Cwetqo

I will ask in ambassador forum about refunds. Maybe it would be easier if they would just send new empty box?

As I reported, TLG manually repacked 3000 sets. It looks like some errors occured during this procedure. I hope this is lonely case, otherwise It will be very for sets which will be left MISB for longer period.

Some clarification on why crawlers were backordered has been given on LA forum (quoting Kim from TLG): "The reason for the sets being backordered is that 3000 boxes have been withdrawn from the market because of minor damage to the box. New boxes have been ordered and they will all be manually repacked. Hence the delay in shipping them out."

Correct. But we can share such information.

Sorry, maybe I was confusing. I hope Kim will not be angry if I just quote him:

It was confirmed on LEGO ambassador forum that all those backordered crawlers are indeed part of original 20.000 run and that there will be additional runs and no non-exclusive editions. They also confirmed that set is mostly sold out.

Switzerland: 239 sfr (around 193 euro)

Still nothing in Switzerland.

Sorry. Corrected!

There were already some reviews of this, but none here, so I decided to give it a try: Set name: Mobile Crane Mk.2 Set number: 42009 Pieces: 2606 Year: 2013 Price: 199,99 eur (S@H) Set no. 8421 Mobile Crane (http://brickset.com/detail/?set=8421-1) was for a long time, with its 1884 pieces, the largest technic set. With its fine looks and combination of mechanical and pneumatic functions, it was also one of the most wanted ones and still is today, as can be seen from prices of used sets. Because of that, a lot of people (including me) were waiting for decent succesor. In 2010 we got 8053 Mobile Crane (http://brickset.com/detail/?set=8053-1), but it was not in same league. It was smaller, with strange outriggers combinaton, just one stage extendable boom and no motors. It was nice set, but not real 8421 succesor. When first rumors about 2h 2013 sets came out, I was very glad to see that new flagship will be another mobile crane. And after first fair pictures and information that it will include more than 2600 pieces and that it will designed by same man as 8421 (Marcus Kossman), I was sold. After long waiting it finaly came (I would like to thank Jan and CEE team for that) and here is my review: Box is surprisingly small, similar to last years 9398, but its weight soon tells you that it carries something large. Front flap openes and here you can see this set's main functions, diagram of wheel turning ratios and other interesting things. You also get to see that this set is huge. On the rear side there is a picture of B-model. I dont like it, because it breaks one incredible large set into two sub-average ones. After opening the box, I was surprised (or not, considering number of pieces), to see that its almost full. There is almost no "billund air". There are total of 24 bags (with some smaller bags inside large ones), ten standard technic tires (same as on 8421), six (!) books with instructions), two 32L axles (one is spare, which is strange), three strings with studs, one very thick main string, standard PF battery box and one L-motor. As said, there are total of six instruction booklets. After their covers we can see how build is divided: first three build carier, four and five superstructure and sixth boom. Bags with parts are numbered and as can be seen from the picture, most parts go into section one. Back sides are strange mix, ranging from usual annoying "gagne" kid, club and web site commercials, to B-model, this years sets and even ordinary instruction page. There is also large sticker sheet: Not many new parts in this set. There are this 8T gears, which can freely slide on axles (used in outriggers) and new panels (can bee seen in photo of bag number six). I like those new gears, because they open different ways of implementing new functions. We get four of them so it should be easy to get them on BL. Regular 8T gears are also of newer type, but ve've seen them in 1H sets. Parts from bags number one. As wee can there's plenty of everything. In total there are almost 1000 of various pins (in complete set), large number of beams, gears and everything. Interesting parts are four mini-LAs, twelve (12) gear racks, three yellow square panels (I hope that will bring price down a little on BL) and some frames. We start the build with carrier vehicle. As we can see, steering is done differently than in 8421. There we had different gear ratio from main steering axle, but here all those are the same and different ratios are achieved with different offset of racks. Inner two axles have 4L offset for 13 degrees steering angle, rear axle 3L offset and 17 degrees maximum angle and front axle 2L offset and 21 degrees angle. 32L axle is used for turning all those wheels. Middle axle is not steered and it has differential and driver 8 cylinder fake motor. Outrigger modules are built separately and are almost identical for front and rear end. Build is very compact and it uses gear/rack combination for in/out function and sliding 16L axles for in up/down movement. Idea is nice, but there is just too much friction in complete mechanism for it to work ok. As result of that, up/down movement is very slow. Assembly put on carrier. Rear 24T gear used for steering can be partialy seen: Bags number 2 build the superstructure. As you can see from number of gears (more than 40) build gets realy complex here. I had to correct this part twice, because its easy to overlook something, but this is still the best building experience of all set. Here we get two normal LA-s and one additional square yellow panel. At the end, everything is nicely covered with panels: And finally, parts from bags number three. We get six new curved panels, which are uglier then old ones, but have more mounting holes. That enables to build self sustaining construction with them, which is also used here. With old one you could just cover someting, but with those you could build sturdy constructions. Assembled crane is huge and could not fit into my photo corner, so I apologise for some un-even background. I dont have 8421 at hand to compare, butm I'm sure this is bigger. Everything is nicely paneled and we even see method previously used only by MOC-ers: stacking of beams to get solid surfaces (that explains high number of beams). Carrier is too grey and could use some yellow. 8421 had that done better, with studded beams. Nice cabin (doors open): Back end is spoiled with battery. Again, 8421 did better here: Eight cylinder fake motor behind cabin. Its not covered, so piston movement could be easily seen: Lets go to functions: L-motor is placed in superstructure. Over 4 way transmission it delivers power to (clockwise, from upper left): -lifting of main beam over two sync LA-s (similar to 8043, with same problem of wrong placement of bevel gear, which can not be solved so easily here) -pulling of main wire with hook (not in snyc with extending of boom like on 8421, which is too bad). Also, hook is not metal, like in previous set. -extending of boom (over gear racks and system of strings with studs, which enables to strecth both parts at the same time) -powering of outriggers. This goes through turntable, to main carrier, where there is additional gearbox, which switches between lifting/lowering and pulling in/out. All functions work very smooth, except lowering and lifting of outriggers. It looks like long way from superstructure through turntable to four mini LAs takes away too much power. All funtions are protected with white clucth gears, so its safe to give this set to play with even to smaller children. Steering also works very well, but radius seems to larger than on 8421. Main gearbox: Outriggers gearbox (red lever): Boom extended and lifted to max. Again, that thing is huge. Ratings: Looks: 9/10 - very well made, except for back side Functions: 9/10 - almost perfect, with exception of too slow movement of outriggers and non-sync movement of main wire. Parts: 8/10 - enough too keep everyone happy. Nothing too special though. Value: 10/10 - 200 euro for 2600 parts, with motor, lots of LA-s and panels is very good value. I was expecting higher price. Total: 9/10 - very nice set, better than most re-makes Conclusion: I shifted opinions several times over this set, but after finishing it, I'm impressed. 8421 finally got decent succesor, which is in most parts even better. The king is dead - long live the king!

Are you sure he is not using third motor output to power additional M-motor?

Its: stop > slow > medium > fast, so 3+neutral. Same with angles.

One of exciting new set news of recent few days was also about return of Maersk Ship. We dont yet know if it will be just re-re-release of previous two ships (10152/10155) or completely new design.Since I didnt find any reviews of either of them, I decided to do it myself. Please forgive me about bad picture quality, I took those some time ago, in non-ideal conditions. By now we are already familliar with Maersk Company and what it does, so just in short: A.P. Moller - Maersk Group is worlds largest operator of container ships. Its fleet is composed of over 600 container ships, 150 tankers and several other support ships. Company is based in Denmark and it is known to have good relations with LEGO company (as is very well described in this great article from Lego Historian: http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=84627) LEGO did several great sets for Maersk, first just for promotianal use (for employers and partners of company), but later also for worldwide sale over its "direct to customer" program (including Shop@Home and brand stores). Those included 10152 Maersk Sealand Container ship, 10219 Maersk Train and 10155 Mearsk Line container ship. Of those, I just missed first ship (I was still in "dark times"), I got the train as soon as it was out, but I almost again missed the re-relase of the ship, because it was available for just short time. I was very happy to that, after several months, it returned to S@H and even at discounted price. This time and I did not lose any time and I was right, because it was gone next day. So, lets get to it: Name: Maersk Line Container Ship Set Number: 10155 Year: 2010 Pieces: 990 Minifigs: none Price: 110eur/120usd This was my first S@H order, so I didnt know what to expect. Box of this set is fairly small, but thick. Outer box is bigger, so I also got a little extra of Billund air. :) Back side gives us some details and image with overall length of the ship: Box is fairly full, similar to this year's reduced size boxes. There are no large parts, hull pieces, large plates etc. We get lots of wonderful maerks blue bricks, fair amount of dark red bricks, some white for superstructure and large amount of LBG parts fo containers. Included in box are also one-book instructions, nice booklet about Maersk company and, last but not least, not one, not two not even three, but six (!) large sticker sheets. You get three for LBG containers, two for white containers and one for ship it self. We start with laying down hull bricks. Bulid is completely old-school and it was great pleasure for me to watch how curves are formed with brick. You also notice that its going to be a big ship- Ship has no hull, just bottom and sides. Details are micro scale, but nicely done. Technic racks represent stairs etc... Bridge has also some nice detailing. I like small doors, rescue boats and detals on covered passageway. Backside reveals more "stairs" and nicely done funnel (with sticker, of course). Containers are laid on brown racks. Upper parts of classic hinges are used to secure them in place. There are almost 50 containers and building (and putting stickers on them) is not funny at all. Construction of bottom back part of the ship. Nicely done: Front is more "classical" with lots of inverted slopes: Finished ship with containers laid on. I think it looks very realistic. Its hard to say from those pics, but this ship is really long. I think its evem longer than those large blue city ship. Again, sorry for pohoto setup, but my usual "studio" was not big enough. And final shot: Comparing to real one, it looks similar enough. More containers would be nice, but that would also mean even more assembly and puting on stickers, so its ok. As mentioned, this ship is a re-release of set 10152 http://www.brickset....il/?set=10152-1 Ships are very similar, but there are some differences. Most obvious is changed company name, from "Maersk Sealand" to "Maersk Line" (becuase real company also changed name). Other differences are because of changed parts (windows with flat glasses, new macaroni pieces, new tubes etc...). Rebrickable shows total of 44 new/different parts. Scores: Playability: 5/10 Its not really made to be played with. Hull is fragile and ship si too big Design: 10/10 I think that this ship is spot on. No complaints here. Could proudly find place on any working table or in any office. Price: 7/10 at 110 euro, 11cents per piece and the fact that there are no minifigs, price certainly isnt low, but for such exclusive set I think its acceptable. Overall: 8/10 High price and stickers take the socer down, but overall this is still great set. I hope you enjoyed this. Now we just have to wait and see if new ship will be just another re-release, or we will get new design (at leaked price of 130 euro that would be more logical).

I'm just building 42009 and its not so big, it just has a lot of parts (over 1000 are just pins). I will do comparison,but for now it doesnt look much bigger than 8258 and Unimog appears bigger. For me, twe sweet spot is aroun 2000 pieces and size in range of 8258, 8285 and 8421.

Count me in! I just need to figure if I will take my family and take whole chalet for us or I will come with some other slovenian mamber like this year.

I use Brickset. You search the set, open its page and go into "reviews" section. EB review should be right on top.

You are right, set was available. I bought it on 27th april and I saw it in Lego brands on one other occasion also. It should be available at least until end of this year and is even now on german S@H with "available now" status. I think you are right to be angry and I also think that you should insist on getting your set and/or some compensation. I will let Mike know about this and forward it to Kim.

8448 - design is really nice and I like modular construction and studded chasiss very much 8466 - great tires, rare colour and interesting door lifting mechanism 8480 - mechanical complexity 8880 - a lot of functions 8110 - looks, functions and very realistic layout. etc... I really like most of the flagships and some others too.

This is technic subforum, so only technic sest count, right? Currently I have unopened and waiting to assemble: 42009 Mobile Crane Mk2 9397 Logging truck 42007 Motocross bike I will build 42009 very soon and leave 9397 for december (I usualy left flagships for christmas season, but this years crane is just too tempting for that). I will assemble 42007 on my summer vacation. I have lots of other sets unopened, because i just dont have space to have them all assembled (Pet shop, town hall, palace cinema, helms deep etc...)

Lego divides europe to west and east. I think that austria belongs to east.

He mentioned 8109 because that's the purpose of that kind of trucks: To rescue and tow other trucks. My cousinn has similar tow/lift truck and its really powerful machine (also expensive, around 400.000 eur).

You are answering to one year old post. I think that now we all know that new Minstorms line is coming out, we just dont know exactly when. Official date is august 3rd, but I heard that they are having some problems with intelli-brick.

I also have that problem. As a kid I started with space, always loved city and ended with castle (and wacthed a lot of technic in catalogues). Now, post dark ages, I'm weak of all themes: I have mass of city sets and Im building diorama in basement. I also love trains, which come natural with city, but are very expensive to collect. So I bought lots of trains (each train fan must of course have all iconic 9v and newer sets). I managed to resist space, but I do buy some SW sets, mainly stuff from OT (my target was to have all mayor ships, but now I also buy other stuff). And lets not even start with technic: I had to buy all flagship sets of last 20 years and almost all other sets from last 5 years (since I came from dark ages). Add a little bit of licensed themes (Indiana Jones, LotR, Super heroes and others) and the fact that I bought complete Western collection and you get one confused collector/fan. I like almost all themes except Ninjago, Chima, World racers, and other teenager oriented stuff. I do like new galaxy squad sets, but I decided not to go that way. Life is so simpler if you like just (lets say) pirates or SW.

Try Flickr. You can create account and upload pics in minutes (mass upload is also possible via drag-and-drop. I just started using it (my first upload was EB Gunzburg pics) and its ok. Link to my pics (most were already deeplinked) http://www.flickr.com/photos/97290673@N08/

And to tease some more: germany had them in April (City, Coast Guard...). and may (creator, SW, LotR). But yeah, I would also like to swap for later release and lower (up to 50%) prices, like in USA.