L'Exocet

Still no longbows? There goes my Robin Hood forrest...

I actually rather like the new fire chopper, despite the so-called <insert that tiresome argument> parts. Why? Well, if you take a good look at it, it's one of the most realistic looking that TLG has ever produced, it's not too big (compared to classic scale) nor too small (compared to current scale), and finally, it's really good reproduction of my absolute favourite modern helicopter, the NH90, with hints of another great machine, EH-101 Merlin (google'em to see what I mean). The only small complaint is the colour (red really doesn't match with special ops), but I can live with that.

A Gallardo? That's unexpected, considering the licence with Ferrari, but I these guys have no need for monopoly like some... er, people in the entertainment biz. Then again, maybe TLC got the licence along the Beetle (I believe Lambo is part of the Volkswagen Group nowadays). Anyway, great news, my absolutely favorite super car and in nice displayable size if in 1:17, too. I have to take a shot at the colour: Lime Green, just got to be, it seems to be the new black in Lego world.

Oh boy this really made my year! I love all of them, and I think my town plans will be on a definate halt to give space to a Lego- Caribbean trading post and treasure island... or lots of them, dozens... . Yeah, the ship sure seems steeply prized, thank goodness for the strong Euro. Otherwise, no surprises, still a bit cheaper would have been nice as always. I feel you, Jon man, I really do, living on the backwoods of Northern Europe (and coincedently in the exact opposite edge of the globe) I fear the release dates here will fall back to summer, perhaps even autumn. But I've waited for so long time, one more year won't be that hard.

EDIT: Never mind, got it

Oh gosh, I take that back. I have to say I hate those - even considering they're probably preliminary. But for anyone they work, enjoy, please don't let me be a killjoy

Very nice Minifiguraziation indeed! goes kinda off-topic, but I loved the games (originating from Finland), both 1 and 2 - The Fall of Max Payne. Plot of the movie seems stupid with supernatural elements though (not REALLY present in the fabilous plot lines games). The word is there will be no more Max Payne games, that's too bad.

Very Nice move from TLC! Triumphious return right back smack to the 80's and 90's golden age. Sorely missed Pirates, long-awaited Farm-in-Town sets, and, hopefully, a re-issue of one the most under rated, yet ingenious and beautiful theme the Rock Raiders aka Power Miners - all points to one of the best Lego-Years since the birth of our beloved MF. I admit I have been weak in faith, but as I see all the things I've missed and dreamd appearing and reappearing, I know I haven't fell back to dark ages. Are you kidding, man? For years AFOLs and kids alke have hoped, asked, begged, cried and raged to get the Pirates back to Legoland waters - let's just enjoy that now, ok?

Well, I'd say yellow slave Leia from the 4480- "Jabba's Palace" - a rarity in one of the first sets i got after getting out of my dark ages

6373 Motorcycle Shop - Man I wish I had it!! I fell in love with it the moment I saw it on the catalog, but never got to own one. A couple of years ago one guy told me he had this for sale, but he never returned my call . The old motorcycles are so beautiful compared to the new oversized Superbike (IMO new dirt bike is better), unfortunately I have only a couple of gray ones. 6699 Cycle Fix-It Shop is nearly as good, I miss those bicycles so much too, I so wish TLC brings them back to city sets someday.

Wow, that's fantastic, 57! I've been planning a museum of natural sciences for my town too, and your work is just inspiring. If you want to improve it, you could make it bigger It so great that libraries, museums and schools are turning up here in EB nowadays. In fact, IMO that is exactly the direction to which TLC should develop the City - schools, museums etc. They have so much stuff that would easily make great exhibitions in history, wildlife, space or what ever. But considering the failure of science based sets, that's hardly likely to happen, so I guess it's back to mocing board again.

Um, sorry to be a killjoy, but could someone please explain the idea of that platform to me - an oil rig turned into a rescue station? Why? So that it could be easily towed to disaster areas? Or is the building ground on the shores of LEGO City so expensive that the public services need to find more creative solutions? And what's with that mini-monorail thingie, wouldn't it be a lot more efficient and safer (and cheaper) to just walk those ten steps to helipad? On the plus side, it is fairly easy to convert (back) into an oil rig, too bad the colors is all wrong for Octan. And the chopper is nice (although the patient may disagree).

675 Snack bar for me, absolutely - it just happens to be the very first LEGO set I ever got! I also had the Hamburger Stand, which is quite nice, so it's number two, and third would be Pizza To Go, still light years ahead of the rest of the bunch.

Here's another view to the topic. First, I do not mean to diss roadplates, on the contrary, if you can get them easily and with reasonable price, that's just wonderful! But there is an option, which is also in line with LEGO heritage. I also tried to collect just one sort of roadplates, first the oldest ones and then the newer ones, for years, but when TLC started packing X's with Curves and T's with straights I got so fed up with it I rethought the whole concept and decided to go really old school: I do not use roadplates at all anymore, but rather just baseplates like 32 x 32 greens and 48 x 48 greys to create blocks and areas. Here's the old school thing: I use printed cardboard for roads, generally following the baseplate dimensions and geometry, but some times also altering it for better fit. This gives more flexibility in landscaping, and is a lot cheaper.

Spot on! IMO that's exactly what TLC should do, and should done with the previous version a couple of your ago. I especially love the downstair waiting room.. oh, that's so 90's *sigh* - and completely in line with recent fire & police stations. Watch out, they may soon "adopt" your design