Conchas

Yes we should also notice that in transition from one mold production to another, the same sets could be released with both parts until the old one gets exhausted from stock. Also because many sets transit from one year to another and in the past they used even to sell longer. We had for instance someone recently reporting to have received both old and new versions of the small tread links, even inside the same set.

That isolated appearance of Type2 in set 8838 from 1991, looks more like it might be some inventory mistake in this set, at Peeron. It is common to have such kind of errors in these unofficial systems relaying on users information. For instance at BrickLink, the same Type2 part starts to appear in sets, since 1986... http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp...mp;v=3&in=S

Eric, you may find some 8880 photos I took myself at LEGOWORLD (Zwolle) the last year, at my Brickshelf folder. http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Conchas/...GOWORLD/001.jpg http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=348552 They start at 001 and go until 011. You may find also one 360º video I did, at Youtube. Not big quality stuff, probably what you need. In a related TBs post, you may also find the picture bellow, from LEGOWORLD Oslo, one year before (Found it somewhere at BS before). http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MBEVlUMi9kI/SQ9F...D+OSLO+2008.jpg Regarding your reluctance to use LEGO copyrighted material, maybe you would like to know what LEGO as written in their Fair Play policy, transcribed below: "Scanning Of Copyrighted Materials Into A Web Site The LEGO Group owns the copyrights to its building instructions, publications and to the photographs used in our catalogs and on our packages. Copying, scanning and distributing these materials on the Internet would be an infringement of our copyrights. Nevertheless, at the present time the LEGO Group does not object to scanning of limited extracts of these materials in unaltered form for non-commercial purposes of exchange of information or good faith commentary. However, scanned /images/info should not be given such prominence as to indicate sponsorship of the Web site by the LEGO Group. We would ask that the photographs be scanned without distortion or overemphasis of the LEGO logo. A disclaimer and notice must appear indicating that the copyrights are owned by the LEGO Group (e.g. LEGO Group. This is an independent site not authorized or sponsored by the LEGO Group)."

So Eric, you did it again! Congratulations for the huge and very well done work! So far I've only red the 1994 main page and the 8880 article, as all the rest requires even more time, so it should be done after work... Remembered that this set may also deserve a mention and photo from its almost real scale version (scaled up 10x) made by LEGO and since then going around the world between LEGO events and LEGOLAND parks (unless there are several). This is one is also impressive by its own! Thinking about details and the driving ring, I wonder if when the ridged axle joiner was designed back in 1993, designers had already in mind the joint functionality details, required to work with the driving ring to release one year later, or how it all happened (ya... I just remember about crazy questions...). Probably there is no more anyone left among the TECHNIC designers to explain, that remembers or was there at the time. From their bios, it looks only Lars Jensen, may have been there by the time. Maybe it would worth to mention also, the small different versions this set saw while seeling, because some parts got small variants. I mean the steering arm that shown up both axle and pin connection versions, with correspondent use of the adequate axle/pin towball parts. All together and considering color variations (white and light gray) the steering arm shown up in this set, in three different elements. Don't know why it was changed, but it would be just another interesting nugget to know. In my multiple copies of it (all 2nd hand), also got such variations.

Have seen now your answer, Eric. Thanks! This just after looking for them in the net, and to have found these 8458 official alternante third model instructions (Street Sensation) at BrickFactory and Worldbricks. The latest is a new building instructions repository website for me, but for the BrickFactory I'm pretty sure to have searched for them before and not being there. Maybe they were added more recently!?... But adding them to the blog post, anyway. Thanks!

Now, it just rests to ask for the 8458 (Silver Champion) online instructions, of the third LEGO official model (2nd alternate)...

Thanks Eric! This was very nice from your part. 66 pages scanned...

Despite I like the main model a lot, I find this B-model absolutely great! Believe it could be one of the greatest B-models that we have ever seen within TECHNIC sets. Thanks for the pictures and comments, Eric!

You didn't mention, but guess you got them from the Dirty Bike (8291) set, released in 2008!? I got to know other person also reporting the same issue, so it should be a part redesign for reinforcement purposes, and TLG got old and new stocks mixed. Wonder however why was this reinforcement needed, after we have seen the old ones take to the limits into the LPE pneumatic maotors and reaching thounsands or RPMs. Unless this also turns the production process more reliable and thus less expensive!?

It seems not anymore. Those PDFs from the booklets, now available online, just have the main mechanisms for the additional four cars.

Ok, I got the point. My instructions also just have the mechanisms for the 4 additional models. The other parts are so dimmed that in the PDF versions I didn't realize on them at first. BTW: I went to check my boxes again, because I've two exemplars of this model. And found that have one with the single book instructions version, and the other includes the two books split version of the same instructions.

Some remarks and questions. Don't agree with this as all the secondary models (Concept Car, Racer, Hot-Rod and Buggy) have full instructions included. You just need to continue from page 99, for each of these models. The point is that this set instructions organization, is a bit tricky to follow if you don't pay enough attention to the visial indications. Once all the two main models and four secondary models, have full building instructions within the included booklet(s) (Some sets were sold with one single and very thick instructions book, while others had two thinner booklets), which kind of remaining instructions are you referring to? Something like MINDSTORMS instructions, to roboticize de "Wing Doors"!? Like suggested by the image linked below, from PICSL/Peeron which however I can't relate with any specific LEGO set (3936 on the iage URL, doesn't suggest any valid set). http://media.peeron.com/scans/id/3936/67/

Definitely a good chance to give a lower rank in a review. Fully agree on "Reviews that are always positive don't mean anything". I don't use to buy every new TECHNIC set and hardly regret! Just buy those that really catch my eye. Most of the times, the mid and big size ones. This I would want only for the green panels (which by the way never thought to be Sand Green), as I've already one thing in mind for them. But surely I'll find them later at BrickLink for a good price. ;) Thanks for one more review Eric!

This is what I was told about. The connector was redesigned this way, to achieve a lower production cost. The former version was in fact made of two individual parts, thus requiring an extra mold to produce and additional assembling steps.

Hello zblj, my name is Fernando and run TechnicBRICKs blog. I've seen your truck beginning of June because it was featured in PLUG's forum by my co-blogger Alexandre. We have realized on the stickers with TBs url among others and became very proud! Since then it has been in my sort of post "queue" list... Even a few hours ago I thought about it, while running over the list I keep with the 'To post things' and decided for Eric's 850 kinematic animation for this week highlight. One of these weeks, it will find its way to the front page at the 'Week TechVideo' section, I promise! You have a very nice truck here and also enjoyed your snow speeder, running over real snow! PS: This was I meant.

Yes, dust should be an issue if displaying the models that way!? What most catch my eye, was the replica of Jennifer's Excavator. Have also built the remote? Was looking for Nico's Front-Loader, but didn't find it. Are you sure, you don't have any loose parts?

As far as I remember the 'B' prefix, stands for a pack that comes with batteries included. However don't see them advertised in this B8275 reference. Also it won't makes sense to list such two references simultaneously. It should be one the common S@H listing mistakes.

Personally I wouldn't say it is the best set of the year, because I also like the 8258 too much, but wouldn't say which is better from both as well. Fully agree on Blakbird's comment, this model could clearly have been the flagship for this year, or if the pattern repeats the flagship for the current two years cycle. Thus can only imagine they have also something very good, for 2010. Thanks Eric!

That's one of my LEGO dreams Well done trf199 and SuperCow! Must come back here to read it more in detail, but would prefer anyway a specific off-the-shelf and compact LEGO element, doing the job. Maybe studies like these, may help pushing TLG to make it by their own. Nevertheless I'm afraid it won't be small solution... PF IR Receivers are Huge and even the PF actual connector size is quite limiting.

Hi everyone, Thank you all. Another year of pleasant work for my hobby. Together with the other fellow Ambassadors, hope it produces some good results for the overall communities! Fernando

Great news, these new parts! Also, I believe we will have the 32x32 baseplate in Dark Bluish Gray, for the firs time in the Game set3842 (Lunar Command) Hopefully the 3843 (Ramses Pyramid) will bring back the 32x32 baseplate in Tan color. If true, it will be very nice because this part is already quite rare and expensive at BrickLink. At least I can't notice any seam where two 32x16 plates should join in alternative.

Thanks for the very nice review Eric!! I liked it a lot. So well done, that I don't see the need to do one later by myself about this set on TBs. Instead I'll redirect people to read it here (to post later today).

I hope they will get added to S@H listings quite soon. It uses to take always some more time, than in US... Nevertheless I'm pretty sure you can order them as individual parts, if you call LEGO Costumer Service line. Check at LEGO website, the phone number from you country.

Thanks Eric, for another great review. In fact functionality seems to be to less, for the price to pay. It worths mainly for the new parts, in my perspective. Just waitting for my order, to have one too!

Hi Eric, Yes, I'm one of those who disagree. I like the possibilities brought by the panels and the nice looking they confer to the TECHNIC models, without sacrifice from the mechanics in the model core. Great review, as usual from you!!! I was expecting to review also this model at TBs (probably the only one from 1H2009), now maybe I have to reconsider that.