BHs

Eurobricks Vassals
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About BHs

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    Warsaw fairyland

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    Poland

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  1. I have placed some hi res photos, that were not used - these are without any graphic corrections (and by that I mean only getting rid of the background and level if necessary). You will see, that the model was placed on two wooden boards for easy of movement. Check out the rest here. Thanks! In fact it travels on displays in Poland.
  2. I have some smaller MOCs in pipeline. Including one connected with dwarves, which probably will be posted tomorrow (at least the photos).Next 6-9 months will be quite a challange for me as I will be moving to new apartment (a house really), so most of my free time will be rather remodeling it than Lego. In January my family will welcome another member :), so again some portion of Lego time will be transformed into diaper time :). But afterwards... I have to dodge some historic castle, something more acurate that this:
  3. You are right up to a point. It would be hard to retreat, but try stomping on such pointed spikes while storming the wall. Not really good point to put your foot on. Also, when using ladders (still not a common tool those days) when you fall or the ladder is tipped from the wall by the defenders, you roll directly on spikes.The photo below shows the national monument of Biskupin, built at the actual site. Of course, only part of the settlement has been recreated (entrance tower, short part of walls, two rows of housing). We can see how in reality the wall looked like.
  4. ”And then from the rampart came a guffaw, he he he… because one or another attacker got inpaled…” with these words the late professor Władysław Filipowiak of ancient Slavic history, took up the story of first settlers on Polish soil. The lecture was about one of the first settlement from the Iron Age – Biskupin. The Biskupin settlement has been discovered by accident while draining marches in mid. 1930s. The age of this particular settlement was estimated as old as VIII century b.c.. The settlement was established on a slightly wet island of over 2 hectares and consisted of ca. 106 oak and pine log-houses, of similar layout and measurement (appox. 8 x 10 m each), built in 13 straight rows. Each house accommodated one family of 10–12 persons (in total over 1000 people). An open hearth was located in the centre of the house. Because of the damp, boggy ground the streets were covered with wooden planks. The settlement was surrounded by a tall wooden palisade, set on a rampart made up of both wood boxes filled up with earth. The rampart surrounding this grid town was more than 450 m long. The settlement was most probably consumed by the lake when the climate change, and thanks to that fact was well preserved to our times. For that, it is called the "Polish Pompeii". Nowadays, a full-scale entrance gate, part of the rampart and two house rows were erected on the site. Such settlements were called "grody" ("gród" in singular). They were build (in this or similar forms) on Slavic areas of nowadays Poland till the early medieval times, when location of dwelling shifted in favour of towns around or close to castles (first wooden, later on stone / masonry). It took almost half a year for this Lego model to become reality. First works began in late December 2015 with initial drawings and virtual construction in LDD. As it was my first virtual project, it took some time to complete. Each hut is, despite same frame construction, slightly different (wall arrangement, thatched roof). Here and there some details like dried herbs, woven cloth or tools mark the hut’s wall. One of the huts is open, and with a bit of luck (the aisles are – as in original settlement – very narrow), one can see the interior and hearth. The MOC took over 36000 elements to complete. It measures 5x4 baseboards, divided into two modules (3x4 and 2x4) – otherwise due to size and weight it could not be moved out of my flat :). The not-planned in LDD technic boundary runs alongside one the aisles, so fortunately for whole process, I encountered no construction drawbacks. The settlement is accurate build from historic point of view. Of course there is a limitation towards the number of aisles (9 instead of 13) and houses (the longest rows had 10 huts, mine are 5-4 huts long). The one visible exception is the statue of Światowid (Svetovit, the pagan Slavic god of 4 faces), which stands on the main square of the village, while it would be better of in a chram (a temple) outside the settlement or amid a sacred grove. As our historic settlers took up hunting, fishing, root and berry gathering, perhaps some early farming on the mainland, and crafts such as weaving, pottery, fur tanning – we have all those on the Lego counterpart. The minifigs sport custom made decals. Many thanks for Jetboy for his extensive support with the photo shoot.
  5. BHs

    Find panda!

    Just a small MOC completed after a very long and frustrating day at work. In other words... find panda! Enjoy! :)
  6. BHs

    Grand Admiral Thrawn

    Well, the whole scene is for a small competition on LUGPol, with one of the requirements that everything fits into one 16x16 baseplate. The whole movie which is projected, was devised for a bigger phone, and what is more - due to smaller cut in the floor, not everything is projected on the holo wall. But perhaps one day... And maybe with two cell phones? For now, as it is I believe a first merger of such projection with Lego, we may consider it an experiment. For me - a successful one :).
  7. BHs

    Grand Admiral Thrawn

    „Here, under the command of possibly the greatest military mind the Empire had ever seen.” Instead of typical descritption, I will use fragments from Timothy Zahn’s so called Thrawn Trilogy, describing the last campaign of the Grand Admiral Thrawn. "Come in, Captain," Thrawn said, his quietly modulated voice cutting through Pellaeon's thoughts. Eyes still closed to slits, he waved a hand in a small and precisely measured motion. "What do you think?" "It's . . . very interesting, sir," was all Pellaeon could come up with as he walked over to the outer display circle. "All holographic, of course," Thrawn said, and Pellaeon thought he could hear a note of regret in the other's voice. "The sculptures and flats both. Some of them are lost; many of the others are on planets now occupied by the Rebellion." "Thrawn (…), for the first time since Pellaeon had entered, opened his glowing red eyes. Pellaeon returned the other's gaze without flinching, feeling a small flicker of pride at the achievement. Many of the Emperor's top commanders and courtiers had never learned to feel comfortable with those eyes. Or with Thrawn himself, for that matter. Which was probably why the Grand Admiral had spent so much of his career out in the Unknown Regions, working to bring those still-barbaric sections of the galaxy under Imperial control. His brilliant successes had won him the title of Warlord and the right to wear the white uniform of Grand Admiral-the only nonhuman ever granted that honor by the Emperor." You have already probably noticed a strange looking hole from one side of the base, unevenness of the flooring tiles in the center and “ventilated” bottom of the base. This was done on purpose, not due my oversight or due to lack of elements… "Pellaeon stared at the invaders, still shifting into their utterly useless defense stance . . . and slowly it dawned on him what Thrawn had just done. "That sentry ship attack a few minutes ago," he said. "You were able to tell from that that those were Elomin ships?" "Learn about art, Captain," Thrawn said, his voice almost dreamy. "When you understand a species' art, you understand that species. (…) Prepare to join the attack." The hologram is achieved by projecting of the image or film on the tilted trans-clear wall, giving the effect of prism. Sorry for rather poor quality of the movie, the shots had to be taken with minimum ambient light and hence the grain. I am sorry, but due to aspects of the background music (Imperial march, huurrraaayyyy), in some countries youtube might block the movie :(. The phone fits perfectly in the base (8x15 studs, with 1, 2/3 brick height). The whole thing on the holographic display looks better in reality. Installation: The movie flick with the battle. Resemblance with old TIE Fighter game is obvious :). And for the ending: Emily Jones, wrong portal!!! So… for the ending: “Still gasping, struggling against the inertia of his stunned muscles, Pellaeon fought to get a hand up to his command board. With one final effort he made it, trying twice before he was able to hit the emergency alert. And as the wailing of the alarm cut through the noise of a Star Destroyer at battle, he finally managed to turn his head. Thrawn was sitting upright in his chair, his face strangely calm. In the middle of his chest, a dark red stain was spreading across the spotless white of his Grand Admiral's uniform. Thrawn caught his eye; and to Pellaeon's astonishment, the Grand Admiral smiled. "But," he whispered, "it was so artistically done." The smile faded. The glow in his eyes did likewise... and Thrawn, the last Grand Admiral, was gone." Full gallery on Flickr
  8. The idea for this MOC came, when my daughter built the set 40138 all by herself (she’s four). And then she asked those two questions – where’s the Santa and where is the train station to accompany the train. And so… The assumtions were – a bulding with adjacent platform, some typical features for a train station, add some fair lamps, winter, to put it all together on a single 32x32 baseplate… Let’s start from the very beginning – my train station does not try to compete with full scale sized models of train stations, but I tried to add some of the functionality into the design. We have spacious, glazed waiting room with ticket office. The awaiting passengers can use the water dispenser or watch TV. All is illuminated by a fancy chandelier, which is first of the play features in the MOC – just like in the original Lego winter series. The light blocks are operated via the pushed mini dome on the top of the roof. The roof itself is raised like in the modular buildings. As I feel a strange aversion towards doors, the station is closed by has roller shutters. Which of coursed are now raised. The side wall is openable. The ornaments on the front and back windows are also removable. What I am especially content are the pillars in the lobby. The came nicely profiled, and yet they do not take much space, which due to the baseplate limitations, scarce indeed. Although due to the technique incorporated, the pillars cost me almost all of my reddish brown jumper pieces supply. On the side of the main building there is a small technical outhouse – with a small stove (not well photographed I’m afraid) and with another play feature – the working semaphore. On the backyard we also have the garbage bin, switchboard and… ups – let us forget about the photo of this gentleman… But a train station is no station without a train… Here it comes! … nope, that is only the mini-model. The building assumptions for the train were even more complex as for the building: it had to have the resemblance with the original Lego gift set, was to fit in the confined space – therefore it was modelled as a narrow gauge train (four studs wide tracks), had to have a gifts loaded car… and was supposed to move on its own. As for the exterior resemblance, some changes had to be added – mainly in the drive system – due to the narrow space of the engine, which had to house the motor. Also details of the cabin with hearth and coal storage were added. The initial trials of the engine were with the micro motor – they gave promising results, but after adding the piston, all collapsed as the engine had not enough power to operate such contraption. The small PF motor did not fit into the housing, so finally the choice fell on the old technic 9V motor. On account of the measurements, it had to be placed vertically, and the battery hold was hidden in the cargo car (you can see the cable running through the cabin into the doors in the coal storage). Unfortunately the battery is most probably weak and the train moves very limply. After switching into more efficient power supply, the whole train spins. When I find more time, I will also make appropriate movie clip. Also I will mention, that this is my first steam engine, not counting the one build in late 80ies from the set 7722. There are also some Easter eggs hidden in the scene… Try to find them out! Entire gallery, with all the features described that had to be sadly omitted directly, can be seen here: Flickr.
  9. BHs

    La Isla de la Muerte

    La Isla de la Muerte Redbeard could not sleep. It was yesterday that he commanded his ship and his loyal crew. And today only a few laths and barrow were between his only leg from the water and hungry sharks. From a bunch of comrades only two were spared. Ant the treasure. The most important thing, apart from his beard and his hook, of course. The evening battering of waves drove him onto an uncharted island. On the horizon, the silhouette of the dreaded “Sea Hawk”, the conqueror of his bark, glimpsed in the last rays of sun. Our brave captain, commanding only a bunch of planks, ordered immediate landing on the unknown land. “We land and bury our loot” he ordered “and let any of you spill any words, I will…” he did not manage to finish his threats as the raft hit the shore. Meluzine, who once made any pirate amours’ on far Tortuga, started to salvage out of water any object that the gracious sea sent from the sinking bark. And on the land, deck hand Kajko started to dig the hole with vigor. The movement awoke true interest from the inhabitants of the island, who began to descent the palm trees. In the moonlight, or maybe in the afterglow of the luminescence, other sea creatures emerged from the deeps. Or was it just Redbeard’s hallucinations? He thought he saw… no, sirens are nothing but myths to scare the kids, too much grog last time – he explained to himself. ”Dig faster, it’s strange here…” he muttered. Redbeard wanted to add something which could not be easily put into a quote here, when the island roared in terror! The volcano has awaken! The island, on which our brave captain R. disembarked, indeed hides several surprises. The cave, upon which a “happy” (and permanent) inhabitant dangles. Mysterious statue carved in the volcanic rock. The volcano itself, which when active, embraces the ocean in bloody glow within miles. The casting was quite a challenge. On one hand – the MOC was supposed to be as realistic as it could be, on the other hand – I just wanted to have sirens. So I do have a pair of them, poncing around on a rock. As for the pirates, should I choose a new crew, some license sets perhaps? Finally, the answer was choosing the road of classic form – the members of set no. 6251 in particular. That was my first set of Pirates, bought long time ago from money earned from selling recycling paper :). What was most curious about the build? Perhaps “sewing” – if you look closer to the raft, you will see, that our pirate Meluzine ably sewed three barrows each side into the net. All fastened with the rope. What was the most difficult? Perhaps the water. From technical reasons (the MOC could not exceed 48x48 studs in solid build) I had to go around some conventions. The blue baseboard was needed to place the smaller rocks in front of the cave (see the teeth?). Later on it was the case of bestrewing (flooding?) the island with trans-clear and trans blue elements. In proper order to simulate the depth. Also, we have a form of biofluorescence on the surf, which of course is rather poorly visible on the photos. The island has two highlighted zones – the volcano and the “eyes” of the cave. Both done on the Lego lightbricks. Can you guess where the push switches are located? It’s best to search on this photo: For the very end – three overall photos of the island: Full gallery on Flickr.
  10. Fokker DR I Short historic note: Fokker DR I triplane was a German WWI fighter plane. Despite its fame (acclaimed mainly thanks to the exploits of the best fighter pilot ace during the Great War) it had quite a short war career – since October 1917 till June 1918, with over 300 built planes all together. It was exchanged for a far more efficient Fokker VII biplane. The plane itself, thanks to the airframe and rotary engine, was very nimble and had unbeaten climb rate. On the other side, a novice enemy pilot could flee due to Fokker’s low speed. Also, the fuel capacity was only to provide a hour and half in the air. The first planes had also defect, which proved fatal to some during wartime operations – due to weak materials and workmanship, many planes had low quality struts between the wings and ended up in tailspin to the ground. As mentioned earlier, the plane gained fame due to Manfred v. Richtofen, aka Red Baron, who ended his career having 80 confirmed victories. Well, he ended his career also in a specially painted red Fokker DR I, shot down most probably from ground fire. Behind the stick of Fokker DR I, he scored his last 19 enemy planes. The model: As this micro model was being built for the BrickLink MOC Design Contest (see: link) a set with sufficient bricks has been chosen – 31024-1 Roaring Power. It contained enough red materiel for the fuselage and airframe, especially the plates for the wings. Personally, I do not own this set, so parts had to be scavenged around my collection, and it was very close that entire project would end up only on paper sketch – it was long before I found the proper part for the propeller in black… Micro DR I consists of 106 elements (less than 30% of the original set’s stock), with one element added from the given by Lego reserve parts. All in all, three versions emerged. The first was purely prototype, with no color scheme in mind, just to check the feasibility of the construction. The first version had shorter lower wing, and after refereeing to the original fighter blueprints and photos, this was amended. The top wing has extended over the wing outline ailerons (not movable of course). The lower and middle airframe are mounted to the fuselage, while the top wing sits solely on four struts – that is why it rests upside down. The airframe, despite the look of being fragile, is sturdy enough so the model can perform “loops” and “roll-ups”. The model is armed with two micro air cooled Spandau machine guns. There is also the pilot, but within this scale, some imagination is needed to see him with a white air scarf within the scope of two dots… Below is the photo of the blown-up plane. What I am content about the build? The airframe is recreated faithfully, up to the micro scale of course, with the unique tri wings. Also, the model has a fully rotary engine with the prop, within the housing. What could be done better? The color scheme, should have some modifications – the rudder ought to be white with black markings, white not black markings on the top wing and red bar between the wheels. All of these come from the restrictions of the parts list of set 31024. Also, the elevator should be placed one stud towards the front of the fuselage. Finally, having some spare tan plates from the original set, I was able to build an airfield tent within the scale. A small touch to begin a WWI micro mock-up. Apart from the photos of the fighter itself, in the photo archive of WWI i found a pic of the airbattle, where DR I gives beating for mini Sopwith Camels (set no. 40049)… …and a proof that anyone can become pilot :) – the notorious baron Olav von Snowman. Full gallery, with the prototype and the first version of the model, is on Flickr. Don’t forget to vote in the contest, hope this Fokker DR I beats the “shot” record of its predecessor.
  11. Thanks all!!! I have added some more rapid and hectic laser fire. Next step would be adding some TIEs in hot pursuit.
  12. "We count 30 rebel ships, Lord Vader, but they're so small they're evading our turbolasers." "- Biggs, Wedge, let's close it up. We're going in full throttle. That ought to keep those fighters off our back. - Right with you boss." The theme of the Death Star attack has been banged on about by AFOLs. Fortunately, this does not mean, that the subject is exhausted. It took a bit different approach than the usual <middle of the trench – accelerating Luke’s X-Wing – T/F vee in hot pursuit> and to give the scene a bit more dramaturgy. For that reason, the DS’s equator does not run at the right angle through the MOC, and we have a small anti-aircraft (anti-starship) artillery barrage. The MOC is placed on a standard 48x48 board and consists of four main modules: The base with decorative boarder; The trench itself with the walls; Two loosely put on DS surface panels. Plus additional X-Wing fighters of course :). What I really wanted in this microscale MOC, was a good representation of the X-Wings. That is why they have their characteristic feature of folded (and movable) wings. The drawback is a slight asymmetrically placed left and right pairs of wings and engines. Also, I am not entirely pleased with the fuselage in front of the fairings. But at least all have R2 units… Also the scale of the DS denoted that the Rebellion fighters were too big for the trench itself. That is why, with their measurements of 9 studs width and 6 length, they had to be left on the battle station’s surface. To make the scene complete, six rotary turbolasers are placed, “some on the towers, some on the surface”, which try in vain to stop the attackers. And a small comparison of the adversaries: As I always lack the trans-clear elements, especially the bars (which also usually fell down on my Bricklink buy lists…), I had to devise a different solution to the issue of placing flying objects. It came in the form of optic fibers. Thanks to their flexibility, i was able to place them in possibly invisible way on the maquette (part of the element is folded and hidden in base elements) and, having only three pieces, by folding one into ”U”, place all in all four flying objects. Unfortunately, this advantage proved also to be a vice – too long segment meant weak stabilization power and “floating” of the raised item. And stiffening with super glue was out of the question. Entire gallery on Flickr. May the micro-Force be with you!
  13. Hi all, I would like to present my first and sole entry in this year's CCC contest. Four Seasons is a small journey through a year, as seen by the village folks somewhere in medieval times. Spring welcomes the serfs as life blooms across the fields. It is time for some plowing, planting and taking care of the homestead. Summer is the time for the crops and haymaking, which will create winter fodder for the animals. As autumn approaches and the crops are taken from the fields, the grain is treshed with flails. By the first snow, some of the animals are slaughtered, their meat conserved in salt or by means of smoke for the winter, their skin is cured for leather and bones sold to the craftsmen for toolmaking. Winter was always a constant struggle to stay warm and fed, which meant also the livestock. I have decided to make the tree stnading in the middle of the MOC a sort of a hallmark of the changes in the seasons - blooming in spring, with ripe green leaves in summer, pale and brownish when autumn comes, and finally... well - no foliage at all :). Some detailed views of the serf's activities. Hope you like this little MOC. Feel free to watch the complete album on Flickr. The homestead will be used in the next edition of the Studogród, which will be built next summer in Polish LUGPol exhibition.
  14. Thanks all. I don't want to boast of, but my Sandcrawler has won the first place in the LUGPol competition for SW Microfighters model. The T-47 Snowspeeder, which is also shown somewhere around on this forum, was second :). And Olivia's X-Wing, which was put into different competition - a "Build a Friends vehicle" - was third.
  15. Great little MOC, you can almost feel the Force floating around it. I would really like to see it enlarged, with the walkways that were drove down by Vader's thrown lightsaber, etc.. One little glitch though - were the Red Guards present in the chamber during the lightsaber duel? I thought the Emperor asked them to leave...