Interceptor

Definitely Markus Kossmann for his passion, amazing talent and his contribution to the revolutionary innovations for the Technic line (PF and PU) for decades. He is also partly responsible for ending my dark ages with his benchmark set, the 8421 Mobile Crane from 2005, which is still one of my favourite sets due to the excellent maneuverability and breathtaking motorized boom extension, combined with synchronized winch mechanism. But his beloved sets are almost endless: 8265, 8275, 41999, 42009, 42043, 42055, 42100, 42113, 42145, 42131... By the way, he started his career at LEGO in 1998 Feb, so he could not be in the design team for 8840 Space Shuttle. I also very much like Uwe Wabra's clean designs and Jan Hatting's sets from the classic period (he was the lead designer for my favourite set, the 8868 Air Tech Claw Rig). I would also like to mention Anders Gaasedal Christensen, who, after designing 2 ingenious Technic sets (8043 and 8109), left the Technic team in favour of the Mindstorms team around 2010.

These are cars.Construction machines are treated other way, just a matter of perspective. 🙂 But you know what? I hope you are right.

Because I do not see them making 2 backhoe loaders in the same year. But time will tell.

Another lost year for making a proper flagship compressor and pneumatic backhoe loader.

Hello folks, here is my experience with the 21344 motorization. My primary goal was to use as few additional pieces as possible and to preserve the original appearance. I use the train on a LEGO 9v layout with R40 curves and original switches. I chose Rebrickable StijnD's (v1.3.) great mod as the base for my modification for the loco nearly half year ago, and I was basically happy with the outcome, although the top speed wasn't enough for my taste. There is an advice in StijnD's post for cheaper rubber bands, but I wanted to keep it original LEGO, so I purchased 4 red rubber bands (same as used on the Emerald Night) and put them on my Orient locomotive's big wheels (one band on each of the 4 drivers) for bigger adheison of the loco. I also thought about adding weight brick, but decided not to because the loco with the PU L motor already felt heavy enough for the job (I use it with the two coaches coming from the set). The bevel gears are not coming apart during operation. I also wanted to have an easier rolling of the coaches, because these are very heavy and permanently struggled in the R40 curves, so I incorporated metal axles with suitable bearing elements and wheels (used on e.g. on Emerald Night coach) into the bogies, and the end result was satisfying. The whole train moved smoother and faster. I tested it 4-5 times with new batteries until full discharge, non-stop. I always used new non-rechargeable AAA batteries. Before switching to metal axels, operating time was only about 1 hour before full discharge. After switching to metal axels, the operating time was appr. 1 hour and 30 minutes each time before full discharge. Switches and curves are still not the train's favourite part of the layout, but overall it can handle them. The train (tender) derailed a few times going forward but I found out that it was mostly caused by the PU wire when it came into contact with the driver minifigure in the loco's cabin in the curves so I put the minifigure on the top of the tender, and since then it has derailed probably only once. Not remember derailing the train going backwards, but this was tested for a very limited time only, so it's not really authoritative. I am pleased with the end result, and have no plan to further develop my motorized Orient Express.

Yeah, this is more close to the LEGO version.

Here you go: https://www.nuttauction.com/auctions/6172/lot/3163-1995-mac-truck-with-160b-barco-log-loader-truck-has-mac-250-engine-loader-has-cummins-4-cy-engine This kind of truck does exist, it is called truck mounted log loader. You will find several examples via google. I am sure it was not invented by the (otherwise brilliant) Technic designer of the set, Olav Krøigaard.

8868 Air Tech Claw Rig. I got in as a Christmas present from my dear parents in 1994. From aesthetic point of view, it has a clear and beautiful (old) design. Looks like the real thing, even sounds like the real thing. Compressor and pneumatic for the first time. Authenticity, because the pneumatic design comes closest to real one's hydraulic system. Challenging building and outstanding playability. Still my favourite Technic set.

I contacted LEGO customer service about replacing the pieces with typos and they said that the correct pieces are on their way to my address, so there is hope.

Sorry to hear that as it was the only lego set I was really looking forward to in 2023. But this also means they have plenty of time to make it a proper 6-7 studs wide train. 😉

Same here. I really hope the John Deere set is big and utilizes the Claas tires. I think it is doable with this piece count if it uses a lot of pneumatic solutions.

Yes, I remember the 1990s. But kidding aside, Technic has had good times and bad times, and right now we're going through a bad time - unless you're a car guy. But there is always hope that it will change sometime.

To be honest, 42157 - Skidder John Deere 948L-II is the only set, which interest me from the 2023 Technic lineup. Of course, TLG did not produced the longer pneumatic cylinders in gray colour only for the 42144 Material Handler, they have to incorporate it in a larger set soon, e.g. in the 2023 John Deere, which in real life has dark gray hydraulic cylinders. I hope this set is packed with a lot of motorized and manual functions, utilizes the Claas tires and has motorized compressor & pneumatic system out of the box. And finally this skidder is an interesting machine, that TLG has never done before in Technic.

Ye, this shows how old I am. At least they put the elevator function in this new airplane and it is nice from TLG. Happy New Year!

In my opinion 8855 has a better one, where the control stick in the cockpit pushes and pulls tie rods via ball joints.

Glorious days for sure! Actually I like so much the 8421 with it's synchronized 3 stage telescopic boom - winch mechanism (which 42009 lacks unfortunately), that I've never ever disassembled it, but I play with it quite often.

You brought back great memories with this montage @DrJB. In my opinion, these (along with the 8421 mobile crane) are the best sets from the early studless era, and remind me of when I rediscovered the awesomeness of LEGO Technic after a long dark age.

Finally the legendary Orient Express, congratulations to the designer. I hope TLG will cheris this set as they did with Medieval Blacksmith, make it smaller to fit the standard LEGO train layout and maybe do two smaller passenger wagons (coupe and dining) instead of just one. Motorizing and lighting option would also be very welcome. In my opinion this also means TLG is not working on the successor of the Crocodile Locomotive, unless this is it.

This is a fun poll. My Castle story began with 6080 King's Castle, which was originally a Christmas present for my elder brother from my parents back in 1986, but I played with it the most, it was sitting on my shelf for ages as a benchmark of 80's Castle sets. I love it to this day and managed to purchase it in like new condition with box and instructions some years ago. It would have been an easy thing to mark it as the greatest Castle set prior to 10305, but I I did not give in to the nostalgic temptation. I have collected all the great Castle sets from the 80s and 90s recently, including 6085, 6074, 6081, 6086, 6090, and I have to say that 6086 is the jewel of my entire Castle collection. It incorporates every good feature (e.g. drawbridge, portcullis, corner walls, Tudor wall pieces) from the former Castle sets, puts it on a super rised baseplate, has some nice additions (e.g. well in the yard, tavern) and it has the best minifigure selection of all, including a fluorescent ghost and the great white knight. For me 6086 was the last truly great castle set before 10305. Of the newer castles, I think the 7946 was a good set (I really dislike the fantasy era sets) but it had some shortcomings (e.g. the number of minifigures and horse, extensive use of ugly catapults, stickers) and therefore I did not choose it as the last truly great castle set before 10305. On the other hand, based on the available reviews and photos, in my opinion 10305 can easily become the greatest LEGO castle of all time.

The only good thing about this set is Jim's review, which is perfect as always, thank you for your work.

To be honest, I like it overall, and I think it is a worthy successor of the legendary and rare 8275 bulldozer, which launched PF era back in those days. I still remember that Christmas Eve in 2007, right after my dark ages, when I felt like a happy child againg driving my new bulldozer around the Christmas-tree. By that time, I already had the 856 bulldozer, which was released earlier, but still a remarkable set. But back to 41131. Based on the available information, in my opinion it was the right choice to stay with 4 motors - one hub solution and using a gearbox to operate secondary functions. Mechanically it has more realistic and authentic motorized functions than the 8275 had. It has even some fancy functions like the motorized ladder and the manually operated adjustable track. My only serious complain about this set is regarding the rear fake actuators - it should have had real actuators there with manual operation to tilt the ripper. Of course some real lights would have been nice but this would require more ports on a redesigned hub, so leaving this out is acceptable by me. And sure it would be better with physical remote controller but this is a generic problem of C+ sets and unfortunately won't change in the near future according to Markus Kossman, which is a pity. Is it too expensive? Absolutely, as were all the LEGO Technic (and Train) flagship sets in my childhood. I will patienly wait for the 300 EUR price tag, like I did with 42100 Liebherr. Is it still a desirable and "making you smile" type present for (adult) children? For me, defenitely.

The specification (hard coupled driving motors and remotely lockable differential, which is something new in LEGO Technic) and climbing capabilities make this model interesting to me. Even though I liked better the preliminary configuration (6x6), it is back on my wanted list.

Totally agree with these words. Based on the available information it seems better than the very good 8462 and partly good 8285 tow trucks. Can't wait for the reviews. Day 1 purchase for sure.

Thank you @kbalage for the great and informative video. Could you please test in the upcoming video review of 42128 that if it can actually lift and tow 42078 truck?

Updated collection, although my UCS cars are still not presented: https://brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=429865