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BrickMonkeyMOCs

Eurobricks Knights
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Everything posted by BrickMonkeyMOCs

  1. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    I've just built the Delorean and even compared to the Creator Expert Mustang and Porsche this seems like a step up in techniques and build experience. And the final product really is comparable to die-cast models in terms of accuracy and detail. Some of the build highlights for me were the modified 1x2 plates-with-bar securing the position of the seat backs, the flush finish of the closed bonnet, the tight and secure fit of the rear quarter panels, and of course the very impressive wheel rotating mechanism. The set does have a few flaws though. The big one many reviews have identified is the self-closing doors. The first thing I tried was adding 1x2-2x2 Up Brackets to the black 1x2 plates (inside, near the hinge) to lock the doors in an open position. This is an easy display fix, and the removed brackets can be stowed either side of the plutonium box under the bonnet when the doors are closed. A better solution though is to switch the two black friction pins (#2780) in the door hinge mechanism for older 1980s-vintage friction pins (#4459). I can confirm that, on my set at least, this simple fix adds more than enough friction to keep the doors open on display. Another issue for me was the lack of prints, especially for the dashboard area and the number-plates. For the number-plate, some minor modification makes it possible to mount a 1x2 tile behind the trans-clear window pane, which will work well for anyone who has the 1x2 'Outatime' printed tile from the 2013 Delorean set. One last simple modification I can recommend is to remove the two white half pins in the Mr Fusion sub-assembly, which will allow for a cleaner finished look. It would have been nice if they'd included the five extra pieces needed to allow all the sequel version accessories to be pre-built at once. Overall though, this is a truly brilliant set, and the minifigures are a very nice added bonus.
  2. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Nice find. Given that they were redesigning the stickers, I'm surprised they left the newer design at the outer edge instead of moving it closer to the wheel center. Or maybe I shouldn't be surprised at this point.
  3. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Thought I'd share the reworked version of the F1 W12 car I came up with after reviewing the set. Improvements include correcting the driver position, adding exhaust and some engine detail, improving the front axle & suspension, smoothing out the front and sides, adding a detachable front wing & nose, and working in more teal accents as an alternative to stickers. PDF Instructions LDraw File
  4. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    The new slope piece from the back of Mando's Naboo fighter makes a bit more sense now.
  5. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Agreed. Jang's review also focuses on the poor print layout for the yellow line:
  6. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    I've researched this a bit further and have found a few things of interest. The lime green real-car pictures are of the initial 2018 prototype, while the dark green images show the more recent development of the car for 2022, which was in fact lengthened in wheelbase. So this explains why the Lego model looks so much longer compared to reference images of the real prototype in lime green. Yet even so, the Lego model remains objectively out of proportion. Oky's side-by-side comparison makes the set look pretty good (from the side) until you compare the wheels. Resizing the images so that the wheels match in size shows the Lego version to be too long and too tall for its wheels and width. You're absolutely right that the Valkyrie should be longer than other cars, but even after shortening the model by two studs, this shortened model is still a full two studs longer than the Vantage! Using Sariel's scale converter and length data for both real cars I found that the Valkyrie should be at most 3 studs longer than the Vantage. But given that the Valkyrie is also going to be a bit wider than the Vantage in real life (while the Lego models are both equal in width), I think shortening the Valkyrie by two studs does a better job of retaining the correct length vs width for the larger car.
  7. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    I hope they don't ever go wider than 8-wide! They're already pushing it for minifig-scale. I think you're probably right that they were basing the design on the early dark green reference images you've shown. There's no denying though that the final Lego model is badly out of proportion in comparison with the physical prototypes now available in the lime color scheme - which is a pity as I think everything else about the Lego version is really great.
  8. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    The issue is length vs width. Take a look at this plan view and then compare with the Lego car.
  9. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Thanks for another great review. I thought the Vantage was the best car of the entire wave, while I found the Valkyrie to be absurdly long for its width. For anyone who feels the same way, my review for HispaBrick Magazine includes instructions for rebuilding the Valkyrie two studs shorter.
  10. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Yes, I know that reviewer quite well. Yes, but the W12 is last year's Mercedes F1 car.
  11. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    I found the W12 to be a bit of a messy build, but my main complaint is that the driver sits far too high with his head above the Halo and blocking the engine air scoop. The Project One is very nice but I think it benefits from being shortened by one stud in the front bonnet area and wheelbase.
  12. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    They're 2x4 wedge plates (the pointy ones) :) Another solid review. I liked this set a lot more than you seem to have done, but all your criticisms are on point. I had the same issue with the windshield print being almost closer to LBG. I think they also should have included a bag of wheel rims as an alternative to the printed tiles, plus a few extra 1-wide plates would have allowed for adding optional side skirts/body kit as per the real car shown on the box rear.
  13. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Thanks. A full extra stud for the splitter would be too much, and a half-plate is very difficult to achieve given the front construction. The nose overhang is unfortunate, but really only looks bad from the low side view, and using the 1x2 wedge slopes at the front sides helps a lot here, as does widening the black part of the splitter to the full width of the car.
  14. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    A fair question! I just wanted something of visual interest under that cover, and figure the standard engine block can also be seen as a heat sink or battery pack or whatever is actually there in the real car. Also, the trapezoidal shape of the engine block top exactly matches the shape of the engine cover in a very satisfying way. Here's a comparison... Changes include removal of all stickers and all prints (except for the black on the windscreen), yellow parts replaced with green, wider front splitter plate, 1x2 wedge slopes either side at the front replacing the double cheese slopes, 1x2 wedge slopes in front of the windscreen are moved half a stud forwards, new side panel shaping to remove exposed studs, and I've changed the attachment of the engine cover from 1x1 clips to a SNOT-mounted 1x2 clip plate so that it doesn't keep coming off. At the back end I've used 1x2 panels for a non-sticker-reliant diffuser, and also raised the rear wing position by half a plate.
  15. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Compare with the real-car photo on the back of the box. The yellow line should mark the boundary between door panel and side window, but on the Lego model this yellow line is half-way up the side window. Doesn't work at all for me. I'm out of daylight now, but can take some photos tomorrow. Nice review BTW. I'll be interested to see what you think of the double packs.
  16. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    I meant the print design and placement rather than the quality of ink application. Personally, I found this to be the weakest of the wave and I'm still working on improving the shaping. I've added an engine block in the back and a brick-built diffuser. The side panels and front end can also be cleaned up.
  17. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Have you confused this build with the Aston martin Valkyrie? The grille walls here are 1x2 wedge slopes. What are your thoughts on the windscreen printing?
  18. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    I have reviews up for all seven new cars at HispaBrick Magazine.
  19. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Hi. Thanks for your interest in the model. Yes, the instructions are available on my website for a small fee (lot's of free stuff there too). They also now include a BrickLink XML parts list for ease of ordering parts. Changing the steering should be a simple matter of L-R mirroring the dashboard and pedals while building.
  20. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Nitpick: There are two stickers - one on each door.
  21. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    The set is modular, with a 16x32 section that can be attached to either of two sides of the 32x32 section. The two pics show the two different layout options.
  22. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    My review of both sets for HispaBrick Magazine is now live: https://www.hispabrickmagazine.com/content/2020/12/26/set-review-2021-chinese-new-year-sets/
  23. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    That's one drawback of current licenses - we all want the classic cars that made the brands famous, but the brands themselves want to promote their latest models instead. I haven't designed for Cobi, but can send you a PM if you want more info.
  24. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    I'd recommend the Sian for the build experience despite the colour variance, but maybe not if you aren't a fan of the appearance. Easy fixes like the Ducati rubber band don't concern me, but as you've said, sets with issues like the ride height and structural integrity of the new Ferrari are much more frustrating, as it would be a major project to get that one up to scratch. Overall though, it's a good time to be a Lego fan with the company's new focus on the adult market. We're probably due a more sporty creator expert car soon as well. But if you're interest is waning then maybe take a break and wait for a future quality model to bring you back in. (BTW, if you're collecting clone brand historic tanks you might have some of my work, depending on the brand.)
  25. BrickMonkeyMOCs
    Well, if one limits one's scope to Technic cars/bikes, then I can see how things wouldn't look too great, and this last batch miss the mark for me too. But the Sian was a fantastic and satisfying build for me with only very minor colour variation, and the Ducati also was a really great set, with the rubber band easy to swap out for gears. Fortunately I have wider Lego interests, so there is plenty still outside of Technic and cars to hold my attention and engage my wallet. And while it's unfortunate that these latest Technic cars are not the best, MOCing remains an option for those unsatisfied with the official sets being offered. And if you're still not keen on the Sian, then there are a lot of great custom alternate builds out there that make getting extra copies of the Creator Mustang very tempting.
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