SOVIET LK LUNAR LANDER: NIFTY LEGO VERSION

We recently mentioned the upcoming 1:48 scale Soviet lunar lander from Fantastic Plastic, and now here’s another blast from the past, with the same spacecraft made out of Lego bricks.

There’s not a lot to say about the construction of, or the parts required to build the lunar lander model, as Lego artist ‘Kei_Kei_Flic’ hasn’t left any details at the Flickr Photostream site. Still, it looks good, which is what counts, and is more proof (if any were needed) that Lego has to be the world’s most useful and diverse toy building-brick system.

Enjoy these pix, and note the excellent N1 booster that KKF has made (above right), even if it isn’t to the same scale as the convincing lunar lander model. There’s also a neat-looking Vostok to look at on Flickr, though we think the LK lunar lander outpoints it, all helped by the well-lit and sharp photography throughout.

Kei_Kei_Flic Flickr Photostream here.

Lego space systems here.

Lego Technic here.

LEGO FELIX BAUMGARTNER MAKES A JUMP

Well, it just had to happen - a LEGO replay of Felix Baumgartner's supersonic high jump.

We're not quite sure what scale this model is, as estimates of LEGO's manikins range from around 1:30 to 1:40. Whatever, this is a fun piece of video making to promote the Austrian Model Maker's Fair.

Great stuff!



Note that the vid is a cunning viral which seems to have worked. Well, at least it's around the internet and on show here, so top marks to ad agency Ogilvy Vienna, who were responsible for it.

The Modellbau Messe will be held on October 25-28. Here's a link if you want to take a quick look, plus there's a version of the video with 'Space Control' audio.

DOWN IN THE UBER-COOL LEGO BAT CAVE...

SMN REPORT

The LEGO name derives from the Danish words leg godt, meaning ‘play well’, which is an apt title, but in the 63 years since manufacturing started, LEGO has far outgrown its ‘kids-only’ beginnings. Here we have an amazing 20,000-brick Bat Cave, built by adult enthusiasts, Wayne Hussey and Carlyle Livingstone.

As Carlyle (left in the pic, Wayne on the right) puts it, “The works of dedicated Lego builders never fail to amaze. I'm a former professional model maker/visual effects artist, turned iPhone app developer. I still like to build stuff and LEGO lets me get out my creativity without the dust and fumes of traditional model making.

“My company is Lifeform Entertainment. We blend the visual power of video games and the play-anywhere, social edge of mobile Apps with all the fun cool stuff you would normally do with miniatures, dice, cards, and yes LEGO.”

Carlyle’s outfit looks very interesting indeed, especially if you’re up for some App development. Have a look here.

Carlyle goes on, “Wayne is the driving force behind BrickCon and I make mobile apps but I used to make models for films and other purposes.” BrickCon is a fascination all by itself, a four-day annual convention for grown-up brick-builders, known as Adult Fans of LEGO (AFoL) or Adult LEGO Hobbyists (ALH). This is 10th year of the convention, which was which was held this year in Seattle, on October 4-7. You can read all about BrickCon here.

As for the Bat Cave LEGO model, it was first displayed at Emerald City ComiCon in March, 2012, going on to display at Jet City Comic Show, then at BrickCon 2012. The stats on the Bat Cave are pretty cool:

* Construction started early January 2012, finished late March.

* Estimated 20,000 bricks used, but probably much more.

* Finished weight 45 kg (100 lb).

* Roof lifts off, the rest splitting into three sections for ease of transport.

* Four LEGO power function motors.

* Presently runs on battery power, but may change.

* All LEGO, except some lighting and two related items.

SMN Summation

Amazing. For more, visit the Lego Bat Cave at Flickr here.

Batman models and memorabilia here.

AMAZING LEGO LAND ROVER

SMN REPORT:

The Spanish Lego fan Sheepo 2012 doesn’t seem to be too worried about the financial ups and downs of the Eurozone, maybe because he’s been hard at work building this 1:8.5 scale Land Rover Defender 110. 

Details aplenty

Sheepo’s scratch-built Land Rover Defender 110 not only looks just so, but he’s built in details that include a five speed gearbox, a two or four-wheel drive system, working suspension on all wheels, and disc brakes that yank it to a halt, pronto. The Defender has a fully-detailed chassis, and working radio control system.

Building from standard parts

Engineering student Sheepo has stuck to the rules where kit-bashed Lego models are concerned - that is, only standard Lego parts can be used throughout. Not that the rules are too onerous, as the Lego Technic system is about as comprehensive as you’re likely to get, this side of a Formula One racing outfit.

Another Sheepo Lego masterwork, this time a 1960s-era Mini Cooper.

Vote for the Defender

We’ve included a link to the interesting Cuusoo fan website, on which Lego builders can cast votes if they’d like to see a fan-made model put into production. To stand a chance of Lego taking up the challenge, you need to get 10,000 votes - last time we looked, the Defender had notched up 2394 supporters, so add yours if you like the idea!

There’s more at Sheepo’s Garage.

And even more at Cuusoo.

Search for tasty Lego Technic.

LEGO IN SPACE - ASTRONAUT BUILDS MODEL ISS IN ORBIT

SMN report:

After posting news on LEGO’s upcoming R2D2 last week, we were sent a link to LEGO in space, for real this time. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) recently assembled a one-off model as part of an education linkup between the space agency NASA and the Danish LEGO company.

Japanese space builder

Building a Lego model in the weightless conditions of the ISS wasn’t exactly child’s play, as untended bricks would float around, free to clog up vital vents and hatches. Also, plastics can be a fire-risk, especially if they drift close to warm machinery. So, the solution adopted by Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa was to build the biggish - 600 mm (24 in) - Lego ISS using a scientific glovebox. Inside the transparent walls of the box went the Lego bricks, while Furukawa built his model using special manipulator gloves, a bit like the Marigolds used for kitchen sink washing-up duties.

Floating away

Furukawa managed to complete the Lego build in only two hours or so - a far cry from the dozen years the real thing took to assemble. Mind you, the ISS is nearly 110 m (360 ft) long and took the combined efforts of a dozen countries to put together! When the model was built, Furukawa took it out of the glovebox and used it in a series of educational videos, beamed down to school classrooms back on Earth. 

Fragile model

The finished model floated about nicely in the micro-gravity environment of the ISS, but was a fragile thing that would have not have survived a return to Earth, where it would most likely have collapsed under the gravity pull here. After the show was over, Furukawa took the ISS model apart, and stored the pieces safely away.

More models

The ISS was just one of a number that Furukawa built in orbit. He also built Lego models of Moon and Mars rovers, the Hubble Space telescope, and a GPS satellite. Lego has a strong presence with its Space range, and it’s worth having a look, especially if you know some younger space enthusiasts.

Summation

The mini-ISS was a one-off model, designed for the NASA-Lego linkup, and it’s a pity that Lego don’t do an Earth-gravity version. The best bet if you want a decent model of the ISS comes from Revell, which makes a 1:144 scale version, shown below. 

Visit the Lego space collection here.

Heaps of Lego space stuff here.

Revell 1:144 scale ISS here.

Heads-up on LEGO in space courtesy Martin Postranecky, University College, London.

STAR WARS R2D2 - LEGO MEGA-MODEL COMING SOON

SMN update:

Here’s the LEGO take on the company’s upcoming Star Wars release: “Presenting the iconic R2-D2 as you've never seen him before! Everyone's favorite droid from the Star Wars galaxy is now part of the Ultimate Collector Series and features fantastic detailing, such as retractable third leg, front panels that open to reveal a universal computer interface arm and a circular saw, rotating head...”

More details

Whoa, there LEGO, your PR department sounds like it’s had too many energy drinks: “... and two fold-out front spacecraft linkage control arms. With the included fact plaque and R2-D2 minifigure, this diminutive model is the perfect addition to your LEGO® Star Wars™ collection!”

Designing a new LEGO kit

Still, as avid Star Wars fans since the first movie soared across the silver screen back in 1977, we have to agree with LEGO that the little bot is definitely: “the best-loved droid in the Star Wars galaxy!” As you’ll see from the LEGO YouTube video (below) a lot of thought goes into producing a new kit.

Ace kit, high price

The R2D2 kit looks fantastic actually, with a humongously-huge 2127 parts-count that builds to make a detailed robot, standing more than 310 mm (12 in) high. It’s not cheap mind, with a US price starting at $179.99 USD (£149.99 GBP) which makes it a rich dad or confirmed Star Wars fan purchase - no wonder LEGO targets it at ages 16-plus. The LEGO R2D2 arrives in May 2012.

LEGO Star Wars R2D2 stats (exclamations courtesy LEGO):
• Measures over 12″ (31 cm) high and 7″ (18 cm) wide!
• Features retractable third leg!
• Front panels open to reveal a universal computer interface arm and circular saw!
• Features realistic rotating head!
• R2-D2 features 2 fold-out front spacecraft linkage control arms!
• Includes fact plaque and R2-D2 minifigure!
• Ultimate Collector Series R2-D2™!

Nifty blueprint of R2D2 (above) from The Official Star Wars Blog here.

LEGO Space site here.

More LEGO Star wars stuff here.

MAD PHYSICIST MAKES MIND-BOGGLING MODELS FROM LEGO

SMN report:

LEGO builders number in their legions, but we've just come across someone who has blown our socks off, a Dutchman titled the ‘Mad Physicist.’

The day job

The Mad Physicist is just that - a physicist - in his day job, and LEGO-building is strictly a hobby that’s far away from the computers and laboratory. The title came from fellow LEGO builders who sometimes seemed to think that he must have a way of doing things that others wouldn't normally come up with.

Stunning LEGO models

‘Mad’ or not, the models are simply stunning, and we show just a couple here. The V-22 Osprey is not only a fair replica of the real thing - note the rotor blades even have their blade twists incorporated correctly - but it also has retractable landing gear (pic above). One of our favourite Mad constructions is called Brickston, a play on the South London borough of Brixton. We don’t know about the actual store names, but in general, the model matches our old-time memories of the place well. 

Build to order?

According to the Mad Physicist: “I get a lot of requests by people who would like to buy my models or who would like instructions. I am sorry if it disappoints anybody, but I have no interest in selling any of my models.” He goes on: “They are fragile, complicated, and tend to use a lot of parts, sometimes including rare ones that LEGO don't make any more or that aren't available to the general public.” Unsurprisingly, he’d rather spend hobby time building new models.

LEGO for Christmas

As Christmas is coming, we had a look at LEGO’s festive range, in which there are many tasty offerings, suitable for adults and children alike.

Star Wars

We’d be especially happy if any of these big LEGO kits appeared under the Christmas tree. The Death Star has always been a Star Wars fave, and here it is again, opened up in cross-section, though you have to turn a blind eye to scale - the movie version was big as a small moon, whereas the LEGO item is more of a Mini Star, perhaps designed to inflict damage by a thousand small energy zaps, rather than one mighty planetary disruption!

VW Camper and Space Shuttle

We’re long-time campervan fans, so the LEGO VW Hippie van hits the spot nicely, though these days our tastes veer toward high-tech rather than the gingham-curtained appearance of this one. Still, it’s a very attractive kit if you're into retro-nostalgia. 

The real Space Shuttles are no more than museum pieces now, but the LEGO version is still a kit that any space fan would be keen to build. This is a full-stack Shuttle, complete with fuel tank and boosters, standing vertically, ready for the "Go!" to launch a new mission. Excellent stuff LEGO.

Thousands (yes, thousands) more pictures from the Mad Physicist’s ever-growing collection here.

Visit LEGO Star Wars here.

For the VW Camper and other special items, visit the LEGO ‘Ultimate Gifts’ Shop here.

VOLKSWAGEN CAMPER VAN - BULLI IS GO, LEGO MAKING KIT OF THE CLASSIC SPLIT-SCREEN

SMN report:

Great news for Volkswagen fans as it’s been confirmed that VW will produce a petrol/diesel version of the Bulli electric MPV concept in a couple of years - or maybe less. The VW Bulli was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011, drawing applause for being an MPV that people might actually want to buy - in other words, a compact people-mover with some sense of style. It has to be said that not everyone was moved instantly - some VW fans muttered that the Bulli wasn’t dramatic enough, but our view a few months later is that it’s pretty OK. 

Nice one - hefty box for the LEGO Camper Van.

Brains not brawn

The Bulli is not a big beast - just a little bigger than the VW Polo, in fact - but the concept showed that you don’t need bulk to have a fold-flat bed if clever design is allowed its head. The slot-in iPad on the fascia showed a sharp awareness of Apple’s masterpiece too, and follows airline practice as they accelerate replacing weighty flight manuals and complex systems with this piece of user-friendly technology.

Revell and Sun Star versions soon?

But the star itself is the Bulli, a minor classic in the making. Soooo... Revell, Sun Star, and anyone else who will listen - please let’s have a kit and a diecast of this soon-to-be real son of the classic camper. IWOOT now! 

Note the lift-up split screens.

LEGO Camper Van

If Bulli is not available in the model world, then classic VW campers certainly are, and here's the latest one, this time a plastic-brick version, from LEGO. Due out in October, the 1322-piece kit is based on a 1962-model VW T1 Camper Van. The model features a pop-top roof (just like the one toted by my bay-window version) and details that include the air-cooled rear engine, split-screens at the front, and an interior equipped with curtains, cooker, sink, and - good for LEGO - that all-important bench seat-cum-double bed.

Nostalgic stuff included

More details from those days of hippies past include a lava lamp and a T-shirt marked with the slogan: ‘Make LEGO models not war’. When assembled, the LEGO Volkswagen Camper Van measures 300 mm (11.8 in) long.

SMN Geneva Show article on the Bulli, including a ‘Mr J’ doodle here.

A look at the Revell kit here.

More VW buses here.

1959 brochure showed you inside with a neatly drawn cutaway diagram.

JUNO MISSION TO JUPITER - LEGO ASTRONAUTS ABOARD

SMN report:

The NASA Juno spacecraft blasted off on Friday, its aim, to discover more about the biggest planet in the Solar System, Jupiter. The Juno mission is uncrewed, but there are astronauts aboard, even if they are a non-human trio of 38 mm (1.5 in) high LEGO minifigures. 

Classical Minifigure set

The little-finger sized mascots represent the Roman goddess Juno, her husband Jupiter, and Galileo Galilei, the Renaissance astronomer who was first to spot Jupiter’s four biggest moons. To recognize his achievements, LEGO’s diminutive Galileo carries a telescope and Jupiter globe, which includes detail such as the cloud belts and the famed Great Red Spot. Juno carries a magnifying glass, while Jupiter holds a lightning bolt, as befits his status as god of sky and thunder. The figures are not made of the usual LEGO plastic though - instead, they are cast in durable aluminium.

Juno will use triple rows of solar cells for onboard power.

End of the Juno mission

Mind you, the minifigures are well and truly doomed - after observing the planet Jupiter for a year, the mission will come to end, the spacecraft's circuits fried by the intense radiation belts it has been flying through. As a cleaning-up operation, Juno will then de-orbit, to plunge deep into the gas clouds of Jupiter. Eventually, both spacecraft and minifigure crew will be crushed by the titanic pressures far below the cloud-tops. 

No prizes for guessing the identities of the minifigure wearing the black helmet, or the one with green ears!

LEGO history of space

The LEGO connection is interesting, as the Danish company is partnering with NASA to promote children's interest in science, math, engineering and technology - in fact, space themes are nothing new to this world of plastic construction bricks. There is a long history of space-related LEGO toys, from the Classic Space sets which ran from 1978-1987, through sci-fi themed sets such as Blacktron, M:Tron, and UFO. There’s also been Life on Mars, Roboforce, and the recent Alien Conquest. Plus the biggest success of them all, the mega-selling Star Wars sets. So Juno follows in a long tradition, this time with the emphasis on learning - no bad thing.

HALLOWEEN HORROR'S EVE GREETINGS TO ALL MODEL FANS

Yes, it’s that time of year again, with ghosties, ghoulies and things that go *bump* in the night. And for model makers a chance to use a chunkier knife, and dispense with the airbrush, paint, filler, cement and scalpel.

So here’s a science-fictional quartet of pumpkins for your delectation. Have a good one tonight!

Note that one of the pumpkins is a steampunk creation, so just to let you know that the Museum of the History of Science in Oxford, UK, has an amazing show running until February 21, 2010. If you have even a smidgeon of interest in the genre, and can possibly get to Oxford, do go - it’s just amazing. Visit the Museum here.

The pictures above show:
1 Cylon pumpkin, from Battlestar Galactica.
2 Death Star pumpkin, from Star Wars.
3 Steampunk pumpkin.
4 Mobile pumpkin, motorized with Lego.

SMN thanks the pumpkin creators - imagination runs rampant in the spectral model making community!

MIGHTY MODELS FROM THE MOC ZONE

The neat acronym MOC - My Own Creation - is used by LEGO builders to describe their efforts. And there’s a thriving MOC site that caters to the enthusiasm of the worldwide plastic brick-building community.

Now LEGO is not really a ‘scale’ activity, mainly because of the coarse nature of the basic bricks. However, viewed from a little way away, a LEGO creation can certainly look much like the real thing. And even when LEGOness is obvious, you can usually admire technical aspects of the construction.

This P-38 Lightning (top pictures above) is an example - the outline is recognizable enough, but it’s not exactly a competitor to even a tiny Corgi offering (bottom picture). But no matter: it looks good in its own way, and you have to admire the way the builder, ‘Masterchief 1’, has allowed for the droopiness of LEGO wings by building in a pair of support struts between the fuselage pod and engines.

The online MOC community was started by keen LEGO builder Sean Kenney in 2003, although it is not affiliated with LEGO in any way. Today, Sean is the MOC pages leader and offers his services on the web as a portrait artist - making them in LEGO of course!

You can visit MOC pages here, and Sean Kenney’s portrait site here.