Interceptor

First I thought the same but then I put it on the 8466 and changed my mind. I always thought that something is missing from the back (too empty) now I find it perfect but probably that is only my taste. More complicate and more packed - the more I like it.

@Chilly You can use it for creating a nice service truck from 8466. It gives life to the back of this monster. :) http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=2614850 http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=2622351 http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=5726696

Totally agree with the recommended modifications, they improve the model's performance a lot. I suggest the new springs 95292c01 to hold the chassis up properly. I also like the ingenious door mechanism the best. And in my opinion what really completes this set is the 5218 Pneumatic Pack. Unfortunately it is really expensive nowdays. I managed to find a MISB one not long ago, I had to purchase it as a collector and it gave compelling new functions to 8466.

From my collection (http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=karicollection&stype=fi) I keep the yellow construction vehicles and the trucks on display permanently, they look very impressive. I have no room for the others yet. And I always put my MOC on display when I have one.

hihi little dream came true...for a moment

Congratulations to rm8 and TLG. The final model is fascinating. I will buy one.

@francisalmario: thank you :)

Updated collection: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=429865

Good question. I asked the same about the 8868 some weeks before and there was no answer at all. But the same question goes for 8480 and 8880. Do we know anything about the designers of these marvellous (classic) sets? Maybe an interview somewhere? Any info would be appreciated.

@davidmull "The Boss" crawler is the winner model of last years Technic Challenge, to be released later this year

I have similar thoughts but admit that for a beginner/part collector these are very attractive sets. For experts/set collectors I'm not sure. I think I had too high expectations regarding 42008 and most likely will build a tow truck MOC in similar size instead of buying it. Although 42009 is a beast and has some interesting functions but I don't think it is a truly successor to 8421 (mind the unsynchronized boom and hook). I will definitely purchase it because I collect flagships. I hope that "The Boss" will be something cool... Great job Dokludi!

Next years flagship will be a flying Space Shuttle with remote control.

WOW, you get my support, fantastic redesign!

Well, in my opinion it was much better sopisticated than its reincarnation last year (9397). BTW my bid is 31 EUR

Totally agree with Davidmull on 8421, it is an icon, and hardly ever can be beaten in the era of LAs

Dear Blakbird, First of all I would like to say thank you for partly being the responsible for getting me hooked again on LEGO, especially on Technic, 7 years ago. This passion gave me lot of joy during the last years. My coming out from dark ages wouldn't have been the same without your glorious site: Technicopedia. I believe it is a kind of online compass for a lot of Technic enthusiast around the world. Regarding your dilemma I share Erik Leppen's opinion. I like your extensive text on the sets the most. Your texts are professional, point out the greatness of each set, mark out your adoration and your personal thoughts (which I also like very much to read, for example the one for 8868 ). Your texts help the beginners and also the experts a lot to find out which sets would suit their personal demand the most. Your texts create one of the greatest online source of Technic assays. Of course I like the high resolution pictures as well, they are indispensable on a modern site. But regarding pictures I like the most the pictures which compares the similar sets to each other (category pics). This is unique thing and probably you are the only one who can do these because of your complete collection. I would love to see pics about the original instructions and boxes as well (I mean photos about the cover only). Your animations are pretty attractive. Personally I care less about the renders (I can imagine how much work it can be to create these), but you could save effort on these I think. And I really don't care about videos. There are plenty of them on youtube in case I would like to watch one. The last two things would probably help to make your site complete but are not the ones that add the most value to your site in my opinion. But these are just my thoughts. Simply do, what you enjoy doing the most. Greetings from Hungary, Kari

Dokludi, you made a wonderful job again. Keep on good work man! I'm very proud that you have the same nationality as I have. Are you an engineer?

Hope you are right and I can buy another MISB one at reasonable price

Well, I probably missed something. Is 42009 crane truck able to move the hook and the boom simultaneously??? This function would allow not to get out of cable when you extend the boom. If not, this is a big let down for me compared to 8421. The other is the lack of pneumatics (I don't want to create a new quarrel here). As I (and others) said before, this would have been a great (the best?) occasion to introduce new bigger and stronger pneumatic cylinders. Imagine 2 or 4 big cylinders raising and lowering the boom using compressor and pneumatic system and also a bigger turntable! That would have been a wonderful set and probably my new favourite. Regarding the aesthetics, I think 8421 is still the winner for me. 42009 is much bigger and so what? I also understand the opinion of enthusiasts and people who missed 8421 (which set commands unreasonable price on the market now) and eager to buy this new one. 42009 has great functions like the 5 motorized functions, 4 axle steering, etc. I still think it is a nice set and of course I will buy it. And probably it is the best crane set if you consider that you are allowed to use only LAs and have no money to develop new expensive parts. I just try to stay on earth. @Kumbbl very well spoken

All time best Technic set is the 8868 Air Tech Claw Rig for me, released in 1992. From aesthetic point of view, it has a clear and beatiful 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. I have (or had) ALL the Technic flagships since 1977, but 8868 is the crown jewel of my entire LEGO collection. This set still hasn't been surpassed. My favourites per decades: From the 70s 853 Car Chassis: started it all, the first supercar with working Inline 4 cylinder fake engine, 2-speed unsynchronized transmission, adjustable seats and rack and pinion steering, missing working suspensions though 852 Helicopter: the first helicopter is amazing for it's age, features collective pitch control and flybars with paddles 857 Motorbike with Sidecar: one of the coolest Technic motorcycles, good functions, design comes close to Model Team standard, although no working suspension unfortunately From the 80s 8860 Auto Chassis: revolutionary compared to the first supercar, flat V4 cylinder fake engine, Ackermann steering, 2-speed unsynchronized gearbox, Tatra-style suspension on rear wheels and superb seat mechanism are worth mentioning 8859 Tractor: impressive, has all the proper tractor functions and various attachments can be added 8855 Prop Plane: amazing flight controls, very realistic operation, missing the rudder though 8865 Test Car: 3-speed unsynchronized transmission, foldable headlights, Ackermann steering with a very good geometry, V4 fake engine and finally independent double whisbone suspension on all wheels for the first time 8862 JCB Excavator: super pneumatic and gear driven functions, impressive set even nowdays 8854 Power Crane: first pneumatic crane truck with marvellous functions, although none of them was motorized, super playable From the 90s 8094 Control Centre: drawing machine and sorting robot arm are simply awesome 8868 Air Tech Claw Rig: revolutionary compressor and pneumatic system for the first time, big ovation to Olav Krøigaard, the lead designer of this set, it is like the real thing, works like the real thing, sounds like the real thing, rack and pinion steering, V6 fake engine with cooling fan driven by two (!) differentials, sturdy, brutal, stunning, playable, unbeatable, LEGO Technic at it's best, wow effect 8880 Supercar: the alpha and omega for supercars, 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steering, 4 wheel independent (double whisbone) suspension on all wheels, 4-speed synchronized gearbox, Ackermann steering, foldable headlights, V8 fake engine, function-wise it is better than the UCS supercars of nowdays 8485 Control Centre II: moving T-REX and helicopter are simply genious, I really miss the universal sets like this, wow effect 8480 Space Shuttle: 5 motorized functions carried out by only 2 motors, fiber optic system, cool manual features, design awesomness, miraculous, some consider this set the best of all - with a reason, wow effect 8459 Pneumatic Front-end Loader: best front loader so far, with pneumatic pistons and airtank, super playable 8479 Barcode Multi-Set: barcode!, touch sensors, flex system, unique and awesome, my copy still works fine and a joy to play with, even my girlfriend likes the american style garbage truck the best , wow effect 8462 Tow Truck: best tow truck so far in this scale, complex pneumatic system with two (!) air tanks for towing, slightly futuristic but nice look, you can tow the heavy 8868 rig with it 8448 Super Street Sensation: 5-speed synchronized gearbox + reverse, V8 fake engine, modular design, gull wing doors or convertible top with dumping system, independent suspension on all wheels with a very good geometry, the last classic supercar in the Technic line From the 00s 8455 Backhoe: king of the manual pneumatic sets with 10 (!) pneumatic cylinders, authenticity, super playable and looks like the real thing, it has even a fake engine, best backhoe so far, wow effect 8421 Mobile Crane: outstanding design and mechanics, super steerable, it has an authentic motorized and synchronized boom - winch mechanism (which 42009 lacks unfortunately) and 3 stage telescopic boom for the first time, wow effect 8275 Motorized Bulldozer: brought Power Functions system to Technic, simply brutal, Toy Innovation winner in 2007 - that means something, wow effect 8258 Crane Truck: very complex and clever gear system driven knuckle-boom, rig looks like a real Volvo, if only it had double wheels at the rear From the 10s 8043 Motorized Excavator: super playable, amazing aesthetics, compactness and complexity, IMO it will remain an icon among all Technic sets and will be one of the most sought-after in the forthcoming decades, the masterpiece of Anders Gaasedal Christensen, wow effect 8110 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U400: set new standard for authenticity, great and advanced suspension system with Panhard-rod for the first time, compressor and pneumatic system, best MOC-able set 42009 Mobile Crane MK II: complex and heavy mobile crane with 5 motorized functions (2 stage outriggers are simply awesome), turning of this behemoth works like a charm, could be easily used as an intercontinental ballistic rocket launcher after some modification 41999 4X4 Crawler Exclusive Edition: design and functions are better than it's original, exclusive and fun to play with 42030 Volvo L350F Wheel Loader: don't listen to the croakers, this set is magnific, super playable and goes well with other remote controlled Technic models, especially with 42114 dumper 42043 Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3245: one of the most complex and beloved Technic sets to date with function paradise, upgraded pneumatic and compressor system, 4-wheel steering, working all-wheel suspension for a truck for the first time in this scale, super motorized and manual functions, probably Markus Kossman's magnum opus, wow effect 42054 CLAAS Xerion 5000 Trac VC: terrific tractor with superb rotating cab and with a unique 3 mode steering system 42056 Porsche 911 GT3 RS: finally a true supercar in the new millennium, Uwe Wabra at his best, the PDK gear shifting mechanism is a miracle (after some minor modification ), wow effect From the 20s 42114 6x6 Volvo Articulated Hauler: after building all LEGO Technic flagship sets from 1977 to 2020 recently, wow feeling comes rarely, but it happened when my copy of this set was first put into operation, this is a modern classic with it's automated gearbox (first in LEGO Technic history!) and first time I feel that implementing Control+ was worth the effort 42131 Cat D11 Bulldozer: this one is a beast with expanded and improved bulldozer functionality, only the fake actuators at the back are disappointing, but if you love yellow construction machines and ready to spend big money, this dozer won't disappoint you, a worthy successor to the legendary 8275

My current collection of Technic and Model Team: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=429865

IMHO, the crane truck is good (I like 8421 still better for pneumatics and compact aesthetics, but of course this can be changed when 42009 will be in my hands). The service truck is great for using pneumatics (compressor) and LAs at the same time, it is one of the best part packs I've ever seen in a Technic model. And I believe the winner model ("The Boss") will be also great, as I heard they work hard on it. They will get my money.

Totally agree with this post. With all the above mentioned functions (LAs and pneumatic together in one set for proper functions) the service truck can be an icon among the mid sized Technic sets. It seems this year we have 3 flagships (with "The Boss"). What an epic year. Thank you LEGO. :thumbup:

8455: pneumatic paradise, authentic and complex. The best set without motor IMO. And 8880 comes close to it.

This can be true but a lot of people will be disappointed with this. Agree on that for 120 EUR it should have pneumatics. Good news regarding the crane truck at least. The stabilazing mechanism can be really interesting.