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Showing results for tags 'clouds'.
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Hi Eurobricks! It's been a while since I've posted a MOC here. This project has been on my mind for a long time and also especially inspired by the amazing Fiesta Balloon by RoxYourBlox. My balloon is much smaller of course. The clouds serves to balance the top-heavy balloon physically and visually (an idea that started from an old MOC of mine years ago), while the seagulls adds a little more dynamism to the model. (This model has also been submitted to the Bricklink Designer Program Series 8: https://www.bricklink.com/v3/designer-program/series-8/2894/Hot-Air-Balloon) The clouds has a well in the center to cradle the balloon basket Some size comparisons to existing hot air balloons in LEGO sets. I wish the prefab balloon shells comes in many more colors, but until then we'll just have to make do with a fully brick-built one. Geeking out a bit on the construction of the balloon. A lot of time was spent trying to solve the internal structure to ensure the model can be picked up and swooshed around. Beginning with the basket and neck of the balloon supported with a central axle and four perpendicular rods. The lower ring of the balloon required an angle of 37 degrees for the wedge plates to sit flush together with no gaps. This part took many iterations before landing on this solution. For the central ring there are no angles involved, just a regular snot connection. The 6x6 round plate is vital to prevent gravity from pulling apart the assembly as the outer panels are quite heavy. The upper rings uses a basic clip/bar connection and are also supported by a 6x6 round plate. In the end, this is the assembly with the outer panels attached. Just have to repeat everything 7 more times... Side note: A new 2x2 circular bar frame has been introduced by LEGO very recently and it just happens to be PERFECT part for this hot air balloon. With this there is no need for the tedious process of aligning all the clips on the old 2x2 octagonal bar frame and the clips can't be easily detached sideways too. Unfortunately I couldn't get my hands on it as it is still rare on the aftermarket so I had to stick with the old 2x2 octagonal bar frame for now. I'm looking forward to trying these out when I can get my hands on them.
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"Well, my latest transaction did not go as well as hoped. The supposed merchants I was dealing with turned out to be pirates and upon receiving my wears, they promptly dropped me off on this lonely island and flew off. To keep my sanity, I've continued to practice my fencing. Maybe the next time I run into trouble, I will be better prepared... But, like an old friend of mine once said, 'it is better to be alive and bored, than to be dead and no longer alive.'"
