Saberwing40k

That's cool, I thought for sure it was supposed to be an airport firetruck, but with the hatch in the rear, it's more like an APC. Maybe you could build it in white as a field ambulance, or something?

I turn around for five minutes, and look what happens? So, I'm kinda curious about the plane, and also the construction crew. Does the construction crew only include vehicles?

Excellent point. The instructions aren't changed because the demographic has changed, it's because they've tried expanding the demographic. Yeah, it makes perfect sense. Now, if only Lego would make updated versions of the 24x43 tires...

*grumpy old man voice* Back in mah day, we had 10 parts per step, or more. And you know what we did? We shut up and dealt with it. If Technic is too complex, maybe you shouldn't be building, darn kids. I mean, if we back then could build with 10 steps per page, what's changed in the demographic to make that no longer possible?

So today I got a reply to an email requesting the release dates of the L and Servo motor, and here's what they sent me. Dear [Redacted], Thanks for getting in touch with us. Isn’t it exciting that there are so many new LEGO® sets every year? It’s great to see you’re eagerly waiting and trying to find out about what we’ve planned for the future.I'm sorry to inform you that we do not have the Servo Motor and L Motor available at the moment. That item will be coming soon. Unfortunately, we do not have a release date for these items at this time.For updates on release dates please refer to our website. LEGO.com. Thanks again for getting in touch. We're always pleased to receive feedback from LEGO fans! If you could take a moment to complete a four question survey by going to the link below, it will help us make sure we are providing the best customer service to you. LEGO Survey link Please let us know if you need anything else. Happy building! Matthew LEGO Service Well, It's unfortunate that this is all there is, because I also recall asking if the prices of the motors were correct. And we wait some more...

While you could replace the sensor wire, there's honestly no point. It would most likely be cheaper and easier to buy a new one of off Bricklink.

So, what speeds do you need/want, and does it have to be an actual gearbox? Linear gear boxes are easy enough to find, but I'm guessing you want something that uses the changeover catch system. I can't really help you, yet, because I need to know some crucial things, namely, what speeds you need, and whether you need a neutral gear.

How about the blue pneumatic shunt pieces in 8110?

Hmm, I'm not so sure that this will perform as advertised. You're going to be snapping and twisting axles left and right, since they're long. Also, the whole assembly looks rather overbuilt, with too many parts in some areas, and too few in others. You'd be able to get rid of half the parts in this thing, and still have it work. Also, why do you have brakes? I have never seen a Lego vehicle that actually needed them, but if you want to include them, that's fine. Also, since when were those pneumatic shunt pieces available in DBG? I thought they were available in only blue.

Actually, you could totally do this, as explained in a book on robotics I got a while ago. You simply use the compressor to raise air pressure in the bottle, which forces the water out. Alternatively, you might be able to use this pump: I've personally tried using water with mine, and brick built hydraulic cylinders, and I've never encountered a problem. Or, you could in theory use these tubes: And some kind of impeller pump to make the fire truck work.

This makes no sense. No, the servo motor is not priced fair, given that I could get a non lego one for about $10, and the L motor should sit right between the XL and the M motor in price, not above them both. The XL motor should cost the most, because it has the largest amount of copper, the expensive stuff, in the motor, while the L does not have nearly as much. I hope the prices are only preliminary, "cause they are just too much.

I opened mine. And I'm going to mix it in with my collection, just like every other set I've ever gotten. I see no point in just leaving something on a shelf, and not using it. And I can still sell it, if I ever so desire.

This, I don't think, is very appealing to me. I prefer crane models myself, with replicated functionality, rather than models like this. It's kind of stupid, really. Most other model makers sell quick snap together kits, which don't need to have any of this crap. It's not like it's even a very clever build. Every megablucking part except for some red plates is so ridiculously specialized, you can't use it for anything. I mean, if you're stuck between Lego and real models, buy some proper snap together ones. If you want real models, buy that. If you want Lego, buy Lego. It's that simple. Personally, I prefer action figure models, like robots. Those, to me, are more fun than minimum functionality models. Now, if Airfix were to make some crane models with this system, with motorized functions, I'd be more interested.

A container truck, for $200!?! It better be something cool, like a sideloader truck, or one with two trailers. But hold on, it the 1H 2014 flagship is almost as much as a 2H flagship from previous years, does this mean that we've got something really big headed our way? That is, of course, figuring that this information is accurate, buuttt I don't think this should be taken too seriously.

Problem is, that's exactly what would happen. The friction would most likely kill any gains you made. While in theory the 5292 motor would be more powerful, the gear reductions and associated friction losses would negate any benefit, not too mention the fact that those motors have to have one battery box and two receivers a piece. While it sounds good in theory, in practice XL motors are better in almost every way.

Or you could do what I did, which is use a cluster of rubber bands to counter the weight of the boom.

Well Well, all this is interesting, so let's go through my best case scenarios from both bottom up, and top down. TOP DOWN Assuming that the smallest set number is the smallest set, Excluding Pullback Racers. 42020: This set is very small, but what could that mean by twin rotors? It could mean that it has twin rotors like a Chinook Helicopter, twin overlapping rotors like the 9396 B model, or two counterrotating rotors. Since this is small, I'm going for the first option. It may also have a hook and winch for lifting loads. It's orange! 42021: Meh, it's a snowmobile. Let's hope it's lime green, or something. 42022: I'm thinking a V6 rat rod, with just HOG steering and suspension, and opening doors. I'm hoping for black or brown. 42023: Now we're getting somewhere. The 3 smallest sets hold no interest to me, but this one does. I hope it will include a pickup, one of those little bobcat skid steers, and 3 updated Technic Figures. This could be a fun set, not in terms of realism, but playability. I think the truck should be red, and the skid steer white.(Standard Bobcat livery.) 42024: It's a white sideloader container truck, rather than a roll on roll off truck like 8052. 42026: The color should be fairly obvious. It's essentially 8366 reborn, with a radio transmitter, reciever, and servo for steering. It's like an ACC car, in terms of size and function. I hope this is correct. 42027: Something like this: When I googled the term, I got lots and lots of motorbikes, so I thought that something like this would be cooler. It could be either orange, or teal. BOTTOM UP Assuming that the smallest sets are at the bottom of the list, with the highest numbers. 42027 & 42026: Meh, two little pull back racers, that can be combined. Like we care. 42024: A little bitty container truck. Similar to 42004, and a good parts pack in the same way. (C'mon, 3 x11 flat panels.) 42023: Same as previous description. 42022: Similar to 8070 minus the power functions. 42021: Wait, haven't we seen this before? Let's hope this one has an engine and chain drive. 42020: 1h flagship. I want something with both collective and cyclic control. Man, this sounded a lot better in my head.

Gah, this waiting is so annoying! I kind of wish that they'd at least give us a reason for the delay. Also, my servo from the boss makes weird beeping and buzzing noises. Is this normal?

Ya know, I'd kind of like to see a light mod of this, with no rc motors or aftermarket parts, with instructions. It's an excellent model, and that's totally something you should do.

Yeah, he got hit by the ban hammer, and I think I know why.

My mom almost ended Lego for me, but I figured out a way around that. I've still got all of my sets, just in storage for the near future.

A long, long time ago, I stumbled across the great site called Cranes Etc. It's a site that reviews models of construction vehicles, as the name implies, and I've seen some fun stuff to build here. I really like this site because the pictures of the models are really good, and they do some things with the models that is not often shown with the real vehicles. Also, there are some uncommon vehicles and configurations that are hard to find pictures of in the first place. Some of my favorites: Mammoet PTC Crane Goldhofer AST-1 X 1360 Aircraft Tractor Peterbilt 379 with Nelson 3x3x3 Trailer Terex AC 1000 Mobile Crane (My current project ) Isn't this stuff cool? I think you should check out this site if you need inspiration. www.cranesetc.co.uk

Them stickers are really good, they really add a lot to the model. I also really like that rear suspension. I'm going to have to get my hands on some of those hubs...

I can't think of any reason for you not to get 41999, at least not one that has to do with the actual set. However, if money's tight for you, and you only can buy one big set, get 42009. It has more functions, and is bigger, so there is that. However, you could also say that you should just get 42008 and 42000 instead... Really, it's up to you.

My response is for you to throw out the differentials. Most trail trucks don't need them anyway. Also, I still fail to understand how you're breaking gears, given that I have a truck of my own with many 12t gears in the drivetrain, and not one of them has broken. But, my truck has portal axles. Does yours? If it doesn't, that may be the source of your problem.