that we should really be building starfighters that transform. Coincidently I had been thinking about the same thing for some time already, especially since I had tried several times in the past to do it. Any attempt I did make either ended in failure, or resulted in a model that was too delicate and fiddly to actually play with. And in my house LEGO that can’t actually be played with has no place. So with Peter’s kick in the pants incentive I figured I would give it a shot. But this time I was going to make it overly simple (is that even a thing?). I didn’t want complicated transformation sequences, and I didn’t really care to hide the fact that it transforms when in fighter mode.
This was an incredibly fun build, and one that was a hoot to develop…also totally got the kidlets in on the brainstormin’. The end result is incredibly satisfying to both swoosh and transform.
I already have ideas and prototypes for other transforming builds…a tank is in the works and I have ideas for aircraft and other assorted vehicles as well.
Welcome back to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in fabulous Las Vegas Nevada for another hard hitting edition of Friday Night Fights! Tonight’s match-up is a battle of TBB rookies looking to move of the ranks and make a name for themselves in the hotly contested middleweight division. Now for the tale of the tape:
Fighting out of the red corner…the pride of Shiga, Japan…Nathan “The Hammer” Penonzek (– NHI – Nathan’s heavy industry) and his mighty “NHI MHS-NFA3-03FT”
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And fighting out of the blue corner…from the wrong side of the tracks…Miguel “Rocket” Reizinho (MReizinho) and his “LL-897 Rocket Launcher Redux“.
As usual, constant reader, you are tasked with deciding the outcome of this pugilistic endeavor. On the first episode of Friday Night Fights John Stephens (-=Steebles=-) won a crushing 3-0 victory over his much better known opponent. What will happen this week? Who will experience the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat?
I’m hanging out the bullet curtain and going for a double-shmup post today. Vaughan James (legovaughan) and Peter Morris both present heavily armed spaceships that look like they’re ready to battle 10,000 bullets and a few bosses. Vaughan’s STG-2013: Phase 3 (a Starfighter Teleport design) is at the top while Peter’s DB-15 Aethershrike sits below.
It seems like you can’t stop the sci-fi action today, you can only hope to contain it. Submitted for your approval, the “SF-36 Aethon” star-fighter, courtesy of Stefan Schindler (Brainbikerider). The design reminds me a little of Rob dasnewten, but Stefan puts his own unique spin on things. It is a good thing I don’t have access to this model because when I look at it I feel an irresistible urge to throw it across the room like a dart.
TBB first-timer Forest King (KingBrick) recently finished construction of his “Kodiak MK V air tug” and it is anything but boilerplate. There is so much going on, in fact, that I had trouble wrapping my mind around this model until I took a gander at the Killzone concept art that inspired the build. While the “Kodiak may have a few rough edges I appreciate that Forest is eschewing current trends in sci-fi building and blazing his own trail.
I love the classic Space Invaders era shape Don Wilson (Ghengis Don) has going on in this LEGO starfighter. In general it has a nice old-fashioned feel without looking like something from a bad 80s cartoon.
Parallel to the American Apollo moon program, the USSR also worked toward landing their own Cosmonauts on the moon. Even though the Soviet program had enormous success with their unmanned Lunokhod rover, the manned program was ultimately canceled before Cosmonauts could be launched.
Kei_Kei_Flic has built a LEGO version of the LK lander, complete with a view of the little planet we all share hanging in the background.
Check out lots more of Kei’s pictures in the photoset on Flickr, illustrating all of the accurate technical details he built into his LEGO model.
This nimble robot by Spudbricks looks ready to rob–or perhaps arrest–anyone who comes across its path. I love the contrast between that menacing AI head and the adorable robot boots.
Anyone following my flickr account will know I posted this LEGO repair pod a few days ago. But, thanks to a) the arrival of my new lightbox and b) my rediscovery of Kerouac’s account I figured the time was right for a posting. re. a) I was finally inspired enough by TR’s light tent fun to buy one myself.
As for b)… the ultimate LEGO pods ever were made by Kerouac way back in time. These may have been blogged before but are worthy of reblogging by virtue of their awesomeness. If I could make a pod half this good I’d consider myself a winner.
With a catalog of outstanding aircraft and sci-fi models dating back to 2008 on Flickr, I was surprised to find that TBB has never featured Italian builder Simone (Wiseman_Lego). In an effort to make up for lost time, enjoy this double shot of excellence. First up is a Simone’s recent build the “Fighter prototype“.
I reached back to the summer of 2012 for the second selection, titled “Project Have Void“.
