Captain Dee

That's a lovely little build. The tree is nice and you've certainly mastered that type of base. The patches of green look good - lichens, perhaps? As for the quote, I'm assuming you're speaking of the "lesser of two weevils" part specifically. It was used in "Master and Commander: Far Side of the World" as in "we always choose the lesser..." and has appeared in a number of jokes about two weevils and what they grew up to become, with the lowlier of the two being "the lesser..." If you're talking about the first part of the quote, well, I don't know. Good work as usual... and good idea to make a riddle from a quote. I've thought about doing so myself.

Overall this is a very good build. The dished beacon is nice, the tower gives it a commanding presence and those tall windows are lovely. The other architectural elements, like the columns and arches, give it a little variety too and I like how you use the tall 1x2 pieces with the central groove. There is one thing I don't like - the new-style URPs lined up along the base. They're okay isolated, but together the repeated design never looks good. (Honestly, I prefer the old studded types because you could easily conceal or even modify their form with cheese slopes, slope bricks, vegetation, etc. But that's another matter entirely.) This setting definitely shows your building style. Good work!

Well... okay, looking past the subject matter, very good job with the build. Mind if I call her Ms. Banana Hair?! I really like the table and accessories. The dress is well represented too, but the hair is just perfect.

Who doesn't like a good Lamborghini - especially the radical limited editions or one-offs? It looks terrific and the colors are as eye-popping as the real thing. All the fine details look superb. And the swing-up doors are brilliantly executed. Excellent work!

To answer the question on the Frontpage - yes, I have seen a feller-buncher. Yes, it was operating. I don't remember what it was but it wasn't a Deere. (I would have remembered that because I operate JD ag equipment.) They're impressive machines to watch... ...and that is one impressive model! That has to be one of the most superb Lego models I've ever seen due to all the various powered functions. Overall the machine is very similar to an excavator or shovel, but adding the leveling mechanism, cutterhead and jaws really takes this to another level. It looks just about perfect. The presentation is great too. The natural environment just looks so much better than a clean white photo booth for this application. Spectacular work! Hall of Fame worthy for sure. Now go cut down some trees!

The fantasy world doesn't interest me in the least but I appreciate creativity, unique designs and good building techniques - and this definitely scores on all counts. The tower is impressive for its strange design and the overall scene is bone-chillingly cold just looking at it. You've captured that effect better, I believe, than any other builder. And of course the size and details are great but hey, you have standards to live up to, eh? Excellent work.

Overall this is a good design. The floor colors may be a bit much but the angular layout is nice. A little more fire would fit the size of the pits better but that's not a big deal. It certainly looks like they're getting things done. Good work.

Nice job securing those two classics! I never really liked either one but they both make good additions to a collection. When the price is right go for it, huh?

New at this? I sure couldn't tell! That's a lovely diorama and it includes just about everything. The modified El Dorado looks more adventurous than most and the other buildings fit in seamlessly. The water really makes the whole scene look nice versus boats riding atop plain blue baseplates. The Clipper looks a little better too - pity it doesn't have more sails. And of course treasure-seeking pirates are a good feature. Some people will say the CMF Swashbuckler is out of place, but I think they should be used in this type of setting. Overall this is excellent and it looks like a fun project!

Well, I didn't tell the whole story. TRU mailed me $95 Rewards, so naturally I had to spend it on Pirates. I didn't want any more of the others, so 5 Treasure Islands came to just over $100, hence the $5.21 out-of-pocket.

I just couldn't resist. Toys R Us values my business so much that they just sold me 5 more copies of Treasure Island for a grand total of $5.21! Less than a dollar each pretax! Argh!

With regards to the Imperial Armada faction, I was referring to sets that belonged to them - the Armada Flagship and Armada Sentry. Buccaneers was basically neutral (like the old Pirate Minifigures and Sea Mates) while Pirates Ambush is decidely a pirate set with an Armada man and Shipwreck Island is likewise a pirate shipwreck with an Armada man. PPP included the Armada as well but again, it was a pirate set. Same with the other two sets. Out of the entire wave the Armada had one ship and one little building - everything else was either flying the pirate flag or obviously a pirate set with accompanying Armada minifigs.

The Imperial Armada "faction" (if it even qualifies) was definitely the coolest. Their two small sets make them look like a TLG afterthought - like it was a chore for the company to produce them. This poll seems odd in its modified form just because they're so different from their predecessors and they're so rare in comparison. I never got into the RvB thing - I like them all - but still, I think a new poll with all the factions would be more appropriate than adding another option so late in the game. Oh, and please, no one tell me that the Armada "actually" had 3 sets. The fact that the re-release flagship had a different number of parts doesn't make it a different set. Unique, yes. But still a re-release. Nothing new and exciting. I think TLG realized they made a mistake by cancelling the entire theme so suddenly, and that was apparently the best they could do to correct it.

Detailed inns rank among my favorite subject matter and this one is lovely. The roof is a bit simple but its overall design is good; perhaps a little more texture would spice it up. The bridge/walkway over the road is an excellent feature and the details on the walls are nice. The bunk beds are pretty cool but my favorite part is the eating area with its suitably grand fireplace. Good work and nice job on the story.

I stand corrected on the '96 tricornes. It's silly, because I have several of the figures in question. And I also have a hard time seeing anything retro about it. Not that it's a bad set per se, but it doesn't exactly look classic. Nice torso though.

That's a lovely marketplace. The different vendors and buildings are nice and I really like the big fountain. The colors match up with other builds from that area; it would look more vivid with more variety but I like the understated nature as shown. The dark tan path makes a good contrast throughout the scene. The architecture of the big building looks great and it makes an impressive sight in the overview photo. Good work!

The question is, do they know she's back there? From the looks of things it's going to be both at once... unless they have some tricks up their sleeves. For the record I never did like that redcoat head. He looks like a sloppy eater with that face.

Good to see you in the Pirates forum! And good job on ol' Bill. I like those colors and his hat is perfect. The overflowing treasure chest is a good idea. The presentation on that lovely irregular base with all the vegetation is nice too. Good work!

Lovely interior. It's neat and tidy with just enough detail to display its purpose well. The arched stained glass is nice and the round table is brilliant. All the different maps are a fine touch as well. Nice work.

Honestly smaller builds like this fit my idea of a beacon better than the big and tall creations (not that there's anything wrong with them!) The overall design is pretty simple but there are some good techniques here as well. The rocks, tiled snow and stone path look great. The tower is classic in design and looks similar to some recent sets. Nice work.

That's an imposing and impressive tower. As already mentioned, the large scale is really nice. The barrel technique is interesting and unique - and required a huge number of barrels! The rocky base and vegetation look great. The beacon itself is fine but I, too, question its placement atop an all-wooden tower. I suppose a minor modification, like an open stone hearth, could fix that. Still, it's a lovely setting. Good work!

Phred, I didn't think you'd have a problem with my post - I was mostly trying to prompt a sassy reply to my name-calling! As for commenting on bumped topics, especially ones like this that have been quiet for 23 months, it's probably best for people like me to reply as soon as it's bumped so it will quickly move down the page. I meant to reply sooner but just didn't get it done. At any rate it's a tricky business, but short of locking out all but the author from old topics I don't know how to prevent bumping from happening. Education, I suppose... and here I thought that was part of the sign-up!

Your historic builds are fabulous, Gary. I knew you had this one coming and it doesn't disappoint. Yes, it's small, and doesn't have the vast visual impact of large armies on a battlefield, but it still looks great. The tight formation is nice and the vegetation looks perfect despite being so simple. I'm anxious to see the rest. I'll definitely keep an eye out! From the perspective of modern times some of those old fighting tactics seem silly. I can't imagine charging headlong into a wall of bayonets. Now everyone gets upset over a few lost lives but back then soldiers were just a number to be used and regularly replaced. I suppose the advent of high explosives and exploding shells in particular changed a lot of that but still, fighting head-to-head in perfect formation always seemed too relaxed, too - shall I say - gentlemanly. We're talking war! But back on topic: this is another fine rendition of those famous events. Keep it up!

I have to wonder if TLG realized, too late, that every sensible Pirates fan wanted chrome gold - essentially, having pearl gold only was a mistake in our collective opinions - and went back to the old standard for this one release. Considering the fact that the coins first appeared in this theme, I can't imagine they were "at the bottom of the list." Likewise I'm going to declare the absence of black tricornes and monkeys a big mistake. They've always been part of the theme. (Well, the black tricornes weren't used in '96 with the Armada, but you get the point.) As for the photo - it sure looks like chrome gold to me.

Again, due to the lull in activity I'm posting on an otherwise dead topic. (I hope the Phreditor will understand.) When I first discovered Classic-Pirates nearly two years ago I embarked on an ambitious journey: to view the entire contents of the MOC archives. It took a while but eventually I succeeded. After seeing so much material some of it began to run together in my mind but I could remember some of the best examples in each category. I think I can positively identify nearly 50 ships from memory, and this is one that really stood out from the rest. The overall design is very good and it makes excellent use of color. There are details aplenty and a varied crew to match. The custom sails are gorgeous despite being unrealistically thin. She's a large vessel but still looks reasonable on prefab hulls. Some people have expressed the thought that she's the best pirate ship ever. Maybe. For all her beauty I never could come to terms with the brickbuilt upper bow. It's very smooth with good curvature but it always looked somewhat disjointed from the prefab upper the way it hangs out slightly. I fully understand it's just one of the limitations of enlarged prefab ships, but considering the prominence of the bow and prow I just can't help but think they should be as smoothly joined as possible. It doesn't exactly ruin the look but it definitely doesn't enhance it either. I don't say this to be overly critical - I like the vessel overall - but rather to point out what everyone already knows: prefabs just can't be drastically enlarged without encountering problems. The ultimate, in my mind, will always be a full brickbuilt hull. The prefabs will always work well for smaller vessels. Likewise I can't comprehend why so many projects go to Cuusoo/Ideas when there is clearly no chance of it ever happening. Make no mistake, this is an excellent vessel - but the piece count alone would have to be more than cut in half before TLG would even consider it. Popularity with the general population seems to be the trump, and the small subset that likes tall ships isn't enough to justify producing this type of design as a set when the theme it's tied to only lives every few years at best. I may sound a bit negative, but I look at this model with admiration. She's truly a force to reckon with. Too bad she's on the wrong side of the law!