arnoldtblumberg

Thank you so much! The Cloud City connection totally hadn't occurred to me when making it, but I absolutely see it now.

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-45666/arnoldtblumberg/the-bumblebee/?inventory=1#comments I was looking up the set inventory on the Futuron monorail (which I’m lucky enough to have from childhood) for another build I wanted to try, and I just happened to see two parts in particular: 2342 Utensil Control Panel and 4598 Space Seat (for those playing at home). I decided to see if I could build a little ship around them, and then for some reason decided to see if I could keep almost the entire thing yellow, with a black accent stripe, as if I’d lifted just the bumblebee stripes from a classic ship. After all that preamble, here is the result. The Bumblebee was one of 33 Planets’ most popular sport gliders, patterned somewhat on the early CCS one- and two-pilot shuttles, and ‘borrowing’ its two-tone motif and name from the so-called “bumblebee stripes” that were a distinctive design feature on CCS ships (fortunately for 33, the CCS had no legal protection covering that feature). This compact, contoured little wing ran on the same Yaxxline fuel as most vehicles of the era, and not only featured a single energon node behind the pilot’s seat, but two supplementary repurposed lasersticks modified to serve as additional propulsive emitters. The result was a surprisingly peppy ride for something so tiny, and its dual-lever control panel, while deceptively simple, offered a pilot a fine degree of control over any journey. The Bumblebee played a small (appropriately enough) but significant role in the Undead Incursion at the First Outpost in ’68…but that’s a story for another time.

Thanks!

Thanks, they were fun to figure out. :)

Thanks to you both, much obliged!

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-45444/arnoldtblumberg/lunar-legway-bubblebug/?inventory=1#comments This tiny workhorse of the CCS (Classic Colonization Service) planetary base system was seen all across the galaxy for decades; indeed, many are still in operation. Its design simplicity, coupled with its ability to operate on minimal energy for long periods of time, made it a go-to vehicle for quick jaunts…or even long ones! Its single handlebar control and standing pilot (based on a long-known principle of space science, that human legs are great shock absorbers) led to colonists calling it the “LEGWAY,” evidently a sly reference to an ancient scooter with similar features. The comical bubble wheels and hubcaps were often a source of amusement, but they served a functional purpose, providing extra weight over a wider footprint for the small scooter to maintain stability in low gravity environments. As with many standard equipment designs supplied to multiple bases, several color schemes were available to conform to local operational standards.

A couple related robot MOCs here in my evolving mythology of my own Classic Space universe! https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-45480/arnoldtblumberg/beepboops-biomimetic-environmental-engineering-programmable-bot-occupational-operational-personnel/?inventory=1#comments https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-45463/arnoldtblumberg/scorpion-space-colony-operations-robot-patrol-inspection-overhaul-networking/?inventory=1#comments B.E.E.P.B.O.O.P.s (Biomimetic Environmental & Engineering Programmable Bot: Occupational & Operational Personnel) The most ubiquitous all-purpose CCS robots, the B.E.E.P.B.O.O.P.s seem imposing, but their Asimovian programming made them the most benign and loyal automatons working throughout the galaxy. Their flexibility in software and hardware made them eminently practical in almost any environment, with variants built for traditional base operations, Galaxy Squad service, and ice and desert planets. Personnel grew accustomed to their presence, and to the familiar platform discs that could receive the levitating charging cradles where B.E.E.P.B.O.O.P.s could be docked for reenergizing and reprogramming. An experimental sentry variant (capable of stun setting only) proved unpopular with ethicists and personnel, but some can still be found working oddly in concert with stealth S.C.O.R.P.I.O.N.s (see other MOC). The sentry model inspired a recurring joke at its expense: “Some thing is wrong on Saturn 3.” We have been unable to determine the joke’s origin, however, as there never was a CCS base on Saturn 3. S.C.O.R.P.I.O.N. (Space Colony Operations Robot: Patrol, Inspection, Overhaul, Networking) The origins of this semi-autonomous repair robot are mysterious, in keeping with its somewhat disquieting design; indeed, many colonies refused to allow its use locally, citing arachnophobia and security concerns. The first version of the tiny but industrious device, which could be fitted with a sabercannon on its “tail” – tuned (supposedly) only to cutting frequency – or a variety of other tools, was discovered on the fringes of the First Outpost. The small robot was apparently abandoned by an alien colony or scout party, and was reverse engineered for mass production in at least two other color schemes for general CCS and Galaxy Squad use. A stealth version based on the original was employed for sentry duties; its appearance alone would stop subjects in their tracks, rarely requiring it to do more than scuttle onto the scene. The original is on display at the First Outpost museum and seems to be dormant.

Thanks, I was really happy with how it turned out. :)

With tongue in cheek, on a roll with another MOC: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-44635/arnoldtblumberg/the-green-demon-deluxe-landskimmer/?inventory=1#comments Three Technic ½ pin pieces and three wood tile pieces were added (more on the tiles later); everything else comes from the 6743 Street Speeder. “THE GREEN DEMON” DELUXE LANDSKIMMER The LS67 was a short-lived land-hugging skimmer that tried to capture the luxury market. Design and instrumentation was top-notch, but the color scheme failed to entice buyers. Some took to calling it “the family truckster” for reasons lost to ancient history; the optional Yaxxle wood “beautification” package didn’t help to improve the vehicle’s reputation as an ugly if functional ride for forest moons and planets.* The skimmer used a small gauge repellemitter to generate the field necessary to keep the vehicle above the surface, and the combined field energy of three of the devices made for a smooth ride when sheathed by rubberized coil wraps that dampened and dispersed the effect. Stabilizer wings and forward-facing anti-debris railrods kept things on the straight and narrow, while an optional DOT (Disc Optical Technology) system installed in the spacious open cabin allowed pilots to enjoy their favorite music or dotcasts while on the go. *After finishing this MOC, I still had three wood tile pieces left over from my previous Scoutrider MOC based on 31075 – Outback Adventures, and decided to throw them on for that ‘chef’s kiss’ touch.

Stepped up my game with this one... https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-44564/arnoldtblumberg/venture-scoutrider/?inventory=1#comments Sticking to my personal rule of only using parts from the chosen set, I further restricted myself by trying to use only the parts in Classic Space colors in the set, and as many of those as possible. I eventually decided that because I really wanted to have that spot of old-school red on the wheels, I would use a minimal number of Technic axle and bush pieces (only eight in total) that weren’t in the set. When I discovered I couldn’t fit a minifig in the seat with a backpack tank on, I added a place for the tank to hang while piloting the buggy, and that meant adding one more part, a single blue one-stud plate; small price to pay for our friend to have ready access to his long-term air storage.So to be clear: This MOC can be built from 31075 almost entirely, with just the addition of nine extra pieces (one single blue one-stud plate, four dark bluish-gray Technic axles with studs, and four light bluish gray bush pieces). VENTURE SCOUTRIDER This armed and outfitted buggy, built for the CCS (Classic Colonization Service) by the Venture Mining Company and featuring the CCS’ distinctive original color scheme, was often seen venturing (appropriately enough) deep into unexplored territory on newly settled planets. The bravest pilots would drive these rugged vehicles into the unknown solo, unshielded (Venture skipped including a windshield for murky reasons) and armed only with surveying tools, a steelstring tow cable, and twin mounted sabercannons that fired longbolts of ionized light. All of the scoutrider’s systems, from the basic drive to the weapons, transparent tilon lights, and circular gray sensor nodes, are powered by one replaceable tank of Yaxxline fuel. Later versions of the scoutrider were modified for use on in other environments, including the dusty environs of Mars, and the intense cold of ice planets. You can still find scoutriders today, although most are now refitted for recreational use (sans sabercannons). Also included with this MOC in an attempt to use up as much of the set parts as possible is a slice of forest planet landscape with a Yaxxle tree, leaking the sap that gets refined into fuel, and a Venture Mining Remote Portable Surveytron 75.

So delighted to have my first Rebrickable-approved MOC! https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-44340/arnoldtblumberg/zebra-dart-atmo-glider/?inventory=1#comments My goal was simple: After building the B model of the Moon Station from LEGO Set 31066, I wanted to see if I could make a little ship out of just the remaining parts. There are still a few left over after this experiment too. ZEBRA DART ATMO-GLIDER Designed and sold by 33 Planets, one of the biggest privately-owned spaceship dealers in the galaxy, the Zebra Dart was a popular sporty option for the space colonist looking for an inexpensive and stylish way to get around the base and surrounding landscape. With its distinctive black and white paint job (with hints of Classic blue and grey), the glider was striking if less than strictly well made. Fragile and somewhat harrowing to fly with its confusing clear control panel consisting of two identical touchpads, and its small, open canopy (harking back to earlier shuttle designs in the early days of Classic Space exploration), the Zebra Dart was technically designated ZD31; the previous 30 models all exploded or flew to pieces in testing. Aftermarket attachments included a wind-powered recharge arm to keep the single repellemitter underneath the pilot at maximum energy, and a four-ring photon blaster for keeping aliens at bay.

Oh, "girls have Friends." Well, I hope they stay where they belong and just get the Friends sets then, rather than show any interest in City, which is "mainly for boys." We wouldn't want kids to just pick sets they want and play with them, like girls that regularly build and collect City, or even - horrors! - Star Wars or Marvel, while some boys enjoy Friends and Elves and Disney. Sexism is bad enough out there in the real world, let's not let it ruin the pure imagination and joy that comes with discovering and building with LEGO in whatever way you want...regardless of what gender you are.

Just "boys?"

Is this it? https://www.reddit.com/r/lego/comments/cr6jxl/lego_31097_cafe_and_townhouse_as_a_modular/

All the complaining reminds me why it's usually unpleasant trying to engage with fellow fans. Sigh. Well, I think it looks great, and I'm going to enjoy adding it to my City streets.

Nope. Commercially, very late '40s-early '50s. Experimental models existed prior to that, but wouldn't have turned up in a corner garage apartment. :)

Cafe Corner came out in April. Fire Brigade was September. Grand Emporium, Town Hall, and Palace Cinema, March. Pet Shop, May. So I know we've had a lot of successive January releases lately, but there's also plenty of precedent for it not to be January. Just saying.n

Mine arrived today - outer shipping box, inner box with the label for shops warning them not to shelve it before 10/1, and then the display box itself. This thing is HUGE! And so HEAVY! :D

To be fair, and especially after posting in frustration about the difficulties, I should update that I appear to have successfully gotten an order for 1 to go through. We'll see how it goes, but that was way too difficult a process to hand someone so much money.

Won't even let me sign in now. This is just ridiculous. Sigh. What a poorly handled rollout. Back in, in my bag, won't let me check out. If they wanted this to be so frustrating it made you rethink paying them money, they're succeeding.

Wow, and their customer service number is busy. A major company rolling out a product shouldn't be failing at it this badly. Not when we're ridiculously ready to give them so much money. And now they've shut down the entire VIP login: "Our LEGO ID® service is currently unavailable. Please check again later."

Extremely angry. Item went live, went un-live, went into shopping bag, wouldn't let me check out. Now it won't even let me stay signed in as VIP. You hype this thing, make sure your site can handle it!

http://shop.lego.com...dquarters-75827 Whoa! $500!!! I thought it was going to be $350, which was a huge enough price. Now I'm rethinking this... :( EDITED TO ADD: I'm still seeing $349.99 on press releases, could the store site have it wrong (I hope)? EDITED AGAIN: It appears I was looking at the Australian site, sorry for the panic on my end. But I wonder why typing Lego.com into my broswer took me to the AU site and not the US this time? Very odd!

Note the cleverness here too. Granted you can currently only get the 12th in his proper outfit (or one of them) via Dimensions, but by doing the Capaldi figure here post-regeneration, that means they've packed in the ability for people to have BOTH main 11th Doctor figures - one in his tweed, and with a quick head swap in his purple Victorian gear! :)

Entire premiere events related to Doctor Who now happen here (especially in New York). It's a global phenomenon. A lot of the most recent big reveals of various Who-related media have taken place at US comic and pop culture conventions like NY and San Diego.