Best B-Models of Technic Sets?

[Kumbbl]

Hi all,

i'm wondering what are the best B-Models of the Technics sets...

My Vote go for the Formula 1 racer of the 8880: IMHO very well designed (better than all official Formula 1 racer sets of Lego and at least at the design level of 8458, at least from the perspective of an old school studded fan or at least hybrid fan), great playability and senseful features (8 cylinder, 2 shift gearbox, 4 wheel suspension, steering). Cause of the gearbox it is even better featured than official racers like 8458 or 8461 - at least IMHO ;-)

What are your votes? Which other B-Models are great too?

Thank you in advance...

Kind regards from a new forum member (AFOL) who has left his dark ages since 3 month and who is already fixed on :-)

Kumbbl

[mobi]

In good old days, there are often good C, D or even E models from same Technic sets. In those days, alternate models were really alternate - not like cosmetic alteration as in more recent sets (eg. 8110, 9398 etc.)

The 8043 B model is very good.

9397 B model is again very good.

I personally never found 8880 B model interesting (in fact I didn't even bother to build it).

Edited January 22, 2013 by mobi

[allanp]

This is a hard one. Hmmmm. The t-rex from 8485 is awesome, and the submarine from 8480 is also pretty epic. I would say those are the best, with 8880 and 8868 having the second best. I would not say the 8880 b-model is more featured than others such as the silver champion or 46000 because they have more authentic suspention. However their lack of a gearbox does not make them any more featured either (secondary features like lifting bodies and teeny tiny moving flap at the back aside!), so they are about the same in that respect, tho 46000 is still my favorite. That reminds me, the b-model of the silver champion is also pretty good. That also had a working steering wheel (the whole steering mechanism is made in a quite interesting way), so far only the second truck to ever have one as far as I can remember, the barcode truck being the first.

Edited January 22, 2013 by allanp

[desrs6]

Model 8460 has a very good, functional alternative model.

In 8480 the submarine from the set, I do not see any interest in the game, just an original and all.

Edited January 22, 2013 by desrs6

[Hopey]

My votes:

8043: For playability it's great, just because of how quick it goes.

9396: I just love the intermeshing rotors. Also, they've looked at the parts they had, and come to the conclusion that they couldn't do much besides build another helicopter, so they've gone for almost as different a helicopter as they possibly could. Completely different landing gear mechanism as well.

I only got my 8880 last week, and I haven't built the B model yet, but I do like the look of it.

2 side questions:

a) What B models have as many (or more) features as the A model? They always seem pared down; the 8043B doesn't switch functions; the 9396B only has two functions on its gearbox rather than 2, 8880B is only 2WD, etc.

b) What sets contain the most parts specifically for the B model? The only example I can think of is the 8838 shock cycle, which had a pulley wheel + tyre for the front wheel of the B-model trike, not used in the A model.

[jorgeopesi]

For me the 8043 B-model is real and playable a must have B-model , in second place are the 9397, 8285 and 8265 B-models.

[Balrog]

I really liked the 8070 B-model. Though it has less motorized functions it has really good looks. Only downturn is, that if you press the suspension, the model hits the ground.

But, you will get two extra 3x5 L-beams just for the B-model.

[Kumbbl]

another one: The B-model of the crane truck 8258 is very nice and well done... almost worth getting a second 8258 ;-)

[davidmull]

I much prefer the b model of the crawler 9398.

My least favorite is the 8043 b model it's not realistic drives too fast.

[D3K]

I too really like the 8043 B-model, much because of the speed and fun it gives you! Gearing it down to make it slower is probably not too difficult I would assume.

I also liked the 8053 B-model (harbour crane), mainly because it's something completely different from most all other Technic sets!

The 8868 B-model was also great!

[Lost_In_Noise]

I (almost) never build b-models of sets, but 8053s harbour crane stands out as one of the biggest. Although it doesn't have a lot of functions, it works as you would expect a real harbour crane to. 8258's alternate was a good solid build, but I never used the trailer, just swooshed around in the car. 8070s B-model looked awesome, but was a bit dull to play with the only function being openable doors. The 8043 B-model was used to some extent, but was quickly re-built into the main model, because of its pure awesomeness. I couldn't get 8868s B-model to work properly, so my vote would have to go to 8455s alternate wheel loader B-model. It works as good as the main set, and that's my favourite.

Edited February 16, 2013 by Lost_In_Noise

[Lipko]

9396 B from the recent sets and I also liked the 8880 B. So many fatal crashes played with that model when I was a kid.

[Erik Leppen]

8868's alternative model was really unique and its automatic pneumatic was very fascinating when I was younger.

As a kid, I like the alternative hovercraft model of 8856.

The buggy from 8479 (third model) is nice too.

[jadedomg]

I love 8043 B-model as well as 8053's harbor crane B-model was fairly unique. 8051 chopper I actually built that one instead of the original model :)

another one: The B-model of the crane truck 8258 is very nice and well done... almost worth getting a second 8258 ;-)

After seeing this, I really want to build one. Shame red panels are so expensive but I believe I could do it mostly in black and still look good.

[Blakbird]

My favorite B-models are 8880, 8480, 8862, and 8868. I have two copies of all these sets to make sure I can keep the B-models displayed. If you count universal sets, then 8094 and 8485 have amazing alternate models as well. If I had to choose only one it would be the 8480 submarine. You will note that all of these are old models prior to the switch to studless. This was not an intentional bias on my part; I just think these are great B-models.

A lot of the bigger newer models don't really even have a B-model but just a variation of the main model. For example, the 8288 has a different version of the same crane. 8421 has the same carrier with a different superstructure. 9398 has the same chassis with a different body. My favorite B-models are those that use a large percentage of the original parts for something totally different than the original model.

[twoofive]

another one: The B-model of the crane truck 8258 is very nice and well done... almost worth getting a second 8258 ;-)

second that!it is my favorite B-model, i even bought a second 8258 therefore;-)

[Choops]

The alternate for 8284 is better than the main model.

Still cant figure out why lego did that.

Steve

[Kierna]

Technic 8857 "Street Chopper" has a dragster B model, the most realistic Lego have ever made.

It is proudly on my bookcase, and the only vintage set I have purchased thus far.

[Blakbird]

The alternate for 8284 is better than the main model.

Still cant figure out why lego did that.

For that particular model, it is not totally clear which is the B-model. In the USA, the buggy was on the cover and the tractor was the B-model. Everywhere else, the tractor was on the cover and the buggy was the B-model. Based on the number of parts used, it is obvious that the tractor was intended to be the main model. I have no idea why they made the buggy (which wasn't even very good) the main model in the USA. I'm sure there was a marketing reason, but this is the only time this has happened.

[Meisseli]

A lot of the bigger newer models don't really even have a B-model but just a variation of the main model. For example, the 8288 has a different version of the same crane.

I just got my 8288 and have only built the main model so far, but it seems that besides B-model is only a variation of main model, it's actually better! It's bigger and better looking, has just as many functions as main model and uses all parts to actual crane. In main model, there is this totally useless cargo, made of parts that B-model uses for it's boom construction.

[Jim]

Like D3K and Lost_In_Noise mentioned:

8043

8053

8070

Edited January 23, 2013 by Gekke Ted

[allanp]

I forgot about the 8053 B-model, haven't built it yet but it looks awesome!

[Hopey]

Out of interest, does anyone have any insight into how the B-model fits into the design process? I.e. when they're designing a new set, do they just design the A model, then give the parts list to someone to come up with a B model? Or are they designed simultaneously?

[Choops]

When i built the b model for 8043 I was impressed that they included the suspension system to allow the tracks to go over unweven surfaces.

Just adds to the models functions.

Steve

[SheepEater]

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=318835