Jeroen Ottens

I just love these function-packed-one-motor-geartrains and yours is an exceptional dense one Fantastic. Also having a gearbox in the crane is supersmart, saving space and adding functionality I am not sold on the colourscheme and the sidewalls though. I know these trucks look like this (and I don't like that look in real life either), but I prefer a bit more colour (like black or dark grey mudguards, crane and wheellift for instance) and less beamstacking. But if you want to mimic real life than it is a job well done. I'd encourage you to redesign the model around the gear train (but that is because I'm a sucker for minimalist designs) I expect it will make your design even more beautiful BTW: You mention the steering is Ackerman geometry. Judging from the picture of the underside you mean both the relative steering angle between the axles and the steering angle difference of the two wheels per axle? That would be just awesome

Looking good! How do you plan to increase the stiffness of the frame? Are you going to build a torsionbeam through the center of the car, or are you going to try to use the bodywork as a structural element?

Hi, Since you mentioned my model explicitly I'll share few observations on my building style that I think I would make if I saw myself building : * In my experience shaping can only be done with real bricks. In the 3D tools it is impossible for me to see how the lines flow. So what I do is that I try to fit panels together using big unwieldy support constructions. These constructions I then put in LDD. Then I delete all support bricks and try to find a more compact support. This is build again in real bricks so that I can add more car around that detail. * I tend to build outside in if styling is important. First build a shell without any regards for the structure inside. Transfer that shell to LDD and do the frame/suspension/gearbox stuff in LDD. Build that in real life to see if it works, fix, build, etc... It is a really iterative process in my experience. * I try to keep a general shape in my head when I am fitting panels together so that the model doesn't end up as a set of nicely shaped details without to much connection between them (which for me can be quite a challenge ). When I started the Mistress I wanted to build something that had this really large front window that arched all the way to the back and a low and wide body. During the building proces I fiddled with panels until I had the bodywork around the front wheels (low, but still enough room to steer, which is also only possible to judge in real bricks). And only when I had these I thought of the open mouth at the front. For the rear I wanted to have curvy hips, but other than that I had no clear idea. First I saw the opportunity to use the #3 connector to get two converging lines that followed from the window styles, that resulted in the rear window. Once I had this I knew what area to cover above the rear wheels. I again fiddled with panels to get a nice air intake shape. It took some iterations before I had that. I minimized the support structure in LDD and ported it back to the model. And during all of this the doors where being redesigned multiple times, the chairs have moved sideways, forward, backward and downwards. I started with a 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steering, with a switchable central diff: (central diff/locked diff/rear wheel drive only), but wasn't happy with the performance (and it doesn't really belong in a supercar anyway) so I ditched that all (which is an important designtrait as well: kill your darlings as the writers say... If you feel a bit of doubt about a part of your design it is most likely not good enough, so be hard on yourself and tear it apart to build it again better) So I agree with the posters before me: get those bricks out and start building, that's the fastest way to succes

I'll just join the chorus: what a brilliant idea. Possibilities are endless with a motorized car... Hmm... Let me think about that a bit longer... Thanks for the inspiration

Does it keep pushing, or does the mtoor at some point in time stop as it's controller realizes that it won't reach it's final position? I would suspect that Lego has either a controller that is intelligent, or a current protector that safeguards the motor. Either way I don't expect this to be a case where you can fry the motor, it is a too easy fault not be to have been taken care of by Lego.

instantly recognizable (even through the colourjungle ), well done May I suggest to use flexaxles for the wheelarches? There is nothing that captures that nice round curve like a bended flexaxle. Keep us posted...

My 4C Spider uses exactly 58 panels as well, I apparently really like to use them Here are the partlists (one for the red version and one for the white version): http://bricksafe.com...istress_red.bsx http://bricksafe.com...tress_white.bsx

Hi, I have finalized the instructions for The Mistress and put them for sale in the bazaar section of Eurobricks: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113539 You can buy the instructions for this model by sending me a PM or an email (jjottens (at) onsmail.nl) and I will provide you with the payment details (paypal or IBAN). The price for these instructions is 11 euros. In addition to the instructions for the red model, you will also get instructions for a white version in which (almost) all rare parts are designed out: Here is an example page of the instructions you will get:

Hi, I have completed the instructions for my latest Technic supercar, called The Mistress. You can buy the instructions for this model by sending me a PM or an email (jjottens (at) onsmail.nl) and I will provide you with the payment details (paypal or IBAN). The price for these instructions is 11 euros. In addition to the instructions for the red model, you will also get instructions for a white version in which (almost) all rare parts are designed out: Here is an example page of the instructions you will get: Here are the partlists for both models: http://bricksafe.com...istress_red.bsx http://bricksafe.com...tress_white.bsx Jeroen

9 : 10 16 : 6 18 : 4 17 : 3 14 : 2 10 : 1 My scoring is mostly based on the quality of the transformation.

I would have loved to participate, unfortunately my holiday plans didn't gave me enough time to build an entry that would meet my quality standards. But next competition I'll be back... [insert Schwarzenegger accent].

Cool, really like the profile of the vehicle

Mayhem all over! What a great entry (and that yellow-red livery is so 80-ish) I love the extravaganza style of it

Cool, sleek model. Nice transformation and great guns.

Better and better... A good advisary for the VIP truck

Wow, speechless... This thing is huge! I love the crow's feet and the radar dish... Working guns, bad megablocks looks, this beast has it all... The bar to win is pushed higher and higher...

This is amazing. I was looking at the photos wondering why you had two models in one thread. Than I read the original post and realized that they are the same vehicle. This is the best transformation I have seen in this contest so far. I'd say it even trumps the Shuriken (assuming that will enter the contest)...

Very nice model, with a very 80-ish look! Great name as well. And loads of technic under the hood... The wings seem a bit small. I know it is difficult, but is there a chance of making them bigger?

I don't know what to think of this list... Why I doubt it: - It lists 13 sets, which is more than the last 3 years for the whole year (so maybe this is the complete lineup for 2016, but we've never seen such a leak this early AFAIK) - It contains 2 licensed sets (allthough Claes was the preferred colourscheme for agricultural machines for some years) - It mentions most of the fan wishes we expressed in the past few months (so maybe we are being heard) - Why would any kid buy a bucket wheel excavator? - It sounds too good to be true Why it could be true: - A supercar is a logical flagship for this year (it's been 5 years since the 8070, which wasn't even a proper supercar) - Volvo EW160E is a perfect model to use the new pneumatics - There seems to be likeness for flying machines lately, so a heavy lift helicopter fits in that theme - The source also gives lists for all other lego themes (and the starwars list is even longer): http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=174968460 - The 1H list so far was missing a 1H flagship - It is not April's fools day All in all I tend to believe it is true... (which means that 2016 is going to be a very very exciting year)

Good start! Interesting to see how this will play out.

Great looking model Paul. It's a pity that it doesn't steer, but given the complexity that would involve with the folding wheels it is understandable. What is the reason for not entering the competition? I'd say the division between A and B categories is especially made to entice builders like yourself to enter the competition...

That is a fantastic looking model I really like the looks and the story that goes with it. But I am a little underwhelmed with the transformation. What is it more than a gun popping out?

I just realized that my example will require an axlehole in the wheel and not a pinhole , so yeah, having two 3L pulleys with tires will be a better solution. Just make sure that the rope is thick enough so that it doesn't slip inbetween the two pulleys.

That's really clever... Maybe adding some thin rubber tire to the spool will help to increase the friction? Something like this: with some guiding elements around it to make sure the string doesn't fall off. If you remove the s from https your videolink should embed (and maybe you'll also have to add before and after, I always forget)

Congratulations! Great accomplishment. Are you going to make a similar WIP thread for the Grove? I do hope so, I very much enjoyed this one.