Category Archives: 1.2 … And More

Classic Space Transportable Rover

Febrovery 2017: A Generation 1 Classic Space Rover designed for maximum mobility.

I’ve always thought that the original Rover from the 928 Galaxy Explorer set was cool, but far to small to be as cool as LL928 itself. So the task For Febrovery was just that: Build a Rover with maximum size and coolness but still small enough for LL928’s cargo bay. And to get the real look only bricks available in 1979 should be used.

This is the result.file-ea65468e-9154-45cf-a0a6-b1f8cee9d14d-5944-000008a2cd9d2055

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The Pickup bed of the Rover works as a transport pallet which can be moved with a forklifter.

file-74f4322c-1eca-4213-8c2e-3dc841d94669-5944-000008a2c84f49b9The transport pallet has just the right size for the cargo bay of my LL924M.

file-add156ad-3531-46a6-9072-821d4dac2301-5944-000008a2c7378fcfCargo bay doors closed, ready for take-off.

file-175af886-1895-49fd-a142-a0db656f8a61-5944-000008a2c5118e6bAnd now it’s time to transport the Rover itself. The cargo bay of LL928 still has the original size. I’ve only replaced the 2×4 brick in the front of the cargo bay floor with a 1×4 brick and two 1×2 tiles.

file-80e4ad1e-7700-486e-a406-9cec160c5cec-5944-000008a2c1ae2821Yes, the cargo bay doors really close around the Rover.

b027_33091498406_8135fa5fc1_oAnd another way to transport the Rover: A standard cargo box mounted underneath my LL926 Space Crane.

b027a_32750724780_47eeacc759_oThe cargo box used as a garage for the Transportable Base.

b027b_33091519936_7f45900609_oTwin tyres on all four wheels and a high ground clearance are a great combination for an All Terrain Rover.

b027c_33006237411_032229543c_oJust like the 891/442 Space Scooter/Space Shuttle it has two steering wheels to be piloted by either of the two Astronauts.

b027d_32317792373_fcbf56657b_oSo this is it, my G1 Lego Classic Space Transportable Rover for Febrovery 2017. I hope you like it :-))

NILSOBRIX: Classic Space Transportable Rover
BrixBlog | flickr | MOCpages

LL926 Space Crane

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A Space Transport/Crane Ship in Generation 1 Classic Space design

The design of this model started with a question: “How would something like a Sikorsky Skycrane look in Classic Space design?” The ship should have the same functions as the helicopter: Be able to carry a transport container and lift and carry a big payload with a winch.

The ship is designed around a central frame with a high wing on top. Between the crew cabin and the four legs of the ship there is a big space for the payload. The winch is positioned in the center of the frame, so the thrust of the four landing thrusters is concentrated  in the same axis.

And here it is:

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Front view: You can see the two main beams of the frame with the two pairs of landing legs positioned below.img_0752

Bird’s eye view: The crane cable runs though the opening in the centre of the frame. The winch is positioned behind the opening. The  shape of the main wings is based on the LL928 Galaxy Explorer.img_0757

The crane at work: LL926 landing with a payload container “at the hook”img_0735

And … Touchdown! The “LL 926” bricks are custom printed bricks based on the original design of the 1979 space ships.img_0736

Detail: The container can be connected to the cargo frame by pushing 4 axles into the container using the technic bushes on the axles.img_0736

Rear left view:img_0740

Detail: The rear locking mechanism (locked)img_0740

Top view: A cabin for pilot and crane operatorimg_0744

Detail: The crane operator at work

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So this is my Lego Classic Space LL926 Space Crane.
I hope you like it. – My son does :-))

Bonus picture: LL926 with LL924M and LL928img_0758

Classic Space Transportable Base

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A small transportable base for two Astronauts in Generation 1 Classic Space design. 

The basic idea is a modular system for space transportation and the building of planetary bases, more or less like modern temporary (or permanent) office buildings based on ISO Containers. This is the smallest module of such a modular base; a transportable unit for two Astronauts.

The size is more or less the same of the original 926 Command Center; 8 studs wide and 16 studs long. The base has 4 “telescopic” legs to adjust the height and get a horizontal ground plate. The combination of 1×1 round bricks, 1×2 inverted slopes and 1×2 plates is sturdy, simple and for me it even looks cool.

The design is based on the first Classic Space sets from 1979/1980. As far as I know all the used bricks should have been available in 1979.

And now some photos. Let’s open the doors…

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There are two computer stations, a table and a bed. It might be possible to replace the bed with two bunks, but the playability is better with a bed. So the astronauts will have to do “hot bunking” as usual on a lot of military vessels and submarines.

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The center of the roof can be unlocked by moving the 2×2 tiles and then be opened. There is storage room for the air tanks and helmets and the most important thing for long hours of hard work at the computer stations – coffee ;-)). The hats are the only ones that were available in 1979, but I think they look OK.

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So this is my Classic Space Transportable Base.

I hope you like it :-))

 

 

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Hey, what’s that?

A teaser ;-))

3D Ambigram: NILS-O-BRIX

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A 3D ambigram of the lettering NILS-O-BRIX. Looking at the sculpture from one of the three main views you see the different letterings NILS, O or BRIX.

An ambigram is a lettering or an image that can be viewed from two different points of view (usually by turning the image by a 180 deg). The meaning of the ambigram can be the same or different when viewed from the different points of view.

The most popular ambigrams  can probably be found in Dan Brown’s novel Illuminati and the movie with the same name based on the novel.

A 3D ambigram is a special kind of ambigram: It’s a 3D sculpture that has a different meaning when viewed from the three main views (top-front-side).

I’ve been fascinated by these things for a while, but when I read Illuminati for the first time a few months ago I decided to build one myself. I chose to build an ambigram of my “Brick brand” NILSOBRIX divided into the three letterings NILS, O and BRIX

I started with LDD with a design based on four 10x10x8 1/3 cubic blocks. When I finished the design I realized how big that thing really was. So I built a smaller version based on four 6x6x5 cubic blocks.

I decided to use two different colours to get a better seperation of the single letters. I used 1×2 clear transparent plates for the connection between the blocks (for the big one I had used 1×1 Technic bricks and pins for that). The rest was pure geometry.

The design is a pure “studs up” design (no SNOT this time) with slopes and wedges instead of curves.  The result is a “blocky” lettering looking a little like early 8bit computer letterings from the 1980s. I remember making similar letterings with PETSCII symbols on a C64 ;-)). I’ve also added a few of my signature studs on the top corners.

So, this is the result…

Top view: NILSimg_0666

Side view: Oimg_0660

Front view: BRIXimg_0670
(You can almost see a “NILS”-shaped shadow on the surface)

Additional detail:img_0652
The centre hole of the “O” goes all the way through the sculpture. It was really a challenge to achieve that without weakening the structure too much.

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So this is my 3D Lego ambigram showing the lettering NILS-O-BRIX.
I hope you like it :-))

LL924M Space Cruiser (LL924 MOD)

A long needed “nose job” for the LL924 Space Cruiser plus some extra storage space.

I’m a big fan of the first generation of Lego space ships from 1978/1979, but I’ve never been satisfied with the look of the “stumpy nose” of LL924.

After building LL928 for my little son a few months ago, it was time to build LL924 to  complete the first series of Lego spaceships (LL918 had already been waiting in the glass cabinet). But already during the building of the ship I realized that I HAD to change the design of the nose this time.

I decided to build a whole new wing section based on the design of LL918 and LL924. I only needed a few more plates than the original (including a pair of 45 deg plates on the wing tips) and even found the space for a complete yellow-black-yellow pattern on the wings.

And as I was already modifying the original design I decided to add some bricks and plates on the rear end to get some extra storing space.  This is the result:

More space for the cargo, in this case a 4×4 transport pallet.


Removing the “1×2 brick” in the cargo area from the original design there is enough space for the 4×4 base plate.

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The new wing shape in all it’s beauty.


The new LL924M compared to a transport scooter with the original LL924 wing shape.


So, this is my modified Classic Space Lego LL924 Space Cruiser (LL924M). I hope you like it :-))

 

 

Audi TT MkI (6-Wide SC Minifig Scale)

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A 6-wide Speed Champions model of my Audi TT MkI (8N)

The 75873 Audi R8 LMS Ultra was the first Speed Champions Set that I bought for my son (OK, I bought it for me, too, to get some of the new parts). Stickers on Lego Models (as well as on any other thing in our home) don’t last very long because of the special attention my son gives to them (1. pull off, 2. put on again, 3. go to 1.), so I have to replace them on all Lego models, especially the head and tail lights. I don’t really like them, so that’s no big deal.

In case of the R8 it led to additional inspiration. When I modified the front and rear end of the R8 I came to a version that looked more and more like a TT. So after building the R8 I was eager to build a TT. Of course, it had to be blue, just like the one I still have parked in the garage. So I bought a set of the 75871 Ford Mustang and modified the design of the R8 until it looked like a TT.

This is the result:img_0549
Finally, a matching ride for BrixoNils :-))

Side View:
img_0550I decided to put on the spoiler, because the real one does have it, too. It doesn’t look too bad and it’s not wise to go at more than 200 kph on a German Autobahn without it…

Side/rear view:img_0551
Only one exhaust pipe for the FWD version (the quattro models have two).

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So this is my 6-wide Lego Speed Champions Audi TT MkI (8N). I hope you like it :-))

Micro Explorers: 928 (497) Galaxy Explorer

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Micro Explorer instead of Microfighter: My micro scale Minifig compatible version of the Classic Space 928 (497) Galaxy Explorer 

No SHIP but a tiny little ship for SHIPtember…

There already exist quite a few micro scale models of the Classic Space Galaxy Explorer, even an official polybag model (11910)

I wanted to build my own one, too. Inspired by the Star Wars Microfighters I had the idea of building a Minifig compatible version of a micro scale LL928, a “Micro Explorer”.

This is the result:img_0562

Come fly with me…img_0564

A side/rear viewimg_0561

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So, here it is: My minifig compatible “Micro Explorer” LL928 Galaxy Explorer. I hope you like it :-))

8845 Dune Buggy Reloaded (Studless Technic)

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A new (studless) version of the classic Technic 8845 Dune Buggy from 1981.

Yes, I’m a big fan of the 8845 Dune Buggy, I still am. I’ve already had the idea for this classic model built with new Technic elements a few years ago. I started building an LDD model and then I kept “in the drawer” until it was time to build it “for real”.

I remembered my “old love” a few weeks ago when I wrote a review for the original model for The Lego Car Blog and I thought: “That’s so cool, maybe now it’s time to order some bricks for it”. But when I looked at the LDD model the first time after all that time I wasn’t a 100% satisfied with it, anymore.

So I started optimizing the design a little until I was. Then I uploaded it to Bricklink into a new Wanted List and used the new “Buy All” function for the first time. The experience was just “Wow, it has become so easy to get all bricks!”

After a few days I had all the bricks and got started immediately when the last of the three envelopes arrived. This was the result a few hours later:

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The basic design is as close to the original as possible. Most “old” 8L bricks are now 7L beams, 8L bricks are 5L beams, and so on. The roll cage has the same dimensions (in the side view) as 8845 and the angles between the axles are the same, too.

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The main differences are: The new one is one “stud” wider, the wheelbase is half a “stud” longer and I’ve added a second beam on each “lever” of the rear suspension to add some rigidity.

I’ve also added a HOG steering, something I had done on my old model when I was a kid (As I didn’t have an extra gear for the “right side” I used a longer axle going through the steering wheel, a second cardan joint and another axle plus a “spare tire” for the steering).

Here I used an additional gear on the front, a complete second steering column and a small black ball as “steering wheel” for the HOG steering (I tried out quite a few elements, even a spare wheel – but I think the ball looks best and it really works fine).

img_0515Top view: You can see the front part of the HOG steering.

img_0516Bottom view: And here is the rest of it.

img_0518Bird’s view: Looks cool for me…
And it’s so much fun to play with it, especially for my 3-year-old son.

img_0519The Next Generation: 8845 and his studless new friend.

With the studless model finished I also got my smaller versions of 8845 out of the glass cabinet and reworked the roll cages with new holders and rigid tubes.

img_0526Family picture: The classic 8845, the new studless model, the 6-wide Minifig model (with BrixoNils at the wheel) and the 4-wide model.

img_0511So, that’s my new studless version of the classic Lego Technic 8845 Dune Buggy. I hope you like it :-)) – Maybe not as much as I do, but who could expect that? ;-))

“Barricade” ’05 Police Mustang (6-Wide SC Minifig Scale)

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A pair of 6-wide ’05 Saleen Ford Mustangs – a “Speed Champion” and a “Legoformer”.

When I started working on my 6-wide Bumblebee I already had a Barricade in mind for the next model. I’m not really a fan of the Michael Bay movies, but I really like the vehicles he used in his films, especially Bumblebee, Barricade and Optimus.

Just like I had done with Bumblebee I first built a “Speed Champion” for my little son. There is no SC model with four of the new mudguards in black, yet. So I had to use parts from four sets to build two Barricades. My son already had an Audi R8 LMS, so I bought three more Audis at a local toy store. The rather new parts are still quite expensive at BL, so this was the most efficient way to get the parts.

I first built both models in LDD and then rebuilt them with plastic bricks. This is the result:

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SC model (left) and Legoformer (right)

 

Some pictures of the SC model:

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Side view

 

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3/4 rear view

 

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3/4 front view

 

And now the Legoformer:

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(Add transforming sound here…)

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Barricade ready for action.

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“Oh, no, I think I know this one…”

 

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“I hate Autobots!”

 

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The rivals

 

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So, this is my 6-wide “Speed Champions” ’05 Saleen Police Ford Mustang “Barricade” Legoformer. I hope you like it :-))

Bonus picture#1:

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Decepticon Customs presents: The “Ford Mustang Ultra Wide Body”

Bonus picture #2:

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The SCLF – Speed Champions Legoformers

Bonus picture #3:
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(Add transforming sound here…)

“Bumblebee” Camaro (6-Wide SC Minifig Scale)

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A pair of  Camaros in “Bumblebee” design, based on the Speed Champions model. – Autobots, Roll Out…

My little son is a big fan of the “Speed Champions” cars and also of the “Bumblebee” Camaro. So I started building a yellow Camaro based on the parts from a 75870 Corvette and the design of the red Camaro from set 75874.

As I’m not a fan of stickers on my models I had to find a new design for the head- and taillights. Once started I reworked the whole design of the Camaro here and there to make it look more like the Bumblebee model from “Revenge of the Fallen”.
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After building one for my son, I wanted one for myself, too. So I bought another Corvette and built a second one ;-))
This is the result:
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Almost equal twins, but if you take a look closer look, …
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Autobots, Roll Out! :-))

You saw that coming, didn’t you? ;-))

My top design priority for the robot was a mostly unchanged look in car mode. I especially wanted to use the SC wheelhouses and wheels, which occupy a rather big space of the model (especially compared to “Deluxe” figures of the movie Bumblebee). So there wasn’t much space left between outer shell and wheels for the folding mechanism.

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I’m  really satisfied with the look of the robot, even if it looks a little like a “Hulkbuster” ;-))

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The folding mechanism was first based on the smaller “Movie Legend” figures and then became a little more complex during the design process. I also tried to include a folding mechanism for the rear roof section similar to the “Deluxe” figures, but it was too fragile. So I left the roof in it’s place and used it as a “turtle shell” for the back of the robot.

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So this is my transformable LEGO “Bumblebee” Camaro in “Speed Champions” scale and look.
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I hope you like it :-))

Bonus picture #1:
img_0502_ff_transformation(Add transforming sound here…)

Bonus picture #2:MOCpages_2016-06-30_Seite1_Bumblebee_Across_MP
June 30, 2016: My first MOC in the TOP4 of “Across MOCpages” 🙂