LordsofMedieval

Didn't really break any ground here, but figured I would share.

My only complaint - and it is definitely more of a nit - is that I'd prefer to see it with a green canopy. That was such a defining component of the Blacktron line.

They've been having color consistency issues for a few years now - particularly with clear pieces, though I want to say I've seen Jangbricks reference some problems with solid colors, too. I don't know if this is due to Lego's goal of altering the chemical make-up of their plastic or not, but it sure is frustrating. This is a premium product, and I think we all expect bang for our buck.

Reflecting a bit, I think it's a pity that Lego doesn't maintain more of an "open line" to the AFOL community. I know they do internal focus groups, etc., but I think a lot of these subgroups - pirates, trains, castle, space, etc. - are composed largely of very reasonable, grounded, often-articulate people who would be quite capable of relaying ideas, thoughts, and concerns that, frankly, I don't think Lego always hears. The Hogwarts Express could have satisfied almost all comers - an 8w set would have still offered a high part count for Lego's bottom line, would have actually been minifigure (ish) scale, would have had plenty of room for interior detail, would have run on standard track, and still would have been a very impressive shelf display. That lineup of goals isn't unachievable - you see MOCers on these forums hit that bullseye between form, function, and play pretty much every day. But, for whatever reason, Lego decided that some of those objectives shouldn't be prioritized, and now the set is borderline notorious. And I could easily see this one going the same way. Yet if they would just do even the *slightest* degree of community outreach, those flaws could be avoided. And it's a shame that they won't. Because therein lies my chief frustration with Lego: the fact that every announced set is a crapshoot as to whether or not they'll even come close to hitting the mark. And when it comes to these $300+ mega-sets, most of us cannot afford to be charitable and 'support our theme' when Lego blows it.

*Looks at traditional steam locomotive.* *Looks at the cowling job.* (This is not a comment on the model, which is excellent - just the creative leanings of the people who streamlined it IRL :P).

I like the cupola on the top a lot.

I dunno. Something feels a bit too clean about this thing. Still, I was following the photo...

I have no reason to hoard it. Have fun: https://file.io/HZfLfymVfZmT

God that speeder is just amazing.

No problem. Wasn't trying to show you up. I honestly didn't see the rebel insignia myself until like 5 minutes before uploading.

The original painting is supposed to be a squadron of WW2 "X-wings" about to be bombed by (what look to be German) "TIE fighters." Note the rebel insignia on the sides of the rebellion craft.

I apologize for not responding - I forgot I had even posted this. The storage doors are just for entry.

I saw the drawing and had to try, though I took it as an inspiration rather than holy writ. I wanted the final model to look more aerodynamic than be a perfect 1-for-1 match to the painting, so minimizing studs was the priority. Also, it clearly wouldn't be doable in sand blue. But some (as yet undertermined) color would be possible... probably involving regular blue, since I know the little Buzz Lightyear winglets in the front only come in the old-reliable. Finally, I wish there had been a cleaner way to do the winglets, rather than using those ugly jumps, but any effort to incorporate the technic struts into the winglets was just going to exacerbate the problem of wing gaps. Basically, I'd just be robbing Peter to pay Paul.

I'm willing to extend them the benefit of the doubt until we know more. Lego likes to make big changes to the Ideas sets - maybe they heard all the noise regarding the Hogwarts express and took heed. I mean, ultimately, it's their buck and not mine. If they do a good job, I'm a buyer. If they don't... well, their silly mistake for wasting all that cash on marketing, etc.

It's interesting to me, now that I'm not looking at it on a cell phone, how the locomotive basically lacks all running gear. The creator's solution is essentially a non-solution: two of part number 42445 appear to just be hovering nonfunctional above the wheels. I get that Lego has never really developed a good running gear design, but it seems strange to see a project submitted (and accepted) that doesn't at least try to tackle the issue in a functional manner, but is instead what amounts to the creator throwing up their hands and saying "yeah, Lego can figure it out." I wonder if this is the set where Lego finally does conjure up something "real" to fill this design gap.

I'm not super impressed with the original - it's okay, but it doesn't exactly leap out at me, either. Certainly, I have seen better train models casually submitted by some of the people on these forums (none of which resorted to 10w). Ideas is so weird. The successful bids often seem to have more to do with self-marketing than talent... and then the things Lego selects to do are frequently (mostly, I'd argue) too avant-garde for their own good. Like... the Polaroid camera that got approved with this batch. Who, really, wants to drop 60-100 bucks to own a fake camera? There's a difference between admiring a design and wanting to put up real money for a dust-collector. If this winds up as another Hogwarts Express - a fat, stuffed-and-mounted, unusable mega-build - shoot me.

Me-489 "Liestern" rocket-propelled lifting body interceptor. Mitsubishi D2F "Absolute Zero" naval interceptor - allied code name 'Twins.' Caproni Ca.433 "Sorvegliare" heavy patrol craft.

It's Victorian Spengler and he's ghostbusting with a musket. ... I can imagine it's quite challenging.

Lol. I can't compete with this XD. Great job.

U.S. Army Air Corps, this time.

Jesus, one comment? This this is awesome!