DLuders

Yes, I agree with Out of Sight. The NiMH AA Energizer 2450 mAH Rechargeable Batteries are really good -- they are what I use. I've seen them for sale in supermarkets.

Oooh, I like the PLANETARY GEAR idea! It's similar to those used in automatic transmissions. The 54120 "Tire 94.8 x 44 R Balloon" fits nicely inside the 48452cx1 "Technic Turntable Large Type 2, Complete Assembly with Black Outside Gear Section" parts.

@ cavegod: You should read the "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) page on the official Lego Power Functions website. It will answer a lot of your questions.

LUGpol member M1longer posted this of his Lego Liebherr LG 1750 built in minifig scale. See pictures on his Brickshelf gallery when made public.

As long as we're talking about "fictional Ferraris", here's a Lego Ferrari TANK by Ironhill:

On his Brickshelf gallery, Drakolder / mosmaat posted 75 BIG pictures of his interesting Lego Technic Linetrac 830G combination bulldozer/crane. The real Linetrac machine is used to carry utility poles up steep mountainsides and set them into the earth. It uses four Lego Power Functions IR Remote Control units. His shows him operating the bulldozer's treads plus the folding crane arm. Two Linear Actuators extend the rotating arm, and knobs extend the jib and two pneumatic stabilizers. The shows "4 Rigs in One. Revolutionary design this vehicle constructs roads, digs holes, lifts lines, sets poles and has a man basket with a working height of 80 feet. Its compact design and low ground pressure provide a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional utility line construction equipment."

1-1/2 years ago, I bought the entire Lego Technic collection of a young Mechanical Engineer who was raising funds for his small local company. He showed me his Radio Control (RC) vehicle that used Lego-like elements and RC hobby components to climb the curb outside his house. It was REALLY COOL, and makes even the best Lego Technic Trial Trucks look puny. He said his company was MINDS-i of (nearby) Liberty Lake, Washington, USA. At the time, the company did not yet have the patents to sell their products.... In this morning's local newspaper, there was a nice article about MINDS-i. Their website ( http://www.mymindsi.com/ ) shows their concept, and the products they have. If you like Lego Technic and the RC hobby, you should check this out! Their Instructional Videos show how the system works. "Igniting your creativity and imagination is the goal of MINDS-i. Our patented system of quick-lock construction elements empowers you to create, modify, and re-create inventions of your own design. Program and power-up your inventions to race, climb, battle, and perform complex tasks. Design and build another with the same pieces. MINDS-i gives you total creativity and total control to bring anything your mind can conceive to life." "MINDS-i is universally compatible with most hobby-class motors, servos, transmitters, wheels, tires and more. For the highest-quality components and accessories, look no further than MINDS-i. Experience the potential of your MINDS-i." "From simple structures to high performance race ready vehicles, robots, and solar powered rovers, the innovative MINDS-i system unleashes the creative potential of the most ambitious designer-builder-operator."

This Plustech Timberjack walking forest machine would be great to see as an official Lego model, as part of a "Forest Machines" theme. It tip-toes through soft ground with spider-like legs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngy9wlrnEbY As far as a Lego Technic "Aircraft" theme, many of the "coolest" aircraft are MILITARY. This may be the closest that TLG may get to producing a military Lego set:

Well, you can study the 23 images on dimnix's Brickshelf folder, now that they have been made public:

Wikipedia explains what "Power Take Off" (PTO) is. Recommend clicking on the hyperlink for more explanation and pictures. Lego uses pneumatic (air) hoses instead of hydraulic (oil) hoses on their models, but REAL TRACTORS use Hydraulics. Here is the short version: "Power take-off or power takeoff (PTO) is a splined driveshaft, usually on a tractor or truck, that can be used to provide power to an attachment or separate machine. It is designed to be easily connected and disconnected. The power take-off allows implements to draw energy from the tractor's engine." "Modern tractors use a power take-off (PTO) shaft to provide rotary power to machinery that may be stationary or pulled. The PTO shaft generally is at the rear of the tractor, and can be connected to an implement that is either towed by a drawbar or a three-point hitch. This eliminates the need for a separate implement-mounted power source, which is almost never seen in modern farm equipment. Virtually all modern tractors can also provide external hydraulic fluid and electrical power to the equipment they are towing, either by hoses or wires."

If you buy from Shop.Lego.com, you will get the best prices. Here is the hyperlink to the Ireland version of the website, with the various Lego Power Functions elements for sale. Bricklink prices are typically higher for Power Functions stuff, and the 9 Irelend Bricklink stores don't carry much Power Functions (PF) stuff. However, this Irish store has a decent selection Technic parts. If you want more selection, these UK Bricklink stores will probably ship to Ireland -- look on their "Splash" page and "Store Terms" page. The stores with the bigger selection probably will carry Technic parts. If you want to know how all of the PF elements interface with each other, see Lego's official Power Functions website. The "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) page answers a lot of things.

@ Henxel: Whoa, this was a lot of work! I downloaded your 8421 Technic Crane Truck LDD .lxf file from your MOCpages entry, and there were 4 bricks that were improperly placed and removed from the model. Nevertheless, good job! The blue, white, and red color scheme looks a bit garish. I wonder what it would look like in ORANGE, like the upcoming (2H2011) Lego Technic Unimog U400 Set 8110 will be? You can look at your Eurobricks profile, send Private Messages (PMs), etc. once you have at least 10 posts in the Eurobricks Forums.

semiaiceyam posted this of the Lego Education Renewable Energy Add-On Set 9688. It features some BIG, curved blades: I downloaded the 76-page PDF Building Instructions (14.8 MB) to see if the 89509 "White Propeller 1 Blade 14L with Two Pin Holes and Four Axles" had the mysterious LEGO PART NUMBER, so that I could get JUST THE BLADES from Lego Customer Service. There aren't any of these available for sale (yet) on Bricklink. Alas, the number is not listed, but maybe somebody could buy JUST THE BLADES to make more air cars, like from Barebos:

Vampalan posted a short that shows the Lego Technic 8070 Supercar's powered rear wing, doors, and hood (bonnet): junglistjoey's shows them in better light:

Zblj made this cool Hypertruck / Hyperbeast:

zaszyfrowane posted this of a Lego Renault R31 F1 racecar. It's PAINTED just like the real racecar.

How about a truly AMPHIBIOUS watercraft, with waterproof sealed axle holes in the hull. Powered balloon tires could move through the water and mud, and the protective hull could keep the Power Functions gear dry.

Welcome to Eurobricks! A fellow named Mahjqa built this Lego Boat powered with Lego RC components:

TLG to AFOLs: No spying allowed! See this story on the Brothers Brick.

Your Willys Jeep looks "mod" with its futuristic wheels:

This is a nice little alternate! You can give "grohl" a run for his money!

Maybe Blakbird did the same thing to his Technicopedia collection before he moved! Or, maybe this guy was driving them too hard:

ISOGAWA Yoshihito posted this of a Lego NINJAGO Spin Machine that's made with Lego Power Functions elements. See more about it here.