CommanderJonny1

Yeah, I can get why they might want the flag(s) in this set to be the way that they are, considering the whole 'remaking the old set', but I will agree that the 2015 ones just look way more... refined? ...or at the very least improved over the original ones. I had two big and one small of the 2015 ones (though sadly the clips on one of the big ones broke in an accident and I can't find the small one), and when I first heard that they were releasing this set, I was hoping they'd be using the [at least essentially] same flags, given that the large 2015 flag is $11+ at the cheapest on BL, and the small one is ~$2+. I've relegated my one remaining 2015 flag as the "Royal Standard", and I'' just have to wait and see if Lego releases them (or something like it) down the line. Lego has had problems printing lighter colors (and white in particular), especially over darker colors, for years. I remember I got a couple of the Aristocrat CMFs and while the torsos were decent, the white face paint looked half applied. In fact, the only reason I got the second one was to try and get a better print quality, but the turned out to be the same. Printing standards seems to be slipping ever so slowly, and there really shouldn't be a reason why, besides Lego becoming lazy with their quality control. I think I replied to someone else about those bricks. Don't get me wrong, I love the masonry bricks, but I feel that the rounded plates do a better job in this instance.

I think I get it now; do you mean that the same word is used for both puttees and foot-wraps? Also, to get back on topic, I don't know the breakdown for the cost of pieces for Lego, but of the three kinds of dual-molded legs with black bottoms I can find on PAB in the US, they are $0.66 apiece for the relatively common Dark Bluish Gray ones (has been in 11 sets), $2.12 each for the Red ones (3 sets), and $3.16 each for the Dark Red ones (1 set). Each time a dual-molded legs with black bottoms has appeared, there's only been one in the set or CMF or whatever, so having anywhere between one and six in a single set means a varying amount of cost. Would Lego consider the cost of producing those worth it? CMFs I feel are profitable for them because there's relatively little there (resource wise), and almost every other time one of these things pop up, it's either in a big set like a UCS set, or in a GWP. Both of which aren't really monetary risks for Lego, so they can afford to put in something extra. While I would put this set (along with PoBB and LKC) up there in the same (or similar) tier as a UCS set, Lego might not consider it the same way, given the price disparity between them. I mean, the pictures make it seem pretty easy to reconfigure it with the modularity aspect, especially if you had two copies. Plus, you could combine the two ships into a bigger merchantman That's the thing, though. Technically they didn't throw in the towel, which in any case was more like "Oh no! A bunch of money! Whatever shall we do?". Both Pirates of Barracuda Bay (30th-ish) and Lion Knights' Castle (90th) are anniversary sets of something, and PoBB was based off an Ideas submission. I'm not trying to dash your hopes, but while I can see them releasing more sets within those themes, they'll probably use some excuse or another when rolling them out, and I doubt they'll release them as actual themes again. The best I can see is nostalgia bait and GWPs. Although who knows? Mayhaps you've got the right idea, and they will bow down to the myriad voices (and wallets) and start releasing the classics themes again. If so, I'll be right there with ya

They're called gaiters, though to be fair, they serve pretty much the exact same purpose and can look similar. I agree that plain legs are not essential, both from a historical perspective (vis a vis boots, gaiters, etc.) and from a toy perspective, and I'm indifferent to whether they're used or not (though I still like getting dual-molded ones of course). Which palm tree mold are you referring to, the one they used, or 30239/10884? Because while I can use the older style of palm leaves in different ways, the newer style is, I think, better at making an actual palm tree. I can still accept its use in the set, as a callback, but I'm not sure even that holds up, since 10884 was used in PoBB. I don't know if using masonry bricks would of necessarily have saved enough parts to be worth it. Also, in the set the round plates are used to mimic the old printed panels that show exposed red bricks; they tried doing the same thing with masonry bricks in the 2015 sets, and while it wasn't a terrible idea, the use of rounded plates here makes it where the exposed 'bricks' aren't just a blocky splotch of color. I supposed they used rounded plates instead of regular ones so that there's texture, but plates also allows a more 'fluid' or 'natural' look to the thing that wouldn't be achieved as well with bricks. Puttees are long pieces of cloth that are wrapped around the lower leg, reaching from ankle to calf (or sometimes to the knee); they've also been used for thousands of years in some form or another, though the term and expanded use of them started in the latter half of the 1800s- so yes, they'd wouldn't be as prevalent as gaiters for the time period that Pirates is "set in". Perhaps it's a difference in use of the word, but I don't know where your view of puttees comes from.

I'm not sure how much I'd PAB the new torsos, but given that I have a fair number of the 2015 ones, I'd like to get a few more of them than are in this set. Was thinking of maybe turning some of the 2015 Bluecoats into light infantry with blue legs, while turning the new ones into Grenadiers or something, what with the red epaulettes and the new print containing a lanyard/cord that could pass for a match case 'chain'. Just something to mix it up a bit I'd like to see more knights to go with the newer shield prints that referenced the Yellow Castle or a new member of the Armada. More civilians like a fletcher or tanner, perhaps, or maybe a chandler or apothecary would be nice to see too. I'm not sure if Lego would do a whole CMF series like that (unfortunately); I mean they had a perfectly golden opportunity during their 90th anniversary, right? Still holding out hope for the Centennial though Got one of those; I agree that this one looks better than the one in the new set, but I don't think the new one looks bad. While I agree with the sentiment of just releasing the ship, as someone who didn't grow up with the original wave(s) of Pirates, I don't feel like the alt build was necessarily a bad idea. Sure, it could've been simpler (and cheaper) to just get the ship, but given that it was based off an Ideas submission, plus the fact that many (maybe even a majority) of the people who bought the set didn't have the nostalgia for the original BSB, I'd say the decision to add another dimension to the set was an overall good one. Could they have implemented certain facets of the design better? Probably, but I feel as if a lot of the argument boils down to "This doesn't fit my nostalgic view of what this set is supposed to be". I'm not saying you don't have valid complaints about the set, just that it doesn't seem like it deserves as much criticism as was given it. I think the above also applies to the new Eldorado Fortress. Again, I don't know much about the original, but I feel as if nostalgia for these classic sets is a double-edged sword: no matter what, there's going to be complaints about something. I like the old sets because of looking at old catalogues as a kid, and letting my imagination run, but I don't really have a connection beyond that. So when something like the anniversary castle comes out, I think it's a great set (for multiple reasons), but I don't have a mindset that's looking for things they should of done a certain way. I enjoy seeing easter eggs/references to older sets, but I don't 'connect' to them, if that makes any sense. Sorry for the bit of a rant

I think it's a throwback to the ship in the Imperial Trading Post set? I had to double check it wasn't the one they used in PoBB, but I'm pretty sure it is. I hadn't noticed the different torsos until you said something; they look like they're supposed to be somewhere in between the original and 2015 Bluecoats, so

Thanks! Thank you! I'm not sure how I'd give you the file anyways, as no one's asked me before (BrickLink, maybe?). I feel I do a bit better on original builds for Star Wars (or Sci-Fi in general) than takes on actual craft because there's a little more freedom for design and build techniques (or the ones I know anyways), and therefore it's easier to just create something. It's usually more fun too! Also modified bricks/plates and slopes. Modified bricks/plates and slopes for days.

Thanks! I started out with the base idea of the build and the number and types of figures I wanted, but every monster I came up with seemed to be a bit big for the scale I was going for. I actually had to lengthen the depth of the build to accommodate everything I wanted, and in the beginning I only had the stump of the front tree and its rock work plus the shoreline laid out. The finishing of the front tree and the placement of the two trees in the back and the figures were actually the last thing I did, because I wasn't sure if I needed to adjust the dimensions of the base again. At the very least, the original build idea was flexible enough to contain all the changes

Thank you! Although I must confess that I'm not that clever; I saw a picture of a Murloc Tidehunter made by AdNorrel on Flickr, and thought it was neat. Couldn't quite figure how he did the connections, but I knew I wanted to use that in a monster design, and just went from there.

Fun take on the build prompt. The vehicle models are nice, but I really like the part storage cabinets.

Great build, makes me want to build some Legacy stuff (like the X-83). The wing mechanism(s) must of been a bit tricky, but nicely done.

Nice build! I really like the shaping of the hull in general, and the upper hull in particular. For some reason, the ship kind of makes me think of a cross between a Nu or Rho and a Sheathipede, which is an interesting concept.

Thanks! Thanks; I considered an angled one, but I think the rounded door and entry way fits with the Rebel aesthetic more. You got to have something to do while on a break, right?

After a long hiatus, I thought joining my first contest would be a good way to get back into Eurobricks. Stud.io doesn't have everything, but it's still pretty good to have since I can't do physical build at the moment. So, one month and some design hiccups later, here's my entries for this year's May 4th Contest:

The Hunter has become the Hunted. The Rebels created a base within the swamps of Caligo, but the Empire has followed a team back to the planet and are looking for them. The rebels have been dealing with some subterranean nuisances, but unbeknownst to both sides, their presence has also disturbed one of Caligo's more territorial creatures, and Nature has decided to strike back. Only together can they survive. I was originally going to use the Rebel Pathfinders from Endor, but since Stud.io didn't have the parts, I created my own Rebel Jungle Troopers, with a similar situation with the Rebel jet trooper. I also wanted to include a reference to the E.T. easter egg, but I didn't know if that was allowed or not, so replaced it with the underground scene shown. Wasn't sure about the trees, but I wanted to include some appropriate foliage to accompany the scene.

Rapid deployment, rapid success. The Imperial Boarding Craft (Rapid Boarding) is, despite its bulk, a fairly maneuverable craft capable of delivering troops and heavy infantry equipment to almost any target. Outfitted as a small armory, it can be used to breach an enemy position, and then facilitate further troop landings with support from the weapons within. Armed with two laser cannon turrets and equipped with magnetic clamps, boarding charges, and laser cutters, along with its decent troop capacity, this vehicle can pack a punch like the warhead it resembles. Originally a way to get into the craft, the cockpit section can come off. I decided to make it able to turn into a small repulsorlift scout flyer. It's unarmed, but could be modified to carry light weapons on the side, and I was able to put some cargo on the back, although I wasn't able to put a proper 'truck bed' in the back like I wanted to because of structure necessities. Although the model only has nine Stormtroopers, you could almost double that number, and maybe even squeeze in a few more (although I couldn't in Stud.io because posing a figure isn't as fine-tuned as IRL). There's an E-Web, a small power generator, a rocket launcher, a pair each of DLT-19 and T-21 blasters, thermal detonators, mortar shells, and an ion weapon; along with a couple cargo boxes. Everything can be removed, and other items placed in those spots. Unfortunately, I don't think a figure will fit along the sides, even sitting down. The landing gear work, though you have to remove some small plates from the underside to fully extend them.

The Empire has come, but not all have given up on the Republic. A small Republic scout force was sent to set up an outpost on the planet Spiron. Soon after the New Order was announced, but the outpost was forgotten. The clones refused to believe the truth of Order 66, but they were cut off from help. One by one they have fallen, until only Kal has remained. He knows that the Empire will come to claim the planet and put down rebellion wherever they find it- but he won't abandon his brothers. Trying to get the tree to look right was a bit difficult, but I think I managed it. The last stand of Thorn kept popping into my mind, and that kind of meshed with the 'rebellious clone' motif to merge into this. I was also inspired by the old EU version of Order 66, where the clones were merely indoctrinated (and therefore could change) rather than brainwashed/controlled, which I like better anyways.

When the pilots, mechanics, and other support staff of the Rebel Alliance Starfighter Corps have a some downtime from missions and maintenance, they often partake in pastimes others may find a bit unusual. One of the increasingly popular ones is the racing of modified mouse droids. Some, however, are not amused... This was meant to be in a hangar, but ended up taking inspiration from the hallway(s) of the Tantive IV instead. The door was a bit difficult to squeeze in, but I wanted to include a working one to "seal off" the back.

Glorious. Always love some good stained glass windows.

Thanks! Thanks! If someone says it fits in universe, then I think that's high praise

"We got two hours to load those bombers! Move it!" -Rebel ordinance supervisor The Rebel Munitions Speeder is a ubiquitous repulsorlift vehicle within the hangers and warehouses of the Rebel Alliance. Designed to cart cargo and personnel efficiently around Rebel bases, it's equipped with a primary wedge-shaped speeder that is controlled by a single driver and can hold a 3x4 crate in its bed, two pilots or technicians on the side, and is used to pull cargo carts behind it (in a similar way to a train). Although the amount of carts being pulled varies, it usually maxes out to three or four for efficiency reasons. Although more can be added, this would require additional puller speeders, and I have not made one with a connection at both the front and back- though it wouldn't take much to modify one. The carts being pulled can carry pilots to their craft, soldiers to ships or assembly points, cargo to various locations, and munitions to be loaded or stored; they're also equipped with clips to hold chains or tethers, and the side panels can be lifted up to help access the repulsorlifts or be raised to form a small bridge. SW Rebel Munitions Speeder #1 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr SW Rebel Munitions Speeder #2 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr SW Rebel Munitions Speeder #3 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr The bomb rack is the same as the one in the 2016 Y-wing, just recolored. SW Rebel Munitions Speeder #5 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr With the bomb rack as a basis, I designed a similar missile rack. Although not shown in this picture, you can fit three more missiles in between the four shown here. In addition, the pinhole brick is there so this can be laid down on a bed of some speeder 'truck' via a stud, or swing from a technic pin; the modified tile on top is there for a similar purpose, being either clipped into place, or being hung from a hook- this is all to give some more options. SW Rebel Munitions Speeder #4 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr Although not technically part of the 'set', the crane was developed alongside the munitions speeder, and is meant to be used in conjunction with it. This was originally just an enlarged version of the crane from the 2016 Y-Wing set, with it later being changed to fit my tastes, and using parts from two of those cranes. This repulsorlift vehicle is fairly quick, and has two arms. The secondary arm in the back can be made bigger, though this may necessitate a redesign; currently it's used to pull things behind it or hang small things off its hook to be hauled around. The modified tile on the back arm can be detached and used to both move weapon racks on and off the cargo carts, as well as move astromech droids up into starfighters. SW Rebel Munitions Speeder #6 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr SW Rebel Munitions Speeder #7 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr Here's some rough pictures of the munitions speeder and the crane. SW Rebel Munitions Speeder #1(R) by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr SW Rebel Munitions Speeder #2(R) by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr If you want to build this for yourselves, here's the instructions: https://drive.google.com/open?id=11u-Y0sUKkJ-tCg6gHOvNngsbRYxv6Hwd As always, any feedback would be much appreciated And may the Force be with you, always.

"Sir, we don't have the firepower." "Use the Scout Walkers!" -Imperial comm intercept The Variable Terrain Scout Transport is the first walker in the Variable Terrain family. Originally, the head of the walker was meant to be placed on an Imperial armored vehicle (currently a still on-going project) as a turret; however, the turret was deemed unsuitable with the vehicles designed (though it could still be used as a turret), so it was decided to use it in a pint-sized scout walker. With this in mind, inspiration was taken from the 2016 AT-ST in regards to the legs. The overall design is similar, albeit shrunk to about half the size in most of its proportions. I'm satisfied overall with the design, though as a cockpit for a walker, I find the controls a bit lacking (as I'd prefer a bit more); I also wanted the twin cannons in front to be able to articulate up and down like the AT-ST, but I thought it was low enough to not matter much (as well as having the side armament compensate a bit for this)- due to its connection method, the twin cannons can be modified with bars and clips to articulate, similar to the ones on the VT-IT. Th VT-ST is armed with twin heavy blaster cannons, as well as a missile launcher on each side, all in a fixed forward position. It is also equipped with a grenade launcher on either side that can articulate in multiple directions, as well as a short range comm antenna. SW Imperial VT-ST #1 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr SW Imperial VT-ST #2 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr SW Imperial VT-ST #3 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr SW Imperial Turret #1 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr SW Imperial Turret #2 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr SW Imperial Turret #4 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr The cockpit, as a consequence of its origin as a turret, is equipped with a joystick control, a holotransmitter, and a control panel. SW Imperial Turret #3 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr The VT-ST is the mainstay of the Variable Terrain line, and they make up the bulk of the various VT models assigned to Imperial units in the field. Although Brickthana Engineering hoped its VT line could be a competitive alternative to All Terrain family, various issues from production problems to under-performance (among others) hampered its chances, and Brickthana eventually accepted its current place, and began focusing on smaller and more well-defined and in-depth projects. If you want to build this for yourselves, here's the instructions: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1JwnhA1YJRbazR8FXOoOl8Yh4ctVuPn4O As usual, any feedback would be much appreciated

"We got walkers!" "Don't worry, they're just eye-tees" - Rebel radio chatter This simple MOC is part of my VT family of walkers, being a sort of offshoot of my original VT-PT prototype, and is based off of the walker in the Imperial Trooper Battlepack (in a kind of roundabout way). Envisioned as a more armed and protected reconnaissance walker by Brickthana Engineering, the Variable Terrain Infantry Transport featured similar construction to both its bigger brother the VT-PT, as well as turrets used by both Imperial and Rebel forces. Unfortunately for Imperial forces, combat performance for the VT-IT fell below expectations and they were often stripped for parts for both VT-RT and VT-PT walkers by the units they were assigned to. Brickthana desperately tried to prop up the walker's abilities, but they finally yielded to the operators' preference for previous reconnaissance walkers and shut down production. After a time, and still having many of the walkers still in warehouses, Brickthana began work on a successor to the VT-IT; this second attempt has four legs, and is planned to have room for at least two or three troops onboard. Retaining the same weapon loadout as the original (or an equivalent one), this version is thought to be a direct response to both the lacking performance of the first one, as well as the Rebel's Scorpius Mk I. The VT-IT is armed with a two twin missile launchers, as well as a chin-mounted twin light blaster cannon; it's also equipped with a powerful, and detachable, communications array. SW Imperial VT-IT #1 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr SW Imperial VT-IT #2 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr Inside the cramped cockpit, the VT-IT has a pair of joystick controls, a weapons sensor, a targeting array, and a holotransmitter. SW Imperial VT-IT #3 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr If you want to build this yourselves, here's the instructions: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1oek7pVqNSDlEji5pPW4taSax8E0mxqr1 As usual, any feedback would be much appreciated

"Although versatile, Imperial Scout walkers are not all-powerful. We need dedicated Patrol walkers, and soon." -Commander Selm The second walker in the Variable Terrain family, the Variable Terrain Patrol Transport was the result of designers blending the plans for the Scout Transport and Recon Transport together into one composite idea. The various STs were implemented in a variety of roles that they were not necessarily suited for, leading to mission proficiency dropping. Although some tasks could be taken over by the complementary RTs, there still exists a gap between the two where a new walker would hep the mission profile. Thus the VT-PT was born. Designed to work well in both urban and open environments, it features increased armor and a more robust armament than its counterparts, in addition to a fairly quick speed thanks to its reinforced legs and servo-motors. The main armament is flexible Heavy Blaster Cannon with a wide arc of fire, with the secondary armament being the twin missile launchers on either side. In addition, the VT-PT also has an advanced forward sensor and a redundant communications array for keeping in touch with command and other patrolling forces. SW Imperial VT-PT #1 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr SW Imperial VT-PT #2 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr Although simple, the walker is equipped with an on-board AI to aid the pilot. SW Imperial VT-PT #3 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr Many features are shared between the VT-PT and the VT-ST, including a general interior layout. SW Imperial VT-PT #4 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr A look inside at the targeting controls, sensor gauge, and holo-transmitter. SW Imperial VT-PT #5 by Jonathan Wallace, on Flickr Overall, this was meant to be the equal of the VT-ST, fulfilling a similar role while carrying a different weapons load out and leg structure. If you want to build this yourselves, here's the instructions: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ukXIVIj0IrDZYed7qi6PywzJW8DTJlSV As usual, and feedback would be appreciated

https://www.flickr.com/photos/144643557@N05

I will admit, it is a nice piece of architectural flavor. I also put some rough pictures of my cavalryman on my Flickr (if you want a simple example). Anyways, keep up the good work!