Christmas with a Reindeer Mech

Name of Model: LEGO Mech Reindeer

Created by: Mitsuru Nikaido

Found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/142497481@N02/albums/72157676942777796

Details: This year, Santa's got a new ride. Someone ought to make a movie about this model and use that as the tagline. There's lots to love in this modernized interpretation of Santa's sleigh and reindeer, but even with all the space-y greebles and twists, it's still faithful to the sleigh-and-reindeer formula. Santa's throttles (in place of reins) round out his one-seater carrying a bag of toys - which also seems to have a thruster of its own beyond the reindeer pulling it. At this scale, a few long Star Wars blasters make for great antlers, and a pair of pearl gold 1 x 1 round plates with holes mounted on what looks like minifig handlebars make for excellent eyes. Other great details include the use of wheels as hooves, a white Technic wheel to represent the fur around the neck, a minifig ski for the top of the reindeer's head (not to be confused with the larger skis used for the front of the sleigh), and a plate with a tooth for the gold trim on Santa's sleigh. Make sure to check out all of the photos - the Reindeer Mech can be posed in a surprising amount of ways (probably more than are shown).

A Clever Hardsuit

Name of Model: Clank, Clank, Clank, Clank, Clank, RATATATATATATATATAT!

Created by: Carpet Lego

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carpet_legos/5680877076/in/photostream/

Details: While hardsuits (and mecha in general) are seemingly a dime-a-dozen on flickr, few of them seem to push the envelope on techniques. After all, once you've figured out how to build a compelling frame, it's tempting to create variations on it in every color. Here, though, we see a few unusual ideas. Plates with clips connect to radar dishes to make the feet. Flick-fire missiles on the arms connect to half-width Technic beams, which are then held on with half pins. The balance of greebling to smooth surfaces seems more like what we'd see on an actual robot. The hints of a roll cage near the minifig's head are another unusually realistic touch.

Star Wars-Inspired Servant Mech

Name of Model: WA-1 Servent Droid

Created by: ProjectGregory

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/projectgregory/tags/wa7/

Details: It appears that someone has discovered an awesome new monowheel technique that makes use of those obnoxious tread pieces some of us have too many of. To top it off, he then built this droid/mech inspired by a similar servant droid character in the second Star Wars prequel. The result is surprisingly charming and well-balanced.

The Maniacal Duplord

Name of Model: The Maniacal Duplord

Created by: optimus-convoy

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10267753@N03/tags/duplo/

Details: Remember last year, when I told you about how awesome the mech named The Mighty Doop-Los is? He has an enemy now, and the enemy is also awesome. Unlike the previous mech, this one uses more traditional parts to build most of the body and joints. There are still plenty of great uses of DUPLO parts here, though. Lever bases fit into a DUPLO 2x2 brick to create eyes for his face. DUPLO bricks are cleverly angled in the way they are attached on the feet and lower arms. Studs-not-on-top elements are used to flip sections over and have separate DUPLO pieces on both the front and the back of various sections (DUPLO pieces connect properly to the regular-size LEGO elements, provided the measurements line up correctly - e.g. 4 studs to 2 DUPLO studs). Tiles line the edges of those sections, maintaining the sleek boxy look. Those fingers on his left hand are minifig legs. Now if only more people would build in the DUPLO/Mecha genre...

A Clever Android

Name of Model: I-Robot

Created by: Titolian

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tito0o0o/4428179214/

Details: This vaguely humanoid minifig-scale robot is a masterpiece. The techniques used here are fantastic. To recap: there are levers inserted into their bases upside-down to make the eyes. Battle droid arms (also used in some skeletons, railings, etc in recent kits) hold on to the lightsaber that holds the wheels, and connect to wrenches at the top. Those wrenches are connected to minifig hands which connect directly to minifig legs. Inside the legs we see the smaller clips that have been used as hands on some of the "robots" we've seen officially released (I'm thinking of the Exo-Force line in particular here). The use of 3x3 dishes in various double-sided set-ups looks great here as well.

Three-Legged Mecha

Name of Model: Watain

Created by: SerratedSyringe

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36963250@N06/tags/mecha/

Details: There are plenty of interesting mecha built out of LEGO out there, but nothing else quite like this. For one thing, there are three legs. For another, this thing is a few feet tall, with lots of clever Technic bits making it a surprisingly sturdy but still movable structure. Well-placed worm gear assemblies and turntables hold the whole thing up, and the gears can be adjusted to change the pose. Adjustable vertebrae in the torso add even more stability and pose-ability (not to mention more menacing looks). Other Technic trickery is used to great effect as well - check out the way these 12-tooth bevel gears have been meshed with a 40 tooth gear and the way one worm gear assembly secures one of the knee joints. Then there are the details - note the minifig-hand teeth and the various Knight's Kingdom and Bionicle pieces that are used here.

"Fortress of Solitude"

Name of Model: Fortress of Solitude

Created by: a-tree (Nannan Z)

Found at: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=382009

Details: Try not to be overwhelmed by the sheer size of this thing - the use of several raised baseplates together gives this a look of more dimension (and more parts-intensiveness) than it really has. It is still pretty parts-intensive, not to mention mysterious. I'm actually still not entirely sure what's going on here, but the angles here are stunning. The mecha takes on a very lifelike manner, thanks to the flames it is launching and the large trans-blue "beam" attacking it.

Helios

Name of Model: Helios the Flammable

Created by: fallentomato

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fallentomato/sets/72157622829354735/

Details: It's very difficult to make humanoid Bionicle creations that don't come off as childish, spindly, or action-figurish. This anthropomorphized sun works surprisingly well, considering how many Bionicle joints, bizarre Throwbot and Bionicle elements, and unusual angles are used. A full 17 photos are up for this one, showing some interesting details and poses - and, of course (this still being related to a world filled with comic books) a storyline.

This is Wednesday's model of the day

Transformers

Name of Model: (various)

Created by: Librarian-Bot

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39048426@N03/sets/72157622251260949/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/39048426@N03/sets/72157622390359280/

Details: One impressive but seldom attempted appropriately topic to try building is Transformers. See, before "Transformers" became a big movie franchise, they used to actually be cool toys that had to conform to the laws of physics when they transformed. Sure, they weren't actually functional as vehicles, but they looked great as mecha and as vehicles, and they could transform without anything needing to be added or removed. As LEGO hinges, Bionicle joints, and tiles become easier to find, we're seeing more and more people give building transforming models a shot. The builder we're featuring today has created a series of original creations and established characters that are simply excellent.

When DUPLO and BIONICLE Combine...

Name of Model: The Mighty Doop-Los

Created by: optimus-convoy

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10267753@N03/tags/duplo/

Details: I like to think I've seen plenty of great techniques for working DUPLO parts into LEGO models - and I've similarly been on the lookout for new BIONICLE techniques. I have no idea how I never knew about all of the exciting techniques I'm seeing here, though. Apparently Bionicle sockets fit at a angle into the corners of DUPLO bricks (note the arms here). A similar technique for other Technic and Bionicle parts allows other DUPLO bricks to stick on at various angles. You can also create a sturdy connection with the inside of the tops of DUPLO studs and the small 1x1 "tap" element (note how the legs are assembled). Finally, the age-old technique that LEGO used to promote heavily in their own official advertisements - standard LEGO bricks in many sizes fit directly on top of DUPLO bricks. While this is a technical tour-de-force, it's also a pretty interesting looking model in its own right - it's a stunning design and a spectacular use of these yellow parts.

Men In Blacktron

Name of Model: MIB (Men in Blacktron)

Created by: OptimalControl

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/optimalcontrol/tags/blacktron/

Details: As a general rule, you've qualified to be featured here as a "fascinating" model of the day as soon as you've built a giant minifig. Building one with a pattern on the torso takes things up a notch, but building one with a perfect and highly-detailed mosaic (with studs facing in all directions) of a classic Blacktron torso on it takes things to a whole 'nother level. That's not even the full extent of this model, though: a side view reveals a perfectly scaled airtank, visor hinge, and implement (All of which I'm pretty sure we haven't seen scaled up 6 times previously). Did I mention that the face opens up to reveal that this is a giant mecha driven by classic Blacktron minifigs? It looks like somebody is ready to terrorize some Futuron planets - at least until someone builds a giant Space Police I mecha/sculpture to fight this guy.

Haunting Mecha

Name of Model: Redeemer and destroyer of Worlds

Created by: CrimsonWolf

Found at: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=395604

Details: At first glance, this is a haunting and spectacular mecha. Then you look closer, zooming in on the photos to see the various greebled elements. The closer you look, the more surprising the parts are and the more you start to appreciate the brilliant techniques used here. Chains and masks provide startling details while simultaneously appearing to float detached from the model. While there are quite a few spectacular uses of parts in here, my favorite thing about this has to be the way it takes "useless" Robo-Riders elements and gives them new life - a wheel casing is a back, an arm uses that bizarre faux-gear element, and the visor become the top of the mecha's head. After spotting those, the combination of Bionicle joints with Ninja swords doesn't seem all that shocking anymore.

Treeman

Name of Model: Treeman

Created by: Aaron the AHOL Man-Child

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cbla_member/3364204311/

Details: You can build trees. You can build sculptures. You can build mecha. Few can figure out a way to combine all three in a way that creates something brilliant and entirely new. Note the use of various shrubbery elements (including some of the smaller Bionicle spine pieces) and the mix of bright green, green, and dark green. Actually, the roots with the dark brown bits mixed in look pretty great too. Another interesting trick used here (and usually seen in the world of LEGO-based "Mecha") is the use of minifig legs as joints in the fingers.

Super Soldier

Name of Model: Super Soldier

Created by: legoloverman (Pete Reid)

Found at: NeoClassicSpace & Flickr

Details: Legoloverman created this awesome bit of science fiction for NeoClassicSpace.com's month-long celebration of the 30th anniversary of the classic space sets from LEGO. The idea of the celebration has been to make "classic space" style creations using modern fan techniques, and they have posted 1 or 2 a day all month for March. I'm usually a sucker for a really good mech or, in this case, mech-type creation. NeoClassicSpace described him as a "Space Marine Cyborg." I love the use of lots of little tiny parts to create the whole look. You get the idea that this cyborg is in minifig scale (i.e. he's supposed to fit in with a world that is inhabited by minifigs) -- it's just that all his robotic enhancements mean he's about 9 feet tall, in 'fig feet. :)

Prepare to Have Your Mind Blown

Name of Model: V&A Steamworks

Created by: V&A Steamworks (famed effects whiz Guy Himber)

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32482342@N05/

Details: Occasionally, someone will introduce himself (or herself) to the LEGO fan community with such a bold, original, how-did-he-do-that-with-LEGO-parts style that it just takes everyone by surprise. This is one of those builders. I don't care what you think of Steampunk, minifig-scale, or Bionicle - these are truly works of art. There are technically 5 models here, but only 15 photos. I found myself going to the "All Sizes" link on every one to decipher what was going on. So many of these parts are the sort of thing people tend to write off as useless - it's truly shocking to see some of them put to such great use. To see so many of them used so well in this context is mind-blowing. Just to top that off, there are a few more common pieces - but they're all used in unusual ways (note the boat sections that turn into jaws on the HMS Vern).

BrickCon Wrap-Up

The weekend of October 2nd-5th was BrickCon (formerly NWBrickCon) in Seattle, Washington. I wasn't able to make it this year (I've actually never made it, even when I lived nearby), but there are tons of photos to look at from this year's event. The big headline was the awesome new set that the LEGO company announced there (already covered here), but there were tons of great models to see as well (and countless more fun things for attendees that aren't available to visitors - as far as I know, no one was recording any of the speakers, and there's no way to show online what some of the fans-only events are like). Below are a bunch of links to photos. I should warn you, though, if the phrase "violent zombie apocalypse" sounds scary or unfamiliar to you, you might want to just skim some of these. One of the more adult-oriented blogs for LEGO fans coordinated a truly unique exhibit that combines Cafe Corner-style town buildings with horror/fantasy storylines - and since the layout is filled with (along with clever models and techniques) violence, movie references, video game references, and other silly in-jokes, much of it went over my head. The place to start looking for pictures is the Official flickr pool for NWBrickCon (which includes photos from previous years if you dig far enough). In the interest of not delaying this post any longer, I'm posting this now and adding links to it as I get to them. More photos at: Memory's BrickShelf gallery (Space and Mecha only) joshh's flickr set

Galidor Mecha

Name of Model: Full Sized Mecha

Created by: bigfatslob

Found at: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=306617

Details: I don't think that there are any failed LEGO themes that I truly hate. Galidor is one of the most despised pre-Bionicle action-figure themes. A true Galidor creation will, by definition, look ridiculous. However, you can take a few parts from that theme at a time and build them into other things well. This bluish pod thing in the middle was apparently a spaceship originally, but now it's the driver's seat of a mecha. Of course, that part is pretty huge and useless - you really need to look at a few of the close-up photos just to get an idea of the scale of this thing. I also love the irony of using other "useless" Technic parts - mostly Bionicle ones in fact - to revive the ridiculous Galidor theme.

Bionicle Horse

Name of Model: BionicleHorse (I need to build four legs creature.)

Created by: LOVEJOINT

Found at: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=317177

Details: This gorgeous horse sculpture is made entirely with Technic and Bionicle pieces - it looks like there might not be a single stud in it. The dark red color scheme isn't exactly a natural color but it works well (and shows off a sizeable collection!). I would have preferred a longer nose, but that probably would be very difficult to add. I love the way that various "tentacle" elements were used to create a mane. The reins, tail, and legs all look great, but the perfect touch is definitely the horseshoes. Stuff like that just proves that the naysayers are wrong about the amount of detail you can get in a model made with Bionicle parts. If you're into this model, you'll also want to check out the rider made by the same builder - which can ride this horse or a few different motorcycles. No word, though, on how long it will take to line up the ball-and-socket joints to get a front-legs-in-the-air money shot of the horse and rider.

This is Tuesday's model of the day

NightHunter Chopper Transformer

Name of Model: NightHunter - the Autobot Transformer. I have constructed it for competition on www.doublebrick.ru This robot is transformed to helicopter KA-50 Hokum aka Black Shark

Created by: ZED

Found at: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=306587

Details: It's tempting to try to split this into two models. I could write about how it is an amazing helicopter, with great details, elegant construction, and a decent sense of scale/proportions (which is surprisingly rare in LEGO® helicopters, especially in the official sets). I could write about how this is an excellent "mecha" robot. This is really a Transformers model, though! Which means that this thing is spectacular, and one of the most amazing morphing models we've seen in quite some time. There are some photos showing the transformation as well. Oh, and apparently this was done for a contest at the Russian-language site http://www.doublebrick.ru/ - so maybe we'll be seeing some more exciting Transformers coming up.

This is Tuesday's model of the day

Unusual Mecha

Name of Model: Morgan

Created by: legoloverman

Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38509565@N00/746194449/ and the three previous photo pages.

Details: I'm not a mecha fan, but I never stop being surprised at the way that mecha builders find ways to turn ordinary LEGO parts into bizarre and robotic things. On this one, there are claws, wrenches, minifig hands, binoculars, and even red Darth Vader helmets all used in bizarre places to get just the right effect. I'm guessing that this one took a while to figure out - and even longer to make it self-supporting in that standing position. Perusing some of the other photos available for this one, it becomes clear that this was just a way of putting rare parts to use (and the other bizarre elements were thrown in to perfect the color scheme!)

This is Saturday's model of the day