Tag Archives: Transformable

Finally, a baby-safe missile launcher!

As kids growing up in the 70s and 80s can attest, when it comes to lawn darts and easy bake ovens it only takes one dumb kid to ruin a good thing for the rest of us. Maybe it was all the lead paint we ingested? Whatever the reason, we just can’t have nice things anymore! Thankfully, famed LEGO aficionado Angus MacLane has found a solution to our problem. It’s an amazing Classic Space rocket launcher that transforms into a giant baby mech. What part of that don’t you understand? Since the baby is a rocket launcher, I’m pretty sure that should pass the muster of even the most litigious parents. Probably. It definitely passes muster for what we consider to be totally amazeballs.

Classic Space Baby Mobile Rocket Transport Mech

Angus provided a graphic illustrating how the rocket launcher transforms into the adorable little tike. Once you’ve looked that over, be sure to check out our Classic Space archives to see what us kids of the 70s and 80s were into when we weren’t eating lead paint.

Classic Space Baby Mobile Rocket Transport Mech

The curious case of the Blacktron baggage

Chris Yu has a bit of a thing for LEGO space luggage. We’ve got a bit of a thing for his luggage, too – way back in 2019 his Classic Space suitcase was awarded the TBB Creation of the Year title. At long last, Chris has returned to this awesome concept – but with a more sinister twist! Naturally, the Classic Space case needs some opposing Blacktron baggage. It’s best summed up by one Ben Smith in the comments on Flickr: “I’ll be very surprised if this is not the most awesome thing you see all day”!

Blacketon Landing Craft

Click here to see what makes this build so awesome

What do you think about when you hear K-Car?

To some, the phrase “K-Car” evokes images of 1981 Chrysler mid-sized cars. Others, however, might be reminded of the 1987 Ford LTD Crown Victoria driven by Agent K in the first Men In Black film. I think I can guess which camp Peter Zieske falls into. This large-scale vehicle transforms from unassuming to jet-powered without any reassembly – just add some parts as you go. It’s an interesting take on a classic movie vehicle, with a level of transformation that would make even Optimus Prime happy.

Agent K's transforming jet car from Men In Black

Check out this animation to see it happen!

The build quality here is pretty excellent, too. Check out the rearview – it looks pretty screen-accurate to me!

Agent K's transforming jet car from Men In Black

Peter’s design is currently on LEGO Ideas, but if you’re wanting to get your hands on a cinematic automobile right now, though, check out our review of the Ghostbusters’ Ecto-1 or Back to the Future Time Machine!

A spaceship in the mech-ing

Imagining what kind of cool new ships can be added to the classic LEGO Space theme is always fun. This spaceship from Shiu makes for an awesome addition to those imaginings! The shaping of the ship has a lot of fun lines and angles to catch the eye. There’s some excellent greebling going on throughout, including the evergreen minifig roller skate. Personally, I appreciate the texture the jet engine insert provides to the laser cannons. Another fine detail is the pilot’s harness. Usually builds don’t have the room for something like that. Now, something you might be wondering is why so much bulk in the wings? There could no doubt be a variety of answers to that question, but for this build the answer is transformational!

LL-505 Galaxy Fighter

The star-fighter converts into a mech-fighter! The wings split into the arms and legs of a stylish, and spacefaring, mech. The nose of the ship swings down to allow for forward clearance, something it can do after the beast of a blaster is in the mech’s grip. Usually a space explorer has to leave their ship to adventure planet-side, but not with this ship! The whole thing can help scout out new locations and set up base camps. Truly an all-in-one spaceship.

LL-505 Galaxy Fighter

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Starscream!

The amazing thing about these small Transformer LEGO builds is how well defined the characters are! They stand as proof of the skill of builders like Student Scissors here. Keeping the characters transformable and recognizable is the tricky bit when working at this scale. When I look at this figure, I instantly recognize Starscream and all his ambition to lead the Decepticons. This particular figure is based upon the Transformers 2007 movie, which turned 15 years old this month. To celebrate, enjoy the craft of this figure. Starscream’s jet alt-mode looks wonderful with little kibble left over from his robot mode. Looks like most of it tucks away nicely underneath, no doubt thanks to the clips and round plates making up the transformation joints. The robot mode is just as gorgeous, giving him his squat outline from the movie. Wedge slopes define the wide shape of his head. I have little doubt he’ll turn and flee to live another day should the battle take a turn for the worse. Classic Starscream.

Lego Transformers: Starscream

This Super Nintendo Entertainment System is more than meets the eye

There’s a worry that when someone builds something in LEGO that looks so much like the real thing folks may simply pass it up when scrolling through social media. We at The Brothers Brick, on the other hand, are slightly more astute than the average bear when it comes to spotting clever LEGO creations. I can assure you, fellow bears, that this creation by Julius von Brunk is a clever one. It likely would have been featured anyway if it was merely a well-built LEGO facsimile of the Super Nintendo Game Console. Normally, we’d highlight this or that sweet build technique, point out a nice parts usage here or there then move on with our day. Shampoo, rinse, repeat. But then. But then upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that each element, the game console, cartridge, and both controllers transform into robots!

LEGO Super Nintendo Transformers (group shot)

Click here to see more. You know you want to!

Do they take turns riding each other?

Racing around the universe can get lonely, but the Student Scissors has found a solution – A cool bike that transforms into a robot companion! Viral Racer Unit-01 features a great looking pilot figure that makes use of the head from the Collectible Minifigure Series 19 Galactic Bounty Hunter atop a studly (although almost studless) brick-built body. The teal accents are carried  over into the fenders on the motorcycle – a vehicle that has, shall we say, more to it than meets the eye.

Viral Racer Unit-01

Yes, the bike transforms into this cool reptilian looking mode. I really like how the dual radar dishes that make up the tires split, and how the dinosaur tail elements go from fenders to tentacles.  Best of all, the overall shape of this mode doesn’t really suggest the motorbike version;  rare feat in transforming models.

Viral Racer Unit-01

But best of all, the two figures fit perfectly together, ready to take on the world. Or worlds.

Viral Racer Unit-01

If you in the mood for more multi-form goodness, be sure to check out our  transformable tag!

If biting doesn’t work, this shark can transform into a mech!

Moko amazes us again with another incredible transformable mech build. The shark mode is the first form, which has a smooth-looking texture across its body; perfect for gliding through the water. The metallic teeth in the mouth suggest that this model is ready to chomp down on its enemies. The sections for the robotic form are so tightly packed away that you might forget there is actually a mech hidden within.

If the shark mode is not causing enough damage, the machine can transform into its formidable mech mode. There are a few surprising details within this mode; the first is that the previous form divides at the mouth, with the split sections becoming part of the shoulders. Another intriguing detail is that the arms are portrayed by horse saddle pieces from the Belville sets. The gun is reminiscent of weapons used in mecha shows, even down to the pink scope.

Moko has a created a build that looks fantastic in both of its modes. The transformation is fascinating and can be viewed in the video below. Parts are stretched out, lower sections are twisted and turned, all resulting in a smooth and clever conversion process between the modes.

Check out more of our articles, relating to transformable models, here.

This isn’t just your average cube, it’s a mech!

It’s incredible to think that Moko has built 10 of these fantastic cube mechs. This model marks the way as number 10, even using the celebration tile from Lego minifigures series 20. Built in a metallic colour scheme, it’s fascinating to see the static cube mode transform into a sleek looking mech. Angled tiles are put to great use in the box mode as they meet at just the right positions to create the square faces of the cube. The purple pentagonal part acts as a visor and snuggles in comfortably in the box mode.

CUBE-ROBO 10 [THE-10th]

The robot’s ability to transform is ultimately down to ball joints and clips. In the transformation, sections of the cube are stretched out and often twisted round to create the mech form. The long legs and disproportionate form of the robot mode are reminiscent of designs from mecha shows.

CUBE-ROBO 10 [THE-10th]

Check out a video showing how the mech is posed!

We’ve trained for this.

Recently, we’ve featured quite a few LEGO builds based on the 9V Train Track switch element. Those were some mighty fine builds. Some might even call them transformative. But Librarian-Bot has taken the idea of “Train Switches” in an unforeseen direction with Switchback. This sinister-looking Decepticon is ready to take you for the last ride you’ll ever go on. I particularly like the way the hands are constructed – they add a delicate, almost surgical feel to an otherwise bulky robot.

Switchback

In train mode Switchback completely hides any robotic nature – and even works on standard LEGO track. It’s a sharp-looking engine build that makes good use of tile and curved slope elements to provide just the right level of real-world detail.

Switchback

If you’re ready for even more Transformers goodness (and badness) be sure to check our archives!

What’s behind the mask?

At first glance, you might think you’re looking at Optimus Prime sporting Rodimus Prime’s maroon color scheme and pinstripes from the original Transformers. Think again. This semi-truck is way more than meets the eye because it is a LEGO Creation of Rhino from M.A.S.K., the signature shape-shifting tractor rig/mobile defense unit from the 1985 Kenner toy line and animated series. Builder Hobbestimus actually made this his third version of Rhino, now complete with almost all the specs of its retro counterpart: battering ram, smokestack cannons, missile launcher (doesn’t actually launch), mobile computer command center, and detachable all-terrain vehicle, according to his Flickr page.

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Does this robot look a little boxy to you?

A key concept of the Transformers line is for things to be “more than meets the eye.” Builder Moko has made something that really fits the brief. This LEGO storage crate is actually a fierce fighting robot.

First, let’s examine that outer shell. The decorations on the face of the cube are from printed 2×2 wedge tiles, a code tile from an EXO-FORCE set, and a number 7 tile from a 1991 Technic 8838 Shock Cycle set. Beyond that, it’s…just a box. I can easily imagine this being part of the background in some massive LEGO hanger diorama and never giving it a second thought. That’s some impressive camouflage.

Cube-Robo

But, with a few twists and turns (detailed in Moko’s blog post), this cube unfolds into a really cool robot. The necessary joints to cram the robot into a cube has the side effect of giving it a high level of articulation. It doesn’t feel like there was an inch of wasted space in this build. It may be a simple thing, but I also really like the choice of a transparent light-blue tile for the eyes. The color choices here really pop.

Cube-Robo

So the next time you see a bunch of boxes sort of shoved off to the side of a display, look again. You might just be in for a heck of a surprise.