greg3

Very cool!! I'm actually working on something similar - a World War 1 era speeder for my trench railway (it looks like a motorised picnic table!!) Loving your build though - great scenery too!!

The Tauchpanzer (Diving Tank) was developed by the Germans in 1940 as part of the preparations for Operation Sealion, the planned invasion of Britain. As its name suggests, it was intended to be an armoured vehicle able to operate completely submerged. The idea was that the tanks would be deployed some distance from the shore and drive along the sea bed to emerge on the target beach. Most Tauchpanzers were modified Panzer III's (my version is a MOD of a Brickmania Panzer III that was released some time ago and is based on photos of the real tanks being tested) TPtest by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr To covert the tanks, first all the hatches were fitted with heavy duty seals and an inflatable ring used to fill the gap between the turret and hull. Rubberised coverings (represented here by the black pieces) were then fitted to seal the main gun/mantlet, bow machine gun, commander's cupola and engine intakes. Explosive charges could blow these covers off, allowing the tank to fire as soon as it cleared the water. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Air for both the crew and engine was supplied via an 18 metre long flexible hose attached to a buoy that the tank towed along behind it. It seems that 2 versions were trialled, one with the hose attached to the rear deck and, as here, one with it attached to the turret (the turret version seems to have been the most common) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The buoy not only drew in fresh air, it was also fitted with a radio aerial allowing the tank crew to communicate with surface vessels and other Tauchpanzers. Again, 2 versions were tested: this one and one that looked like a large disk with a tall intake mast and 4 legs that was carried on the rear deck (I couldn't get that one to stay in place with the hose!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr To prevent water entering the engine, the exhaust was fitted with one way valves - this version seems most common although some photos show both exhausts going into a single box-like structure. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The plan was to launch the tanks using special barges. The barge would remain some distance from the shore and extend a long hinged platform. A Tauchpanzer would drive onto the platform and as it moved forward, its weight would cause the end of the platform to sink - eventually creating a ramp to the sea bed. The tank would then drive off the ramp which would float back up ready for the next tank. The tanks could then drive under their own power to the shore navigating by compass or under radio instructions from the surface ship. Testing and crew training took place on the island of Sylt in July 1940 and proved that the idea could work. Tanks were able to operate successfully at depths of 15 metres for up to 20 mins. My version is based on photos of these trials and so include features that wouldn't have been needed (or practical) when the tanks were used operationally. TPtest2 by g.nat, on Flickr Most obvious are the depth markers - these allowed observers on the surface to monitor the tank's progress... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As Initial testing was done by lowering/raising the tanks by crane, headlight protectors were fitted to prevented damage from the lifting chains. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Hose/buoy rests. These kept the hose from becoming tangled/damaged when not in use (they should actually be taller (almost to the top of the turret) but I couldn't work out how to do that and keep them thin. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Distress buoy. Mounted on top of the commander's cupola, this could be released by the crew in the event of an emergency (flooding, engine failure etc) I'm assuming the tank would then be raised by crane. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Altogether 168 Tauchpanzer III's were produced (and 42 Tauchpanzer IV's based on the Panzer IV) but ultimately they would never be used as intended as Operation Sealion was cancelled. They did however find a use in the Russian campaign where there were used to cross large rivers, most notably in crossing the river Bug at Patulin. For these operations, the rubber air hose was replaced with a shorter 3.5 metre rigid tube. I really like these sort of crazy sounding military ideas and couldn't resist thing to make this one!! It's taken a while to get it looking decent but I'm pretty pleased with how it came out. I'm toying with the idea of creating an "underwater scene" with it but for now I think it's good enough to share (and become my 1000th post!!) Thanks for looking and comments are always welcome.

Another manatee has completed its journey... crossing the Irish Sea to appear in my letter box!! Star Wars poly bags and a Green Arrow Dimensions figure - perfect!! Many thanks to Copmike!

Thanks for the comments.,. You are correct... It's a u-clip from Brickarms and a couple of cut bits of flex tube. Sorry about that, I should have pointed out that I meant "The engine from a tank" not "Thomas the..." I did have a little play around with trying to thin out that back "wall" but nothing really worked... I may try again sonetime!!

With a week off work, it's time to catch up on some unfinished builds - including the latest addition to my World War 1 "War Department Light Railway"... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This small 10hp petrol tractor was built by the McEwan Pratt works (which was part of, or at least closely linked to the Baguley motor car company). It was one of the first internal combustion engined tractors to be tested for use on the narrow gauge front line railways. Although it overcame the disadvantages of the steam engines it was intended to replace (less noise, smoke and therefore less obvious to the enemy) it was underpowered and deemed unsuitable for use at the front. Despite this, they were put to work behind the lines - mainly with the Canadian Forestry Corps. Operating in France and the UK, they helped move much of the timber that was vital for wartime construction. The little tractors could also be found in large depots and workshop areas moving heavy loads around. The only contemporary photo of one I could find shows it in the Royal Tank Corps' Central Workshop at Teneur hauling a tank engine. The photo is from the newly released book "WDLR Companion" by Colonel David W Ronald and Roy C Link. (According to the caption for the photo, the "chimney" on the front of the engine isn't part of the design and certainly isn't present on plans or photos of restored examples. It was probably added as decoration by the men using it as many of them would have been rail workers prior to joining up. Maybe they felt more comfortable driving something that at least looked like a steam train!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The build itself was a bit of a challenge to get it in scale but I think it came out ok! (Wish I'd managed to fit some controls in for the driver though!) The red coloured parts were copied from a modern day restored version... and the tank engine cargo and wagon was quickly thrown together to try and match the photo!! Anyway, thanks for looking - comments are always welcome!! My WDLR fleet Simplex 20hp tractor Simplex 40hp tractor - open, protected (armoured version coming soon!!) Crewe Tractor P Class Ration Wagon

This week has seen some bizarre sights down by the harbour... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr So what is going on? A weird alien invasion? Hallucinogenic drugs in the water supply? No... it's just art!! A recent kids competition has been held by the Ballabreek Arts Council and a local crayon company. Minifigure children were asked to draw whatever popped into their minds... the best entries have been turned into giant 3d sculptures and here are the results... Clara the Cheerful Car - Congestion, roadworks, parking tickets... nothing can stop her smiling!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Dave the Dinosaur.... because who doesn't love a dino!? Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr A Ballabreek butterfly... spreading happiness wherever she flutters!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Harriet the Happy Horse - it's a horse, it's happy, it's called Harriet!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Shhh... the rocket may be asleep at the moment but soon she'll be taking off on new adventures!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Little Blue... the sad whale. He's sad because we're polluting his home and killing his friends (that got less cheerful pretty quickly didn't it?) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The sculptures will remain on display this week for my minifigures to enjoy, before being "auctioned" off for a local Ballabreek charity... in the meantime, a few more pics... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr And finally a word from our sponsors... the competition couldn't have happened without the support of "Crown Crayons" (hence the crowns on all the models!!) Here's the company mascot Doodle the Crayon giving out information about their products (and their next competition... "Design a food based character" What will it be? A giant clumsy banana, a cheerful ice cream cone butler, a worried chocolate bar or something else? Maybe we'll find out in a future update!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Well no prizes for guessing what sets I've recently bought!! The Queen Whatevra sets weren't high on my list of things to buy but after seeing the movie, I decided why not. I have to say they're a lot of fun (it's nice now and again to not have to worry about scale and realism while building!) I'd originally planned to just use the heart for a Valentine's themed update but I got a bit carried away!! So far I've stuck to the official builds - I thought they'd add a bit of colour to my town for a bit but they seem to have sparked my minifigs creativity so who knows what we might see in future!! Thanks for looking.... comments are always welcome!!

What a lovely building... the colours, the design... just perfect (and an interior too!!) Great job - thanks for sharing!!

What a beautiful build - you've really captured the feel of the real building!! The staircase is amazing and I love all the little decorative details - this is one of those builds I could look at all day!! (The classic books are a great touch too) Excellent work!!

Well after a month, construction of the new fire station is complete (as you can see, it's nothing spectacular - basically the official set with a modified office) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As Ballabreek operates a retained fire service (the firefighters have other jobs and are only called out when needed) there's no need for the recreation area but the design could be adapted in future by building more storeys on top of the office. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr To mark it's opening, this weekend has seen the locals treated to a taste of the town's firefighting history... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr From its first fire engine (dating back to the 1700s) and recently discovered and restored... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr .. through to the town's first motorised fire engine (introduced in 1932)... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr ... and right up to the latest hi-tec appliances! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can see I had to MOD the rear slightly so the hose reel didn't stick out and hit the tram when in the garage!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr It's still a close fit!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr And of course we have a taste of the future of firefighting with the drone - at the moment its only used for command/control, surveillance and to cut down on unnecessary/hoax calls. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr So there we go, the citizens of Ballabreek can relax - knowing that as they go about their daily lives, their proud history of fire protection continues!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As always thanks for looking - unfortunately, due to sickness (mine!) a planned display of the old manual fire engine in action has been postponed to another time (it may even get its own topic as I think it looks pretty cool!!) Cheers!

To be honest, growing up in the 80's I have a bit of a soft spot for the open back design but I do love your designs (especially as they can be combined in so many ways! I especially love the 2 different museums put back to back!! I try to use official sets where possible, but open backs are gradually being phased out of my town layout (now only relegated to the edges) in favour of the hinged creator style sets from a few years ago - the newest modular creator sets just don't do it for me in terms of exterior design. Maybe I'll give this idea a go!! Thanks for sharing!!

What a super build!! Loving all the little details (such as the ratchet strap handle) and the monitoring station is a work of art!! Excellent work!!

That is really nice!! The plane design, the waves texture and the spray are just perfect! Thanks for sharing!!

That's a great update to the original. I think the extra height really suits it gets rid of the "unfinished" appearance of the original. I especially love the details to the lower level (the whip as a root/vine winding round the pillar is genius!!) Looking forward to seeing what you do next!! Thanks for sharing.

Or perhaps this is him helping to save Bricksburg?!... I have a very complicated story in mind involving; time travel, killer robots, cyborg pirates, superheroes, apocalyptic alien invasions and alternative timelines - whether these ideas ever see the light of day though remains to be seen!! In the meantime, even without Emmet's help, construction of the fire station nears completion this week... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As the last details of the exterior are added, all that remains now is to fit out the interior of the office and the station will be ready for its official opening next weekend!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr And for those of you wondering about the restoration of the antique fire engine found during construction, that work is also just about finished. Here's a sneak peak at it restored to its former glory and due to be revealed to the town's minifigs at the station opening... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As always, thanks for looking!!

Well for me the good news is the dates fall in the middle of the school hols so I'm off work... the not so good news will be whether I can find a cheap enough way to get there.... I'll have to look into it (is there an airport nearby?)

Thanks for the comments.... The balloon is the planet Bespin from the Star Wars Planet series (set 9678 Twin-Pod Cloud Car and Bespin)

This weekend I got my hands on some of the new Lego Movie 2 CMFs. As one of them was the "Apocalypse Abraham Lincoln", I decided to create a post-apocalypse version of his rocket chair from the first movie. I went for a Steampunk theme to go with his new look and for a few hour's work, I think the result's not too bad. I give you The Emancipator Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I also came up with a little backstory for the pilot... Obviously he's not the real Abe Lincoln, he's actually a former history teacher who, following the DUPLO invasion, found himself living in Apocalypseburg. Like most of the town's citizens, he had heard of the horrors beyond the town's walls; the cat worshipping warrior women, the mutant swamp beasts, the rogue biker gangs and worse (not to mention the DUPLO aliens themselves). Unlike many of the other citizens though, he decided to do something about it. Creating a persona based on the original Abraham Lincoln, he set about bringing freedom to all with the help of his steam powered, lighter than air, balloon chair airship (there's a sentence I never thought I'd type!!). Named The Emancipator it takes him out across the desert wastelands in search of the weak and vulnerable who he guides back the the relative safety of Apocalypseburg. I like to try an imagine how such a craft might actually work and this is what I've come up with!! (complete with dodgy Steampunk pseudo-science!!) Lift comes from spherical balloon filled with lighter than air gas.. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr While the rear mounted steam driven propellor provides forward thrust... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Heat from the firebox (the 2x1 black textured brick) heats the water in the rear most cylinders. The resulting steam is fed into the power unit where it drives a turbine and spins the drive shaft and the prop. The exhaust gases from the fire escape through the chimney while the steam condenses in the forward cylinders for reuse. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr For defence, The Emancipator is equipped with 2 "Faraday Cannons". Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The specially designed glass cylinder collects and stores atmospheric electricity. When needed this can be released as a powerful burst of lightning. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The craft is still a WIP, "Abe" hopes to continue to improve on the design (a larger hot-air version using the exhaust gases to fill the balloon is one idea, he is also looking to fit it with searchlights and enhanced vision equipment to allow it to operate at night) but for now, "Abe" and his craft remain a welcome sight for those pour souls trapped in the wastelands... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I have to say I really enjoyed this build. Having never built a Steampunk inspired model before it was good fun and we may see more of "Abe" and his adventures!! Thanks for looking - comments are always welcome!!

Thanks for the comments - I have to admit my photography tends to be a bit hit and miss but I'm glad you like the results!! Anyway, this week, work on the new fire station has continued with the addition of the roof - complete with some cutting edge technology in the form of a drone landing pad/charging cradle. Here you can see it being carefully lifted into position... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The workers can then move in to secure it in place... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Once the station becomes operational, the drone will provide useful aerial views of incidents at a fraction of the cost of a helicopter. Now the more observant of you may have noticed that one of the workers from last week, a certain Emmet Brickowski, is missing this week. This is because, as these images show, a few days ago he was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a police car!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The exact circumstances of the incident are not yet know (nor is the identity of his black-clad female accomplice) but investigations are continuing!! The last few pics are from a potential comic story I have planned using the Lego Movie and Lego Movie 2 sets. I've often got several story ideas floating around in my head but I've not had much luck with converting them into finished comic stories; either LEGO cancels the theme (I'm looking at you TMNT and Ultra Agents!!) or I just never get around to completing it (I still hope to finish my current Batman story!) so I'm not posting this one until I have it all finished. But as it needed a construction site setting I thought I'd post a couple of "teaser pics"!! As always, thanks for looking!!

This week has seen the building work continuing and the new fire station is beginning to take shape... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can see, a crane has been erected to allow the large structural sections to be moved into position easily... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The framework for the mainly glass walls can then be added (some of you might notice that "my workers" had put the white 1x12 brick in the wrong place last week but my their error has been corrected and the build is back on track!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This area will be the office section of the station. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Overview of the site... blob by g.nat, on Flickr For this update, I wanted to get some use from the crane in the new fire set and this seemed a good way to do it. It's also a while since I've made a scene showing construction work going on in my town - the last few new buildings have simply appeared and I'm quite enjoying watching the building appear gradually!! Anyway, as always thanks for looking...

Wow!! The building is stunning!! I really like the details of the grey section with the combination of stonework and plants (the roof texture is great too!!) As for the food trucks they're certainly different!! (The cupcake and ice cream "warriors" are very clever!!) The best part for me though is all the detail you've put into the building interiors (it's not often you see hydrologists in a build!!) and the back story you've got going on is very interesting!! Excellent stuff - thanks for sharing!!

What a great build!! The coral reef looks perfect with the variety of colours and textures you've used (great parts usage!!) The way you've made the yacht "float" is very effective too, as is the design of the yacht itself (although I think it'd look better in white but that's just me nitpicking!!) Excellent work and thanks for sharing!!

Thanks for the comments... now a quick check on the construction crew's progress!! As you can see, the old fire station has been demolished and the last of the demolition debris is awaiting removal... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Also, the foundations for the new building have been laid ready for construction of the main structure to begin next week... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr In the meantime an unexpected discovery has been attracting a lot of local attention. Found in a bricked up cellar beneath the old fire station, the collection of wood and metal appears to be some sort of portable pump... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr A local historian was called in and he confirmed that the workers had actually found Ballabreek's first ever fire engine!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The hand drawn and operated pump dates back to 1749 and is based on a design by 18th century English inventor Richard Newsham. Despite its appearance, it's in remarkably good condition for its age; being more or less complete (and even having some of its original paint!). Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Records show that it served the townspeople for over 150 years before being replaced with a horse drawn steam powered pump and stored in the cellar below the Victorian-era fire station. Over time, the building was rebuilt several times and the cellar blocked off and forgotten. Now a group of local history enthusiasts (and a few of the current firefighters) have decided to restore the pump to its former glory. Their aim is to have it ready for the opening of the new fire station!! (no pressure then!) Will they succeed? Watch this space!!! The inspiration for this update came from this old MOC I made many years ago... image by g.nat, on Flickr Looking back at it, I like the idea but think I can do better and create a more accurate version. I've come up with a design which it still needs tweaking so I've set myself the challenge of completing it by the end of the month, hence the story line about the restoration of an old fire engine!! I also wanted to use some of the parts from the new fire/construction sets!! Finally an overview of the construction site... image by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks for looking... comments welcome as always!!

I've done this a few times, mainly with buildings so they'll fit into the available space but also with larger city vehicles when they need converting to right hand drive. I can usually do it from the original instructions but if it gets confusing I just photograph the image and flip it on my iPad! As for parts, the only time I've encountered problems is when mirroring the official buses/coaches that use train doors for the passengers as they only come with the right handed ones!! (Then it's off to the spares box or Bricklink!!)

This is a really nice build!! I like the combination of eras and styles.. the brick sections with the white detailing looks really good and the modern addition looks like the sort of thing that would happen in real life. Great work - thanks for sharing.

I've Doodled!! I'd love to attend one of these events some day but as a school teacher I'd only be able to go during the school hols so end of May/start of June is my choice!! Cheers