DarkShadow73

JGW3000- thanks for the reply. So I know I built it right, but I've never come across a reel that had to be forcefully pulled out and reeled back in as tough as this one is, and the PF motor doesn't even touch it.

What about 42051? That was supposed to be the original # for the 42068 Airport Fire Truck, to be released in 1H2016. That # was never used, numbering skipped from 42050 Drag Racer to 42052 Cargo Helicopter for 1H2016. Kind of odd they didn't use 42067 for the Airport Fire Truck, then 42068, 69, then 42070 should be the surprise, maybe...that's sort of what myself and my other AFOL buddies had speculated before info was released on set #'s in February. That's the way it went 2H2016, 42056 was the Porsche, oddly released June 1, then 42053-55 released Aug 1. 42056 surprised all of us and it went from speculation to known release date to release very quickly in April and May.

Thanks for replying. I finished the model today and added the optional PF parts. I always make sure all gears and moving parts can spin freely and aren't too tight on axles, etc. However, out of the 4 power functions, the rotors will spin but erratically, sometimes getting stuck it seems. Gears just start jittering. The hook will not retract or come back up at all when that gear is engaged. The cargo bay door and the landing gear work fine. I took off the M-motor and all gears spin freely when both gear selectors are in neutral position. I am at a loss here. I checked batteries they are new, and have full charge, they are alkalines. Obviously this is one of those types of models, well really set that comes with PF or sets where they can be added to motorize the features, that is so much more fun with PF elements. I see I got a lot of views, but only 1 reply. I realize this model is from 2H2012, so nearly 5 yrs old, but I would guess other members have/do own this set and have motorized it. I just really don't know what else to do but tear down a good portion of the set and rebuild the gearing, but like I said if I pull the motor off everything spins freely, including the white clutch gear and the 8 tooth spur gear that actually spins the main shaft/axle. As far as the string/hook assembly, I have built plenty of smaller cranes, etc, where 2 blue axle/pins are inserted into a beam with 2 8-tooth spur gears on the axle end of the blue pins, giving the string output friction so the string doesn't pay out by itself, but this 3L pin w/ stopbush is impossible to turn. I have used the string reel to retract and pull up string, but its super tight even by hand, the M-motor won't even spin that axle when clutch is engaged, the gears just bounce up and down slightly. If anyone else has any good ideas, please let me know. Thanks very much.

I am finally assembling the 9396 Rescue Heli and am quite confused with the string reel and hook, mainly how they are attached to the 13L black beam with a 3L friction pin w/ stopbush. This would be in Book 2, page 12, steps 3 to 5. Then again when the gearbox is mostly assembled on page 18, step 73. I always test all gearing to make sure nothing is too tight so gears turn freely on the axles, but I don't see how 16-tooth gear in step 73 can turn the 16-tooth dk grey clutch gear when the gear is engaged. I tried hand-turning the clutch gear and the grey gear and they are so tight because of that 3L pin w/ the stopbush. Am I doing something wrong here? I just don't see, even if I put PF into the heli that the string will go in and out of the pulley. Any input appreciated. Thanks.

Sorry for the late reply, been really busy. Thanks to you both for the insight, much appreciated. I just happen to have 2 42050's. After I get tired of each model, I will disassemble and put these wheels/tires on my 42038.

Except in the US we can't buy from that Amazon site, it has to be the amazon.com, and for some reason they don't list items until either exact release date (no pre-orders normally), or sometime thereafter. And it usually takes a little while for discounts to happen on Amazon, altho it is odd, 42054 and 42055 we're discounted towards Thanksgiving last year and have remained below MSRP ever since. Whereas 42053 and 42056 have not been discounted as of yet, except by Marketplace sellers. Jim - where did this model come from? I see it contains mostly 42038's parts, but with wheels/rims from somewhere. I thought both 42038 models we're brilliant, and if I could get my hands on some of these tires/rims, and some instructions I'd build it in a second. Been done again by 42029. That model was about as bad as 8416's B was IMO...in the case of 42029, steering with a 16-tooth non-bevel gear, looks goofy on top and probably hard on the fingers after a while. I hate the 8110 Plow model. Well, not entirely...I loved the plow attachment, but the rear portion of the chassis looked very unfinished. It needed something, but since they used all the grey panels for the blade, the back couldn't be enclosed. And, like it has been said about 8110, 42054, and 8436, same chassis and cab, just different attachments. Kind of feel cheated even though these B models we're excellent (withstanding the open back end of 8110). Same can be said of 8421 also. Same chassis and cab, just exchange the crane for the boom lift. Felt I wanted to reply to this as it was brought up and I've always hated what felt like building the same model again and again, also know this portion is off-topic and I won't say a word about it again.

$270 for 42070? That's insane, RC or not. That's $10 shy of 42055 with more than twice the piece count and a lot more fun and functions. 42070 makes 8285 look bad. The only set I see as worth it this year is the long-awaited and 2016-cancelled 42068. I wonder if that model will have a engine/differential as it looks like a brother to 2003's 8454 Rescue Truck? Doing a Euro to US dollar conversion I came up with $85.85 USD, that is assuming these prices are set in stone? 42069 is just not growing on me and at that price. I liked the Arctic Truck a lot, it was interesting even if it had a crane that seemed more like an afterthought. I actually have been enjoying the sets of 1H2017, they are interesting and the combi-model of 42058/59 is really quite cool looking. I also ended up purchasing the 42066 Air Race Jet, both A and B models we're very good, at first the light blue color scheme didn't do it for me, but the plane itself did as I really enjoyed the 42025 from 2014. I agree with whole thing about the main model's wing span being too short, but overall it was a good build and fun with the PF, both A and B. I bought 2 so I could have both built at once. The 42062 is an interesting set. I wish the boom on the container truck had the same function as the 42061's boom has, and not just completely extended or retracted, but its still fun to play with and I really like the orange coloring, probably that and the azure blue colors from 42050 and 42059 are my favorites. Nice break from the standard 'outer shell' yellows, reds and blacks. The 42064 and 65 don't really interest me much, the boat, if $99 or so would be ok, but like many have said, it seems more like a City build, except with mostly Technic parts. The 42065 is the same, 270 pcs, full RC, but price is too high. Not a real techie build like other RC models have had. A few of the 1H models have been more like City or very, very simplified Technic, unlike past years' 1H offerings, but TRU had a good sale a few weeks ago so picked up the 42060 and 62. I do like the 42063 BMW bike as well, but the upper compartment seemed a bit much, so I took that one off. I really would like to build the Classic Car Chassis, but to sacrifice $120 on 3 sets and use only about half of the pieces is a tough call. Can always dismantle the 63, 61 and 57 to build it down the road.

I looked on Amazon.com US site and upon entering 42061 Telehandler, there was 1 seller, albeit asking too much for the set, indicating that the set would be released here on Jan. 5(tomorrow), and there was a Pre-Order option available to click on. I somehow have my doubts though. I was told Dec. 26 by a Lego store, then Jan. 1, then don't know, haven't heard about the new sets at all. I may call that store tomorrow and check just to see and maybe go to a local TRU store as well, I called a couple weeks ago there and they said street date was Jan. 1 as well, but went there on the 1st and nothing. Hoping for tomorrow, but I've heard so many different opinions now, I've kind of given up. Generally, one would think if a large release of 6 sets was due that the Lego USA site would have it up as Coming Soon On...but they still ahve to clean up their site of all the retired items too. One thing I considered is a majority of the sets on the US S@H are on backorder that when they get their next warehouse shipment of those backordered items that the final 6 1H sets would come with that shipment. Just guessing...

Do you have the price of the 42065 in US dollars? I haven't seen it here in the US and local TRU's, the Lego store, and on S@H. I hope we get those sets soon, that is definitely one I want and I just wonder what the price will be on it considering it only has about 360-370 pcs. I'm looking for the Air Race Jet (42066) as well. That set just looks awesome.

Off topic a bit, but I clicked on the links to your MOC bulldozer and forklift. They really are amazing models, I assume built out of the 42042 kit. The tracks instead wheels on the forklift I found particularly interesting.

I agree, the 42060 and 42062 look very City-ish, I've been into Technic since 2003 or so, and have never seen so many of these pull-back racers (which are great, but should be in either Racers or Speed Champions themes like 1 poster had said, and these smaller sets this year, mainly the 42060 and 62 honestly belong in the City series, more and more in the past several years they have been using what was exclusive Technic parts. I'll likely eventually buy them if they go on sale somewhere, like Amazon, but just for play value. 42061,63,64 and 66 look great for display value and the 42065 would be a load of fun to play with being RC. @Sariel - just a note about your video reviews, they are superb and cover about everything. I was on the fence about a couple models but you sealed the deal whenever they are released to the US. I very much would enjoy buying the 42066, but really I'll probably wait until you do get the set and review it first. I like fighter planes a lot, but the next best thing was the 9394 kit from 2012. A great model by itself, but the 42066 is so much larger. Anyway, keep up the great work, I am really glad I found your video reviews on youtube. Now, I must go backwards to a few models from past couple years and check out your vid reviews of those kits.

#1 If I mod a model, I don't share it on EB, mainly because my mods are very simple and not worth the time or effort to take pics of or post, not like the members who are superiorly talented in this forum. #2 where was I rude? I don't bash or come off this way. Yes, I replied to a vid that Sariel posted, all of his vids are excellent and have helped me decide if I really want a set or not. Many times, he has saved me money by watching them. I merely did ask if the bucket on the 42061 Telehandler reached the ground. Upon finding that Sariel had video reviewed it answered my question. #3 Superior complexity bs? This one I don't even understand where it came from. I have never come off being 'superior' cause I'm not. I just build 'em as instructed and occasionally find a way to improve on them. I don't even know if this was directed towards me or not honestly. If you happen to have an issue with me, I would really appreciate it if you would message me instead of quoting something I may have said (and btw the quote box was empty, that is why I question whether this was a mistake and was directed at me) and making me 'look bad' to all other members. I am mainly just a lurker, but when I do reply or ask a question, such as simply wondering if anybody knew when 1H2017 sets would be available in the US, I think it is a fair question or if I make a comment about a stock model, I have my rights as a long-standing member of this forum. Maybe, if you think a lot of members are very rude, why not just ignore them instead of wasting your time?? Just a suggestion. But, like I said, I don't think I was rude about any one thing. I do believe I left 1 message wondering about availability of 1H sets, and another about whether the 42061's bucket touched the ground. I would appreciate a moderator/regulator removing the quote you may or may not have meant for me, I do think it was an error. Thank you.

Thanks, yes, I discovered Sariel's review late last night and watching him lower the boom, I did see it does touch the ground. But of course like you said, it can be modded. Having the 8283 Telehandler from 2006, I modified that model with forks instead of a shovel. Sorry about including the pic and vid link, for some reason I couldn't highlight and delete it. Real shame it seems Lego scrapped the 42051, that would have been a good seller. I definitely would have purchased it.

A question about the 42061 Telehandler. It isn't released yet here in the US, but will be first of the month. Before I buy it and open the box, rendering it unable to return, I have a question about the lowering of the boom. From what I can tell in several pics of it, it looks like the boom when lowered fully doesn't seem to allow the shovel to touch the ground? In one viewpoint showing the mini-LA almost fully retracted as the boom is lowered down, it doesn't look like the shovel will reach the ground with said shovel flat on the ground. For anybody who has recently bought it overseas, is this the case? I really don't want to spend my money on a telehandler that doesn't fully lower the shovel flat. Appreciate any replies..thanks.

I'll give it a shot, thank you.

Have a question about uploading pics for some of my mods for existing sets and also MOCs I've built. I am mostly into tractor-trailer type models and wonder how to best do this. I am not all that computer-oriented. My wife took the pics with her camera and a short video for one goose-neck flatbed trailer for haulling construction equipment to job sites. She isn't sure either. They are all in either .gif or .jpg format. I would like to be able to put some descriptives above or below each pic or the 1 vid I have. Any help appreciated.

I am wondering, is the US release date same as the UK? We have had 42057-60 available for a few weeks (sorry to the UK), but I really want the 42061-65 sets. Anybody have any info on US release dates for those sets? I called a Lego store a couple hours from me, but they didn't/wouldn't/couldn't give me any info, whereas they did for the 2H2016 release date (42053,54 and 55). I live in the land of ice and much snow and hate to drive across the state I live in esp around Christmas rush time to find they don't have the rest of the 1H sets. Also, haven't seen them at TRU's which can be notorious (in a good way to AFOLs) for putting out sets before S@H and the brand stores have them available. Thanks in advance.

That's disappointing but I sort of figure that might be the way it will go as well...thanks for replying. Porsche isn't readily available in retail stores, like Toys R Us, here either and TRU is about the largest. Most other smaller independents wouldn't even consider stocking a $300 USD kit. From what I've heard and seen, its only available online or at Lego retail stores. I tried to get it several times at the closest Lego store about 3 hrs from me, and they would get some, sell out in a day or less, repeat, until now that the huge rush for them is over, they seem to keep stock on them. I've seen them at the Lego store last time I went there in early October, and Amazon has had them in stock for quite a while. Of course, then there's next week and Thanksgiving, then after that who knows with Christmas rush. On a side note, the most affordable Supercar now is the 8070. I think its a hot looking car. Maybe not as eclectic as the older supercars or the branded Porsche, but then again I don't like the 8880 supercar, the bricks and such don't appeal to me, the 8448 Super Street Sensation was much better. The 8070 may not have all the technical features these 2 predecessors had, mainly the working transmission, but its still tops in supercars and the motorized features are excellent. Btw, still haven't bought the Porsche. Needed to put money into other things, hopefully it goes on sale sometimes between Thanksgiving and Xmas.

A bit off the topic but that front sweeper element is awesome! And, probably one of a kind, except maybe in some of car wash sets. I have been around Lego since 1978 when I was a young kid, but I never did get this set, wish I had... I am looking forward to the cancelled 42051 Airport Rescue Vehicle. Wonder why they changed the set# though. I realize they like to keep in line each year since they started 42000's in 2013, well actually 41999 if you count the 4x4 Crawler, but if they change the set# to follow this coming winter's sets then 42051 will not be assigned to any set. Is it a sure thing this set is coming out 1H2017? Seems like a nice complement to the 8454 from 2003. Sorry, been so busy w/ my Bricklink store, regular job and life haven't been on Eurobricks in some time, instead of browsing 35 pages relating to 2017 sets, decided I'd just ask about this set.

Probably, most likely, a stupid question but is this list for 1H2017, or for both 1H and 2H? If the set list does encompass the entire year, sure is a LOT cheaper than this summer's sets. I would wager my guess, based on Lego's supersizing its sets (42055 comes to mind) and wanting to outdo each summer release, that this list is just 1H2017. What do we do with a boat? Float it in a bathtub? Doesn't sound too safe w/ PF, eh? I second a replacement for the 42029. Seems that pickup if I recall didn't have much time on the market at all before it was gone from Lego, TRU and the like. Look at the 42030 released about the same time, it is still available...I digress, sorry for getting off the track, but a new pickup w/ true 4x4 would be nice. Glad for that, Jim...not that I liked to spend what I did on 2H2016 sets lately, but if that was the whole list for '17, it wouldn't be too appealing...I love the big sets of summer...just maybe a bit less than this summer I hope...

Alright Jim - thanks for the input, it is appreciated. @Balrog - if Jim's idea doesn't work, what is the download manager? The only option I can see is clicking on the file and it shows in the bottom left of my screen, or I can click the Downloads on the bottom right, and that just shows the actual kb/sec and a progress bar, and I can pause and resume, but I never know when to, is it when it stops downloading? Like I was saying this problem is twofold, it loads really slow and also sometimes just stops like its done and goes direct to the pdf, for example, 139mb file might stop at 11mb or 60mb and act like its done, then the pdf comes up and says 'Failed - Incomplete'. I am using Windows 10 OS and nothing else special, Adobe is the same as when I had Windows 7. Thanks to both of you.

@Jim - When I right-click on the selected download, all I get is 'Save Link As'...not sure if I'm doing this correctly...I don't see an option for 'Download Link As'...maybe if you went to the building instructions section of the Lego website, you'd see what I'm talking about...

Hmmm...I'm not sure what you mean by using a download manager that you pause and resume. I basically just click on the photo of the B model within the Building Instructions section of Lego's website and it starts a download. I can pause and resume the download, but it doesn't seem to matter. Jim - as far as what you are talking about I will try that and see how it goes, but when you are talking about the digital downloads that Lego has been using last couple years, they are huge files, some are 130mb or larger I would guess, especially with the 42055 that just released. Even the 42054 is going to be large I'm guessing. I tried a dry run with the 42052, and one time it made it to 57mb, then just stopped and tried opening the pdf file itself (without me selecting Open when Done). Of course a msg came up that said the download had failed. This part I really don't get. Going super slow and stopping many times is 1 thing, but having it just get so far, even at like 10mb it sometimes does this, going right to the pdf in Adobe and naturally saying failed. I tried this both on the main and alternate instructions on the 42052, and the alternate model for only coming from a set that has 1,042 pcs is a 139mb file. I wish they had kept the larger models split into 4 or more smaller chunks. I still wonder how long it takes Lego to put up the alternate pdf's on their website. I've never looked for 1 this quickly, but it seems to me as long as the product is released, they should also post the alternate instructions, just like it says on the back of the box. Also, not to bash Lego, but I can't imagine it costs that much to print alternate instructions like they used to prior to 2008, but it is what it is. Thanks, I'll try the Save As features and see what happens.

I purchased all 3 new summer Technic sets. The 42053, 54 and 55. I realize they we're just released either yesterday or at midnight, but one would assume the alternate instructions would be available to download at the same time. Does anybody know how long it takes TLG to post them on their website? Secondly, a gripe of sorts. Now all larger releases, mainly would be the summer sets, have alternate model instructions that are only downloadable in one large pdf file instead of a few different segments. My issue is where I live I only can get DSL internet, so if I try to download a huge file, so many times a quarter of halfway through it fails, plus it crawls with these large files, sometimes many hours to download one file, unless it fails halfway through which irritates me. Is there a way to just have the pdf file e-mailed direct to me? Going to the local library, which does have cable internet, doesn't help because all they have is internet terminals, so no way to take a flash drive in and try to download them that way. Any ideas on the timeframe for the instructions to become available, or to get the entire pdf file sent to me would be most appreciated.