Beagle

Yeah... maybe this is a topic for a new thread, but I've been kind of frustrated with Lego instruction manuals lately in general. Besides being printed kinda dark, their color printing is WAY off. This might not have been a problem when Lego only came in seven or eight colors. But now with all the varying shades of blue, light grey, dark grey, sand blue, sand green, etc...... often I find myself staring at a piece, brow furrowed, trying to figure out if it's a black or a grey piece I should be looking for. I guess you could say it adds to the challenge or is part of the Lego experience.... but personally I think in this day and age it is just sloppy quality control.

Yeah, I would agree with this. I think it's better to sort by piece type and/or size, not color. It's easy to find a red 1x1 headlight in a bin of many differently-colored headlights..... but tougher to find it in a mass of red pieces. Of course, this also requires more small containers versus fewer large ones, 'cause there are a lot more types of pieces than there are colors. [quote name='Sel

I voted for No. 2, but it's not a technique I use much myself. I don't have a whole lot of time for MOCing, and generally I do it as a kind of zen-like pasttime rather than a serious pursuit. For me, stacking bricks the old-fashioned way is more fun and gives me my lego fix. People who get snobby about it.... well, that's just silly. I think it's possible to take a hobby TOO seriously. Makes me glad I never post pictures of MOC's, they'd probably be ripped to shreds! :-$ I think SNOT also seems to lend itself more to certain themes or types of MOC. It works great for Space, or other technologically-advanced themes that benefit from advanced fabrication methods. Maybe not so much for Castle, since the actual building style in medieval times was more primitive and often really DID just involve stacking bricks. Though there are certainly some bloody amazing SNOT MOCS in Castle.... My two cents.

Nice review! Descriptive, to-the-point, and informative! I don't have any of the Batman sets yet, but from the looks (and sounds) of them they appear to be quite good. With the exception of those gaudy bat-wings. I've found those really off-putting since the first pics of the sets appeared. I wonder how feasible it would be to replace them with slopes.... seems like it would be more understated, and more lego-like.

Sounds normal to me! After all, that's what makes it Lego! *sweet*

Very cool! Making it black was a nice choice, it looks classy (and it's nice to see a car of this style not in Ferrari red, which while nice, is getting old). I love the dual exhaust and the chrome rollbars behind the headrest. Nice detail with the instrument panel too, and the rear fenders look nice and beefy. Although, hmmm....I can't quite figure out what kind of car it is supposed to be. Anyone have any knowledge about that?

Cool topic! Classic Space was definitely one of the first Lego lines that really got me hooked. I was born in '78 and am 28 now, so for me the heyday of Space Lego was the old blue and grey sets and the first incarnation of Blacktron (before the big "B" on their chest!). I started to drift away from it around the Blacktron II/M-Tron/Space Police period.... but enough self-indulgent rambling, on to why I think Classic Space is so cool: 1. The focus was on exploration and colonization, not war-making. While there were pieces that could be considered "guns", they were underplayed and could serve multiple purposes. 2. Classic Space brought a fantastic level of detail to Lego pieces. In addition to simple bricks, we now had tiny computer screens and readouts, little levers and radar dishes, and all those wonderful transparent windows and lights. Even in the design of the sets there were always neat little hidden things... compartments that opened to reveal cargo, smaller ships hidden inside larger ships, etc. 3. The playability of the sets was high. The space stations, moonbases and spacecraft all had nicely compartmentalized interiors which seemed to suggest a real sense of "living quarters" in space. For some reason it fascinated me as a kid (and still does) that these little Lego spacemen had a sprawling environment in which they lived and worked... they could arrive in a shuttle, and walk down an airtight corridor to a control room, grab a cup of coffee and stare at their little Lego computer screens. :-) I really enjoyed the design of these environments, particularly those corridors because they really made it seem like there was a tiny little functional world in scale with the minifigs. Does any of this make sense? I feel like it's kind of an abstract concept that I'm not explaining very well. I guess I just liked the idea that in the cold, empty vacuum of space, my minifigs had a self-contained little environment they could call home. I think my favorite Classic Space set, the one that best illustrates that intangible quality to which I'm referring, is 6987, the Blacktron Message Intercept Base. Anyway, sorry for being long-winded. :-)

I throw mine away. I used to hold on to one or two of the big ones (like the AT-At or UCS boxes or whatever) but only because I used them to hold all my instruction manuals. But then my manuals outgrew the boxes, and I had to switch to a more conventional filing system. :-) But here's what I figure: the only reason I would see for keeping the boxes is if I thought I might re-sell the sets someday. Having the original box always seems to up the value of something for a collector. But the fact is, I don't think I'll ever sell my sets. At most I would pass them on to my own kids or something, since that's how I got my first Lego (hand-me-down from my uncle). Even the Star Wars sets, which for now I just keep assembled, will probably eventually be broken down and returned to the mix. So keeping the boxes seems a waste of space for me. Why take up space with cardboard when you can fill it with more Lego? :-D

I interpreted it quite simply as "like" pieces (the puzzle pieces) banding together while excluding the one "unlike" piece (the Lego brick). I interpreted the brick as the "victim," if you will, being excluded from the community because it is physically different and, at least in a superficial sense, does not seem to fit with the other pieces. I don't think they were picking on Lego specifically, I think they were just trying to find two very recognizable images of building pieces.... things that are tiny and simple on their own, but can be formed together to create a greater whole that is more than the sum of its parts: in other words, a community. They could just as easily have used Lincoln logs or actual stone bricks or something.... but I think they chose Lego and puzzle pieces because a) they're both very iconic and recognizable and b) the fact that they are "toys" evokes innocence and childhood (when most racist opinions take root). Maybe I'm being naive, but I think the fact that both Lego and the recent international cartoon controversy (THERE'S a phrase I never thought I would use) are Danish in origin is just an unfortunate coincidence. I hope. Ultimately, though, it's obvious from the varied interpretations even on this board that the poster is unclear, and the metaphor is muddled at best. It's probably smart that the UN is pulling this poster.... we've already had cartoon riots, we don't want to start any toy riots. *wacko*

Thanks for the reply about the floating! Sorry I didn't respond earlier, I've been off the site for a while. But that's good to know, that the pontoon piece isn't just a one-piece..... much better that way. Thanks again!

Okay, this may be a really stupid question.... but since I never had the Hovercraft hideout I'm curious: does this thing float? It looks like it might be able to with that big one-piece air balloon around it. Call me nuts for being nostalgic for the old floating Lego boat hulls. :-$

Wow, yeah, you really DID use the "plate between studs" well. It's not ugly at all, and actually gives it a very solid, ribbed feel. Nice job, that was a very creative use of parts and unorthodox building technique. :-) EDIT: It is still my dream to eventually build a minifig-scale Klingon warbird like that. There's so many great green and angled pieces available now I think it's finally doable. Someday, someday.....

Ha ha, I used to use this technique all the time as a kid. It was how I used to make walls of tiny litte buildings. I guess I kind of grew out of it.... nowadays it seems too fragile, and seems to ruin the "lego aesthetic" for me. But it's nice to know it's still available in a pinch!

I like the MOC very much, it's a cute little bit of historical storytelling. It captures that moment of tension right BEFORE something big happens.... and is more effective because it leaves the outcome to your macabre imagination. :-) As for the construction itself, I really like the contrast between the land and sea vignettes... they complement each other nicely. Using the modified round bricks as little waves is a very clever idea, I think that's really cool. The simplicity of the convent is nice (after all, it probably wouldn't be a gaudy building), but I could see putting a little more detail on the roof.... maybe a patchwork of browns and greys to make it look either like thatch or weathered shingles? Anyhow, that's my only minor little suggestion, everything else is really nice! Nice job Darkie!

Ha ha, that's one way to make an "easy-to-display" MOC: make something tall and thin that doesn't need a giant tabletop, but can instead stand unobtrusively in the corner of a room. It's still very impressive, but doesn't eat up floor space. And little Lego Saruman can quietly preside over all your dinner parties.

Yikes.... stuff can really flare up on a message board. Bummer this became such a controversial thread. However, I do want to say that I appreciate how people on Eurobricks make a genuine effort on all sides to keep things civilized and polite. I've never actually visited FBTB (after the horror stories I've heard here I have no interest in doing so), but the handful of other message boards I frequent are SO much more hostile and rambling. Most of them seem to de-generate into name-calling and profanity after five or six posts. I really like that Eurobricks remains sane, respectful, and informative. Even when people disagree or when misunderstandings arise, I think this is a much better place to be than most newsgroups. That's all, just wanted to say that! :smile: Oh, and to swing the topic back around to the Y-Wing, thanks for the good review! I love this set, I believe it is my favorite Lego Star Wars set ever (the Y-Wing is my favorite SW ship, and I was very excited when they made a UCS model out of it... it was the set that convinced me to start buying UCS sets, and I've never looked back). I had never realized the scale was so off.... that's a shame, but I can't help it, I still love this model. I really hope they do another, more detailed re-issue of the System Scale version, incorporating the best elements of this UCS version.

I didn't know about it, so I'm glad you posted! :$ These are really funny... nice bit of cross-marketing there. Kinda goes against the whole "don't play with your food" principle.... but who hasn't wanted, at one point of another, to build a little edible house and slather it with syrup? Er... okay, maybe lots of people.

I completely agree with you, Joe. The Tumbler from BB is more of a "revisionist" batmobile. It's cool in its own way, but I'm glad that for the first Lego Batmobile we get something a little more classic and traditional. The only thing I don't like is the use of those dragon wings. They look too organic and to be Lego (and, dare I use the much-abused "j" word... j00niorized). I would've preferred they create the fins with wedge plates or slopes. But ah well.... a minor quibble.

Yeah, I love UCS sets, but there are a lot of ships I'd rather see UCS models of before the Sailbarge. While still a very cool part of the SW universe, it doesn't seem quite iconic enough to warrant a UCS. I'm just happy we finally get one at System Scale! :-D But who knows.... with another five years left on the license, anything is possible! Now a UCS Falcon, or AT-ST, or A-Wing.... now we're talkin'.

Though I'm more of a SW guy, I'm gonna have to go with Batman and Exo-force on this one. The great Star Wars sets that are coming out this year (Sailbarge, Slav 1, ISD, etc.) are mostly either pricier re-designs or big expensive deluxe sets. That appeals to adult collectors like me, but I think it might not draw in kids and their parents like the cheaper, newer, hotter Batman and Exo-force sets will. Spongebob will also be very strong, I think.... Avatar, not sure. I like the sets myself, but the appeal might be a bit too limited to catapult it into super-profitability.

I think my favorite little vignette is the table tennis one.... I love how Darth is patiently standing in the back with his paddle, waiting to play the winner. :smile:

I've made many, many purchases off Bricklink, and only once have I been disappointed (one seller never sent me the goods, but after a few complaints he was barred from selling). But every other time it has been a very good experience... the pieces arrive quickly, safely, and are usually individually packed in tiny little ziploc bags. As for paying, I always do it through Paypal, which is reasonably safe. Anyhow, I'm not trying to convince you to go via Bricklink.... some other folks have issues with it, which I understand. But I have to say that when it comes to ordering individual pieces, figures, and sometimes even sets, Bricklink is really a godsend. Usually you can get a much better deal than on eBay.

You can still get Chewie and Threepio for relatively low prices on Bricklink (about $5 and $7, respectively.... pocket change when compared to what figures like Leia, Lando and Jango go for these days). And yeah, getting a brand new helmet for Lando is nothing short of a Lego miracle. :smile: My only beef with the Sailbarge is that there is no Salacious Crumb minifig. Jabba's just not complete without him, and I fear this may have been our last chance to get him! :( In the inevitable re-design frenzy that'll be happening from now till 2011, I hope Lego takes some time to make us a proper Jabba's palace set with more figs.... Salacious, Oola, the band, etc. Maybe a super-deluxe set with a Rancor!

Ahhhh..... sigh, I think we ALL dream of that day...... :happy:

Hey, Captain, you and I are about the same age.... I'm 27 and change. I bet our respective first lego sets came from the same batch! :smile: For the record, I DO miss the happy little yellow spacemen. Trust me, despite my appreciation of SW Lego, I really do wish there were still a proper "Space" theme to co-exist with it. That would be the best of both worlds!