DrJB

Not to digress but, how about a travel back in time and a MOC for this blue beauty? I believe it's a 1955, but could be wrong. I wonder if all curved panels are available in blue .... maybe not, but I have an entire collection of the old ones that came with the blue/white F1

I looked at the gearbox and am not sure it is functional. The LXF file shows some non-connected parts on the bottom, and it might be because of some 'impossible' angles. Has anyone tried it to confirm it works?

Very nice. Reminds me of the mechanical cash registers they had a supermarkets about 40 years ago ... anyone 'else' knows what those are?

First isssue I ran into in LDD is on step 8. The 4 connecting links are a bit short, and in real life this will result in a tight/ preloaded suspension. I finished the rear suspension if anyone wants to take it further. I will eventually, but have other things to attend to.

Just wanted to revive this old thread, hopefully NOT against site policy. The renders and vehicles in this thread are simply stunning. Of course, that qualifier always means SR71 has something to do with it. A bit late but, a fantastic job that you've done here!

That's a very good point. The 'non-functional' steering wheel can be switched left-to-right easily, especially on the vehicles with only HOG steering, as is the case for most recent vehicles. Anyone recalls what was the latest vehicle where the steering wheel was functional? From memory, I'd say it was the 4WD off-roader 8466.

Something that small, it' typically not that easy. Just like in automotive, the outside (shell) is done by stylists, and then the car is 'filled' with components. Same thing with architectural buildings ... Unless I do the wheels and you do the tires :)

I thought I read somewhere that TLG will not release anything remotely related to a military vehicle ... I guess camouflage patterns are difficult to print on technic panels

A tristar truck ... assuming they get the license from the movie studio.

I'd rather we wait for the official release, then build it and appreciate, as oposed to come up with 1001 mods before even the car has been released. To me it looks real good as it is.

Lateral stability depends primarily on the gaps/ clearances in the pivot connections. It got not much to do with the beams arrangements. when it comes to Lego, the two factors neded to make it stable have already been stated above: make the distance between beams as wide as possible, and use friction pins. There is also bending rigidity of the beams, but that comes into play only if u're carrying heavy loads that cause the beams to deform.

Come on ... lego building should be prio #1 ... I promised myself to check daily on your progress and now am disappointed

AFOL Anonymous ... I used to be a GBC addict ... I thought I was cured, then comes this SR71 guy ... :(

There was a similar concept from Deere where the cab was detachable and operated fully in RC mode. The idea was that the machine could operate in a hazardous environment, while the operator can be away, in a safe location. I call such movies 'advertisement' made by video gamers.

Correct, th two motions have to be linked, either mechanically or via electronics/hydraulics. In the lego rendition they sure opted for the mechanical way. The only way for that machine to cut continuously is for both the bucket wheel and tracks to be running at the same time.

Have not found any French cars either (Peugeot 403 anyone?), except for the Iconic 2CV (by Nico?)

That reminds me of a trip I took to Italy few years back. Needed to visit Fiat in Turin, and the only way they let you park inside (as opposed to outside) is if you rent a Fiat vehicle (there were no Maserati at the airport counter). So, I got this small (Punto?), it had the steering wheel on the left, but all the gages/indicators were in the middle of the dash. To me this was a big distraction as to check the dials you have to constantly move your eyes not just up/down but also left/right. It was beyond annoying it was (to me) not safe at all. So, I asked some colleagues who the genius was, who designed such odd interior ... and the answer was: we sell those cars in the UK as well, and we want the majority of parts to fit both left/right steering wheel. Thus, the dashboard had to be common/symmetric, and we had to put the dial gages in the center. What a smart ... err dumb cost-driven idea !

Hopefully this is more entertaining and a bit not too serious. A thought occurred to me few days ago as to whether any lego set can be rebuilt as a mirror image. Of course, all technic parts I know of have a plane of symmetry except for the worm gear and how the LAs work. Thus, making a mirror image model might flip the gear selector direction and other oddities. The thought quickly became more focused on how lego technic cars are released in the UK and other parts of the world. So, here is my first 'odd' question: 1. Are lego sets in the UK (and few other countries) released with the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle? After you've had a chance to answer, feel free to add you 'own' odd questions. Have fun!

Thank you MB. In fact I do have few of the long ribbed hoses already, as I was saving them for a future all-black supercar. My main concern is a part from a minifig series (I do not even know what it is) as I read in a separate thread, that it is very rare. Yes, substitutions work great, but I'm a purist (crazy, I know). I am not sure if the brothers are willing to release the parts list to at least warn potential adopters what they're up against.

This story is taking an interesting turn, but that is good. Hopefully we all come out having learned something. There was a discussion a while back about mold cost to re-introduce the monorail. Some member mentioned that the molds were lost and will never again be isuued because TLG actually lost money on the monorail sets. The discussion centered on those sets but quickly digressed to mold costs. I agree with above poster that our perception of mold cost is not consistent with a winning business model, but again, most of what we think we know is pure speculation or educated guessses at most.

That's a very good point. In prior discussions, some have reported that a mold can cost up to $ 2-300 k, with such investment, TLG must sell millions of the specifc set to get decent ROI. It could very well be that they perfected the mold making technology so well that mold cost is now very low. Good point, again.

Lucky you ... can I have their phone number?

When I first saw this thread, I thought no one would ever bother answer as there might not be such thing as a bad/hated set. Well ... I was wrong and there are several answers already. I do not have a specific set in mind, but those fairly pricey sets with unique parts (such as Chima and Ninjago) whose only purpose is to have kids force their parents to spend lots of $$$ ... I do not care as much for. Quickly those sets turn into dust collectors and have very little value. Lesson: If you have kids and decide to introduce them to Lego, be ready to 'invest' heavily.

You make it sound like I'm in the 'wrong' theme ... lol

You really have an eye for the smallest of details ... impressive!