brickzone

Strangely I think there were more military toys in Irish toy stores when I was a kid. GI Joe and all that kind of thing. Of course, the demographic that went for that now goes for violent videogames (age ratings are largely ignored, or more particularly circumvented by soft/lazy parents, and the full range of video games is present on the same shop floor in ordinary toy stores). I don't think Lego would necessarily make much money on a military line, certainly I would expect it to be of more limited appeal than City or Star Wars (the latter is a good mix of action/fighting without resorting to stark war re-enactment for kids). I wonder if the toy scene in the UK will change at all with the quite cool-looking and realistic models that the actual military there are releasing (HM Forces or something like that). A rather odd step that seems a bit like that film "Small Soldiers".

Thanks for all the comments so far! A dock is an interesting idea. I was actually thinking of a garage for the truck. Yes, although I used all the trailer parts for the HQ, I kept the tractor (actually lots of the dark blue slopes, 1x plates, etc. came from Castle or other sets). Anyway, my theory was to build a new "no navy" trailer for the truck, and have it carry the speedboat. Something like this: I took a photo of all my Agents (so far - I only have one of the 2.0 sets, the gold heist one): From L->R, the existing Agents Charge, Trace, Fuse, Chase and alter-ego twin, my Agents Skye (heli pilot), Turbo, Racer, Monitor, May Day (emergency response co-ordinator), Link, Solo, Trigger and Tracker. We also have Joe the receptionist, Dr. Blizzard the Agents' resident mad scientist and Mr. Security Guard (well, he can be happy he doesn't have a red shirt).

I thought I'd give people a closer look at these two items - this seems to be the correct forum, apologies if its misplaced. Pool table: I had a lot of trouble getting this pool table right despite the final simplicity - in the end a night's sleep was the remedy for ending frustration. I'd been trying to incorporate cups/goblets for the pockets, and then did a version where the tiles either end overlapped the sides and were just that fraction too tight. Finally I got this: The centre is two 1x1 technic bricks, two 1x2 plates, two 1x1 technic bricks, all mounted sideways attached to four 1x1 double-sidestudded bricks. The 1x3 plate on the right doesn't attach, but this centre construction rests directly on the studs for support. Arcade machine: This on the other hand came together perfectly on pretty much the first go (some minor tweaking). I'd been looking through my printed/stickered tiles for ones to use for other purposes, when the idea for the arcade machine just leapt at me as I saw the gold stickered tile on the side. Yes the screen is a chocolate frog card of Dumbledore. People might find these of general interest, the project they're part of is a bit more theme-specific (Agents HQ).

I hadn't seen that front gate - I think it works pretty well. If you really wanted to do something different, you could perhaps use those Sentai Fortress parts for some sort of outpost tower on top of the Volcano (not sure where the gun would go, or what would go atop said tower). Well, when I get around to extending my own Volcano Base, I think the first thing I'll do is go crazy with burps - even if I would have to use dark bley. I've a small amount of spare redbrown bricks that I would put over that - I think I'd not worry about not having more lava (trans orange) or dark brown. I'd use simple black platforms inside, and I have a couple spare girders still. Once I would finish the exterior, I'd then consider what to fill it with depending on the space available. I might actually put the existing Volcano atop some of the new Burp construction, and have some kind of ramp (or not, maybe its only accessible by air) for the main entrance. All of the ideas you mentioned for what to put inside the base sound good - so essentially what I recommend is work on the "shell" first, or the Volcano that is, and then see what scale you can manage with your bricks and how much you can fit in.

Very nice little scene - it got quite a laugh here! Perfect minifig expression for that scene of course - it's often quite funny! I love the fire belching out of the oven though, and the pot boiling violently! The oven mitt is a nice touch, as is the cheese grater slope as a, well, cheese grater.

I had an idea for a Lego Agents base for some time, using the 3D police station baseplate. After a failed initial project (it was too lateral to incorporate an elevator, stairs took too much room and it was corridors not rooms) I had a revisit of it, embarking upon a vertical construction. The initial design had a vehicle bay at the front hinging open like the Agents truck - the redesign instead used those panels for a "missile silo" type construction. Each floor I added was developed in an organic fashion, and of course this shows in the final construction - nevertheless it adds a bit of individuality to it. Without further ado, the photos: The complete building seen from the front. Obviously this is a public headquarters - not exactly "secret" agent stuff (that would be a fun project too - Tracy Island style). In case of direct attack, the HQ is not completely defenceless: The building is a traditional style open back for "play" access (also high ceilings). I ended up extending the maintanance bay rearwards and was sorely tempted to extend the building further by having a basement/floor at ground level below the existing "ground floor". I may still do so. View from the side - there are doors for vehicles to launch from. The ground floor comprises a reception (receptionist, waiting area, security gate and security guard) and a maintanance bay for the vehicles (the one shown and also one below in the "pit" of the baseplate). A Mr. Ogel is in reception, obstensibly waiting to see some Agents about this young upstart Dr. Inferno (my enemy's enemy is my friend). The upper vehicle slides across for launch, and the platform can be tilted up to launch it - the lower door is raised at the same time as it is connected by chains to the platform's hidden technic workings. The Agents hang out in their lounge when awaiting deployment - there is a small kitchen, pool table, arcade machine, coffee table and armchairs. Closeup on the arcade machine and pool table: The floor above is the brains of HQ, here there is a computer room...: ...and a strategy room: The top floor (excepting the control tower) is the research room (the dog is a captured Dr. Inferno remote controlled animal): Comments welcome. I intended to show off the base with a story (involving Ogel), but I quickly decided it would be a lot of photos, quite some preparation, and hard to incorporate the "show" shots and also make a brief enough forum post with it.

Cities are actually very bad for rats and other vermin, although some countries are tidier than others (Ireland isn't one of the tidy ones - the odd occasion early Sunday morning street cleaners haven't tackled the city centre, it is like a bomb site). In general even with proper disposal there is a lot of waste to be dealt with though with so many people, and that is a magnet for rats and such. Historically cities have been centres of disease and pestilence. One positive thing about the country mice we get here every Autumn/Winter (looking for warmth) is that they are not particularly wily and are easily trapped (no mucking about with poison that has the potential to result in dead mice in inaccessible places). Just like that kid's story about the town mouse and the country mouse. Peanut butter works better as bait than cheese in my experience.

Storm in a teacup. This is real news in the sense of British tabloid newspaper fodder. Such restrictions will never occur (or more particularly will not be enforceable or homogenously applied across different states), but it is in ebay's interest to stir up a storm of controversy just to make sure they don't. Incidentally I consider it unacceptable for ebay to spam their users in this fashion - the early posters were right in suggesting it didn't seem like a genuine email. Ebay shouldn't be sending out emails that have a tone such that they don't seem genuine.

I like it a lot, the style of Emerald Night is carried beautifully in the reduced "monorailified" version. Incidentally, we had a steam monorail here in Ireland at one stage. In Kerry you'll probably not be surprised to hear. The Listowel and Ballybunion Railway was a Lartigue Monorail.

Yeah, note that the supermarkets don't tell you when their prices creep up. Tesco don't shout from the top of the hills about their prices going up once they eliminate local competition. Companies are always going to silently increase prices, both in cases where they are profiteering, and also simply where they have to do so due to costs (or in this case, probably currency too despite recent alleviation of sterling rates - they still have to make up for the difference compared to about 2 years ago - they kept prices level throughout massive depreciation). As an Irish resident who can often order from the UK and profit on the exchange rate (even now with euro down to 86p or so), I can't see that Lego could possibly have sustained the previous UK prices for much longer. They would only have refrained from price increases for so long due to tough market conditions in the UK, but there is only so long they can do that for.

I bought a second hand (good as new) version of King's Castle Siege minus minifigs/dragon very cheaply - good for parts (already had the full set). I would actually recommend ebay rather than bricklink for getting quantities of brick. *Especially* when your requirements are not very strict - just generally useful brick for castle MOCing. Of course there is a little skill in ebay searching - I do it by a very general search with exclusions for things I'm not interested in (to reduce the clutter), and I skim through hundreds of listings at a time, and usually do this every second day or so for a couple weeks if I want to buy Lego on ebay. With the current crisis I imagine this is a good time for Lego on ebay though - probably lots of sellers and few buyers!

I'm so tempted to post photos of my current project, an Agents base, but I've only two areas in it left to kit out so I'll just be patient. I guess I prefer to spring a surprise, although I have this time already given a small sneak preview. It's a good point about it being a lot of work to take photos! I also only take them in good daylight now as artificial light messes up the colours even with a good camera and attempts at post-processing. I've been using a nice camera of my brother's (a digital SLR) and taking the photos from a decent distance back but zooming in, and I'll probably use a tripod next time I do this (you have to be very steady/take multiple times otherwise).

I can second this - but just to note that it usually makes a big difference (esp for serious dust/grime) to leave the Lego to soak for at least a half hour first (this may mean you have to change/top up the water to make it warm again. Also I first wash all the parts, then rinse them in a new basin of warm water to ensure the soap is rinsed off (using warm water speeds up the drying). I just use dishwashing liquid (Fairy liquid). I usually towel dry any large pieces to avoid water spots, and after having left the rest of the pieces on the drainer for a while, I then move them onto a dry towel, tapping any trapped water out of pieces (speeds up the drying).

I think it is rubbing (esp. while wet) that removes printing. Simply getting printed bricks wet, even with soapy water, seems to have no effect on printing if you simply let the parts air-dry (i.e. no towelling etc.). I have left grimy printed parts to soak with no ill effects (even mild bleach for less important, more dirty parts, I use a bleach for baby beakers etc. called "Milton" - fairly harmless to Lego and tough on dirt, helps lighten any dirt ground into scuffs/scratches). I still do them separately though and take get care in handling the wet parts and drying them.

From the second image, I thought the large chest *was* large pieces - namely the large fabuland chest.

The back of it looks pretty good and well done getting it down to six-wide profile. Like some of the others I think the front is a bit lacking - but I think it does show the look that you're trying to achieve all the same - that kind of solid and mean front that is in fact intended to be somewhat boxy. You should perhaps add a picture of two of it in the main Agents lorry! Keeping the same approach to the front, I would lower the front two navy tiles by one tile, and I would replace that black flat brick with dark grey or navy. I would also put the SNOT panel on the front the other way up (white/yellow above red/orange above dark grey bumper) and omit the numberplate. But these are just suggestions! Here are some more for further reworking: If you have the wheels from speed racer (they are smaller but one of them has similar hubcaps), with the 6-wide profile it would perhaps work well to use them instead of the original tyres. You could then lower the bodywork and acheive a more "sporty" look. I should perhaps revisit my own mod of the Agents car (the mod to include a pullback motor in roughly the original form factor- thread link) - I'd like to mod it to have the missiles/guns at the front actually covered over to some degree. I paid full price for this set, €60 (silly me - it's been cheaper since) but I don't regret having bought it even so - it's so slick!

Mmmm... it looks nice. I agree that a "normal" minifig would be nicer though. I can't wait for mine to arrive, and due to this promo and the Duplo sets on sale (suitable sets for presents) I put in an order even though it's less than a month since my last (and we have shipping of €15 here for orders over €70 - ouchie!). Can't miss out on the "ooohh, shiny"...

A good review showing off the great features of this set. I think it acheives a reasonable compromise between detail and simply having more things in the set. With the amount of bricks included (and thus the price) it is doing very well to have a two storey (plus attic) building, 1 floor shop, bus stop and bus. I too think it has a very classic look about it, and for all the nostalgia, some of those classic buildings were *way* plainer than what's in this. I also think yellow isn't the nicest colour for the bus, and I would have preferred red or green. Still it looks good all the same. I love the new window pieces, and merely judging the amount of pieces you get in this set (which is good for the price) doesn't take into account the great source of window/glass this is (pricy to get on PaB/bricklink) as well as large elements (panels, plates, baseplates). Art and Hobby here in Ireland have it for €42 which is a fantastic bargain (other shops are €50). Lego themselves seem to think they should rip off Irish customers using S@H and have it listed at a steep €60 for Ireland. I'm delighted with my copy, and I got one for my brother's birthday too.

July would be nice :) I don't think it particularly spoils things, and for me at least, it helps me plan my purchases (becoming more of a concern in recent months). Of course I guess where the Lego company is concerned they don't necessarily want people to pick and choose between this years line-up and next years, and would prefer people spend all they can this year and do the same again next year!

I don't know, but although I'm not sure if it is included in your wish list, just to note that Market Street has been gone to Sold Out about 3 times on S@H for Ireland at least - yet it is currently back again.

Thanks for the review, nicely done. I like the look of this set a lot actually and the scenario and all the little vehicles look fun. Squidman is one of my favorite aliens - he really looks like a shady dodgy character rather than an out-and-out hardened criminal. Kind of like Quark from Star Trek DS9. I kind really see him running this kind of dodgy "pitstop" operation! About the only negative would be if pricing is as suggested - but it's usually just a matter of looking around/patience to get such sets for closer to their "reasonable" price - especially if it is just a matter of €5/€10.

I found the one at the Lego Munich store fun. It was a bit of an eclectic mixture including some older tops (paradisa palm tree one for example) and a bit more expensive than you would often get minifigs for from BL or in a mixed minifig lot on ebay. Still you got two accessories with each minifig and there was a lot of variety even if many pieces were fairly common. I made up one minifig to have parts for a minifig present for each family member (I swapped some parts with my own collection when I got home).

I think Fabuland filled a very good section of the market. It was appealling to kids (boys as well as girls) who wanted character play (i.e. the kind of thing you have with doll's house/tea party) and building too. It was suitable for kids of a younger age and yet those a bit older could build better and combine with ordinary Lego. It surely got some girls hooked on Lego who wouldn't otherwise (or more importantly their parents may have considered Fabuland an option for a girl while discounting Lego). Kind of the same market as Sylvanian Families or such (I think my sister may have wanted those but they were very pricy).

Very nice indeed - really captures an "orcish" look. I like how this is acheived with the non-uniform bricks in construction with little details as simple as the occasional hook, horn or stalks. Very good use of the baseplate too. I actually find those baseplates (I have that one and police station - plain bley) quite versatile but it still takes work to meld in your construction to the existing relief. The watchtower is wonderfully "creaky" or ramshackle looking!

Thanks for the comments. As regards the tail boom, a more rounded design might be nice, but I'm happy enough with it as is - it is a Lego look. If I get inspiration I may replace it, but I don't want to have something too "fussy" there either. Well, I am pleased with it as being something absent from the line-up (small helicopter - obviously there is now a big one) and it beats the flying thingy with rotors from Volcano base or weird jet from inside the Mobile command centre. Nevertheless, I think most of the Lego Agents vehicles are awesome. I consider the jet out of Gold Chase to be very sleek and elegantly designed (very simple but effective and one of the few sets where those technic missiles are not sticking out a mile but are subtly placed in place of actual missiles under the wings). I like the chopper bike from Swamp Raid. The speedboat from 8633 was overpriced but very stylish. The silver car from Turbocar chase may be oversized, but it looks gorgeous and all that silver... mmmm. Besides - I modded it to have a pull-back motor in it (thread link)! Deep sea quest sub is an amazing piece of work - it's lovely to hold (indeed it may be underwater but it is very swooshable). OK, so it's maybe obvious I love Lego Agents :) Hope to get working on the interior of that base during next week! All I can say is that it is... interesting (I kind of came up with it as I built - always a recipe for eccentricity).