1980SomethingSpaceGuy

Weight and size limits really spice up those TCs I think. Thanks again @Jim and @Milan!

The trailer is not included in the TC entry but it'll eventually go along with Whirl and Wheel on the shelf, so it had to be on par in terms of design and features. Which are quite basic of course, but needed to be made light and reliable. I adapted the support wheels' gear ratio to minimize input rotations per transition and implemented a release button in the back for the helicopter attachment system. The latter locks the heli in place and allows to grab either it or the trailer to transport both. It'll even sustain shaking. The heli can be placed on the trailer and a push on the button will lock it, or through a single move, similar to a ski boot locking into bindings. The coupler is 2 studs long to prevent the trailer from detaching on a doorstep or carpet, since no locking mechanism could be implemented on the truck's side. The front axle has some slack to accommodate pitch when on support wheels. Finally, I added a few details like air tanks and pipes to match the original model. It's definitely not the most impressive build ever, but it really binds the duo into a meaningful set with simple but perfectly reliable play features. That concludes this project, which I very much enjoyed. The work around weight reduction on the truck and the more creative features for the helicopter were both interesting and fun. I'm happy with the outcome; a very solid build that handles a table drop with grace, reliable play features that even young kids can enjoy, some creative solutions I'd never seen before and a wink to a legendary set of my childhood. Thanks again to the admins for organizing this TC!

Too bad...Hope you'll finish them some day; I think you had a good start. All the best with work and everything, may those allow you some more build time soon!

We've entered the grace period after the official deadline of the TC; you may still post your entry if you do it soon, @Jurss. Will you make it? It would be a bummer not having you in...

Last minute update; Whirl's flight controls were made more realistic with proper sticks and collective and the cockpit got a few tweaks. Nothing major, but I had to shoot some more photos this morning.

Yeah, I though it might but couldn't figure out for sure only looking at the pictures. Well it seems the solution you implemented is the best compromise once again...

This indeed brings joy! I'm happy to see this little guy complete. I figured you could use those: instead of the 1 x 2 plates on the sides of the front to move headlights up there in stead of on the bumper. What do you think?

You're welcome. This was not in the rules yet yesterday when I did my photo shoot so I skipped it, but I was going to raise the subject on the TC discussion topic when you timely intervened.

Yes yes, I got it and complied already. See my entry post:

Very cool idea for a MOC and good start! Looking forward seeing this play!

Good call. I was wondering whether this would be mandatory and thus only posted 3 images, leaving room for a fourth. I complied and added a montage with both builds on the scale. The weight limit seemed a pain to work with at start, but in the end and since I went for the topmost allowed value of 300g, I found that constraint to be in fact kind of a relief; I felt less pushed to endlessly modify my build...

Thanks a lot! A trailer was needed to put that MOC on the shelf anyway, so I had to... Thank you! Yes, that may be the aspect I'm most proud of in this build; it is rock solid and perfectly reliable. The use of 2 springs (shock absorber + hockey block) create a proper trigger mechanism that I find quite satisfying. This starting a reasonably long rotation of the blades make for one of the most swooshable thing I've ever build, for sure. Thank you very much! The scale I chose to get proper wheels/differentials and the weight limitation pushed towards a minimalist design with no panels for the body. I figured since one was needed for the spoiler on the truck's roof, I could use a pair on the heli too. I agree, those old school ones with "air intakes" do a good job of dressing up the rotor base. Thanks a lot Jim, means a lot to me! Sure thing. Done! (in the entry as well) I must admit it was quite a head scratcher to get this truck into the weight limit. But once it was done, that same rule also helped preventing me from endlessly tinkering with the build; I knew I could not just add one piece here or there and none could go easily, so I was able to leave it be and feel happy about it.

Whirl and Wheel Technic reboot to 5590 from 1990. Wheel: 2 steered wheels with HOG 4 driven wheels with 2 differentials 1 fake driving wheel fake V6 engine exhausts, mirrors, seats Whirl: pull-back motor with trigger to whirl the rotors retractable tricycle landing gear fake flight controls, seats, search light Video: Topic:

Thanks a lot! And agreed; I kinda miss the pure, naked vibe of old models sometimes... Anyway, here's the video:

After some last tweaks, I shot the final images for the entry. Of course this truck could benefit from more dressing up, but I hit the 300g limit. And altogether, I like it this way: stripped down to the essentials. And the helicopter: Together: A short video will come soon.