BrickMonkeyMOCs

[Deleted]

I got my final parts order yesterday, so here are pics of the completed models: LINK TO SET There were a few minor issues to deal with once I had actual (as opposed to virtual) parts to work with. As discussed above, the dish above the main rotor now just sits in place. And it turns out that the tail rotor piece won't attach via a regular technic pin, so I had to improvise and use a 1x1 round plate instead (which works although the tail rotor doesn't spin). On the plus side, I added flex hoses as ammo feeds for the miniguns, and also picked up some string parts to use as deployment ropes.

It's back up... but for how long? (Uploading still disabled.)

It would have to be two plates thick at least at the center of the hub. Or otherwise, if just one plate thick, the main rotors would only connect by a single stud, which would be too flimsy. The control stick method seems to work okay, and is probably the best solution I'm going to get. But I'm open to any other suggestions if anyone knows of a better technique. Edit: I've changed my mind. That control stick method puts the dish higher than I'd like it. So instead I've attached the dish to an upside down 1x1 plate which sits unattached in the hole directly above the rotor. It means that it will fall off if the model is turned upside down, but I can live with that in order to achieve the correct look. I'd still prefer a method for attaching it, but I don't see how it could be done, short of cheating with glue or something similar.

I'd just prefer not to have my rotors two plates thick.

Okay, I've got it now. You don't have anything attaching to the top center of the rotor hub, but rather have a 1x3 plate which spans the center gap attaching to the studs on either side. Thanks for the clarification. That's not going to work for me though, so I may have to stick with the inverted control lever method. Unless anyone else knows how I can do this?

I already commented on the weapons and front end at Flickr. But I'll add that the retractable undercarriage looks really good as well. Nice MOC.

But there's nothing for the 1x1 square plate to attach to! There's no stud there! Are you saying your dish is not attached via the outer rim of the dish itself? i.e. Would yours still attach if you used a 2x2 dish instead of the 3x3 one? Can you maybe post an exploded image showing how yours works? I can't for the life of me find any way of attaching anything directly to the center top of the rotor hub.

Grrr! Wouwie, you've let me down! I have the part now, and the base of a 1x1 round plate will NOT fit into the top of the 2479 rotor hub! Your 3x3 dish must be attached by the outside edges of the dish gripping the studs on top of the actual rotors. But I've definitely seen 2x2 dishes attached above these rotor hubs before (on Brickshelf which I now can't check!). Can someone help me out by showing me how it can be done? Edit: I've found one possible solution, though it's not entirely ideal - using an inverted 2x2 dish (2654 instead of 4740) attached to an upside-down control lever threaded through a technic 1/2 bush into the center of the rotor hub. It grips well enough not to fall out when tipped upside down but will still wiggle out of alignment if pushed. Anyone know how to do it better?

Clearly you don't like Flickr and nothing I'm going to say will be likely to change that, but I really don't understand your reasons given here. Flickr is free up to the 200 image limit, beyond that you pay for the extra space and features. That's quite different from asserting as a 'fact' that Flickr is not free. I have no idea what you're referring to with the "3 folder" limit. The equivalent of folders at Flickr are sets, and there doesn't appear to be any limit to the number of sets you can create. You even have the added feature of being able to include any single uploaded image simultaneously in multiple sets. So you can group your images in different ways at the same time. I also think the 'group pool' feature you complain about is an improvement over BrickShelf. Instead of having to wade through MOCs or pics that are of no interest to me I can go straight to the group(s) relevant to my interests and see what is new. And if I want a broader more inclusive list of new pics I can go to the general "LEGO" group too. Plus if there is a particular builder who impresses me I can add him as a contact, and then my homepage will inform me of any new pics from that user. And on top of all of that, Flickr has the massive advantages from a community perspective of allowing messages between users, comments from other builders about your MOCs, and especially notes on the actual image to point out specific areas that are good or could use improvement. I'm as sad as anyone else to see BrickShelf on its last legs, but the more I use Flickr the more I prefer it over the BrickShelf format. But to each his own, and you are of course free to dislike it as much as you want.

Actually, it's almost exactly like Brickshelf. To post your Flickr images here you just get your image URL and post it here with IMG or URL tags around it. And to get your Flickr image URL, just click on "All Sizes", choose the size you want, and it will give you a URL to cut & paste. Flickr does ask that you don't post images elsewhere without linking back to the Flickr website though, so your tags should look like this: [url=Flickr page][img=Flickr image URL][/url]

Nice! The longer slopes are good on the back. And the brick-built weapon is an improvement too (great as the BrickArms LMG is, it's a bit small for what should really be a .50 Cal on a Humvee). Are you still doing a stripped down roof- and door-less spec ops version? Also could you possibly post a deconstructed view showing how your rotating weapons turret is built? Not that I want to copy it (my own Humvees are 80% built and just waiting on final parts) but I'd like to see how you've done it.

That's cool. My first version of a Humvee design (here) was 6-wide. Back then 4-wide seemed to be the standard for Lego minifig vehicles, and of course a Humvee had to be a little wider than that. You can see in my Brickshelf and Flickr galleries that some of my early military MOCs were also built to this 4-wide scale. But that seems to have changed now, and even regular vehicles are now being released by Lego as 6-wide. I think this is an improvement as it allows for more detail and accuracy, even if it makes the minifigs a little small rather than a little large in comparison. I use LDraw, not LDD! I always start a MOC with certain specific goals/priorities in mind. An opening tailgate wasn't on my list, but after you suggested it I did look at several ways of incorporating one, including using the handles and clips you suggest. There are ways of doing it, but everything I tried ended up compromising something that was a higher priority for me (such as the towbar positioning, storage for the spare tire, and rear structural integrity). It would be nice, and can be done, but I've decided not to include one. I was hoping to have pics up by now of both the Humvees and my Little Birds, but I've had some unfortunate delays. The final BrickLink order for my helicopters seems to have been lost in the post so I've had to re-order the final parts. And another store sent me the wrong wheels (55982 instead of 55981) for the Humvees, so I've had to place an extra order for those too. So it will be at least another week before I'll have more pics. Though I do have both the helicopters and Humvees half-built and they're looking good so far.

Lol! It's the opening scene from "Heat".

Very nice! It's a very distinctive design, and I love the wings and cockpit placement. There must be a way of doing a better tail wheel though. I'd also recommend breaking up the color a bit, perhaps doing the prop and guns in black to add some variation.

They look very good. I like the Mickey figure. Not so sure about Donald's yellow "buttons" though. You wouldn't want him to be mistaken for Daisy, lol.

Thanks. I like your 6-wide model and I have a 6-wide design in my Brickshelf folder too. But 6-wide would definitely look out of scale next to my DPVs and I also wanted a model that would seat 4 minifigs. You're absolutely right that the slope is a bit steep. Thanks for pointing that out. I've since tried out several different options for changing it, but I've finally decided to stick with the 1x3 slopes. Flattening it out using different slopes did make it a little more accurate, but in the end I think I just prefer the look of the steeper slopes. It was definitely worth trying out though so thanks again for the suggestion. I've also made another configuration with a square back and hatch using storage boxes on the sides. (I would upload a pic but Brickshelf seems to have temporarily disabled uploading for some reason.) I have tried this too but a hinged tailgate would either protrude too far rearwards, or if recessed would get in the way of the stored spare tire. Thanks. That linked Humvee design is one of the two I mentioned in my first post as an influence on my design. In a way I'm kind of glad Lego don't offer a military theme, as if they did I probably wouldn't be motivated to design my own! Thanks, and good point on the axle. I looked at moving it as it is a tiny bit too far back, but even a half-stud change is a bit much and gets in the way of the front bullbar and hood hinging mechanism.

Hi guys. I've finished the LDraw design of my military Humvee. It seats four plus a gunner, and features an engine, hinged front hood, opening and removable doors, opening rear hatch, a stowed spare tire in the rear compartment, roof-mounted 50-cal., and can be converted between a regular version, a square-backed 'command' version, and a stripped down spec ops version (as shown below). Flickr Gallery My design was influenced by the excellent Humvees of MrYoder and Tam Antony. I basically wanted to combine the overall look of MrYoder's model with the more regular building style of Tam Antony's model, while also making it easy to quickly change between the regular and spec ops versions. It may be a while before I get parts for this one (I'm still waiting on parts for my Little Bird helicopter) so please feel free to suggest improvements.

Hey, that looks great! You've really captured the proportions and overall look very accurately. And I love the curved bricks for the roof. Looks like you need an engine though! I'd also recommend using grille bricks for the black bit on the hood, and maybe adding an 8-wide bull-bar on the front like in your reference pics (if you can do it without it getting in the way of the hinging mechanism).

Now that is beautiful! Great work. Two points strike me though. Firstly, those wheel arches over the back wheels - while they look fantastic - appear to be absent in your reference pic. And secondly, the staggered plates on the tops of the doors detract a little from an otherwise extremely smooth look - have you considered using 61678 curved slopes there instead? But those are obviously very minor points on an outstanding overall build. That you included motorized functions in such a visually stunning model makes it even more impressive. Do you have pics of the interior and of the tilting cab? I'd love to see more.

Parts on the chopper are still about a week away. But here's a preview of the Humvee I'm working on. It's influenced by the Humvees of MrYoder and Tam Antony. I want it to be easily convertible between a regular version and a stripped down roofless and doorless Spec Ops version. Will also have an opening front hood, an engine, and an opening rear hatch. [pic removed] See thread for completed MOC here.

These are 8-wide. Six-wide doesn't really work.

Hi! I've been admiring your Humvee collection since seeing them appear on Flickr and Brickshelf. They really look great. I love the opening hoods and the multiple variants, especially the different weapon turret options. The turret armor looks great too. If I were to criticize anything it would be to say that I'd prefer them with the larger type wheels and with flush doors. I'd also love to see a stripped down roof- and door-less special ops version. In fact that's exactly what I'm working on right now in LDraw. I want to make something combining the best elements of your excellent design, MrYoder's excellent (if rather complex) Humvee, and my own old 6-wide design. Does the windscreen connect to anything, or is it just held in there by friction?

Nice gun! I really like what you've got here, but I do have one piece of criticism to offer. I think those large arches behind the trigger position are too large for this purpose. The curve there should be semi-circular rather than a quarter circle, if you follow me. Maybe 45deg slope bricks or strategic use of cheese slopes might be better there. You could then look at fitting an actual trigger as well.

I've gone with the 1x1 rounds technique (with technic pin connectors as well). Looks great. Thanks. I'll still get parts for the larger binoc-style launchers and TOW tubes as well though, so I can have a selection of different payloads. That defender looks great! I hadn't seen that one before. I agree that you'd be hard pressed to do a better brick-built windscreen though. I think the transparent plastic looks just fine. I've ordered the parts for my Little Bird now, and I'll post more pics when they arrive.