Osuharding1

+ .These would be a great solution for red #3 connectors if this part is available in red.

This is just like Artifex on YouTube except its a Technic set. Nothing new here.

There is no such thing as a challenging official set from Lego because the instructions are so detailed and only a few pieces/parts are added per step. But if you are looking for challenging building experience I highly recommend you trying building a Madoca model by following his picture sequence instructions. This is a challenge because each part is not called out and you have to carefully study each picture in order to properly build his models. I also found D3K's recent 6x6 offroad modular truck to be especially challenging... it requires 3 and sometimes 4 hands to get some subassemblies attached to the truck chassis. Now that is challenging!

I have built all of Madoca's MOCs and I agree the photo sequence adds a level of complexity ( which I like) but they are excellent and the models can easily be built. I recommend his Tatra 813.

If I am looking for a satisfying complex build I do not go buy an official Lego Technic set. I turn to Rebrickable and hunt down some of the fantastic MOCs that are out there. MOCs don't have the same constraints that official sets have and were most likely designed by an AFOL who also enjoys the complexity of a build. Problem solved in my opinion. Maybe Blakbird can weigh in on this cause he has built all official sets and many of the great MOCs out there.

2014 was the year of building other people's MOCs for me. It was mostly due to the fact that it wasn't until August 2014 that we got any of the new Technic sets here in the USA. Regardless, I have built all of the MOCs below and reviewed them on my YT channel. Below are the MOCs I have built in 2014: Crowkillers: Chopped Hot Rod (x2 Red and Yellow versions) Muscle Car Porsche 997 GT3 Vampire GT Lamborghini Gallardo (x2 Red and Yellow versions) Phantasm Twin Turbo Nathaneal Kuipers: 42000 C-model Hot Rod Every one of the Creator Models from both of the Amazing Vehicles books Pony Car Madoca: 4WD Pickup Truck AWD SUV MKII RC Dune Buggy Trial Truck Corvette Tatra 813 Off-Road Pickup Truck Tomik: 42006 C-model Bulldozer 8052 C-model Forklift Truck Hedgie: Compact Convertible Kub0slaw: RC Sand Racer Buggy Jurgen Krooshoop: Sunbeam Corvette Gebra: 42022 Hot Rod modifications Thirdwigg: Octan F1 Race Car Nico71: Fully RC Quad 4x4 D3K: 6x6 Offroad Modular Truck

This has happened to me before as well and I actually had a great response from the YouTube administrators in resolving the issue. This guy also has a couple of JangBricks videos as well. Hope Jang knows.

Just as I thought, 42039 is not listed as available online nor is available in the Lego Store. I guess we wait until March... Again.

Similar to Meatman, I have built every Madoca MOC (except the Wing Body Truck) and all of Crowkillers' Supercars. The Tatra 813 Is a great build and probably his best but in my opinion his Off Road Truck should be on the list. Also, either the Phantasm Twin Turbo or the Muscle Car should have been on the list as well.

So after a brief look at LEGO Shop@Home for many different regions (USA, Europe, UK, etc.), it appears as though 42039 will not be available in the USA on January 1, 2015 but it will be in other regions. This seems to be a trend with the largest first half sets. For example, the USA did not get 42000 until March 2013 and we didn't get 9397 until March 2012 whereas European countries had access to those sets from LEGO January 1st. Anyone know why this is happening? I assume it's because Technic is not as popular in the USA.

If only for the wheels and tires alone I am glad it's back. You looked at those tire prices on Bricklink? Madoca's models regularly uses those tires in his MOCs.

Notable B-models in my opinion are: 8043 8070 42024 42025 8081 8041 Just to name a few. There are several C-model MOCs out there that are great as well. User Tomik is fantastic at creating Technc and Creator C-models. One of my favorites though is the 42000 alternate model by Nataneal Kuipers.

I got a Lego gift card and a TRU gift card... The wife stopped trying to buy me anything Lego a long time ago. I am happy with both.

Looks great. Instructions?

I have built and reviewed this model as well. It is indeed absolutely stunning. It is an excellent representation of the real Corvette. It is a lot of fun to drive and provides a fantastic building experience. I personally prefer the detailed photo sequence as the instructions as it presents a bit of a new challenge to build it.

I guess I need to start saving my money so I can buy a few more XL motors... I only own 6 of them and 2 are already used in Madoca's Tatra. I am certainly planning to do this head-to-head comparison in 2015. I would be interested to hear a few ideas on what people would like to see the two models do against each other... I think the tug-o-war would be interesting but they might pull one another apart and not really prove anything other than who built a more reinforced frame/chassis.

I own all of the 2014 sets and in some cases 2 copies of a few of them. However, I do not own 42030 and I probably won't buy it until it is on some sort of clearance or BOGO deal at TRU. It's a pricey model without that great of a parts assortment. I don't need all the PF elements and a new big Bucket isn't at the top of my wanted or need list.

I was at the West Nyack, NJ store inside Palisades Mall

I was out and about in the post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy today and I was able to buy the two 2015 pullback sets(Quad bike and Record breaker) at the Lego store. I also noticed the four smaller sets are listed on S@H as coming soon. This is good news for us here in the USA that we might not have to wait until summer to get new stuff this year. Anyone else see or buy any 2015 sets yet?

The discussion has moved off topic a bit in my opinion... but back to the original question. I think the affect it has had on the hobby is that it has made it very expensive if one would like to build an exact copy of some of the fantastic MOCs that are out there... but the few parts that are truly pricey are limited in supply and crazy expensive when they are available. Certain black flex axles are practically non-existent so unless you want to use those ribbed hoses you can forget building a black supercar even though black technic parts are generally readily available. Then there is red... that one peskly connector is going to cost you a pretty penny even though - like black - red is typically readily available in most technic parts. So how has it affected the hobby... its a gut punch to the wallet!

Perhaps I haven't been building Technic long enough but it seems very difficult to build in yellow as well... as such I don't understand the comment about red becoming the new yellow... in fact, I tried (and somewhat succeeded) to build Paul's Lamborghini Gallardo in all yellow and I had to substitute a few parts with tan or black. The only other supercar I have seen in all yellow is Jurgen's Sunbeam Corvette. Are there others I just don't know about?

Thank goodness... 6 is how many spares I have laying around right now!

Let's not forget the 12+ #3 red connectors on this bad boy as well.

Well done

Absolutely stunning. An absolute must build. Thank you for sharing your creations and instructions.