Arthe56yblocks magazine may 2015

SET REVIEWS

IN-DEPTH LOOK AT NEW ELVES AND THE LATEST NINJAGO SETS

BUILDING, COLLECTING AND CUSTOMISING YOUR LEGO

HULK SMASH The Avengers are back for the Age of Ultron – has LEGO assembled the best superhero range yet?

MARVEL-OUS The lowdown on LEGO's latest large-scale release, the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier

STOP, POLICE

BRICK FEST

From AFOL to event manager, how to organise your own LEGO convention

My First Set unearths a classic that continues to inspire set designers today

07 9 772055 605011

MY FIRST SET / POLYBAG COLLECTING / ANIMATION GUIDE CONTINUED / M-TRON & MORE LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group © 2014 The LEGO Group/ All Rights Reserved. Blocks magazine is not an official LEGO product or affiliated in any way

ISSUE 7

H OW

To build minifig-sc al animals and beco e me a greeble expert

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BRICK FEST LIVE

BLOCKS MAGAZINE

LEGO LOST AT SEA

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supported support ted db by yT The he LLEGO EGO EG OG Group roup

The UK’s biggest LEGO Exhibition - now spread over 30,000sqm of Excel, London Get your hands on more LEGO than you can ever imagine!

If you LOVE LEGO you cannot miss this!

Buy tickets 0871 230 5575 www.brick2015.com

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MEET THE TEAM EDITOR

Rob Paton rob@blocksmag.com Life-long LEGO fan plus years of magazine experience makes Rob the ideal man to steer the good ship Blocks.

CONSULTANT EDITOR

Welcome

LICENSED SET SPECIALIST

igger, better, brighter, bolder.

Avengers: Age of Ultron stands to be the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most ambitious release to date.

Seven years on from when Nick Fury popped up in the post-credits scene in Iron Man, and now through 10 films, there is a sense of climax to Age of Ultron – more superheroes, increasingly developed characters and a James Spader-voiced villain threatening humanity’s very existence.

For LEGO fans, though, perhaps the grander scale to this latest movie can be felt in the recently released range of six sets to complement it. Two sets and 11 minifigures more than 2012’s range that tied in with Avengers Assemble, the Age of Ultron selection is in every way more ambitious. Blocks’ in-depth analysis takes centre stage in Issue 7, while we also have a look at what is now LEGO’s 11th largest set of all time, the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier.

Not to be outdone on detail and scale, however, is our study into why Elves will appeal to adult LEGO fans just as much as to the range’s intended market, and our special treat is for M-Tron enthusiasts courtesy of New York builder Blake Foster.

I could list all the highlights to Issue 7, but I’d rather let you discover the rest for yourself. I could also tell you of the exciting ways that Blocks will be developing its adult-centric coverage in upcoming issues, but again why ruin the surprise? I can tell you this though – while we are saying goodbye to some familiar names along the way, we’ve got some equally talented and knowledgeable contributors lined up to join our team, and some really great features underway.

What’s more, we’ve recently added Morrisons as yet another retailer in the UK, as well as arranging for the distribution of a Chinese langauge version of Blocks magazine. We’re also exhibiting at Philly Brick Fest in the USA this April. For what may change, rest assured that everything remains geared towards giving you the very best Blocks – the magazine for building, collecting and customising your LEGO. Bigger, better, brighter, bolder.

Huw Millington With over 18 years’ experience and responsible for Brickset.com, Huw has a wealth of LEGO knowledge.

Chris Pearce A self-confessed licensed-theme fanatic.

A real authority on all – from Hobbit and Star Wars to Superheroes.

FEATURES WRITER

Adam White Another huge LEGO fan who’s at the forefront of everything that’s going on.

If it’s happening, he knows about it.

TECHNIQUE SPECIALIST

Simon Pickard Our experienced MOC expert who is a regular on the show circuit. If there’s a way to build it, then he can show you how.

THE SNAPPER

Andrew Tipping aka Fly Our very own larger than life snapper loves nothing more than clicking away with his camera to bring you all these fine images.

DESIGN

Maya Stigner – Art Editor

ADVERTISING

Michelle Leaper – Commercial Manager sales@blocksmag.com Tel: 07947 752365

PRODUCTION

Will Holman, Kev Leaper, James Winstanley

THANKS TO

Brick to the past/Jeremy Williams/Scott Barnick/ Bright Brick/Paul West/Carl Greatrix/ Simon Bennett/Gary Davis/ Kim Ellekjaer Thomsen/ Alexander Valeur/Christina Hahrwell INDEPENDENCE Blocks is published by Blockhead Media Arts for fans and enthusiasts of LEGO. LEGO, the LEGO logo, the brick and knob configurations, and the minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO group, which does not sponsor, authorise or endorse Blocks magazine.

DISTRIBUTION

If you have trouble finding Blocks please call: 0044 7858 892 859 or email sales@blocksmag.com.

While every effort is made in compiling Blocks, the publishers cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any storage or retrieval system, without the consent of the publisher.

Copyright Blockhead Media Arts Ltd, 2015.

B

Rob Paton Editor rob@blocksmag.com

Centre Picture Hulk, meet the Hulk Buster. Check out our explosive centre-page image this issue courtesy of Daniel Jamieson, better known as Macro LEGO Universe.

COMPLETE SERIES 2 & 3 OF MIXELS LATEST MINIFIGURES WIN PLUS COPIES OF EXTREME BRICKS ●

BEHIND THE DOORS

From Clikits and polybags to Star Wars and City – the history of the LEGO advent calendar

CUSTOMISING

BUILDING AN EMPIRE VICTORIAN LONDON IN ALL

FREE

ITS GRIME AND GLORY

BLUEPRINT PULL-OUT POSTER

HOW TO USE SNOT

Expert Tim Johnson takes you through the bricks and technique

NOSTALGIA

THE BEST STAR DESTROYER BUILT?

A look at a Classic Castle icon you need to own

Nathan Sawaya talks bricks and Lady Gaga

product or affiliated in any way

that perfect curve

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SMAUG AWAKES / MODULAR STREET EXTENSION / REVIEWS WALLS BRICK magazine is not CURVED AND MORE... An in-depth look at the THE All Rights Reserved. Blocks an officalyou How LEGO can build

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The clues, secrets and near-disaster behind the Exo Suit teaser campaign

MOCS SHOWCASED / ASYLUM PROJECT

11

The entire fleet of Star Destroyer releases compared and examined

BEHIND THE SCENES

LEGO and the LEGO logo are

8 Blocks

CUSTOMISING YOUR LEGO

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Contents 6 Huw’s Views

70 Custom Corner

Huw reflects on the bittersweetness to LEGO’s ever-increasing popularity.

Revamped, let the experts talk you through their latest creations, as sci-fi and politics mix.

8 Kwik-E-Preview

74 Polybag collecting Pt 3

Who needs the Kwik-E-Mart? Chris Pearce believes he does...

Huw reflects on the increasing number and variety of polybags LEGO is producing.

10 Letters

76 A guide to greebles

What have you, Blocks’ loyal readers, been writing to us about this month?

Grab a hold of a great technique to add detail and depth to your spaceship.

12 Events

82 SHOWCASE 84 M-Tron magnetism

This page continues to grow, with more and more LEGO events out there.

13 Show Report Worlds collided at the Leicester Space Centre, as Brickish Association hosted their latest event.

16 LEGO Lost at Sea Find out why for the past 18 years, LEGO has been washing up on beaches in Cornwall.

24 REVIEWS 26 Avengers re-assembled

The Avengers are back in their biggest range yet – are they a match in this Age of Ultron?

36 Helicarrier and back again

One of LEGO’s biggest ever creations, the Helicarrier packs a mean punch.

42 Go Ninjago go Ninjago goes from strength to strength, as Jeremy Williams considers three new releases.

48 Elf-care Adam White tells why he believes AFOLs will embrace LEGO’s latest theme, Elves.

50 Elven magic

Adam then turns his attention to three of the new range’s releases.

58 Mega Macro LEGO What would a LEGO fight between the Hulk and the Hulk Buster look like? Macro LEGO Universe’s Daniel Jamieson shows us.

60 TECHNIQUE 62 Animal magic

There is more than one way to build a LEGO animal, as Simon Pickard explains.

66 Stop Motion Animation Pt 2 Mastering how to walk and run is an important first animation step, explains Steve Guinness.

4 Blocks

13

Walter Whiteside introduces Blake Foster’s magnificent M-Tron creation.

90 Brick to the Past The Brick to the Past team provide an interesting update and explain all about edging.

8

94 LEGO Ideas Christine McKee highlights the LEGO Ideas project for a modular build LEGO store.

96 My First Set Simon Pickard delves into his past to rediscover his youthful brush with the law.

98 My Blocks

From university to the moon, My Blocks covers the best you have to offer.

101 Brick Fest Live!

Chad Collins explains how and why he created Brick Fest.

101

105 LEGO Wife AFOLs, have you ever considered how the other half lives with your LEGO obsession?

106 May the Fourth be with you Build up to Star Wars Day this month with a look at how LEGO like to mark the event.

108 Aussie Tax Tim Schiesser explains the inconsistent prices those Down Under have to pay for their LEGO.

110 Bargain hunting It is still possible to find bargains on eBay, like your choice in Collectible Minifigures.

112 Nostalgic Falcon Reminisce with us about one of LEGO’s biggest and best releases, the UCS Millennium Falcon.

114 LEGO Fix Like what we’ve done with the place?

26

16

50

94 36 112

Blocks 5

HUW MILLINGTON Blocks’ Huw Millington rounds up the latest LEGO newsi

HUW’S VIEWS

ALMOST EVERYTHING IS AWESOME LEGO continue to go from strength to strength, but rising profits bring with them ever-increasing challenges on the market Pics: Brian Woodfine/The LEGO Group

A

T the end of February The LEGO Group published its annual report for 2014 and it would appear that everything is awesome in the company. Sales increased by 15%, to 26.6 billion DKK (£2.7 billion) and net profit rose by 15%, to 7 billion DKK (£0.7 billion).

As well as the financial facts other interesting information was revealed such as that LEGO is now sold in 140 countries and it’s estimated that more than 85 million children across the world had ‘a LEGO play experience’ in 2014.

Importantly, for a fifth year running there were no product recalls, the last being in 2009 – a Power Functions IR remote control, a small number of which apparently heated up once batteries had been inserted The top selling lines during the year were said to be City, Star Wars and Friends, with Creator and Technic experiencing high growth.

The LEGO Movie sets performed strongly, too, as might have been expected. The LEGO Movie certainly did the company no harm at all.

All this success comes at a cost, however, as competitors look on enviously and attempt to capitalise on it in any way they can.

Copying LEGO products is a massive problem in China and as LEGO seek to expand in that market by building a new factory in Jiaxing it’s something it will somehow need to stamp out.

I’m told that in China LEGO costs more than 1.5 times what it does in the UK so it’s perhaps no wonder there is a thriving market for LEGOlookalikes that cost a fraction of the price. Not many of these blatant Chinese clones make it to foreign markets, although they do crop up on eBay, shipped directly from China.

More of a problem at the moment in western markets is the number of companies producing similar compatible products that infringe LEGO’s copyrights and patents, which LEGO constantly has to fight in the courts. In the USA, LEGO has just filed a complaint with the US trade commission that claims that MEGA Brands, Best Lock and LaRose Industries have copied the distinctive Friends mini-doll design

Clone brick-based brands continue to crop up, particularly in China.

6 Blocks

in their products aimed at girls. The companies are accused of ‘attempt[ing] to capitalise on LEGO’s success by copying its innovations and products and preying on the vulnerability of LEGO’s youthful consuming population, instead of developing their own product lines’. LEGO has requested that the offending products are withdrawn from sale in the USA and I suspect that if it’s successful, cases will be pursued in other parts of the world.

LEGO Ideas Last month we reported that the Doctor Who and Wall•E LEGO Ideas projects passed review and as I write, no further news about them has been forthcoming. It’s also all gone quiet on The Big Bang Theory set, which should be the next set to be launched given it was announced before Christmas. Results for the third 2014 review will be announced ‘late spring’ which could mean that by the time you read this we’ll know them.

However, with three other sets in the backlog it’ll be some time before the winner will find

G

LEGO follows up last year’s Simpsons House with another iconic build from the long-running cartoon.

its way on to shelves. There’s quite a mix of projects in the review and it’s a hard one to call.

You can find out what they are to make your own prediction at ideas.lego.com/blogs/blog

May Releases After the flurry of activity on your local LEGO shelves in March when Elves, Speed Champions, Age of Ultron and Pirates sets were released, April and May will be much quieter. May will see the launch of six Jurassic World sets just ahead of the release of the film in June.

When pictures emerged of them at the New York Toy Fair it was evident that, fundamentally, they are a re-hash of the many Dinosaur based sets that have been made in the past. In particular the dinosaurs themselves use many of the same moulds and components as those in 2012’s Dino theme which of course makes financial sense, but is disappointing to those who were hoping for brick-built beasts.

Although UK prices have not yet been announced, if the US prices and usual 1:1

‘Fans will relish in finding references to the cartoons throughout the build’ exchange rate (or worse) that LEGO usually applies to licenced sets are anything to go by, they will be incredibly expensive for what they are. Nevertheless, I suspect the inevitable success of the film will ensure they sell regardless. Everyone loves dinosaurs, right?

Two exclusive sets will be available early in May: 75095 TIE Fighter will be launched in time for LEGO’s annual ‘May the Fourth’ promotion, and the second set based on The Simpsons, Kwik-E-Mart, will also be available around that date too.

Just like last year’s Simpsons House it looks stunning and packed with details outside and inside, which are revealed by opening it up dolls-house style. Fans of the series will once again relish in finding references to the cartoons throughout the build.

To coincide with its launch, another series of Simpsons Collectable minifigures featuring new versions of the main characters and a host of others from the series will be in toy stores, including The Entertainer. Why do I mention The Entertainer? My local toy shop is a branch and I notice that it’s still selling the first series of Simpsons figures from last year, having decided not to sell series 12 and 13 that have been released since because they each contain a single figure which violates their policy of not stocking products deemed to have a connection to the occult (the wizard in S12 and evil wizard in S13).

This policy, and that of not opening on Sundays, must cost the business dearly but I suppose it should be commended in this day and age of money-grabbing.

Blocks 7

PREVIEW

KWIK-E-MART LEGO has unveiled the second set in their Simpsons line, packed full of detail and references to the cartoon. Who needs the Kwik-E-Mart? We do...

Words: Chris Pearce Pics: The LEGO Group

O

ut of Buzz Cola, hankering for a snack suspiciously missing its sellby date, or looking to make a cash register withdrawel, the Kwik-E-Mart continues to be the one-stop shop for every Springfield resident’s needs.

And, whilst the Simpsons LEGO theme has divided opinion since its 2013 announcement, its latest offering contains something for everybody.

Set 71016 Kwik-E-Mart will be available from May, priced at £169.99 in the UK or $199.99 in the US. This 2,179-piece set includes six minifigures, a Police cruiser for Chief Wiggum and the fully stocked Kwik-E-Mart.

As soon as the set was revealed I was immediately excited. I’m a huge fan of The Simpsons and although 71006 Simpsons House is filled with excellent features, the Kwik-E-Mart offers even more easter eggs for the biggest fans. Almost every element of the set is accurate to the show or references a particular episode, including a frozen Jasper Beardly from ‘Lisa the Simpson’, crates of Powersauce bars from ‘King of the Hill’ and various printed tiles based on episodes from across the show’s long history.

An Angry Dad comic, Homer’s ‘You’re A-Peeling’ Valentine’s card and a few copies of Mom Monthly all furnish the store’s magazine racks.

Other details include pay phones outside, plenty of posters advertising products inside and of course some El Barto graffiti. Krusty-O cereal, Buzz Cola and Chef Lonely Heart’s Soup for One are on the shelves inside along

8 Blocks

with the typical apples, bananas and Apu’s famous ‘heat lamp hot dogs.’

The entire roof section, which is complete with a secret garden and air conditioning ducts, can be removed to access the interior and you can fold the sides open too. There is even a hidden inscription on the roof terrace proving Apu’s love for his wife Manjula.

Although the Kwik-E-Mart serves the Simpson family as a purveyor of out-of-date produce, dangerously syrup-filled Squishees and briefly a place of work for Homer, it’s equally famous for its frequent armed robberies. Snake is often the perpetrator in these situations and as such he’s included in the set. Chief Wiggum’s police car may be parked outside, but with Wiggum behind the wheel anything could happen.

So far this year this set has caught my eye more than any other. The impressive details, brightly coloured pieces and references for the fans all hold enormous appeal. A full review of the set will be in a future edition of Blocks.

The Simpsons House has been looking lonely for a while now, so I look forward to adding the Kwik-E-Mart to my collection.

The Kwik-E-Mart opens out to reveal hidden details.

The set includes several nods to classic moments in the cartoon.

The six minifigures include new Apu and Chief Wiggum designs and a first edition of Snake.

Simpsons fans won’t be disappointed with what’s in store.

Blocks 9

LETTERS

Looking for advice or just want to get something off your chest?

Email the team at james@blocksmag.com and get in touch!

Good Causes, Good Times I’m planning to hold a charity event next year to help raise funds for a rare and relatively new medical condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that two of my children suffer from.

You guessed it though, it’s going to be a LEGO themed event.

I have a location secured in Essex as there are hardly any events around here, and plenty of friends on forums are going to display models and collections. The venue is a school that is also keen to get involved to help raise awareness and funds since they use LEGO as a learning implement for the kids.

LEGO, Camera Action!

I recently was selected to be the Grand Prize Winner of the ‘Lights, Camera, Save!’ contest with my Brickfilm for Norway Savings Bank.

The film is to promote an initiative designed to help teach kids to save money all through their life, and I believe my film was chosen due to the LEGO element, helping it to connect with younger generations. The banks hosted 117 contests in 46 states for the local levels of the competition and selected a winner to represent their bank to compete at the national level, and I’m so pleased I made it to the very top!

You can see my film at the following link, I hope you like it. tinyurl.com/oxzavy2 Christopher Choyce Great work Chris, inspiring kids to make Brickfilms as well as save money sounds like a great idea. The only issue they’ll have is not spending it all on LEGO later on… – RP Chris tophe r settin g the scene .

10 Blocks

Would Blocks like to come along and exhibit at the show and help raise awareness for this condition? I will be doing my best to make it huge, and hopefully an annual event!

Brian Howe Hi Brian, sounds like a great cause. Keep us posted on the arrangements – we’ll add it to the events page when you have the date and details sorted, and we hope to be able to attend – JW

LEGocation, LEGocation, LEGocation Firstly thanks for an excellent magazine! My problem is that I can’t seem to find it in my local shops in and around Reading in the UK. Where This Brickfilm encourages kids to save their money.

Follow the main charac ter through the film as he grows up.

would be the best place to get hold of it?

Matt Bubb Hi Matt, for UK readers there is a store finder app linked from the www.blocksmag.com home page, and you can search by postcode.

We are currently working on a list for non-UK readers – JW

Blocks Buying

Just a quick one, will the print edition of issue six be offered for sale on your website? I looked after I read it was on sale in the shops but couldn’t see it.

Keith Higbee

Light and Inspire

I enjoyed your articles on lighting LEGO in previous issues and it inspired me to add some engine lighting to my Gatchaman OVA build, as seen in Blocks Issue 6. I used some Liteup Blocks that use a simple on/off button that I configured to activate through the engine. The finishing touch?

Bren Raste We certainly think so Bren, nice work!

– RP Bren’s build originally featured in Issue 6.

Hi Keith, the online sale of print magazines is intended for back issues, so Issue 6 goes on sale when Issue 7 hits the shops (and so on), which will be right about now! Digital copies of Blocks, however, are released the same day as they hit the shelves in shops – JW

Speed Warp Great job on the mag, I’m enjoying every issue immensely. After reading your article about cleaning mucky LEGO I wanted to mention something you need to be aware of. A couple of years ago I needed to clean a Star Wars B-Wing that had grown a small layer of dust so out came the warm water and old toothbrush.

Mission accomplished I thought, until my wife decided to speed up the drying process with a hairdryer. Oh dear. LEGO does not like intense heat and most of the bricks warped, never to return to their original shape.

The poor B-Wing pilot was so upset he now spends his days in the Tatooine cantina drowning his sorrows. Take heed!

Michael Petch Sorry to hear that Michael, duly noted and shared – RP

Tam-worth a Visit On a recent trip to Tamworth, Staffordshire I noticed a poster in the Ankerside Shopping Centre for an event that a local group had been running. Using 28,000 pieces of LEGO, the Tamworth Together CIC had been encouraging people to get involved in creating a mosaic

Visit Tamw orth and take part.

Picture perfect.

of the Tamworth town crest. I missed the event, but upon visiting the Tourist Information Centre I noticed that there were some tables with boxes of LEGO laid out. The town crest building was continuing and people were able to put together their choice of square. As a bonus,

everyone who took part in the build will have their name listed on the wall next to the LEGO crest when it goes on permanent display in the Town Hall later this summer.

I picked square 68D and I look forward to returning to Tamworth to see the finished crest, what a fun way to get local people and tourists involved in the town.

Richard Gottfried We agree, please send use a photo after you visit the completed project – RP

Blocks 11

SHOWTIME Make sure you don’t miss the next big LEGO show with our events diary.

APRIL Bricks in Motion (UK) When? February 25-April 26, 2015 Where? Milestones Museum, Churchill Way

West, Basingstoke What’s on? The History of Transport in LEGO bricks. Explore an impressive variety of iconic transport scale models made from LEGO, from historic through to a sci-fi future. Families can get involved in the Bricks in Motion explorer trail during their visit, plus there’s minifigure making, play tables, a vintage penny arcade and a 1940s sweet shop experience.

Woodhorn Museum Brick Plant Display (UK) When? February 14 to May 31, 2015 Where? Woodhorn Museum, Queen Elizabeth II

Country Park, Ashington, Northumberland What’s on? Exhibits of miniature wonders from

around the world recreated in bricks, with amazing models by artist Warren Elsmore, a hands-on ‘Creation Station’, and LEGO architectural landmarks from around the globe including Egypt’s pyramids, the Great Wall of China, St. Pancras Station, and Niagara Falls.

Also on display are local North East landmarks such as the Tyne Bridge, Angel of the North and Bamburgh Castle.

Brick Fest Live 2015 (USA) BLOCKS ARE EXHIBITING! When? April 25 & 26, 2015 Where? Greater Philadelphia Expo Centre,

Oaks, USA What’s on? LEGO-inspired reading provided

by The Brick Show, mosaic building, LEGO mini-golf, 3D interactive LEGO artwork creation on more than 80ft of wall space covered in studs, Brick Fest Gaming Arena, brick films and trivia, Brick Zone building, LEGO derby car racing… and meet the Blocks team!

MAY ItLUG/RomaBrick Latina 2015 (Italy) When? May 1-3, 2015 Where? Piana delle Orme Museum, Borgo Faiti

(LT), Italy What’s on? There will be exhibitions from

RomaBrick (Rome-based LEGO user group) and ItLUG members with a huge Castle/Game of Thrones layout and a City display. Plus a new, surprise mosaic built by visitors, Pick ‘n’ Build play area, contests for kids and much more. See www.romabrick.it for more details.

BrickFair NE 2015 (USA) When? May 2 & 3, 2015 Where? Radisson Hotel in Manchester, New

Hampshire, USA.

114 Blocks

What’s on? LEGO models, displays and winding

trains sprawled out over 2,700sqm. BrickFair brings together adult fans of LEGO from across the USA and worldwide to show off their projects, great and small, and to share their passion for LEGO. Vendors will also be offering all things LEGO, from shirts and hats to minifigures, unique models and much more.

Yorkshire Brick Show (UK) When? May 2-4, 2015 Where? The National Coal Mining Museum,

Overton, West Yorkshire What’s on? One of the largest annual displays in

Yorkshire, the YBS welcomes back even more impressive adult builds and creations for 2015, as well activities for the younger fans. Other attractions include the Fairy Bricks Mosaic, a Brick Street Market, Brick Street Cinema, Brick Build Zone, Spot the Minifigure, Live Workshops, and the first ever public LEGO installation to be 140m below ground.

Association. Many original models will be on display and all funds raised will be going to the charity Dementia UK. There will also be several traders, activities and refreshments on site.

June Japan BrickFest (Japan) When? June 6 & 7, 2015 Where? Canadian Academy, Kobe Rokko Island What’s on? The Canadian Academy and Kansai

LEGO User Group come together in a 1200sqm venue to create the first national event in Japan.

There will be well known Japanese LEGO builders in attendance, as well as from further afield including Korea and Hong Kong, and visitors are expected from worldwide. The theme is film and TV with a manga and anime slant.

Find out more at japanbrickfest.klug-jp.com.

Brickworld Chicago 2015 (USA) When? June 20 & 21, 2015 Where? Renaissance Convention Center in

Schaumburg, Illinois

Bricks LA (USA) When? May 16 & 17, 2015 Where? Pasadena Convention Center, Los

What’s on? 6,000sqm of displays, convention

Angeles, California What’s on? The first annual Bricks LA show is an annual convention for adult fans Of LEGO to get together and share their common love for the brick with the public. Held in a 600sqm display space at the Pasadena Convention Center in sunny Southern California, Bricks LA will be packed full of custom models on display, vendors selling new, used, and vintage LEGO sets, and a free build area for the kids.

BorgoBrick – ItLUG Borgoricco 2015 (Italy) When? July 11 & 12, 2015 Where? Scuola secondaria ‘G. Ungaretti’,

Northumbria Brick Show (UK) When? May 29 & 30 Where? Bede Tower, Sunderland What’s on? Northumbria Brick Show is back for

2015 at the end of May, and promises to be even bigger and better than 2014 with a twoday show packed with activities and exhibits.

and public exhibition – see www.brickworld.us/ chicago for more information.

July

Borgoricco (PD), Italy What’s on? BorgoBrick, now in its second edition, has already become one of the most important ItLUG events of the year. There will be City and Castle layouts, Technic, retailers, play area and much more. See www.itlug.org/borgobrick-2015 The Christchurch Brick Show 2015 (NZ) When? July 11 & 12, 2015 Where? The Horncastle Arena, Jack Hinton Drive,

Addington, Christchurch, New Zealand What’s on? Amazing LEGO exhibits for all age

Portsmouth Brick Show (UK) When? May 30, 2015 Where? Victory Suite, Portsmouth Football Club

Fratton Park stadium What’s on? The University of Portsmouth LEGO

Society will be hosting their first ever LEGO show in Portsmouth, supported by the Southern LEGO Train Club and members of the Brickish

groups in over 2,000sqm of space at the Horncastle Arena. Adult fans and collectors will show their designs, collections and creations, and children will have the opportunity to go hands on with various LEGO focused activities.

Plus special guest Ryan McNaught – the only LEGO Certified Professional in the Southern hemisphere!

Got an event? Want it listed in our events guide?

Then email us at: james@blocksmag.com and we will list your event in the next available issue

‘Ready for take-of f’

OUT OF THIS WORLD

Stuart Crawshaw’s showstopping centre-piece.

Blocks were delighted to attend Brickish Association’s weekend at Leicester’s National Space Centre. Rob Paton reports on a memorable event

S

pace, where anything is possible and very much is probable. It’s the source of many of man’s greatest dreams, challenges, triumphs and creations, both in the real and LEGO world. So when the two collided again at the Brickish Association’s weekend co-hosted with the National Space Centre in Leicester, Blocks knew to expect something out of this world, and we weren’t disappointed. Some of the LEGO User Group’s most recognisable and prolific builders attended the mid-March event in the English Midlands, to ensure that one of the mid-sized gatherings on the calendar pulled in significant crowds of all ages.

Builds familiar and new were on display, including a Blocks Issue 1 Showcase in Iain Scott’s MOC Decontamination. Alongside Iain, Brickish Vice-Chair Gary Davis marked the 40th anniversary of science fiction television series Space 1999 in his own unique way, managing to recreate the iconic landing platform from the Gerry Anderson show – with working lights – to

The Space Centre’s lighting really added to some displays.

The Brick Ladd offered variety....

...whilst Peter Reid presented wonder.

Blocks 13

Brickish show report

Ray Brown ’s Philae Lander proved a stando ut build.

‘If you don’t move, it can’t see you’.

Andrew Danieli’s Heroes of Heroica.

perfectly offset his Eagle and accompanying ships.

Carl Greatrix offered a closer look under the bonnet of his Caterham series of cars as seen in Blocks Issue 4 and on LEGO Ideas, whilst also showcasing his 1970s-era trains and Formula 1 cars presenting three minifigure-scale military aircraft of astounding detail. Such realism was also offered by Ray Brown’s trains, train shed and scale model of the Philae Lander I, which seemed most at home in the Space Centre.

Space was understandably the overriding theme to the traditionally low-lit event, with notable contributions from Peter Reid, Tim Goddard, Jeremy Williams, Alec Hole and Stuart Crawshaw, whose large scale Classic Spacethemed monorail display took centre stage. Ian Greig’s mini-fleet of red-themed micro-scale models had some additions from last year, whilst wife Julie’s Daleks offered terror to any Doctor Who fan, in a variety of colours. Master builder Andrew Danieli offered another look at recent landscape creation Heroes of Heroica, whilst Andrew Walker and Thorskegga Thorn drew many a young eye to their large display crossing multiple moving trains with War of the Worlds’ invaders, whilst all the while harbouring a sizeable side display in the HMS Neptune.

Visitors helped to construct a LEGO-piece mosaic of astronaut Tim Peake, to enter Fairy Bricks’ amazing raffle competition, and to stock up on some of Minifigs.me and Minifigforlife’s latest offerings. All that and much more was on offer across two days in Leicester, but perhaps most impressive about such events is the warm and welcoming atmosphere that Brickish Association’s members continue to create.

14 Blocks

‘An yon e for tea ?’

Carl Greatrix’s Caterham collection.

Multi-p urpose .

Naomi Farr’s winter wonderland.

Ray Brown offered realism in his builds.

Gary Davis’ Space 1999 tribute.

Andrew Walker and Thorskegga Thorn mixed the wonder of a train display with the terror of an alien invasion.

Builds were offered in large...

...and small scale.

Jeremy Williams’ well-lit masterpiece.

Leicester was full of hidden details.

Blocks 15

LEGO LOST AT SEA 16 Blocks

ST

Tracey Williams and Delia Webb comb Cornwall’s beaches for LEGO.

For the past 18 years, LEGO has been regularly washing up on beaches in Cornwall. Rob Paton packed a bucket and spade and headed down to the coast to see what he could dig up Words: Rob Paton Pics: Laurens Parsons

‘W

e’re not leaving until we find a cutlass,’ says Tracey, determinedly digging around in some seaweed.

‘I’ve found another daisy,’ chimes in Delia, running her ‘pokey stick’ through an equally large patch of washed up marine algae. We’re at the foot of some of the most scenic cliff fascias Cornwall’s extensive selection of beaches has to offer – bright yellows, deep maroons and sand reds merge and create a dramatic backdrop to our location.

It’s a quarter of a mile out to the swash, which is proving to be a surfer’s paradise, as a dozen or so ride six-foot-high waves. Despite their best efforts and us being on one of the Cornish Riviera’s longest beaches, on a clear day with miles of sand and sea to take in, we’re face down scavenging through what the sea has thrown up from the last high tide. Looking for LEGO. Back in February 1997, the cargo ship Tokio Express, en route from Rotterdam to New York City, was struck by a wave around 20 miles off shore at Land’s End. The impact titled the ship

60˚ one way and then 40˚ the other, causing it to lose 62 of its bus-sized containers on board.

One of those containers that went overboard was filled with 4,756,940 pieces of LEGO, on its way to the United States to be assembled into various sets before going on to the market.

In a year that saw LEGO manufacture 1,964 different elements, this container shipment had 100 different kinds in it, and somewhat ironically, a number of them were nautical themed pieces. Elements belonging to Divers, Aquazone, Aquanauts, Police, FrightKnights, Wild West, Roboforce, Time Cruisers, Outback and Pirates were in the container, as alongside plant flowers, dragons and witches’ brooms were life preserves, diver flippers, scuba gear, sea grass, ship rigging, spear guns and cutlasses.

Writer and beachcomber Tracey Williams runs the hugely popular Facebook page LEGO Lost at Sea (facebook.com/LegoLostAtSea) and witnessed the weeks and months that immediately followed the container spill, when numerous elements first began to appear on the beaches in and around Cornwall and Devon.

Blocks 17

TOP TEN TIPS FOR LOCATING LOST LEGO

Expert beachcombers Tracey Williams and Delia Webb offer advice for any would-be LEGO hunter planning a trip to Cornwall in search of buried treasure.

1 Do a two-minute beach clean ‘I would always encourage people to do a two-minute beach clean,’ says Tracey. ‘We’ve an initiative set up by Martin Dorey (beachclean.net), and the idea is that every time you go to the beach, you just spend a couple of minutes and take a bag of stuff away. It’s not only good for the beaches, but also a good way to spot LEGO.’ 2 Equip yourself ‘Get a nice pokey stick,’ Delia suggests. ‘It stops you getting backache, and avoids having to touch sewage and medical waste. Children doing a beach clean should always wear gloves and use litter-pickers.’

3 Follow the strand line Tracey advises that the highest point that the tide settles when at high tide is where most of the LEGO will be caught. This will be along the strand line, where the seaweed and other debris is deposited by the sea.

4 Train your eye ‘Have the pictures of the pieces in your head,’ says Delia. ‘We’ve only recently been finding cutlasses on our coast, but once we’d found one, the shape was engrained and we began to find others.’

5 Time your visit Time your visits for just after high tide. Spring tides are highest and are likely to wash up more than the lower neap tides. Heavy storms can also throw up more debris.

Be aware not to get caught out by the tide returning.

Some high tides will cut you off with no beach.

6 Be persistent ‘The more hours you spend looking, the more LEGO you’ll find,’ Delia offers. ‘If you’re only going to go down for one day and do half-an-hour, then you’ll be lucky to find a piece.

7 Notice the nurdles ‘You tend to find the little things like the cutlasses and the daisies amongst the nurdles (plastic stud-sized pellets). The sea sorts things out into similar sizes, so very often if you see a patch of nurdles, that’s where you will find the cutlasses and the daisies.’

8 Do the happy dance ‘People always seem to do a happy dance when they find a bit of LEGO’ explains Tracey. ‘You just can’t help yourself!’

9 Be responsible All wreck material recovered must be reported to the Receiver of Wreck. For more information on this process, please visit https://www.gov.uk/report-wreckmaterial 10 Tell Blocks about it If you’ve been beachcombing and found a good haul we want to hear from you!

Blocks’ first find of the day, thanks to Delia.

18 Blocks

Whilst the octopus has been a rarity, it is the yellow dinghy catching attention, having only recently started to wash up in number.

‘My family lived on the cliff tops in south Devon,’ Tracey recalls. ‘Back in the late 1990s I used to take my children beach combing, we’d always have a treasure hunt on the beach and we started to notice lots of LEGO washing up.

‘There were 100s if not 1000s of flippers, scuba tanks, and we didn’t know where they were coming from. We knew it must have been a cargo spill, but we didn’t know much more.

‘We found the octopus and the dragons, and all our neighbours were finding them too, and it was quite a competition going on between us. If you’d heard somebody else had found a green dragon, you’d want to find one too.’

Tracey and her family soon after moved away, before coming back in 2010. ‘The first time after returning I went on the beach I noticed the LEGO was still there, all those years on – I was amazed.

‘I started to do more research and I found out where it had come from, and we were part of a beach cleaning group, so I thought it’d be interesting to monitor where it was washing up, who was finding it and where it had travelled.’

To achieve this, Tracey set up the LEGO Lost at Sea Facebook page in 2013, which has gone on to become a central point for LEGO hunters of all ages to offer up their latest finds, or reminisce on previous LEGO treasures unearthed since 1997.

At Tracey’s house she shows us her own personal collection of LEGO elements found through the years – a large, tall glass jar houses just over 1,000 pieces, whilst she admits that she has also given away a lot of LEGO to fellow beachcombers she comes across when they say what they’re looking for.

I’ve come down to Cornwall for the day to join her and fellow beachcomber Delia Webb to try our own hand at finding some of this lost LEGO, but Tracey warns that it’s not guaranteed.

‘It’s not an exact science. I went down on Wednesday, found several pieces in about 10 minutes, and then some days you can go down and find nothing.

‘One of the beaches we’re going to is covered in rubbish, but it’s also covered in sand and I’m pretty sure that there’s LEGO there, but we may

The small round plastic pellets are nurdles, where many a LEGO element can be found.

not find it, because it’s covered in seaweed and the sand has blown on top. You’d probably find it if you were on your hands and knees picking up nurdles.’

At this point, Tracey brings over another large jar full of thousands of small plastic pellets, each the size of a LEGO stud. ‘Billions get spilt into the sea and get washed up on our beaches – these are raw material used to make plastic objects. I picked out 10,000 from one rock pool last year. Fish think they’re food.’

Indeed, for the element of fun involved in spending all day at the beach hunting LEGO, there’s a serious side to the continued issue of containers spilling into the sea. Estimates suggest anywhere from 500 and 2,500 containers are lost at sea each year, polluting the ocean, providing a hazard to local wildlife and littering beaches. Tracey and Delia’s collection of items found on the Cornish seafront

‘It was quite a competition going on between us. If you’d heard somebody else had found a green dragon, you’d want to find one too’

One of Delia’s three dragons found during her many beachcombs.

Blocks 19

Sandcrawler Build

goes beyond LEGO. Toothbrushes, pens, plastic tops from sweet containers, hose caps and plastic toy soldiers are among the many other unusual items the beachcombers and their colleagues regularly find.

For Delia, who holds art and craft workshops in schools, the important thing is ensuring what is found is recycled. ‘We don’t want these items to go to landfill, we try to recycle them, use them in art projects and get children to think about the sustainability rather than just throwing it all back into landfill. A lot of people make artwork out of their LEGO.’ On the Facebook page there are several contributions to that end too. People have turned their LEGO finds into jewellery, framed pictures and even dog collars.

Another element to the online community emerging from Tracey’s work is its international aspect. ‘Some oceanographers reject the idea that it could have gone all around the world, and some feel very strongly that it could,’ she explains.

One oceanographer who has tracked the movement of the sea-based LEGO since the 1997 spill – as part of wider studies that trace A selection of the elements that have surfaced since 1997.

20 Blocks

various wreckage and container spills – is Dr Curtis Ebbesmeyer, and he is of the mind that such reports of LEGO rafts making it all the way to the US, and some in theory back again, are not wide of the mark.

Writing in the 1997-released Beachcombers’ Alert Vol. 2 No. 2, Dr Ebbesmeyer estimated that 3.1 million elements might be adrift. Using the 0.1 percent rule developed from thousands of transatlantic drift bottles, about 3,000 pieces could be in the Americas.

‘The currents may also carry LEGO elements northward past Norway into the Arctic Ocean following the fabled Northeast Passage through the coastal waters of northern Siberia, arriving in Alaska after a dozen years.

‘From Alaska currents may carry a few southward to Japan and then across the North Pacific Ocean to British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California. By 2020 currents will have distributed LEGO elements throughout much of the northern hemisphere.’

Reports on Tracey’s Facebook page seem to back up Dr Ebbesmeyer’s estimates. There have been finds attributed to the Tokio Express container in France, the Netherlands, Spain,

Portugal and even further destinations like Australia and the United States.

Yet, it’s Cornwall’s beaches that continue to prove to be where most of the LEGO washes up, so what chance is there of Blocks finding any of their own to take home?

‘A lot of it is buried in sand,’ explains Tracey, trying to lessen our expectations. ‘We’ve got a lot of dunes around here and every time we get a really high tide the waves eat into the dunes and wash all the plastic out. We also think a lot of the dragons are trapped under rocks.’

The first beach we visit on the north coast of the county proves less than successful, as the size of the task very quickly becomes apparent. For the beauty of the landscape, it’s only when you have your head down scouring for tiny plastic objects that you notice just how many other plastic objects are caught up in the seaweed.

We search around for around an hour in windy but clear conditions, before Delia manages to unearth a single white flower. I struggled to spot it even when pointed out, then we decide to cut our losses there and move on to a south coast beach – Whitsand Bay.

‘People have turned their LEGO finds into jewellery, framed pictures and even dog collars’

Mixed in with the seaweed and other bits of plastic, LEGO becomes a lot harder to spot.

Blocks 21

Sandcrawler Build

THE BIGGEST HAUL, BY TOM POULSOM

Best known for developing the LEGO Ideas Bird Project, one of Tom Poulsom’s first experiences of LEGO was as a child on the beaches of Cornwall.

‘My Grandmother Margaret Jones always enjoyed beachcombing in Cornwall.

When I used to visit her bungalow in Liskeard there were glass containers and jam jars full of lovely items such as shells, pretty pebbles and weathered sea glass. Soon after the 1997 spill she began finding new interesting items to collect, all sorts of LEGO elements were showing up and her favourite pieces to find were the dragons. In total she, my Auntie and cousins collected 12 and these became known as the ‘Polkerris Haul’. I was already a fan of LEGO and when I went to visit we went to Polkerris Beach and I was lucky enough to find two dragons, one the much sought after green dragon. I still have these in my collection and I have even since bought the missing parts for them!’

CHECKLIST

American oceanographer Dr Curtis Ebbesmeyer estimated in Vol. 2 No. 2 of the Beachcombers’ Alert that more than 50 of the LEGO elements in the container lost at sea could float, putting together the following checklist.

There is also an environmental aspect to Tracey and Delia’s work.

It’s here, whilst the cliff-sides and surfers provide competing spectacles, that we spend the next four hours with our heads down digging amongst the seaweed. It quickly becomes an engrossing process.

I didn’t have much luck to begin with, as Delia and Tracey raced ahead with some minute finds – red flowers, blue flippers and two aqualungs. However, about an hour in and a few hundred yards along in our search I spotted a yellow flower. I may not have done the ‘happy dance’ [see Top Tips], but I couldn’t help myself exclaiming ‘yes!’, before 10 minutes later spotting a yellow spear-gun.

Over the three hours that followed, we found quite a haul between us of some of the smaller elements, including a sea grass caught amongst seaweed. It may have been bright green, but it still took some studying to spot. Towards the end of the day Tracey did uncover that prized cutlass, to complete our collection. We may not have found the ever elusive larger pieces like the dragon, octopus or newly emerged dinghy, but to have located over two-dozen pieces between us in a matter of hours made it a truly satisfying day, albeit with Tracey’s teasing words left in my mind. ‘I found an octopus two weeks ago and several other people have found them here as well. Without picking up every bit of seaweed and examining it, who knows what is here?’

And that is the beauty behind LEGO Lost at Sea. Who knows what’s still caught amongst the seaweed on the beach in Cornwall? You’ll have to look for yourself.

22 Blocks

‘There have been finds attributed to the Tokio Express in France, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and even further destinations like Australia and the United States’

LEGO Kit

Floating LEGO Elements

Divers

Yellow raft

Divers

Yellow life preserver

Size (in)

Number 3

28,700

1/2

26,600

Divers

Sea grass

2

54,000

Divers

Diver legs (gray & yellow)

1/2

132,000

Divers

Yellow sub arm element

1/2

37,700

Divers

Spear guns (red & yellow)

2

13,000

5

22,000

Divers

Gray winch arm

Divers

White underwater sign

1/2

18,000

Divers

White holder for underwater sign

1/2

38,000 26,464

Aquazone

Black underwater motor

2

Aquazone

Black octopus

3

4,200

Aquazone

Gray SCUBA and breathing apparatus

1

97,500

Aquanauts

Yellow self-propelled vehicle

1

8,000

Aquanauts

Diver flippers (x2; black, blue, red)

1

418,000

Police

Black fence

2-3

43,200

Police

Daisy flowers (x4; white, red, yellow)

3/8

353,264

Fright Knights Dragons (black & green) Fright Knights Black bat

3

33,941

1/2

54,000

Wild West

Brown cowboy hat

1/2

49,500

Wild West

Brown 2-stud fort fence element

1/2

291,348

Wild West

Brown 4-stud fort fence element

Wild West

Black frying pan

1

44,000

1/2

Roboforce

18,200

Black monster foot

1

5,300

Roboforce

Black 6-stud arm element

2

7,500

Roboforce

Black & yellow ‘ROBO’ legs

1/2

14,000

Time Cruisers Black witch hat

1

48,500

Time Cruisers Brown ship rigging net

5

26,400

Outback

Gray shingle roof

3

124,589

Pirates

Gray sword

1

92,400

Many

Red 2-stud brick

Several

Brown 12-stud bar brick

1/2

13,300

4

35,100

Robot TV

1

59,500

Brown broom

2

50,000

Blue 2-stud ramp marked ‘TV’

1

27,000

Green plain 4-stud ramp

1

520,541

Green w/yellow spikes 2-stud ramp

1/2

29,850

Green w/yellow spikes 4-stud ramp

1

72,105

Blue 4-stud short ramp

1

34,500

Gray grating

3

4,158

Yellow studded ‘I’ shape

3

13,300

Gray studded hinged piece

1

15,000

Green tall, 4-stud brick

1

3,800

Brown, with clips

1

6,100

White bridge w/8 studs

1

4,700

Yellow bridge w/8 studs

1

4,700

Green speed hump

1

144,000

Black speed hump

1

Total (assuming daisies and flippers separate at sea)

10,847 3,178,807

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REVIEW Trying to decide which set to buy next? Then check out our reviews before p arting

42 Blocks

50

LEGO Elves – not just for girls.

26

Time to Marvel in LEGO's latest superhero range.

36

42

Ninjago strike back in style.

efore p arting with your hard-earned cash

EWS

Blocks 43

AGE

The Hulk Buster stares down an attack from Hulk.

26 Blocks

AVENGERS

GE OF ULTRON As the Avengers return to team up and take on evil AI Ultron, LEGO are back with another range of superhero sets. Chris Pearce considers what has gone into assembling a winning team

Reviewed by Chris Pearce

T

he Marvel Cinematic Universe has developed into one of the most successful film franchises of all time, with the latest release the 11th installment in the series. The Avengers: Age of Ultron is among the most anticipated films of the year, and as part of the build-up, LEGO has produced six sets based on scenes from the movie.

The first wave of Avengers sets was released in April 2012 to great fanfare. Although the sets strayed quite dramatically from the source material, they nevertheless proved quite popular.

Even more so did the minifigures impress, with the introduction of plenty of brand new components and brilliant levels of detail printed on every single one.

With such a precedent to live up to, expectations for The Avengers: Age of Ultron sets are high. Can they possibly satisfy our excitement?

76029 Iron Man vs. Ultron PRICES: £11.99/$12.99/€14.99 MINIFIGURES: 4 PIECES: 92

Every Super Heroes wave so far has included a small set priced at around £11.99 and in this film it features Iron Man fighting against a group of Ultron Drones. Whilst these small models are typically fairly uninteresting, the minifigures in this particular set are hugely appealing, with one exclusive Iron Man suit and three useful figures for building an army. Based on the trailers for the film, it appears an army of Ultron Drones will be a necessity.

The detail on all four minifigures is thoroughly impressive. The Mk 45 Iron Man is exclusive to this set and is one of the most intricately designed Iron Man figures to date. The two shades of red used give the armour a slight sheen and they contrast well with the gold and silver printing. You can lift Tony’s mask to

Blocks 27

REVIEWS BUILD 10/20 PLAYABILITY 14/20 MINI-DOLLS 18/20

'The Ultron Drones are an enormous draw, as is the exclusive Iron Man'

PRICE 15/20 COLLECTIBILITY 11/20 TOTAL 68/100

Iron Man Mk 45 is exclusive to this set, as are the Ultron Sentries.

reveal his dual-sided head as with previous Iron Man minifigures. The three Ultron Sentries are equally detailed, featuring some unusual metallic designs on the head, torso and legs, all of which are cast in pearl dark grey. One of the group is designated an officer and is equipped with a backpack and additional helmet component, while the others each carry a stud shooter.

This set is definitely focused upon the minifigures, but a small vehicle is nevertheless included for the Ultron Sentries. This is a flyer of some kind, which is fairly bland until you disassemble the minifigures and attach them to the model as the box artwork suggests. This is a very unusual feature but it looks good and offers some additional playability. The main feature of the set makes use of the Super Jumper, which is used to launch Iron Man at the Ultron Sentry Officer who can be knocked off the vehicle.

76029 is the smallest of the Age of Ultron sets and arguably the least interesting compared with some of the larger ones. However, the Ultron Drones are an enormous draw, as is the exclusive Iron Man minifigure, so it certainly comes recommended.

76030 Avengers Hydra Showdown PRICES: £19.99/$19.99/€19.99 MINIFIGURES: 3 PIECES: 220 This £19.99 set was probably the least interesting for me when images were released.

Hawkeye and Thor are not the most interesting

28 Blocks

members of the Avengers in my opinion, and the two vehicles included looked pretty uninspiring.

Now I actually have the set I’m pleasantly surprised, but it still doesn’t stand out among a great selection of Age of Ultron models.

The first of the three minifigures is Thor.

I think this is the best Thor minifigure yet released, although he is still a little bland beside most of his allies, with plain dark blue legs, some metallic silver printing on both sides of his torso and a bright red cape. The soft cape material has only just appeared this year and it is a vast improvement over the previous fabric, hanging more realistically around the shoulders of the figure and looking better for it. His head is double-printed with smiling and scowling expressions, while his hair is blond. This colour is too bright for my taste and does not match his dark tan beard very well. As ever, Thor is armed with his hammer, Mjölnir.

Only 76042 S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier includes Hawkeye in this guise wearing a black jacket complete with dark red accents. The head is printed on two sides with a frown on one face and a pair of red shades on the other. His spiked hair piece is far more accurate to the character than the component used in the original Avengers sets, while his bow is the same as ever and closely resembles the one seen in the films.

The final minifigure is a Hydra Henchman, who is printed with a combination of Chitauri armour and a grey combat suit on his torso. He also wears a Chitauri mask on both

BUILD 13/20 PLAYABILITY 15/20 MINI-DOLLS 13/20 PRICE 14/20 COLLECTIBILITY 8/20 TOTAL 63/100

The Hydra Henchman's buggy has a turret mounted to its top.

Iron Man can sit inside a very poseable Hulk Buster.

A new hairstyle, pair of pants and skin colour for The Hulk.

sides of his head, so presumably Hydra have repurposed Chitauri technology from the first Avengers film for use in this one. This minifigure is probably one worth buying in quantity, so it’s a shame that he appears in only one other set: 76041 The Hydra Fortress Smash.

This Hydra Henchman lacks a weapon, but makes up for that by riding a white buggy, which features a stud shooter on the top and an ope roll cage allowing access to the driving seat.

A spotlight is mounted towards the rear of the vehicle that locks the turret in place, but when this is folded down the gun can be knocked off

using the Super Jumper included. This is a nice vehicle in my opinion with some impressive details and good playability.

The Avengers’ 4x4 truck looks very rugged and has plenty of ground clearance for offroad driving. The Avengers’ logo appears on the bonnet and there’s a rotating flick-missile turret on the roof. Inside there’s room for one minifigure, although you could squeeze a second in as the vehicle is six studs wide. The roof is easily removable to reveal more space at the back for storing accessories, or you can use the clips on either side of the truck.

Neither vehicle is particularly brilliant in terms of building techniques, but there’s lots of playability and the minifigures are excellent, so I’m growing to like it. At £19.99 it seems like a very fair price to me and for play it’s certainly worth picking up. If you are looking for a nice display model however I think there are better Age of Ultron sets on offer.

76031 The Hulk Buster Smash PRICES: £29.99/$29.99/€34.99 MINIFIGURES: 3 PIECES: 248 When the trailers were released for The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Iron Man’s Hulk Buster armour attracted a great deal of attention. As a result of this and as it is priced at £29.99, 76031 The Hulk Buster Smash is likely to be the outstanding seller of the six Age of Ultron sets. For me, also, it is one of the best of the line.

Three minifigures are included as well as one bigfig – The Hulk. The original Hulk bigfig was bright green but this has notably been changed to olive for the new figure. His ‘poseability’

remains the same as ever with articulation of hands and shoulders, but otherwise he’s undergone substantial changes. His hair is spikier than before and his torn trousers are now printed with the Avengers logo and other designs. Whilst the Hulk is not exclusive to this set, this is the cheapest set so far to include a bigfig.

Scarlet Witch, on the other hand, is exclusive to this set. Her legs are printed on the front side with shoes and a pleated skirt, which continues on to the front and back of her torso. Her dark red jacket and a necklace are also present on the torso. She has the same head as the Supergirl minifigure from Brainiac Attacks which is acceptable as she features glowing red eyes, but I would rather have seen a more accurate head print. Bizarrely, Scarlet Witch comes with two trans light blue energy blasts, which really ought to be trans red.

Iron Man in his Mk 43 armour appears in three of the six Age of Ultron sets, which is unsurprising as he is often cited as the most popular of the main cast. This suit design is as detailed as any other, featuring dark red and gold printing all over with the light blue Arc Reactor on his chest. The helmet printing is slightly different to that on the Mk 45 armour, but still includes an opening helmet to reveal Tony Stark’s head. A pair of trans light blue studs and trans light blue cylinders are included for recreating flying poses, and spares of each are also present.

Ultron Prime comes with similar parts to simulate flying, but in red to match the colour of his mouth and eyes. The armoured head, torso and leg designs are reminiscent of those on the Ultron Drones, which is not entirely surprising.

Unlike those, however, the highlights on this minifigure are dark red and he includes a piece

Blocks 29

REVIEWS to go around his neck. You can complete the helmet using the piece worn by the Ultron Sentry Officer, although this may not be accurate to the appearance of Ultron during this stage of his development.

The set itself consists of two parts, a prison for the Hulk and the Hulk Buster armour. The prison section has room for the Hulk to stand in the middle and a trans-clear pole is included to support Scarlet Witch hovering above. This pole can be knocked down using the Super Jumper included, presumably freeing the Hulk in the process as he can break through the sides of the model that fold down on hinges.

The Hulkbuster armour is very impressive, with lots of detail all over and an accurate shape compared with the movie. There is room to place Iron Man inside and plenty of ‘poseability’ at the shoulders, elbows, fingers, hips and ankles. A pair of stud-shooters are mounted on the mech’s right arm and he can grab a minifigure in his hand quite easily, although it will require some adjustment to secure them in place.

The only criticism I have for the Hulk Buster regards its size. It’s a bit too big compared with the Hulk figure, although this is necessary to capture the required level of detail so I can understand the designer’s reasoning.

I think this set is an absolute must have for any Avengers fan. Not only do we get a superb model of the Hulk Buster, but we also get a couple of Avengers, one incarnation of the primary antagonist from Age of Ultron and Scarlet Witch, a character who has an important role in the movie.

BUILD 16/20 PLAYABILITY 18/20 MINI-DOLLS 18/20 PRICE 18/20 COLLECTIBILITY 18/20 TOTAL 88/100

Scale between the Hulk Buster and Hulk may not be accurate, but this is a stand-out set.

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76038 Attack on Avengers Tower PRICES: £59.99/$59.99/€69.99 MINIFIGURES: 5 PIECES: 515

One of the major locations seen in trailers for The Avengers: Age of Ultron is the Avengers Tower, where Ultron first confronts the heroes.

The LEGO model is priced at £59.99 and contains five minifigures, three of which are exclusive to this set.

The Mk 43 Iron Man is the most common minifigure in the Age of Ultron sets, but is nevertheless very detailed from head to toe.

Tony Stark’s double-sided head is printed with smiling and angry expressions, while his torso features armour designs on both sides, and this continues on to his legs. Thor also appears in another set, 76030 Avengers Hydra Showdown.

This figure is relatively plain compared with many of the others in the line, but is still a good representation of the character. His red cape and dark blue tunic contrasts nicely and I am pleased to see that he has two faces, one smirking and the other grimacing for battle.

The Mjölnir mould was created specifically for Thor’s hammer and is therefore accurate to the weapon in the film, although it also appeared in the Monster Fighters theme.

Ultron Mark 1 is probably the most appealing minifigure in the set, not only because he will play such a significant role in the film but also due to the impressive detail of the figure. His head is cast in trans-clear and is printed with the damaged gold mask seen in the trailer.

The gash between the mouth and the left eye is particularly creepy, which is excellent for a minifigure such as this. The torso is printed with some remaining white armour but is mainly a mess of mechanical details, which continue on the legs.

BUILD 15/20 PLAYABILITY 19/20 MINI-DOLLS 20/20 PRICE 15/20 COLLECTIBILITY 14/20 TOTAL 83/100 The two Iron Legion Drones are equally detailed, featuring bright white and dark blue printing on the legs and torso. The helmet is identical to that of Iron Man, but features a dark blue back section rather than the typical dark red. Although we have not seen much of the Iron Legion in the run-up to the film's release, they look to be fairly accurate to their design, and I am delighted that two are included.

The Avengers Tower itself measures approximately 38cm tall and consists of three levels plus the roof. Obviously this is nowhere near the scale of the tower in the movie, but I think it is still a good representation of the structure, whilst its height is sufficiently impressive to make this a nice display model.

From the outside there is not a huge amount of detail, with the stickers used to form the Avengers logo on the top floor standing out against the trans light blue windows and grey walls. The top section can be opened to reveal a small flying drone, which features a pair of studshooters, as does the cover that folds down to launch it. This entire top section can be rotated for launching the drone in any direction. I look forward to seeing if there is any such feature in the film.

The entire tower can be folded open to reveal far more detail inside. At the base we find a medical centre where a minifigure can be placed for treatment. The Iron Legion minifigures are stationed opposite this on two sliding platforms

Each level, including the roof, has play value.

76038 can be displayed folded together or with the rooms in profile.

A pre-Ultron-terror tipple for the team.

The Tower has many hidden play elements.

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REVIEWS

from which they can launch straight out of the windows. The next floor includes Loki’s sceptre undergoing some kind of analysis, and an assembly area for Ultron. Two arms hang from the ceiling and these can be adjusted for creating Ultron on a rotating turntable. The villain can then burst through the windows to escape, with these blown off via a simple ‘exploding’ mechanism. The top floor contains a large computer console and the balcony area, and there are a couple more nice features up here, including a pair of hidden guns. I’m especially fond of the ‘Ultron Project’ sticker on the central monitor in this room, which gives a lovely bit of extra detail.

76038 Attack on Avengers Tower did not really leap out as highlight when I first saw the images, but my opinion has changed. I think the model looks superb inside and out, with numerous play features that are certainly very entertaining. Fans of The Avengers will enjoy the many details, and I especially like the Ultron Mark 1 minifigure, which is a challenger for my favourite figure of the entire series.

76032 The Avengers Quinjet City Chase PRICES: £69.99/$79.99/€79.99 MINIFIGURES: 5 PIECES: 722 My favourite set of the original Avengers theme from 2012 is 6869 Quinjet Aerial Battle, so this new Quinjet has an impressive precedent to match, and it entirely lives up to expectations.

It’s the most expensive of the wave at £69.99, but well worth the cost.

The selection of five minifigures is fantastic, including three Avengers, Ultron and Vision, whose role in the film has not yet been revealed.

Iron Man appears once again in his Mk 43

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BUILD 12/20 PLAYABILITY 19/20 MINI-DOLLS 16/20 PRICE 15/20 COLLECTIBILITY 15/20 TOTAL 77/100 armour, with exactly the same design as that in 76031 and 76038. Black Widow also appears in another new set, the £269.99 S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier. This is therefore the easiest way to get a Black Widow minifigure, and one that is excellent. The printing on her legs and torso looks perfectly accurate to the film, with light blue tubing running across and a black combat suit underneath. Her hair piece is currently exclusive to this character and closely resembles the style we see in the trailer, while her head is double sided, featuring a smirk on one side and a determined expression on the other. She’s equipped with twin pistols, and there’s room to stow these inside the Quinjet.

Captain America is not exclusive either, but he does have some superb detailing on his head and torso, while his legs are plain dark blue. I consider the printing on the back of his torso to be particularly striking, with the detail of the straps for mounting his shield captured brilliantly. Naturally he comes with his red, white and blue shield, which is brighter than the dark red version included in the previous Avengers sets. Based on what we know about the film at the time of writing, it seems that Vision will play a pivotal role, and I suspect this will therefore prove to be a very popular minifigure. His dark pink head is unusual but contrasts brilliantly with the sand green torso and legs, and the yellow cape finishes the minifigure off nicely.

The Ultimate Ultron minifigure, however, is my pick of the bunch, and certainly lives up to its moniker. His head is composed of three

elements, one of which fits around his neck, a helmet, and a standard trans orange head underneath. The torso and legs are printed with plenty of armour detail and a pearl silver colour runs all the way through the minifigure, making it shimmer under light and simulate metal effectively. Not only is this my favourite of all the Age of Ultron minifigures but it is probably my favourite figure of 2015 so far.

The set consists of four main elements – a motorcycle, a containment pod for Vision, a small truck and the Avengers’ Quinjet. The motorcycle features the new fairing and chassis, complete with Avengers logos on either side.

This fairing is exclusive to this set in black and will no doubt prove popular as it looks very sleek. The containment pod, created using stud-not-on-top (SNOT) techniques slides right into the back of the truck through the opening rear doors. This is overtly a fairly simple model, but there are a couple of rather impressive play features included. The exploding rear section can almost entirely be broken off using a fairly well hidden lever to reveal the opening containment unit inside. The Super Jumper is also of use as you can topple Ultron from his position on tope of the vehicle. No driver is included in the set, but there is a steering wheel for one in the cab.

The Quinjet is the outstanding model for me, with plenty of accurate shaping and detail as well as a few fun play features. The cockpit can be hinged open to access the seat and controls, while a section of roof can also be hinged open. You can place the bike in here and then drop it from underneath the ship by pressing the button on top. The motorcycle is unlikely to land standing up but this is still an entertaining function

Inside the fortress tower.

Whilst the highest price set in the range, the Quinjet is well put together and comes with great minifigures.

which doesn’t interfere with the appearance of the model. You can also drop a minifigure on a rappel line from beneath the wing by pressing another button – a clever feature. There’s a pair of stud-shooters hidden on the underside of the other wing, with two more placed on top of the fuselage. The rear can be opened to reveal a small area to contain a maximum of two minifigures and some weapons. I would have liked a little more space inside, but this has been lost at the expense of some pretty impressive functions, so it’s a fair compromise.

This is my favourite set of the Age of Ultron wave by some margin. My complaints are minimal and I think this set has something for everybody. There are some nice play features, fantastic minifigures and the set will look superb on display.

76041 The Hydra Fortress Smash PRICES: £49.99/$49.99/€59.99 MINIFIGURES: 4 PIECES: 405 It would seem that Ultron is not the only threat to The Avengers in the upcoming movie. Priced at £49.99, this set is somewhat expensive considering its The Hydra Fortress Smash, built almost purely to be broken.

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REVIEWS BUILD 11/20

PLAYABILITY 18/20 MINI-DOLLS 14/20 PRICE 7/20 COLLECTIBILITY 10/20 Captain America

TOTAL 60/100

The Hulk

The perfect set for a Hulk rampage.

size. The minifigure selection is, however, great and the models themselves look good. Captain America and the Hulk appear in other sets, but given their popularity it’s not surprising we see them more than once. Both figures seem accurate to their appearances in Age of Ultron, as does Quicksilver, who for me is the most appealing minifigure in this set. His white hairpiece is very striking and complements the white highlights on his torso and leg printing.

The textured design on his torso is also very impressive and features on the front and back.

The Hydra Henchman is identical to the minifigure in 76030, complete with pieces of Chitauri armour and a reversible face with different masks on each side. Baron Von Strucker, though, is brand new and exclusive and looks very accurate to the character that also appeared at the end of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, with a sand blue uniform and the Hydra logo printed on his chest. The monocle over his eye is a superb detail, whilst the Baron is armed with a standard pistol, although a significantly more substantial weapon is included.

That weapon is the turret found on the roof of the fortress, which can be rotated and launches two studs. A Super Jumper can be

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used to knock this down and you can then move inside the fortress to use the Super Jumper again and open the chamber containing Loki’s sceptre. Some lightning pieces and trans light blue components give this area an unusual appearance, reminiscent of a mad scientist’s lab. The outside the fortress is a little run down, with bricks visible in some places and snow heaped on any flat surfaces. The Hulk can knock down the gates and on the other side of them is a dying tree, which includes a couple of rare dark red leaf components.

The Hydra tank is also vulnerable to the Hulk as he can slam down on a lever at the front to blow the roof off the vehicle. This reveals a single seat inside for the Hydra Henchman, although you could place Baron Von Strucker in here too as there is just about room for two. The general shape of the tank looks good and I like the white colour scheme, which matches that of the buggy in 76030. The turret on top can be rotated and a Hero Factory Zamor launcher is used to fire the blue and white marbled ammunition, which can be done with some force, whilst a second sphere is included.

A set that would be a great buy at £10 less than its current £49.99, I would recommend others from the series ahead of this one.

Black Widow

Scarlet Witch

Ultron Mark 1

INTRODUCING...

Captain America The US military funded an experimental ‘super soldier’ development program during WWII, the result of which was Captain America. Once a mild-mannered recruit, Steve Rogers was transformed into the ultimate soldier, with increased agility, strength and speed. After spending almost 70 years frozen in the Arctic he is now a leading member of the Avengers.

Iron Man Tony Stark created the first Iron Man armour as a means to escape from captivity in Afghanistan, and has since refined the design to create a number of specialised armoured suits. The inbuilt repulsers allow Iron Man to fly and each suit contains various weapons systems. Even without the Iron Man suit Tony is a genius level mechanical engineer and the billionaire owner of Stark Industries.

Iron Man

The Hulk Bruce Banner’s experimentation with gamma radiation resulted in his transformation into the enormous, green-skinned Hulk, an almost indestructible creature of enormous strength and size.

When not in this state, Bruce Banner is a brilliant scientist who is of equal value in the lab as he is in battle as the Hulk.

Thor During his brief exile from the alien realm of Asgard, Thor found himself on Earth, where he has defended humanity from otherworldly threats on several occasions. He’s now an asset to the Avengers with super-human strength, the power of flight and possession of Mjölnir, a hammer of incredible power which was forged in the heart of a dying star. With it, Thor is almost invincible.

Thor

Hawkeye Clint Barton has been a S.H.I.E.L.D. operative for much of his life, carrying out numerous successful missions for the agency.

He is an expert combatant who can use almost any weapon with deft skill, but he is particularly well known for his unflinching accuracy with a bow.

Black Widow Natasha Romanov defected to work for S.H.I.E.L.D. after serving the Russian KGB, and is now allied with the Avengers under the name Black Widow. She’s a talented martial artist and is deadly with her twin pistols, but her resourcefulness even in the most difficult of situations makes her even more useful as a spy.

Hawkeye

Quicksilver Baron Von Strucker’s experimentation with Loki’s sceptre resulted in the creation of Quicksilver, who is capable of moving at super human speed. His allegiances are as yet unknown but he is known to have spent some time under the influence of Ultron, along with his twin sister, Scarlet Witch.

Quicksilver

Scarlet Witch Like her brother, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch received supernatural powers after being exposed to energy from Loki’s sceptre. She is able to telekinetically move objects with her mind as well as produce bolts of energy from her hands. Scarlet Witch was initially under the control of Ultron, but might make a powerful ally for the Avengers.

Vision After being created by Bruce Banner and Tony Stark, Vision assists the Avengers as they fight against Ultron. He’s capable of creating energy beams, but perhaps most importantly can alter his own density, allowing him to levitate, possess enhanced strength and phase through solid objects.

Vision

Ultron Sentry Officer

Ultron Tony Stark used technology found among the remains of the Battle of New York to create Ultron, a sentient robot who would defend the Earth while the Avengers were otherwise engaged. However, Ultron has subsequently decided that the best way to ensure peace is by extinguishing the human race and now battles against the Avengers who manufactured him.

Ultron Prime

Ultimate Ultron

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REVIEWS ASSEMBLING AN ICON The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier is one of Marvel’s most recognisable ships. Rob Paton considers whether LEGO’s version deserves iconic status too Reviewed by Rob Paton

SET: 76042 The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier PRICES: £269.99/$349.99/€349.99 MINIFIGURES: 5 PIECES: 2996

W

hat the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier is and why it is almost doesn’t matter. When you walk into your LEGO store and spot 76042 fully built up on display in one of the glass cabinets or the shop window, it’s just as much a truly impressive LEGO set, as it is an iconic ship originating from the comic book world.

The Helicarrier is a multi-purpose aircraft carrier that serves as a base for Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division – S.H.I.E.L.D. for short – the secret government defence organisation headed by director Nick Fury. It is a sea-based carrier capable of vertical take off and landing flight, thanks to four horizontally-aligned fan-based engines, and it also acts as a landing platform for multiple aircraft including the everrecognisable Quinjets.

In Marvel’s Film Universe, it is recognisable for appearances in Avengers Assemble and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, serving both in function and as a plot device.

For everything else in the brightly coloured and always-packed LEGO store, this is one of those large-scale masterpieces that draws the eye of any casual or serious LEGO fan. But while it will make a memorable first impression, how does it fare under the scrutiny of those lucky enough to build it?

First impressions First impressions can be simply put – this is big.

The box is huge, on the same scale as the UCS Sandcrawler, Creator Expert sets and some of the hyper-sized builds LEGO have produced in recent years. The now-taken-for-granted box artwork both complements and projects the set from the front of the packaging, and showcases its finer points on the back enough to make it a worthy edition to the LEGO box art hall of fame, when such a thing actually becomes real.

That initial impression of scale is further

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heightened when opening the box and pouring out the contents. The instruction booklet, wrapped in its own protective bag with a refreshingly small sticker-sheet, catches the eye immediately, as much for its inch-thickness as its neatly bound format, akin to the Architecture and Ideas sets. However, unlike those sets' manuals or the ones that come with the UCS Sandcrawler and Slave 1, this booklet does not contain text or pictures on the subject of the build or the design process behind it, instead launching straight into build instructions.

In unpacking the Helicarrier, there’s a separate box inside the main box, which harbours those bags containing the minifigures and microfigures included in this set. The build

is divided into 12 numbered stages of bags, with a grand total of 29 bags – that is, 27 numbered and two unnumbered across those 12 stages.

The sheer size of the task lying in front of you is most apparent at this stage, and for some builders it may seem intimidating. Yet, in opening the instruction booklet and the bags numbered 1, you are pulled in by those first few steps – a couple of odd angles unfamiliar to mid-level builders, a few turns upside down and back up again, and you forget you’re only 60-odd pieces into this 2,996-piece mammoth.

Very quickly those first two builds provide you with the S.H.I.E.L.D. display stands, one of which

The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier is impressive to behold in person.

'You're pulled in by the those first few steps in the instructions'

One of the first things you build is the eagle-shaped minifigure stand.

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REVIEWS is cleverly constructed into the eagle emblem and will stand the five minifigures included, and the other, more practical assemble that will eventually hold the completed Helicarrier.

Fast, engrossing and to the point, this is LEGO’s simple but effective introduction to the grander build to come. It pulls the more experienced builder in with a few clever moves, whilst also putting those of you who may be experiencing a UCS-scale set for the first time at ease. And, like any good series, you are left with a tease, as the remaining parts to the numbered 1 bags sees you put together an intriguing start to the Helicarrier’s undercarriage. There’s detail, colour and layout emerging enough in this started framework to have you tearing into the bags numbered 2 in haste.

The build The early pace to the build initially continues and within a few simple steps you’ve got further framework to the underside in place, before you slow down with some finer details that are a bit tricky for the big-fingered builder, but that will make you smile when complete, as they provide a recognisable internal aspect to the Helicarrier.

Bag stage 3 sees momentum take a sidestep in favour of technique – more specifically Technic – as you construct upwards and internally, creating a mechanism that you know will have a pay-off further down the line. There are also a couple of clever turns in-build during this section.

Bags labelled 4 see the exterior further added to, whilst those across 5, 6, 7 and 8 are where the build hits its most repetitive rhythm, as you

construct the four external engines.

Even so, achieving the circular effect to surround each bladed-rotating machine is intelligent and a technique worth repeating across four similar steps, to add to any builder’s catalogue.

And, in putting together the most recognisable external features to this set, these stages fly by as you see the Helicarrier’s profile begin to take shape. The build concludes with four stages that see the upper deck and its two runways laid out, the front extension added in place and finer points to create a detailed and active patina.

Final product Upon completion, this is a set you’ll take a step back from, and then a few more, to really take

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in its size. There’s a lot to look at and appreciate and perhaps most impressively, from any angle too. Whilst a majority of those displaying the Helicarrier will tend towards ‘steering’ it to the left as it appears on the box art and in promotional material, this is a set that is wellfinished whichever way you cast your gaze.

Have the Helicarrier running towards you and the view will reveal minute points of detail to have gone into the design, whilst standing above and taking in an overhead profile shot will show off just how closely it resembles its Marvel Film Universe counterpart. At the back the two jet engines and open hanger highlight the wellrounded aspect to the undercarriage, which is equally prevalent along the ship’s side-panelling and towards the glass-effect front underneath, from where your microfigure S.H.I.E.L.D. crew and Nick Fury look out from the lower deck.

The build is fluid and solid, providing strong sectioning throughout so that when complete, the model can easily be lifted and moved without risk of falling apart.

Play value is provided in the built-in Technic system in the undercarriage – turn a lever at the back of the model to see each of the four trans-

The set designers have considered external detail to every side of the Helicarrier.

blue-bladed rotor engines slowly spin in unison.

The internal build also allows for space – with instructions included – to build in some Power Functions lights to illuminate the front end.

The inclusion of some fantastic micro-builds adds a further dimension to the set and provides a greater sense of both scale and activity to the Helicarrier. Three fighter jets and three Quinjets are the most striking vehicles to decorate the runways, but it is perhaps the micro fork-lift trucks that stand out as surprise highlights, for how they are conceived with few pieces, and one unique trans-clear Erling brick.

Minifigures The minifigures are a nice addition and suggest that the trend of including them in sets of this scale will continue. Captain America is semiexclusive and semi-Steve Rogers, as a new and mask-less double-sided head print is used, alongside the same new-for-2015 torso print that also appears in the 76041 Hydra Fortress

Most of the runway is printed.

One of four external rota engines.

FOR:

■ Catches the scale and shape of a complex ship ■ Microfigures and micro-builds provide added detail ■ Engaging and strong build

AGAINST:

■ Mis-aligned minifigure prints ■ Lack of internal detail

'The build is fluid and solid, providing strong sectioning throughout so that the model can easily be lifted' Blocks 39

REVIEWS Smash and 76032 Avengers Quinjet City Chase sets. Similarly, another two of the five Helicarrier minifigures appear in the 2015 Age of Ultron range – Black Widow and Hawkeye. As with Captain America, these two figures and set exclusives Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill have new torso designs that are in keeping with their character appearances in Marvel’s Age of Ultron film. The figures are each instantly recognisable, as very close to their Marvel Film Universe iterations, and they look great as a quintet displayed on the separate S.H.I.E.L.D. eagle stand.

However, for the detail offered in the new prints and the fact that LEGO have listened to fans and removed the aging cheekbone details from the face prints of the younger characters, the printing between torso and legs on Nick Fury, Black Widow and Hawkeye was in each case slightly misaligned, whilst the printing on Captain America’s shield was unfortunately offcentre too. It remains an inconsistent issue for LEGO, as printing on the minifigures elsewhere in the Age of Ultron range was not misaligned.

Also, did LEGO miss an opportunity to include a minifigure scale Hulk in this set? Not only would he have sat just as nicely on that S.H.I.E.L.D. eagle stand, but he could equally have presented himself as a large scale Hulk in line with the model's microfigures.

The Helicarrier offers a menacing view from up front.

Three micro-scale Quinjets are included.

Final thoughts The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier is an iconic ship in the Marvel comic and film world and LEGO have done that status justice in producing set 76042, offering an equally iconic addition to their supersized range of sets.

Whilst the price may ensure this model’s exclusivity, and the detail inside the build is rather limited, for its primary function as a large scale display piece the brick-built Helicarrier ticks all the boxes. Clean, well proportioned and with enough external detail to keep the eye busy, this is a set to truly complete any Marvel or LEGO fan’s collection.

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BUILD 18/20 PLAYABILITY 10/20 MINI-DOLLS 13/20 PRICE 14/20 COLLECTIBILITY 20/20 TOTAL 75/100 The set comes with several recognisable, micro-figures.

Micro-builds and micro-figures bring activity to the completed build.

'There's a lot to look at and appreciate, and from any angle too'

The set's traditional plaque offering information on the 'real-life version.

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REVIEWS Ninjago continues to hold a strong presence in the LEGO range, with 2015 seeing a considerable expansion with 10 new sets. Jeremy Williams considers how three of the new additions shape up

Ninja DB X Reviewed by Jeremy Williams

SET: 70750 Ninja DB X PRICES: £59.99 / $79.99 / €79.99 MINIFIGURES: 6 PIECES: 756 This is the daddy of the range – a hulking great truck loaded with hidden features. It comes with seven minifigures (if you count the robot – see below), 760 parts and six numbered bags to work through.

Bags one and two contain the chassis for the truck, while bag three’s contents begin to build up the cabin. It is, though, at bag four when the vehicle suddenly takes shape, as a crisp new ‘Benny’s’ windscreen in trans-black (a first) and six huge wheels are added. The wheel hubs are stunning to look at and a real design highlight.

Bag five moves us on to the container that will sit on the smooth tiled truck – it’s a box containing a motorbike and more gold weapons than the average ninja will ever need. The side walls are composed of four large black flags – unique (in this colour) to this set and these will no doubt come in extremely handy for builders of all tastes (Blacktron builders, take note). The back wall (bag six) wraps around the rear of the vehicle and can be opened up to reveal several control panels, yet more weapons and tools and the robot, Auto. Presumably the latter keeps the bike and everything else running while the ninjas are out fighting off hordes of snake-men.

The final touches are a small plane equipped with shooter-plates that sits atop a folding tower, and some flags. Then the container is slid neatly on to the truck and held in place by a couple of clips.

The final truck is a bit of a beast, bristling with swords everywhere you look, and (to my eyes) resembling a very angry warthog. The black, red and gold colour scheme always looks classy and does so again here, enhanced by some nice stickers along the sides and in the odd spot elsewhere.

In addition to the truck, bag one also contains a pagoda doorway for Pythor, the white snake, to absorb himself in peaceful contemplation before heading off to ingest another ninja.

This brings me on to the minifigures. Kai, the red ninja, and Nya, dressed in black and red, are excellent – Nya especially, complete with two black katana swords and a helmet made of three separate elements. Garmadon looks pretty plain by comparison, but I’m sure he has hidden talents, and his face only appears in one other

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Aerial support courtesy of Nya.

FOR:

■ Menacing looks, excellent minifigure range, those gold hubs

AGAINST:

■ Limited and slightly awkward playability

Kai's ride sits inside.

Some impressive gold hubcaps.

The truck's rear compartment houses many hidden details.

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REVIEWS

'The finished set makes a nice gravelly roar when rolled along a hard floor'

The set comes to life when you detach the trailer from the vehicle.

set – he’s very useful if you need grey eyebrows and a grumpy expression for anything else.

The real standout is Pythor – he’s unique to this set and is about as scary as minifigures ever get. Chop’rai, the purple snake, looks timid by comparison. Kapau is similar to Chope, who appears in the ElectoMech set, but wields a twocolour sword.

The finished set is certainly imposing and makes a nice gravelly roar when rolled along a hard floor, thanks to those black wheels, whilst the hubs are a triumph. However the play features aren’t quite as exciting as I’d hoped. Two new-style missiles are launched from a moving block that swings up and over the cabin, except that it’s locked in place while the container is loaded on the back, and would in any case be blocked by the tower piece supporting the plane. As a result, for all its fierce demeanour, the truck can’t actually attack in any way while complete. I’d have liked to see the bike launch, as it does, for example, in the Chima set 70143 Sir Fangar’s Sabre-tooth Walker, rather than being a little inaccessible.

Finally, the cabin is a little bare – there are two seats but the topmost is a simple plate hanging in space. As the flagship set, I’d expect more substance to go with the style.

Garmadon.

Kai.

Kapau.

Chop'rai, Pythor and Auto.

BUILD 12/20 PLAYABILITY 12/20 MINIFIGURES 17/20 PRICE 11/20 COLLECTIBILITY 16/20 TOTAL 68/100 Nya. 44 Blocks

ElectroMech Reviewed by Jeremy Williams

SET: 70754 ElectroMech PRICES: £12.99 / $14.99 / €14.99 MINIFIGURES: 2 PIECES: 153 This is the smallest of the three sets. It features Jay, the blue ninja who has a thing for Kai’s sister Nya, and a snakey guy called Chope. Jay wears a powered Exo Suit (no, not that Exo Suit) whilst Chope has a small shield with a couple of crossbows on it, which doesn’t exactly sound like a fair fight!

Let’s start with the minifigures – they’re okay without being spectacular. Both have decent back printing but none on the arms, and Jay sports a face scarf whilst Chope wears a snake helmet. This, like the tips of each minifigure's absurdly long staff, is made of soft-touch plastic, and the helmet is nicely detailed.

Note that it’s a fairly common element in the latest Ninjago range – in fact, the only unique elements in this set are Chope’s head and torso.

The set has 153 pieces, including lots of black, blue and dark bluish grey. Aside from the minifigures, the only printed pieces are Chope’s shield and a small control panel – six parts are stickered. As one might expect for a mech,

Technic ball joints abound along with a couple of very nice blue 2x2x2 slopes and 2x2 corner with facet elements, which piqued my interest as a Classic Space fan. Despite its small size, the set also boasts four of the black ‘A-frame’ plates introduced last year, and two of the new Mixel ball joints for good measure.

The set is straightforward to build, most stages adding only one element at a time. A highlight is the mechanism for rotating the large sword blades at the rear of the suit – this uses Technic knob wheels along with a central rod which, when pushed, raises the blades to shoulder height. It’s a crude but effective mechanism, jerking the blades dramatically into place rather than the smooth rotation you’d achieve with bevel gears.

The arms are also effective – the left has two of the new ‘shooter plates’ that are all the rage in 2015 sets, whilst the right wields three fingers for a satisfying grip. The legs use the A-frames to create fixed, protruding ‘knees’ which appear to balance the model physically as well as adding visual heft to this part of the mech – it would appear top-heavy without them.

The finished mech is sturdy and easy to position. Like many recent sets, bow pieces are used liberally to help bind the model together

Jay.

whilst rounding off the edges. The feet also cleverly use an axle running front to back, locking the elements together very effectively.

Jay sits a little awkwardly in the driver’s seat, but he looks more than sufficiently equipped to fight off Chope’s measly crossbows. All things considered, this is a good Ninjago set.

BUILD 14/20 PLAYABILITY 12/20 MINIFIGURES 9/20 PRICE 13/20 COLLECTIBILITY 8/20 TOTAL 56/100

FOR:

■ Sturdiness, rotating sword mechanism.

AGAINST:

■ Limited weapons for Chope, average minifigures.

Mechanism at the back lifts up the blades.

You have to admire Chope's confidence.

Blocks 45

REVIEWS

Condrai Copter Attack Reviewed by Jeremy Williams

SET: 70746 Condrai Copter Attack PRICE: £24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 MINIFIGURES: 3 PIECES: 311 This is the middle set, featuring Skylor, the orange ninja, against Eyezor and Master Chen.

This set evens up the score, with Eyezor and Chen sitting pretty in a snake helicopter whilst poor Skylor has to make do with a hover-board.

The set has 311 parts and, as befits a bigger set, contains numbered bags. Bag one contains Skylor and the lower jaw of the copter.

The Skylor minifigure is nicely printed and comes with a quiver of arrows, although these don’t match the bolt sitting in her crossbow, so I think she may be in trouble. She’s unique to this set.

Her hover-board is nicely done, using a threeway Technic plate as a base and adding wedges for wings and a flame-sprouting engine at the back. The lower copter jaw contains a sliding bolt that pushes out a folded net from the front.

Studded with teeth, it looks suitably menacing and sports two seats for the villains.

Master Chen.

It's a cosy fit inside the copter.

46 Blocks

Skylor.

'The lower copter jaw looks suitably menacing' Eyezor.

The colour scheme accentuates the set's strong design points.

The curved spine to the copter is a highlight.

The contents of bag two complete the nose and spine of the copter. The shaping is lovely – accented by long bones and adorned with two skeletons, it forms a sinuous curve from front to back.

Bag three yields the wing parts and our final two outlandish villains – the latter are nicely detailed and Eyezor is crested with a striking black mohican haircut. Chen appears in one other set, but the headdress is superb – from behind, it even bears an uncanny resemblance to an Alien facehugger!

The wings include an imaginative angle at the rear that curves them back towards the tail – this looks especially impressive from the top view. Add two more rotors and a brace of flick-fire missiles, and the copter, and thus the set, is complete.

The LEGO designers have considerable experience at building creature-like vehicles – witness the recent Chima sets as an example – and have acquitted themselves well here.

FOR:

■ Flowing, menacing lines to the copter, highquality villains.

The blend of tan, purple and black with white skeletal accents looks good, and the shaping is very sleek – in fact, there is barely a visible stud on the centre of the copter. Whether that is a good thing or not will depend on your viewpoint – personally, I like this streamlined look. The only downside is that there’s not much playability. The net-casting device is weak and there is little surprise elsewhere for the price.

Other than that, it’s a great set.

AGAINST:

■ The net weapon is a little insipid.

Snare Skylor by using the net, fired out of the copter's 'mouth'.

BUILD 16/20 PLAYABILITY 10/20 MINIFIGURES 14/20 PRICE 12/20 COLLECTIBILITY 13/20 TOTAL 65/100

Size doesn't always matter, but Eyezor and Chen have the advantage.

Blocks 47

Reviews

THE ELVES ARE CO Adam White explains why the new Elves sets are set to be the next big thing for The LEGO Group

I

f you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise. That is, if you find yourselves in Elves' woodland, as Emily Jones, the protagonist of LEGO's latest range aimed at girls, does.

When LEGO Friends was introduced in 2012, it split the LEGO community. Some loved its use of new and unique colours, whilst others lambasted the inclusion of mini-dolls in place of minifigures and its female market focus. The mainstream media also jumped at the chance to criticise The LEGO Group for it’s new ‘girly LEGO’. But despite all the controversy, LEGO Friends was an instant success, something not even LEGO was prepared for. Soon after their release, Friends sets were almost impossible to find in stores and there have also been suggestions that during 2014, Friends outperformed City. Despite all the controversy, LEGO Friends clearly has an eager fanbase and it’s doing well for LEGO, so it’s no surprise the same formula has been used in other similar companion themes.

In 2014 a range of 'Friends-eque' sets were released based on the popular range of Disney Princess characters and this year has seen the launch of a magical new theme called LEGO Elves, both of which use the mini-dolls in place of minifigures just like LEGO Friends. LEGO Elves was first revealed midway through 2014, thanks to a retailer database list. Apart from the name,

no-one had any clue what LEGO Elves would entail. Many assumed it was a non-licensed replacement for the Lord of the Rings-Hobbit theme whilst others suggested it was new mystical Castle theme. It was later revealed that LEGO Elves would be another spin-off from the Friends line, featuring a gang of magical mini-dolls, a rich backstory and a series of colourful playsets.

LEGO Elves follows the story of Emily Jones – a smart, quirky and creative girl, who is mourning the loss of her grandmother. One day she finds a strange portal that leads to the magical land of Elvendale. There she meets a group of elemental Elves – Naida the water elf, Farran the earth elf, Azari the fire elf and Aira the wind elf. They must work together as a team in other to find the Elemental Keys that will unlock a portal for Emily to return home.

The rich character-driven story is told across the first wave of six playsets that hit stores in March and it seems the LEGO community have warmed to them a lot more than they first did with Friends theme. LEGO Elves has all the makings of The LEGO Group’s next big hit and there are a number of reasons why.

The LEGO Group has a very different way of marketing their products – if they are licensed sets, they normally partner with the licence owner to get the word out. But for their own

'The sets are filled with character, thanks to the array of brightly coloured elements' 48 Blocks

properties they create a microsite of content, videos and companion apps. The LEGO Elves site is jam-packed with content, from character videos, mini movies, and even a music video.

There’s also a mobile app for iOS and Android, which extends the story further with a range of fun minigames.

The sets themselves are filled with character thanks to the array of brightly coloured elements and the highly detailed mini-dolls. They also employ some great build techniques, which help give the sets even more depth and visual uniqueness. They are also the source of a number of great number of new parts including

COMING

the six-stem flower element and a number of new animals. The highlight of the Elves sets, though, is the heavy use of transparent elements. They help the sets to stand out from all other LEGO themes.

Even the LEGO Elves packaging is ace.

Friends is criticised for its use of 'girly' pink, even though the packaging is actually lilac and purple. For LEGO Elves, it's the complete opposite – the main colour scheme is a mixtures of blues and purples, themed around

the forest setting of the Elves storyline. The five main characters adorn the front of the box adding even more colour to it and making the packaging very eye-catching.

LEGO Elves is aimed at ages 7-12, and despite the female-heavy cast of characters, it has a broader appeal than LEGO Friends. Don’t let the sets’ location in the girls' toy department

From detailed mini-dolls and unique elements to great build techniques and packaging, Elves is an engaging new theme.

put you off, they offer fun builds, great parts and a rich play experience for boys and girls alike. Take a moment to appreciate how these non-licensed sets are filled with imagination and creativity compared to many licensed counterparts. See overleaf to find out how we rated them all.

Blocks 49

REVIEWS The Elves' Treetop Hideaway Reviewed by Adam White

SET: 41075 The Elves' Treetop Hideaway PRICES: £39.99 / $49.99 / €49.99 MINI-DOLLS: 3 PIECES: 505

Farran, the earth elf.

D

eep within the magical forest of Elvendale sits an enchanted Treetop Hideaway. Here the elemental elves meet to share stories and cook delicious soups, and all is well until a strange portal opens and the human Emily Jones suddenly appears in this colourful new land. The Elves' Treetop Hideaway is the largest of the Elves sets, featuring the greatest piece count and the most mini-dolls.

As you would expect, the build is a little more involved than the other sets in the range. It’s split across four separate bags, with the set itself having two distinct sections. The build begins with the base of the right tree and the portal. Many classic LEGO tree techniques are used on the truck of the tree including plenty of bows, slopes and arches in Red Brown and New Red Brown colouring. The portal is created from a transparent light blue plate with is printed and only found in this set. It’s connected via a couple of ball-joint hinges meaning it can be moved to allow Emily to pass through it. The rear tree

Azari the fire elf.

Emily Jones, our human protagonist.

trunk is also home to a hidden compartment and a Technic cross axle contraption that comes into play a little later.

Back to the front of the set and some of the detail is added, the best of which is an amazing little outdoor lamp. This uses a fairly new piece called the crown leaf along with a glitter-tinted crystal globe. It’s a small part of a far bigger build but is very impressive.

Once a little of the tree's foliage has been added it’s time to start construction of the first of

Enki, the panther cub.

The trees combine classic build techniques with Technic inspiration and new-coloured elements.

FOR

■ Great price per piece count.

■ Filled with playability.

■ Amazing collection of rare and new elements.

AGAINST

■ Some parts of the build are a little samey.

■ Visible Technic parts look odd.

50 Blocks

The Elves' Treetop Hideaway is the largest set in this first wave.

the treehouse platforms. It seems a little bland as you start adding elements but once you see the end result it’s safe to say it’s one of the best parts of the entire set.

After building an arch over the platform, you’ll build a strange system of Technic elements – they feel out of place and look a little odd too.

But they are the basis of a great little leafy curtain that covers the front of the set. By simply pulling back on those, the Technic parts magically open the curtains revealing the Treetop Hideaway inside along with the great new Sand Green iron fence elements. The leafy curtain also features some uniquely coloured leaf elements and the new six stem flower, most of which are exclusive to the Elves sets.

'It is the tiny little features that add to the charm of the set'

More than one way up and down...

A small slated walkway bridge is also added to this section of the build. It doesn’t connect to the second tree but can be extended across the void thanks to that cross axle, which can be slid to raise or lower the bridge. With the bridge in place the first part of the build is complete and it’s time to move on to the second instruction booklet and the third bag. There are still a few bits of detail to add to this section of the tree including a pull-out sofa bed, which is quite clever but I’m not a fan of the stickered

Blocks 51

REVIEWS The sofa bed is stickered.

You can contact elves by letter.

cushions. Not because they are stickers but because they just look odd.

Unlike the other tree, the base here features both green and blue plates – this is to create a little pond area, lapping against the tree's base.

This is fed by a spring located on the other part of the build. Again it is these tiny little features like this that add to the charm of the set – it brings nothing to it in terms of build or play but looks great. The platform section for this tree is built independently from the main section and there’s nothing overly fun here until you get to the arch section. As well as using plenty of the fairly new Sand Green coloured elements, it produces a nice visual feature to the whole structure.

The set includes three mini-dolls. Farran and Azari can both be found in other sets and have good print detail across the entire body. The third mini-doll is Emily, and compared to the residents of Elvendale she’s a little bit bland, but that’s due to the character, not the actual minidoll. All in all it is a great set, well worth the money and filled with an array of rare and useful elements. The lack of licensed sets triumphs once again.

BUILD 15/20 PLAYABILITY 18/20 MINI-DOLLS 12/20 PRICE 16/20 COLLECTIBILITY 13/20 TOTAL 74/100

52 Blocks

Raise and lower the walkway.

This is a set packed with tiny and colourful details.

Farran and the Crystal Hollow Reviewed by Adam White

SET: 41076 Farran and the Crystal Hollow PRICES: £12.99/$14.99/€14.99 MINI-DOLLS: 1 PIECES: 175

F

arran and Crystal Hollow is one of the smaller sets in the new LEGO Elves themes. The build is oddly split into two sections, the first of which covers a rather small rocky crop complete with a golden acorn-firing catapult. It's a pretty insignificant build, but does have a great little lilac leaf element and a hidden area which is home to the golden acorn stash.

Things get a little more interesting once you move over to the second booklet and the construction of the crystal-encrusted tree. The build now moves on to my favourite section and what made me instantly fall in love with the Elves theme - the Crystal Hollow tree cave. This is simply achieved with a selection of different coloured transparent bricks - green, lime green and blue. The impact of this selection of bricks is very effective and it's accentuated by two of the crystal columns being set at an angle. The two front columns are hinged on Technic pegs

and the flat elements sit in the middle of the two sets of crystal columns.

A 2x6 plate then sits on top of the flat elements and as you pull it forward it forces the hinged columns to 'explode' to the side revealing the hidden Earth Key within. It's a neat feature and thankfully even if you never use it the set looks great. Often these type of motion-enabled sections aren't hidden well enough within the build, but here you can't see anything. The rest of the build focuses on the branches of the tree, which aren't that different from other similar LEGO trees apart from the purple and lilac leaf elements. These really help to enforce the magical feel of the theme, even more so with the addition of the pink jewels and flower buds.

This set contains some great elements, however none of the new pieces like the warpainted squirrel, magic key or map are overly useful for other builds as they are too closely tied to the story element of the theme. The set does include one really exciting new element, the six-stem flower stalk. Finally we have the much-hated mini-doll. Farran is one of the only males to live in Elvendale, and whatever you think of the Friends, Disney Princess and now Elves mini-dolls, it fits with the theme perfectly and he is very detailed.

This set's play feature is cleverly built into the set.

BUILD 15/20 PLAYABILITY 15/20 MINI-DOLLS 10/20 PRICE 17/20 COLLECTIBILITY 12/20 TOTAL 69/100

FOR

■ Great price with great selection of pieces ■ The exploding crystal columns is a genius touch ■ Very colourful and eye-catching set

AGAINST

■ The small catapult rocky crop is a little pointless ■ There didn't need to be two instruction booklets ■ The yellow squirrel is too cartoony

As detailed as they are divisive, mini-dolls.

Lilac, purple and pink decor, highlights the theme's palette.

Blocks 53

REVIEWS Naida's Epic Adventure Ship Reviewed by Adam White

SET: 41073 Naida’s Epic Adventure Ship PRICES: £24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 MINI-DOLLS: 2 PIECES: 312

T

he quest to help Emily find the elemental keys that will open the portal back home takes to the magical waters of Elvendale, with Naida the water elf’s Epic Adventure Ship. This is one of the LEGO Elves range's mid-sized sets. In recent years many of the larger LEGO boats have used complete mould elements for the hull of the builds – some of these have allowed the sets to float in water, while others just act as a nice base for the build. Here the ship is entirely brick built, which means its construction is far more fun and involved.

The build is split across three separate bags and begins with the small giant oyster outcrop. This is built upon a Medium Azur 4x4 round plate to give the impression it’s a pool of water. A hinged giant oyster sits on it, which holds the special water key. These keys can only been found in the Elves range, with this particular coloured version only being found in this set. The main part of the build is of course the ship, which begins with the hull.

Quite a lot of brown, black and brick yellow elements are used here along with fairly rare Earth Blue colour. Two more clamshell elements are used either side of the ships hull. Unlike the Oyster,

The ship's sail is made of heavy cloth material.

54 Blocks

Play features include the ship's wheel – turn it to move the sail.

FOR

■ Great range of rare pieces included ■ The mini-dolls are quite detailed

AGAINST

■ Lacks the magical colours of other sets ■ Build is a little underwhelming

which uses white pieces, the ones used on the ship are Pearl Gold. All these clamshell elements have only ever been used in the larger Little Mermaid set from Disney Princess range.

A number of parts require a few stickers for extra detail, but thankfully it isn’t too tricky to place the stickers on the elements that need them. Once the main section is complete, it’s on to bag number two. Here the rest of the hull is added along with a cabin. There is a basic gear system towards the middle of the hull.

This is connected to a ship's wheel, which in turning allows the sail to be moved. Quite a lot of Medium Azur bricks are used here which work very well against the Earth Blue and

'The most eye-catching and unique part is the ship's sail'

Use the map to find the elemental key.

The ship's hull is entirely brick built.

Pearl Gold pieces. Above the cabin is the deck and here is where you will find an array of rare elements and also some of the best details. The winged fins that run alongside the ship's hull and the telescope are particularly good.

The whole assembly is finished off with a number of Bright Yellow Green leaf elements, these tie nicely in with some of the other land based Elves sets and give the whole thing even more colour. The most eye-catching and unique part of the set, though, is the ship’s sail. This heavy material sail features Naida’s elemental symbol and is attached to the mast via three ball pins. The set includes two mini-dolls, Naida Riverheart and Aira Windwhistle. The mini-doll is quite a sore point within the LEGO community, but they really aren’t that bad and they work well within these sets. Both characters are unique and have great print detail on their torsos and faces. Their hair elements are also unique

not only to the character but also to the Elves range. For more traditional fans, I’m seeing a number of mini-dolls hairpieces from the Friends range now being used on various custom minifigures, so these could be useful.

The whole build is quite fun but not too taxing, whilst the main attraction is the use of a large range of rare pieces, both in availability and colour. This is not one of the best sets in the Elves range but has its charms and is a great source of bricks.

Naida, the water elf.

Aira the wind elf.

BUILD 11/20 PLAYABILITY 15/20 MINI-DOLLS 12/20 PRICE 17/20 COLLECTIBILITY 11/20 TOTAL 66/100

Blocks 55

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6 Blocks

‘It’s the end, the end of the path I started us on.’ - TONY STARK. Blocks 7

TECHNIQUE

62

Creature comforts – build your animals, brick style.

42 Blocks

UE

Delve into the depths of the custom LEGO world with Blocks' Technique guide, as we show you new ways to look at your bricks, the latest creative practices, plus the very best tailored work out there

66

Learn to walk, run, then animate.

70

Come to Custom Corner if you want to live...

76

Get to grips with your greebles.

Blocks 43

PROJECT

A MATTER OF TECHNIQUE

MINIFIGURE ANIMALS Standfirst Although LEGO has been making animal counterparts for their minifigures for over 30 years there are surprisingly few variations available, necessitating the need to build our own, says Simon Pickard Compromise is inevitable

art and not photographically perfect you will expand your repertoire much more There are unavoidable limitations to creating quickly. models with LEGO elements. By accepting this Disadvantages Elements of scale from the beginning you allow your creative and can be lost with the key feature imaginative side to take centre stage. being too prominent. Find the Many revered artists don’t create something best balance of compromise to that looks like the item they were depicting, but representation that you can and few instead focuses on the essence of their subject. will then notice the scaling differences.

While we want our animals to look realistic This principle can also be used to give up on enough to be recognised, they certainly don’t an idea or accept an unnecessary compromise. have to be perfect.

Every animal has key features that distinguish Be confident enough to push onwards and not accept the limitations at first, you may waste 30 it from others. A lion has its mane, a rabbit its or 40 minutes doing this if no improvement is ears and a squirrel its tail.

Find what works best to represent this feature possible, but you will learn and of course every so often you will find a special jewel that really and then build the rest around it. By making brings your animals to life. the key detail more prominent you increase the chances of people recognising what you have The ‘Dalek’ is actually designed.

TOP TIP your friend!

Advantages Constraints Try using some old hold artistic development back Technical descriptions of discoloured LEGO for and by opening yourself to LEGO elements are a mouthful added variation to your the idea of your creation being animals.

There are many ways to achieve the desired appearance.

Identify the animal’s most recognisable feature.

and builders often use pet names. The ‘Brick, Modified 1x1 with Studs on 4 Sides’ is the formal name used on some commercial sites for a brick that looks so much like the Daleks from Doctor Who, it was always destined for that name. At the same time, the part has become one of the most crucial elements in building animals to accompany your minifigures.

The swan and penguin pictured were both created using this piece as their core part.

Notice that while the penguin uses the Dalek in its standard orientation the swan uses it in a different rotation.

There are additional 1x1 bricks, and longer ones, with side studs on just one or two sides that can occasionally be a better choice for your animal design.

Advantages The Dalek allows you to build in every direction immediately which can be vital in keeping your animals to an acceptable size for your minifigures.

Disadvantages This part has significant numbers in black but much fewer in other colours, making it more difficult and thus more expensive to obtain colour variations that suit certain animals.

Top Tip The round tube of one-wide plates and bricks fits perfectly into studs with holes, like the Dalek has, allowing greater variety of shaping options.

The Erling still reigns Most will know this element as the ‘headlight’

62 Blocks

ALS

Animals that make use of the Dalek include this penguin and swan.

brick. Unlike the Dalek this term actually comes from LEGO themselves, and is the first – and for the moment the only piece – named after its designer, Erling Dideriksen. It provides you with almost as many yet different ranges of flexibility as the aforementioned Dalek.

The key difference that can be offered by the Erling is that it has two smooth sides while still providing a range of useful connection points.

The rabbits, sheep, cockerel and squirrels pictured have made use of the Erling. Unlike the Dalek this brick also has two square holes that can receive studs, thus offering a different dimension for your animal sculpting.

Advantages The recessed side stud means you can gain a smaller protrusion outwards

TOP TIP

The Erling can be rotated to create posing variations of the same animal. that most bricks with side studs can’t provide.

This can be vital in keeping your creations to an acceptable scale.

Disadvantages The open square back of the Erling is not always easy to cover up effectively.

The best solutions usually result in this part functioning as the connection for an animal’s feet, as you can see with the rabbits and squirrels pictured.

Erling rabbits.

Blocks 63

Sandcrawler Build

PROJECT Animals made with Tooth plates.

TOP TIP

1x1 plates with clip hands make very passable feet and ears.

Using plumes

There are a good variety of plumes made by LEGO even today, even if the classic designs remain some of the most effective pieces in the creation of animals for your minifigure world.

The key knowledge here is that some parts come with holes small enough to aid in the attachment of plumes to your creations.

The flower pieces usually seen atop green flower stems have a hole small enough to attach a plume to it. You can then use the stud side of the flower piece to attach to the underside of a brick such as the Erling or Dalek.

The cockerel pictured uses this technique to create the familiar head

Animals using clip hand plates.

64 Blocks

plumage while the red squirrels use a different kind of plume to create a tail. Note how the cockerel also uses an additional flower head to cover the Erling’s open back.

Advantages The curves found in plumes provide an important level of detail hard to achieve at this scale.

Disadvantages You will find it hard to vary the colour choices of this technique given that flowers and plumes don’t match in a wide range of colours or many that suit the animal kingdom.

TOP TIP

Sometimes it helps to put a project aside for a day, or week, as tomorrow often brings new solutions.

Modified plates Modified plates are a very important tool in the creation of animals. The modified 1x1 plate with clip functions well as both ears and feet. The tooth plate is ideal for creatures with wings. The ducks, swan and penguin pictured here show how effective the tooth

plate can be. It is very important to familiarise yourself with the range of small parts LEGO make and then experiment with them to see how they interact with each other.

Advantages Modified plates come in a full range of colours. This means you can usually match any colour combination you need. They can often be connected in ways LEGO would not pass in product testing.

For example, the Swan pictured has a tooth plate for its head held in place by a 1x1 plate with clip hand.

Disadvantages Modified plates often result in larger animals or features than may be desired.

Brick building allows for better scaled animals.

Profiling

Of course some animals are much larger than those covered so far, but most of the principles are the same. The Lion pictured is a good example of this increased scale. Here the Erling has been employed to feature as the eyes. It also uses parts with side studs to develop the shaping in all directions.

To get the best shaping for your chosen animal it can help to start by just making the side profile. Having done this you can then look at the front and back while picturing the shape needed to the sides. By changing out parts used in the profile model for those with side studs, you can then flesh out the final design.

The cockerel is a great example of using a plume.

Blocks 65

STOP MOTION

In the next part of our animation series, Steve Guinness takes us through how to run. But not, of course, before our minifigures can walk Words and Pics: Steve Guinness

Steve’s set-up for producing his stop motion animations.

66 Blocks

PART 2

ON ANIMATION Blocks 67

Animation Guide

Y

ou have the sets built, the lighting in place and the film storyboarded to perfection, yet are you filming before you can walk? A stop-motion animation can be made or broken with a minifigure’s walk.

It is common to begin by moving the figures too much between frames, resulting in a jerky and unrealistic motion. By following some basic steps – a cycle – you will soon come to realise that it needs to be a much finer adjustment between each frame to create a smoother motion. For both running and walking I’ve illustrated the positions needed for each frame in the sequence, and you can also scan the QR Code to watch the technique in action.

Walking Cycle – Positions for each frame In this walking cycle, the minifigure is upright, and moves along at a pace of two base plate studs in eight frames. You can experiment with the speed you play back the animation – I chose a speed of 12 frames per second. In frame three and seven the minifigure is carefully balanced between studs. Take note of the arm movements as well as the legs, as these really add to the overall appearance of the final animation.

Running Cycle – Positions for each frame

It may be a painstaking process, but the end result is worth the effort and time.

The main differences in the running cycle are the distance moved and the degree of forward lean. The minifigure is now moving at a faster pace of five base plate studs in eight frames.

The figure is always leaning forwards and the arms are reaching a higher point than in the walking sequence. In positions one and two the minifigure is just starting to move, so if you are repeating the sequence you can go from position eight back to three and so on.

Experiment and have a go at creating your own walk or run cycle. You can use a basic cycle of just four frames, or add more detail with up to 12 frames.

With this amount of detail you may want to consider secondary movements such as the hands turning at the wrists, and the head twisting slightly to make the walk more realistic.

Walking cycle

Studs or not?

You will find contrasting advice from different animators about using a baseplate to animate your minifigures on. I think that it is very useful as it gives you a reliable and accurate method of keeping your minifigures in the correct position, and helps to ensure each step is the same length. However, many more experienced animators think that it is too limiting, restricting the minifigure to a robotic-like walk. Again it’s best to have a go and then make your own decision. If you choose not to use a base plate you can use tiny blobs of blue-tack under the minifigure’s feet, or cover your animating surface in a thin layer of clay.

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Running cycle

Watch More Animating may seem like a painstakingly slow and fiddly process, but I urge you to give it a go. The satisfaction I have gained through making some simple animations is great, and I have in turn encouraged my own kids to have a go – and they both love it. There is a wealth

of animations to inspire you on YouTube, whilst if you are interested in finding out more about LEGO animating, take a look at some of these web resources: ■ www.brickanimation.com ■ www.bricksinmotion.com ■ www.brickfilmersguid.com

A steady camera is paramount for producing even animation.

Often, what is in shot will take up the least amount of space.

See Steve’s walking and running videos here! tinyurl.com/ngdbr9j

FREE SOFTWARE

So you want to have a go at some animating for yourself? I have put together a comparison table showing three of the best free Stop Motion apps currently available for Apple tablets and phones.

App Name

Description

Features

Limitations

Onion Skin

Tap Screen Focus

Remote Frame Capture

Titles and Credits

Green Screen

Add Music, Filters, Effects

LEGO Movie Maker (The LEGO Group)

A great all in one app that has simple tools and guides that make it easy to shoot, edit and add music to your movie.

Y

Y

N

Y

N

Y

Playback is only up to 10 frames per seconds

iMotion (Fingerlab)

An easy-to-use frame capture app with useful features to help you take pictures, edit and export.

Y

Y

Y

N

N

N

You have to use this frame capture software along with something like Microsoft Movie Maker in order to add titles and music.

Stop Motion Studio (CATEATER, LLC)

This Stop motion app is packed with a host of advanced features that will help you to make terrific stop motion movies with lots of unique features.

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Some of the features are only available if you upgrade to Stop Motion Studio Pro (ÂŁ3.99)

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CUSTOM CORNER

‘The head was originally a skeleton head created by Guy Himber, then I heavily modified it by sanding, carving out some parts and finally sculpting on top. The eyes were the biggest challenge of the figure since making them too big or too small would make the head look weird.

I think I eventually managed the correct proportions.’

The pages where new minifigures say hello to the world, Blocks profiles new releases from retailers as well as a custom build from a reader

Words & Pics: Sander Van Lambergen, Minifigs.me, Minifigures.com

SANDER VAN LEMBERGEN – TERMINATOR

‘I’ve been customising minifugures for five years now, and this is the figure that I’m most proud of to date – my T-800 Endo-Skeleton, more commonly known as The Terminator. I created this figure because the Terminator movies were a big influence in my childhood and I still remain a fan today. Inspiration for this figure mainly came from the films themselves, but I’d be lying if I said they were the only source. A big portion of the original build came from Richard Goff’s Terminator creation, whose pictures were open the whole time while creating my own version.’

‘Recreating the arms was something I spent a long time considering. I didn’t want them to look too buff, but just muscular enough for the figure, hence why I sculpted on the ‘hinge’ type shoulder pieces the Terminator actually uses.’

‘I find the stand truly completes the figure, as he didn’t look right without it. It was originally a Brickarms figure stand on which I sculpted another skull by Guy Himber.’

‘Sculpting the chest was definitely a challenge. I wanted to include as much detail as I possibly could (like pistons and metal wires) while still retaining good articulation.’

‘The Rifle is also not entirely custom. It’s a modified Brickarms HAC, which is the closest as a base to use for the iconic rifle.’

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MINIFIGS.ME THE BROWNCOATS CREW

Creating a minifigure set inspired by such a classic sci-fi show as Firefly was always going to be a joy. Every element has to be just right, which is why Minifigs.me’s ‘Browncoats’ set was a labour of love, created after hours over a considerable time period.

This is just a selection of the crew – for Inara, Simon, River and Shepherd head on over to www. minifigs.me/browncoats

MAL

Mal’s assured, relaxed confidence is his trademark, which needed to come across in his expression and overall style. The choice of brown shirt and braces were obvious, but as with anything seemingly simple the challenge was to convey his unique look with only a few lines. The asymmetrical collar, leather brace clips and ‘solid’ buckles with just the right amount of shading combine nicely to convey a man not overly bothered with complications. His legs feature a 360˚ print, complete with detailed holster.

KAYLEE

Kaylee’s design took a long time to create, but apparently came out perfectly first time – when they printed the prototype they knew they’d hit something special. Her bright, cheerful personality in the show is reflected here in the choice of red flowery highlights and bright splashes of colour from the patches on her overalls, complementing the oil-stained and scuffed fabric of an expert mechanic’s work outfit. Her custom head captures that perfect conflict of ruggedness and cuteness in the happy way that only LEGO pieces can.

JAYNE

The man they call Jayne! Tough-asnails, not overly worried and will point a ludicrous amount of firepower at anyone he’s paid to shoot. Crucial details captured here include ‘Vera’ (his oversized gun), the ‘cunning’ orange and yellow woollen hat and the general impression of a man who always has room for more ammo. The carefully detailed belt, leg-mounted holster and ample pockets cover the ‘ammo’ angle, and a nod to Blue Sun on Jayne’s ripped and scuffed shirt helps to differentiate him from other military figures. A great creation.

WASH

Wash’s casual and good-natured approach as pilot of the Serenity was tough to capture, but has been done to perfection. His expression was created to give him an unassuming, charming, easy-going impression. Faces like this are the hardest for a customiser, as there are few distinctive features so everything is in the slightest alteration of the mouth or eye size and shape. On top of his full-body overalls, his trademark Hawaiian-style shirt features Chinese artwork over a 360˚ print, reflecting the cultural undercurrent of the TV series and Wash’s unique style, complete with his favourite toy dinosaur.

ZOE

Zoe’s history serving under Mal as a Browncoat meant that tan and brown were once again the obvious colours, which are also in 360˚ print. Her attitude is less relaxed than Mal’s so her minifigure reflects as such. Her neat leather vest and crisp belt combine nicely with a dishevelled collar and heavy ammo belt to get across her battle-educated, experienced officer profile. Her finely printed necklace was also crucial, working perfectly with long frizzy hair for the finishing touch.

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FIRESTAR TOYS

Politics just became fun! With just days left until polling stations open for the UK’s general election, Firestar Toys are mixing politics with fun in the form of custom minifigures of current main party leaders. Each political figure is dressed to impress in their party colours. For example, Nick Clegg has his famous yellow tie, and Cameron is in a blue suit.

‘The faces are difficult to create because it’s a fine balance between creating a figure in the likeness of someone, whilst working within the minifigure style guide,’ says Danny from Firestar. ‘We try to capture the essence of each character as well as possible. It doesn’t always work out though, some people just don’t have a face for minifigures, a rare lucky few!’

See more at www.firestartoys.com

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David Cameron includes a ‘to do list’ tile accessory, which includes ‘selling off the NHS and the Police’, offering a satirical spin on some of the parties’ policies and views.

Firestar’s Natalie Bennett figure includes a green Blazer and trousers, to further enhance her ‘green’ credentials.

Each figure has a unique expression that is either indicative of their personalities or their standing with the general voters. Nick Clegg’s ‘worried’ face, for example, says it all.

Nigel Farage is, surprisingly, Firestar’s most requested political minifigure.

Not everyone wants a Nigel for their collection though, they simply have other ideas for the figure...

Regardless of political views, Nigel has such a character and larger-thenlife personality that he’s ideal for recreation in minifigure form. Much like the others, he includes a policy tile, but this one goes along the lines of ‘Blah, blah, beer, blah, beer, blah…’

‘Ed Miliband is a difficult person to transform into a minifigure,’ says Danny. ‘He’s almost as well known for who/what he looks like as for his political agenda, so we weren’t entirely sure if we should make him look more like Wallace than Ed himself.

We went for the middle ground!’

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Polybag Collecting Words and Pics: Huw Millington

Polybags PART 3

In the final part of the series, Huw Millington looks at some of the bags produced since 2008-09 when the numbering system was standardised

H

aving grown in volume and variety in recent years, polybags have developed diverse sub-categories. LEGO started to number polybags consistently by 2009, where prior they would be given any seemingly random four-digit number.

Currently four main number series are used to allocate to sets depending on their availability:.

200xx: Brickmaster exclusives Between 2008 and 2011 residents of the USA and Canada could become members of a Brickmaster club and receive an enhanced version of the LEGO Club magazine and an exclusive polybag every two months. A total of 21 polybags were produced.

Although most had fewer than 100 pieces they were packaged in larger than normal bags at 20x23cm. Due to their limited availability most are hard to get hold of – particularly outside of North America – although a few of

the less interesting ones were sold worldwide at shop.LEGO.com.

30xxx: Co-promotional polybags Periodically, a team of LEGO designers come up with a number of small sets designed to be packaged in polybags and offered to companies that LEGO partners with for use in co-promotions.

The companies then choose which ones they want and LEGO manufactures them.

Occasionally sets are designed but nobody is interested in them so they are not made. This explains why instructions for some have turned up at LEGO.com customer services and are listed at Brickset, but are never found in the wild.

By far the majority of polybags produced nowadays are in the 30xxx series. At the time of writing there are some 220 known ones, of which two were never produced.

20004: The North America-only Brickmaster programme produced some interesting sets in a number of licensed themes such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Prince of Persia as well as Creator, Bionicle, Atlantis and City. Needless to say the licensed ones are now the most sought after and some, such as this Indiana Jones set released in 2008, now command upwards of £40 for unopened versions.

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Since the last issue went to press getting hold of polybags became a bit easier for a time in the UK thanks to Danish supermarket Netto which has branches in the north of England. During February it started selling around a dozen different 2014 and 2015 polybags for just £2 each. Needless to say they have been selling quickly and have probably all gone by the time you read this but it shows that they can turn up in the most unexpected places, so it pays to keep an eye out for news of sightings in your area.

40xxx: LEGO exclusives and co-promotional items for specific companies

Sets produced to be sold exclusively in LEGO brand stores and at shop.LEGO.com are usually numbered in this series. Larger ones are boxed, small ones are polybags. Sets that have been made for a specific company’s promotion and branded with its logo are also numbered in this range, for example, Toys-R-Us and Shell.

30021: Since 2008 various UK newspapers have run LEGO co-promotions as an incentive to buy the paper. A large number of polybags have been available in this way. Unfortunately some of the promotions resulted in ugly scenes in branches of WH Smiths up and down the country as speculators tried and get hold of as many as possible to resell. One of my favourites is this cute Creator parrot, which was given away with the Daily Mirror in October 2010.

500xxxx: 7-digit numbers Recently LEGO has produced polybags containing a single minifigure that are used for promotional purposes. The minifigures are always unique so they are highly sought after.

Possibly because they are considered to be an ‘extended product line’ they are issued numbers in the 500xxxx range.

Although the numbering system is far more consistent and predictable now five-digit numbers are allocated to all sets, there are some notable exceptions to the above, such as the seven Shell-branded sets 30190-30196 from 2012 that you would expect to be numbered in the 40xxx series.

There has been a steady increase in the number of LEGO co-promotions involving small polybag sets recently, probably as a result of the general success of LEGO resulting in a rise in the number of companies that want to be involved in co-promotions. This has resulted in a larger number of polybags being produced each year. Almost all offers involve incentivising people into buying something, whether it’s the polybag directly as an impulse buy or using them as free gifts when you buy something else.

There has, however, been a shift in policy away from partnering with confectionery, soft drinks and fast food manufacturers recently, something that was commonplace only 10 years ago.

LEGO, too, has started to use polybags as an incentive to encourage you to spend money.

They are now regularly offered as a gift with purchase (GWP) in the brand stores and from shop.LEGO.com, usually when you spend more than a certain amount or buy something in particular. This could be in response to the fact that many of us are reluctant to buy LEGO at full retail price when it can usually be purchased much cheaper from the likes of Amazon.

An exclusive GWP can often be enough to tempt shoppers to spend at shop.LEGO. com instead. Originally GWPs were fairly ordinary and not that desirable but now they are often single-minifig polys in the 500xxxx series described above which are almost certain to make even the thriftiest collectors part with their money.

This concludes my short series of articles on polybags. You now know what they are, why they exist, where to find them and where the appeal lies. Hopefully you also have a new appreciation for polybags and are encouraged to start collecting them yourself. If all it succeeds in doing is to stop you discarding the bag in the rubbish once you’ve opened it I will consider it a success.

Finally, if you come across a spare 30036, a very unremarkable Racers polybag that as far as we know was only ever available as a prize at LEGOLAND Billund in 2011, let me know: it’s the only 30xxx one I don’t have in my collection!

30060: A number of Duplo polybags made in the last few years have contained a few bricks and one of four or five figures or animals. The farm one from 2010 contained three bricks and either a farmer, dog, sheep, cow or horse. Others have contained zoo, circus or this year, forest animals. Thankfully a clear panel at the back of the bags provides for easy identification of the contents!

30164: Polybags containing desirable minifigures, particularly Super Heroes or Star Wars, are often the hardest to get hold of, sometimes requiring the purchase of an expensive video game or Blu-ray disc.

This Lex Luthor polybag could only be obtained by pre-ordering LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes for PS3, X-Box or Wii from certain retailers in June 2012.

40026: The majority of the LEGO exclusive 40xxx sets are available worldwide but a few have been released that can be bought in just a few specific shops. This model of the Statue of Liberty was sold only at the Rockefeller Center LEGO Store in New York in 2012 and in branches of Toys-R-Us in the city later in the year. A model of a New York taxi was also available at around the same time.

40077: This is a good example of a set in the 40xxx series that’s branded with the name of the co-promoter, in this case Toys-R-Us. It was originally available in UK stores in 2013, free with LEGO purchases over either £15 or £4.99.

40104: Since 2008 LEGO has held monthly mini model build events in brand stores worldwide for kids to build a small model that they can then take home.

Stores were originally sent loose bricks and small instruction cards that presumably proved unworkable, because since January 2012 models started to come pre-packaged in polybags. Bags are printed with a LEGO logo and the set number but not much else.

4547551: This polybag containing a chromed Darth Vader minifigure was produced to mark the 10th anniversary of LEGO’s Star Wars licence in 2009. In total 10,000 were randomly inserted into Star Wars sets produced that year and although it also cropped up in other places it was very difficult to find. The seemingly random number is probably software generated, issued before the 500xxxx series was used for sets such as this.

Blocks 75

PROJECT

A MATTER OF TECHNIQUE

GREEBLES

Standfirst Adding interior and exterior detail can define a space-themed creation, so Simon Pickard explains what a greeble is

T

here are basically two schools of Everything has a function thought when it comes to building spaceships and their supporting This is probably the most important principle apparel. There are those who like to to maintain. Greebles present the appearance keep everything smooth and sleek, of often being random at a first look, but any much like the Star Trek approach, while others master exponent will be able to tell you what like things to appear more functional and each is designed to do. This can be simple lived in, very much like the original Star Wars concepts such as fuel and power lines or more approach. It is to this second philosophy that we advanced ideas to aid in whatever science encounter the approach lovingly referenced by fiction processes there are. The key is that if fans as ‘greebling’. you build with an idea in mind that There are some interesting even if people think it is actually uses of greebles in LEGO something else, they will still products, with the likely see it as a functional TOP TIP aforementioned Star Wars operating item.

Try studying the main resulting in the need for Remember that there are components of current this look within their sets. two key function principles engine designs or computer Then there’s the popular to think about. One is the motherboards for functional Exo Suit design by Peter mechanical processes of part inspiration.

Reid, and a quick look at your build such as fuel lines, his Flickr photo stream over cooling fans, manual release the years is certainly a great handles or pneumatic structures starting point for any fan wanting to for automatic doors or ramps. The other understand greebles. is the electronic aspects such as power lines, The key thing with greebles is to pick up the lighting and control panels, and so on. concepts and principles of the idea rather than Advantages This principle trying a repertoire of building systems, as is far helps give a purpose to your more common in our technique guide themes. design process and makes

Greebling at micro-scale.

76 Blocks

Marc Reid (dirtyfork on Flickr) created a research vessel that is a great example of careful colour choices and a balanced use of greebles.

the development of your design much simpler.

Disadvantages If you are too religious about this you can sometimes miss important creative opportunities – there is always an exception to every rule! It is also easy to fall into the trap of only using one type of function in your thought process.

Choose your colour scheme from the start

Most fans of science fiction-based building will usually choose a colour scheme that matches those of the classic LEGO designs or that comes from a favourite film. These choices are based around a core colour that will then run throughout their model, and often then help theme an entire range of related creations.

Knowing what colours you are going to create TOP TIP your greebles in will Even on a tiny scale ensure you don’t have greebles can be used any clashes later in your to create a sense of constructions. function in your creations.

TOP TIP

Grey greebles are an effective colour contrast in almost every colour combination you can choose.

Picking the right palette can be key.

Blocks 77

Sandcrawler Build

PROJECT

Advantages Having a clear defined theme throughout your model makes it much easier for people to suspend disbelief, vital in fantasy genres like science fiction, and the contrasts in colour help people understand the concepts of what they’re looking at more easily.

Disadvantages You can’t always be sure which colour combinations will work – this is likely why most will draw from already established themes from the LEGO world or entertainment industry. By being brave and experimenting, though, you will be able to expand your grasp of colour combinations and create a much greater range of models than if you play it safe.

Get to know your small parts When developing a range of greeble-based walls or panels, you will find the majority of your efforts will benefit from using combinations of Symmetrical greebling the many small parts that LEGO has designed apparent on the UCS Millennium Falcon. over the years. You can get away from this principle with the occasional part that is much TOP TIP larger, like the big dish found on the famous Top Tip: Take a look available, the easier it is to on a wall section you can Star Wars ship the Millennium Falcon. at power stations and create greeble combinations repeat this all around the There are many sites available to find out manufacturing warehouses to match your imagined room or down a long length about the range of parts that exist and the to see how repetition flows goals. There’s also a range for a corridor. colours they come in. The blog website New throughout a functional of unusual parts emerging Another effective approach Elementary focuses a lot on elements (LEGO design. through the LEGO Technic and to repetition is the make the parts) that are new to the market or being Bionicle developments that can repetition a mirrored version. This featured in a new colour. This is a free service create great points of interest. often works well on opposite sides of an and would make a great place to start building Disadvantages You can easily overlook a engine design. The back of the UCS Millennium up your knowledge of useful parts. With regards to older parts, a variety of commercial sites have larger part that could be useful if you’re too rigid Falcon is a perfect example of this in action. in your use of smaller parts. It’s also easy to Advantages If you get a good design to built up extensive databases that you can freely get carried away with the number of small parts replicate you can create very impressive ships view for inspiration. you use. Greebles are often more effective as a and rooms quickly while still looking highly Ultimately, though, the best way to familiarise small highlight between a range of simple and detailed. While different classes of spacecraft yourself with parts is to experiment with those sleek walls or panels. exist in the same way they do in the navy, each you have. When you reach a dilemma that could class of ship is usually identical and creating an use something different, search for options on Repetition is your friend armada of fighters will look impressive despite this concept and soon you’ll become much the repetition. more familiar with not only what’s In most guides you read here Disadvantages It’s easy to overdo this effect. available but more importantly you’ll have noticed the need It’s important to create different environments how the parts can interact. for variation in colours and TOP TIP from room to room or your creation will lack Advantages The more designs to improve your Study the free online points of interest or focus for the viewer. familiar you are with the realism. That principle is instructions of LEGO’s Repetition can also encourage laziness – never variety of small parts very much reversed in Ultimate Collector’s Series stop experimenting with formations to improve applying greebles to your (UCS) Star Wars sets to your skill and increase the variety of designs you builds. Once you have quickly learn a wide variety can achieve. worked out a small detail Do you recognise this basic greeble ideas. greeble-heavy Star Wars ship?

78 Blocks

Greebles can also add character to a build’s interior.

Blocks 79

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Discover new creations, old masterpieces, and everything amazing in between in Blocks’ Showcase, as we lift the lid on the finest work the LEGO community has to offer

M:TRON MAGNET FACTORY

This month Blocks brings you a serious M:Tron theme creation from the USA. Walter Whiteside catches up with its creator What is M:Tron?

M:Tron was truly a break-through concept on many levels, when released in 1990. It was a Space sub-theme that was the first to include the trans-neon elements that would become commonplace in subsequent years. In addition, it was the first line in LEGO Space to include magnets and be predominantly red in colour. It was a quirky theme that really didn’t fit well into the adversary-based Blacktron storylines. This was mainly because they were the first space models that looked and felt industrial – several sets even contained crane-like features and container modules. One particular set in the line was the 6923 Particle Ionizer, which put science and physics aside to essentially be a space helicopter.

M:Tro n is now a highly collec tible Spac e range .

M:Tron Today Today, M:Tron is highly collectible. The largest set in the line, the 6989 Megacore Magnetizer, is extremely sought after, fetching an average price of over £360/$540 USD on Bricklink for a new, unopened box.

To this day, this set still conveys itself as a futuristic and rugged vehicle equipped for prospecting rare elements or salvaging abandoned equipment on a dark and distant moon. Originally a somewhat obscure theme, more and more adult LEGO fans are rediscovering M:Tron and reigniting its possibilities. One of the builders who particularly stands out is Blake Foster. He currently has a display at the Morris Museum in Morris Township, New Jersey.

Blake - M:Tron Master Builder Blake was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions I had

84 Blocks

M:Tron pulled Blake Foster back into LEGO.

New York builder Blake Foster’s labour of love, his M:Tron magnet factory.

BUILDER

Name: Blake Foster Lives: New York City Occupation: Software Developer Qualifications: Degrees in computer science and maths Passions: LEGO! Blake with some of his M:Tro n creat ions.

Blake’s work is heavily based around M:Tron.

Blocks 85

for him and his incredible build – the M:Tron Magnet factory.

When did you become really interested in LEGO Space and M:Tron?

My interest in M:Tron started when I was a kid. My childhood LEGO collection spanned Classic Space through Exploriens. Out of all those themes, M:Tron stands out as a favorite.

I was enamoured by the wild colours and, of course, the magnets.

My interest in LEGO spaceships faded as I grew older, but M:Tron has always held a special place in my heart.

I returned to LEGO Space around 2006, when I discovered the adult LEGO community. I was instantly hooked.

Inspired by my childhood love of M:Tron, I built a small fighter in M:Tron livery a few years later.

I don’t know how to build small, and that small fighter inevitably led to dreams of a large-scale M:Tron base. I tinkered with some ideas, but I was in grad school at the time and ultimately gave up because of a lack of funding.

The idea finally came to fruition a few years later when I was out of school.

The terrain proved tricky to put together.

A view of the right-hand side to the factory.

One of Blak e’s firs t M:T ron -ins pire d buil ds.

I have seen a lot of your work and virtually all of it is M:Tron. Is this the theme you build the most?

Nearly everything I’ve built from August 2012 until August 2014 was part of a single M:Tronthemed project. There was therefore a period where nearly everything I built was M:Tron. With that project finally done I’m looking forward to building something in a different color scheme!

What other LEGO themes have you built recently?

The last one I built before the M:Tron Magnet Factory was an Octan spacestation. I’m currently working on a large microscale spacecraft, although I don’t have anything but a few sketches and a bunch of Bricklink orders to show for it yet. This one probably will not belong to any official subtheme.

M:Tron seems to have a growing appeal in the adult LEGO community. What’s the biggest draw about the theme for you?

Compared to Neo Classic Space or Neo Blacktron, M:Tron has generally received relatively little love from the adult LEGO community. As a life-long M:Tron fan though, I wanted to build a model that would pay proper

86 Blocks

Blake’s Octan spacestation.

The build was designed around the monorail.

Turn to page 76 for our guide to greebles.

The magnet factory has its attractions...

As many as 60 magnets were used across the build.

Blocks 87

homage to my favorite theme. I’m happy to see it growing in popularity now!

How long did it take for you to complete the M:Tron magnet factory, and how many LEGO magnets were used?

I worked on it for between 20 and 30 hours every week for two years, and I would guess about 50-60 magnets were used in the end.

What type of planning did you do ahead of time?

The first thing I planned out was the monorail layout. There’s very little flexibility for fine-tuning the track, so I had to plan that first and then design the rest of the model around it. I also had to build the train in advance, since I had to make sure that all the tunnels had proper clearance.

From there I began building with only a rough idea of what the finished model would look like.

I started with the roadway in front and the bridge above it, since that was the only big section I’d clearly planned out in advance. I also built a few details early on. I envisioned the big exhaust ports on the left side the moment the Atlantis set that included those parts was released, and actually bought the parts on Bricklink specifically for this project years before I started building.

Aside from a few small details, I made up much of the model as I went along. I have a hard time envisaging a complete model of this scale out of the blue – it’s easier for me to build on what I’ve done previously, even if it means occasionally backtracking. I did sketch out the right side of the model in advance. The sketch has very little detail, just enough to capture the overall shape.

The magnet factory took 20-30 hours per week, for two years, to construct.

88 Blocks

In retrospect I might’ve been better off doing the same for the other side of the model. The slightly better planning that went into the right side of the model shows in subtle ways.

PIC 6 HERE Did you conceptualise with LDraw? Do you build at all spontaneously?

I’ve tinkered with LDD and LDraw, but I find

That gets interesting when the terrain turns corners – the studs point in every direction except up. The maths alone for stud-not-ontop (SNOT) bricks is manageable, but LEGO is not perfect. When you stack five 2x2 plates, Perp endi cula r terra in.

Early conce pt work .

them difficult to work with. Instead I prefer to ‘sketch with bricks’. I start with the basic shapes, and gradually fill in the detail. I build the details that are more certain first, and prop them up where I think they ought to go in the finished model. At times there were so many parts delicately balanced on temporary stands that I was afraid to breathe on the model in case half of it came crashing down!

What was the biggest challenge with this from a technical prospective?

The terrain was by far the biggest technical challenge. I discovered that it looks best when the stud direction is perpendicular to the slope.

you should in theory have a perfect cube. In reality, the plates will never be perfectly pressed together, and it will be a little bit longer in one dimension. That doesn’t make a noticeable difference in a 2x2 cube, but it becomes an engineering nightmare on a 40x60in model.

There are no mathematic errors that I know of, and yet when I set up the model it takes a considerable amount of force to make some sections of the terrain fit together.

How do you balance your hobby with the rest of your life?

This project consumed most of my free time while working on it. I didn’t completely neglect my social life, but I’ve never been one to go out every night. I spent most evenings in the LEGO room building, while my wife (a professor) sat on the futon grading papers. Weekends I’d build until 2am, get up early and build some more.

I like building with LEGO a lot, but not enough to spend that much time on it. I hardly entered my LEGO room for six months after I finished the M:Tron project.

Blake ‘can’t build small’, so dreamt big.

The model is finished on all sides...

Blacktron, up to no good.

...with activity everywhere.

Interior detail to Blocks 89 the factory.

PROJECT

BRICK TO THE PAST

EXPANDING THE NORTHERN FRONTIER Brick to the Past (BttP) takes us through the progress they have made as they expand Rome’s northern LEGO frontier

A

s the giant build starts to come together, most BttP contributors have now begun construction of their sections. However, as a result of our building we soon came to realise that the planned Iron Age village was going to be too close to the wall.

We have intentionally sacrificed geographical scale to fit more history into the building area, but were concerned that one area condensed things too much. Following conversations between Simon Pickard, James Pegrum and Jimmy Clinch we decided to add another row of seven ‘48s’.

We refer to baseboards on our grid map as 48s, in reference to the studs along each edge.

Although many use ‘large building baseplates’, we required more specific descriptions to collaborate, given the range of baseplates available, including some with 50 stud edges.

Back to the extra row of 48s then…

This allowed Simon to push his village corner away from the fort while Jimmy could curve his wall away further while his milecastle also gained greater distance from the fort as well.

These plan changes impacted on the opposite side of the fort requiring a slight rearrangement.

James made us the diagram pictured for everyone’s reference. Even since this plan Simon has added new features to his section of the build, which will now include a cross section of a barrow (a small Iron age burial plot) and another area is to feature a similar burial actually happening. Of course, BttP also have a few more surprises in stall yet.

Over the last few issues of Blocks we have seen some of the individual challenges and developments faced by Simon Pickard and Dan Harris. Both of them have mentioned the issues surrounding the joining points with other

90 Blocks

The Brick to the Past team’s latest build, mapped out.

builders. By creating a series of ‘edge’ shots, which you can see among the pictures here, the builders are able to ensure the ground height and colour combinations meet up correctly.

Jimmy Clinch did his edges early on and has been putting most of his time into building the point where the wall crosses the river and the small cliff-face it then climbs. Both of these features are found in the bottom left corner of the current layout plan. As you can see from the planned areas for Jimmy, despite all his quick building, he still hasn’t come close to finishing!

Jimmy says: ‘My target was to build half of my section by Easter – I have two left to go.

My biggest issue is parts management at the moment.’ Impressively, despite his extra row of four 48s, Jimmy is just two 48s away from his target. He has, however, run out of mid-sized green plates, which we are all using in large quantities to create our basic level platform.

Bricklink strikes again at his wallet.

We rarely build directly on to the baseboards but rather create a ‘ground level’ with lots of mid-sized plates. It was agreed that the ground height would start at three bricks this year. If we start on a lower height than this it can be hard to create suitable undulations in the landscape, as well as having no way of creating any ditches, rivers, ponds and other such landscape features.

James Pegrum has covered a huge area of the landscape that joins his edge to both Jimmy and Simon’s areas. James said he has been ‘forced to put all of this progress away into boxes so he can now concentrate on the main fort’, which you can see from our plan is the biggest feature in the entire project. From his progress photographs featured here, you can see James needed to do this because his landscape area alone fills his entire building room floor! Despite all of this landscape covering, James is also still to reach even half of

Jimmy Clinch has developed one of the local farmsteads supplying the fort.

ER

Jimmy built his ‘edges’ early on, before focusing on the wall.

Jimmy’s section will feature the highest areas of terrain in the model.

Blocks 91

PROJECT his allocated surface area, which goes to show the scale of this build project.

Simon Pickard has solved his roundhouse roof design (covered in Issue 5 of Blocks) and has now been working on the surrounding ditch plus developing his foundation landscape towards the joining edges with Jimmy and James. You can find Simon’s section of the layout in the top left corner of our plan, and as with James and Jimmy his area is still under halfway to completion. Simon said: ‘I agreed to doing nine 48s this year I’m now doing 15!

The BttP builders are so talented and inspiring though that you don’t want to let the side down!’ This is a sentiment often shared by all of the contributors.

Dan Harris has been moving to Scotland during all of this but he found time to share his thoughts and progress for us in Blocks Issue 6.

Interestingly, as the newest member of BttP, it was Dan who started to build first, something that appears to be a running theme since we started out as a group.

James isn’t yet halfway through his build and is already running out of space.

92 Blocks

Many contributors have visited relevant sites this year and some have enrolled on university history courses about the Romans and Hadrian’s Wall. There are many free courses online and BttP couldn’t recommend them highly enough in the aiding of the research phases for any aspiring builder.

Regular contributor Steven Snasdell is back, along with Barney Main providing a most a welcome return after contributing to the first BttP project. They are providing a smaller section of the build and will likely begin progress nearer the official unveiling.

Until then you can follow all the contributors on Flickr – links are on the BttP website www. bricktothepast.com.

This collaboration is BttP’s biggest project yet. It will be unveiled at the Great Western Brick Show, held at STEAM in Swindon over the first weekend of October. By then this project will have doubled in size, but several BttP members still have a few extra surprises to reveal if that isn’t enough!

BttP builders take lots of ‘edge photos’, Adjoinin g builders can then match the height and colour of the terrain.

Another edge shot but this time the collabor ating builder continue s to the left so needs to match the ‘exposed edge’ colours as well.

Steven Snasdell has now begun work on his Roman villa.

Beyond the wall Simon Pickard has been developing the local settlement.

Blocks 93

FEATURED BUILD:

LEGO STORE Brick by Brick: A Minifig’s Dream Shopping Destination Words: Christine McKee Pics: ideas.lego.com

Highlights ■ Accurate color scheme ■ Abundance of light throughout the set ■ Modular ■ Fun structures inside ■ Working elevator

F

or Creator fans, the addition of a modular LEGO Store to the line is an absolute must. After all, what is a city block without a store containing, well, blocks? That’s why the LEGO Store concept featured on the LEGO Ideas site has captured the attention of many fans. Users can vote to have this set (and others) reviewed and possibly mass produced by LEGO, making it a great platform for builders and designers alike.

Consisting of approximately 2,700 pieces and built to scale in order to seamlessly integrate with popular Creator favorites, the LEGO Store is a bright addition to any LEGO city. It’s a corner unit, so keep that in mind, but it could easily be

The model is designed to the same scale as the Creator range of buildings.

94 Blocks

placed across from the Grand Emporium or Café Corner and next to the Pet Shop or Green Grocer for the ultimate shopping district.

Upon viewing the exterior of the two-story LEGO Store, it’s easy to spot the similarities between real-life LEGO outlets and Discovery Centres across the world. Shoppers are greeted with a play area that resembles one found outside the LEGO Store in Disney World, and the large red DUPLO brick to the right of the doorway is a perfect ode to the Downtown Disney District LEGO Store in California. The word LEGO is featured on two sides of the corner building, which ties in well with the text found on the exterior of the Creator Pet Shop.

The entryway showcases a red and white ‘L’ set above the sidewalk, which paves the way for some serious fun upon entering the store.

From a design perspective, numerous windows let in light and provide a contemporary feel that’s typically found in real-life LEGO stores without deviating too far from the old-school

charm found in other Creator sets, such as the Parisian Restaurant and Palace Cinema. The bay window is especially impressive and gives a sneak peek at the giant giraffe on the second floor (more on that later). Additional touches include a yellow flag on the roof and red window overhangs, which tie into the cheerful feel found throughout the store.

But what about the interior? After all, there’s a certain magic experienced by enthusiasts upon entering a physical LEGO store for the first time.

Whether it’s the wall of bricks or row upon row of new sets, there are many design elements to replicate and, luckily, this build delivers. The Pick A Brick section and checkout counter add authenticity, while the working elevator powered by a brick lever helps minifigures continue their trek upstairs. The red, yellow, and white colour scheme is spot on compared to regular LEGO stores, and there’s even a replica Digital Box. The product boxes and a red T-Rex statue also enhance the first floor.

The red Duplo brick cleverly adds recognisable detail to the exterior.

Moving to the upper level (via the working elevator that fits a minifigure, of course), one can find even more goodies, including a large giraffe statue that’s reminiscent of the one found at the Downtown Disney California LEGO store. The detachable top floor also contains tiny versions of familiar LEGO sets, including a space shuttle, lighthouse, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and more. And don’t forget the oh-so-popular buildyour-own-minifigure station. Although we’d like to see this on the first floor to simulate a typical LEGO retail outlet, the inclusion of the area still shows close attention to detail. There’s also a tiny LEGO racetrack where a car can zoom to the finish line.

The third section of the set contains a grey roof, which is equipped with a nifty skylight featuring blue translucent pieces. Fully detachable, the set offers easy access to the interior during playtime, which is an absolute must for many builders.

There are two floors to the build, as well as a detachable roof.

There’s a working elevator, till register and, of course, a Pick A Brick wall.

LEGO models within a LEGO model.

Overall, the LEGO Store is an impressive structure that would be fun to build with lots of intricate features. In addition to being a colorful display piece, the set maximises interior space, making it a great build for adult LEGO fans. If you’re interested in seeing this set produced by LEGO, be sure to vote for it on the Ideas website.

This particular set has until the end of April to reach the required 10,000 supporters that would see it enter the LEGO review process for further consideration. Every vote counts! ideas.lego.com/projects/10367

Blocks 95

My first set

MY FIRST SET

POLICE STATION

For most LEGO fans their first LEGO set will hold a special place in their childhood memories.

Simon Pickard takes us back to 1983, and the strong arm of the law, for memories of his first set.

Words & Pics: Simon Pickard

I

t is hard for me to remember a time when Simpl e but effec tive I didn’t have LEGO toys to play with. While interi ors.

‘You’re nicke d.’ there were always many exciting toys around, I would always find myself drawn to the LEGO isle. This is likely because my father’s career meant that we lived more than half of my first 18 years abroad, meaning that while most toys often appealed to the unique markets of those different countries, LEGO transcended all of this and gave me a constant in an otherwise ever changing world. I have very fond memories of my brother and I playing with the many pocket-sized LEGO sets my parents would buy to keep us occupied on the long-haul flights and train journeys that we often took.

It was evident early on that I was a Space set is revealed in the influence it has on the sets their models too much because imagination and Castle theme fan but for the first set I was has always placed an important part in every to follow. In every police station to follow we actually given was Police Station set 6384. The child’s play. This set certainly gave me the would see the basic groundwork always harking set offered everything you could want, with basic structure needed for a wealth of small back to standards set in this police station. motor vehicles and flight for my more active world play combined with the famed ability to The vehicles included new pieces and sleeker adventures, to the mechanical features of the construct new environments as my adventures designs but the principles of the set are always opening garage door, or the office and prison and play stories evolved, This is of course the cells for interior play. The minifigures themselves there, with ground and air support alongside core idea of the product LEGO wanted where the the garage, prison and office functions. So why were still in their infancy but as we know they system could grow and change with you. didn’t my love of the first set translate into were to become an important part of the play Of course I was also very taken by the Space purchases of the updates? system LEGO was still very much developing themes and here we finally find the hole in my It may very well be that I’m biased, given the at this time. Indeed as a child the set offered thoughts to the standard marker I use of older position this set holds in my first experiences me every avenue of play I could dream of even sets influencing the future ones. LEGO got the of LEGO, however I’ve always found that before I started to break it all apart and build design right with this as they did with the Space something has been lacking from the police new things with the pieces. and Castle sets. Whereas the City line has stations that followed this one. Interestingly my It’s interesting that I’ve never much cared continued to very much keep to the foundations own children are just as easily drawn to this for the updated versions of any of the City sets this police set lay, the Space designers were playset despite its simple since, this is in stark contrast with the Castle constantly exploring different concepts. They structures and basic and Space themes where I continued Set 6384 came with four minifigures and might all be spaceships but colour themes minifigure decorations as to desire and buy many of the three vehicles. changed and engines, wings and bases all had they are to the modern future updates. I have unique identities unhindered by the quality of day equivalents. for a long time themes and ideas from past sets.

Perhaps in some maintained the In contrast the police sets have maintained a ways LEGO has tried belief that the true very familiar feel but interestingly that might well to over-complicate quality of a play

96 Blocks

Blocks wants to hear about your first set! Get in touch with the team by emailing james@blocksmag.com

6384 Police Station was first released in 1983.

be changing as the most recent police sets have finally broken away from the inner city and begun exploring the more remote regions of swamps and forest area policing. Of course, however good these future efforts may be in breathing new life into the world of LEGO police, I will always hold a great deal of fondness for my first set.

Details inspired, rather than directed.

Key concepts of air and land support remain constants to Police sets even today.

Blocks 97

MY BLOCKS

UNIVERSITY CREST

S

tudents at Middlesex University have created this giant 44,000-piece LEGO statue. Measuring 1.9m high, it took almost 800 students two weeks to build the University’s crest out of red and white bricks.

Duncan Titchmarsh and the team at Bright Bricks designed the specially made crest in just one week, before students were invited to sign their own LEGO brick before contributing it to the build.

‘The team at Bright Bricks designed the crest in just one week’

Students signed their bricks before adding them to the model.

The finish ed mode l stand s at just under 2m high.

LUNAR MODULE E

ric Heinzer chose to build the 1964 Lunar Excursion Module to celebrate its 50th anniversary last year, and to inspire kids to learn about space exploration. Designing and assembling the 1964 LEM concept out of LEGO presented a number of challenges to him, but failure was never an option.

Eric based it on a NASA Langley Research Center photograph, and the accurate finished module measures approximately 9in tall.

W e w an t to se e LE GO ! W he th yo ur a gl as s- fr on er it is te d yo u’ ve cr ea te di sp la y d at ho m e, a cu st om bu an yt hi ng in be ild or tw ee in to uc h by em n, ge t ai lin g ja m es @ bl oc ks m ag .c om

The mod ule incl ude s inte rna l deta ils.

The LEGO LEM has been uploaded on to the LEGO Ideas site.

The top half of the model is detachable.

The LEM is supported by four legs.

How many LEGO bricks would it take to reach the moon?

The average distance to the moon is 238,857 miles and the standard height of a LEGO brick is 0.96cm, so it would take approximately 40 billion bricks to reach it!

Blocks 7

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Pennsylvania’s four LUGs come together at Philly Brick Fest.

BRICK FEST LIVE!

Rob Paton meets Chad Collins, founder of Learn With Bricks and the producer behind Brick Fest, one of America’s largest LEGO show orgnaisers

Chad Collins and daughter Jordyn were inspired by their love of LEGO to start Philly Brick Fest, an event which has well and truly put Philadelphia on the AFOL map. Ahead of the 2015 edition, and the touring Brick Fest Live, Chad took time out to talk concept, planning and organisation of an occasion that is already pulling in tens of thousands of LEGO fans.

Thanks for joining us Chad. To kick-off – tell us a bit about yourself.

I grew up in a modest home in North East Philadelphia, and had a knack for technology, even though we were the last family on the block to get a Nintendo Entertainment System and most of my playtime was spent with LEGO. While my building skills had room for improvement (and still do), I knew my brain was

being wired to problem solve. I remember the feeling well, and still feel it today.

This became evident at aged 13 when our new (at the time) Windows 3.1 desktop computer had a faulty modem – back when dial-up internet was a thing. I told my dad we

The Brick Fest Live team: (l-r) #CarterBaldwin, Classy Dan Fletcher, Chad Collins aka Stud, Alex Howey aka The Mad Stacker and Chris Byrne aka Clutch.

needed a repairman to fix it, but the next day he came home with a new modem instead of a repairman. He gave me the modem and told me to install it. Promptly dismantling the computer, with one look inside, I said to myself ‘it’s just like LEGO’. The disassembly and reassembly came naturally, and I owed it all to the countless hours spent playing with my bricks.

After schooling, my first job was as an Engineer. From there I joined an innovative start-up and became a named inventor on several issued patents in my field. While building my career and family (I am husband and father of two), I spent years away from LEGO until I joined co-workers for lunch at a nearby shopping mall. That mall happened to have a LEGO store. With one look at the Pick A Brick wall, I was back in!

Blocks 101

Brick Fest Live

DID YOU KNOW?

■ There will be an estimated 4,126,620 LEGO bricks at Philly Brick Fest 2015.

■ Across the four day event, more than 20,000 attendees are expected.

■ Visitors to Brick Fest Live 2015 will be able to take part in 10 different activities.

■ There will be more than 20 guest speakers and seminars during the event.

■ Housed in the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, the event will boast 50 stalls.

■ These include: The Brick Show - YouTube Personalities BrickSwag.com - The Monthly Membership Box for LEGO Fans by LEGO Fans BrickWarriors - Premium Custom Minifigure Accessories Clone Army Customs - Custom Star Wars Minifigures Abbie Dabbles - Custom LEGO Kits abbiedabbles.com Citizen Brick - Custom LEGO Kits Blocks Magazine (Naturally)!

■ Brick Fest Live will be touring in the coming months too, visiting: May 15-17, Marlborough, MA (Boston) July 10-12, Secaucus, NJ (Meadowlands) July 20 & 21, Bowie, MD (Prince George’s Stadium, Bowie Baysox Game) August 22 & 23, Pasadena, CA August 28-30, Denver, CO More dates always being added at brickfestlive.com

How did Brick Fest Live come about?

Brick Fest Live was born from a passion project, and was completely inspired by my daughter Jordyn. In December 2011, Jordyn’s birthday month as well as the holiday season, I bought her several LEGO sets. After we built the sets together, and sorted dozens of Pick A Brick cups, she took her newfound love of LEGO to YouTube. On her own, aged seven, she searched and found channels on YouTube dedicated to all things LEGO. After watching several videos with her, she asked ‘Daddy, can we have a YouTube channel?’ Without hesitation, I agreed to create one with her, and she came up with the name ‘Your Creative Friends’. Today, our channel has accumulated over 10m video views and nearly 20,000 subscribers. In two years we produced over 400 videos, and made a lot of new friends in the LEGO YouTube community along the way.

Naturally, we learned about LEGO conventions, and we wanted to cover these events for our channel. Living in the fifth largest populous market in the USA, I assumed there would be a local event for us to attend.

Shockingly, an event in the Philadelphia area did not exist. This is when the idea came to create Philly Brick Fest, our Flagship Fan of LEGO Convention that was held April 24-27, 2014. Our inaugural event attracted collaborative displays from all four Pennsylvania LEGO User Groups (LUGs) in addition to hundreds of individual LEGO creations.

What did you offer to help bring in showgoers from further afield?

While the User Groups and fans enjoy the private aspects of a convention, we also wanted to create a memorable experience for the public.

Brick Fest Live is our touring event with a 102 Blocks

‘The journey from concept to creation for Philly Brick Fest was exhilarating’

Pennsylvania’s four LEGO User Groups come together at Brick Fest – the above is by the Steel City LUG.

focus on inspiring, educating, and entertaining the public by immersing them in our fancreated LEGO paradise. Some of our hands-on attractions include: ■ Brick Fest Derby – build a LEGO derby car and race it down our 35ft-long timed tracks!

■ Inspiration Stations – add your creation to one of our budding LEGO cities.

■ Mosaics – create a 16x16 piece of art using only 1x1 bricks with dozens of colours available.

■ Theatre – win LEGO prizes during our trivia sessions, or take in a Brick Film.

■ DK Reading Rest Stop – chill on our high-end bean bag chairs while glancing through your favourite LEGO title from DK Publishing.

■ Glow Zone – see LEGO light up under ultra violet rays.

We stay creative thinking up new attractions to bring on tour to keep our show fresh.

Was it tough to get the show off the ground?

The journey from concept to creation for Philly Brick Fest was exhilarating. To start, we asked our friends in the community if they would help.

The enthusiasm we received in the early stages encouraged us to move forward. This led us to searching for a venue in the area that could support our event, and our eventual growth. I remember my first meeting with The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center well. Most venues shy away from first-time events, and they were no different. Luckily for us, they decided to take a chance on our show, and I know they’re happy they did. With a venue selected and support from the community, the next call was to Kevin Hinkle at LEGO. Kevin is the Community Manager of the Americas for LEGO. After revealing our plans, he seemed impressed with

One of the main attractions is the row of 35ft-long timed tracks.

The aptly-named Inspiration Station.

Those tracks are built for racing, of course.

Chad and daughter Jordyn in action on their YouTube channel.

Brick Fest is family focused.

Blocks 103

Brickfest Live!

Contribute to the Mosaic Wall.

Another example of PennLUG’s work.

The brilliant Cyberpocalypse was on display last year.

PennLUG contributed several train MOCs... ...trains...

Create what you can on the Build Wall.

progress and provided good advice on how to get more of the community involved.

The very next day, I attended my first PennLUG meeting. PennLUG is known for elaborate town layouts, brick-build roads, and historically accurate train replicas. This is when I was able to introduce the idea of Philly Brick Fest to the group, and gauge their level of interest. Cale Leiphart and the rest of the club really liked the idea of a home-town convention. Philly Brick Fest provided a platform for them to showcase their talents, and they took full advantage by producing their largest collaborative layout in club history.

How big is the Brick Fest Live team and what goes into planning an event?

Our team consists of five full-time members, and balloons to 20-25 members during event weekends. It brings a smile to my face living the reality that we have been able to create careers for people in the LEGO Fan Community.

The planning and coordination required to run our event is often underestimated. Collectively, 104 Blocks

...and train stations.

it is our job to make it look easy. Like building with LEGO, we need to plan our work, and then work our plan. This simple philosophy, mixed in with regular Nerf dart battles at the office is our secret. Mainly the Nerf dart battles.

What differentiates Brick Fest Live to other LEGO-themed conventions and events?

In 2014, Philly Brick Fest was the newcomer to the LEGO Convention scene in the USA. We knew then that we had to make our mark, which we did with record-breaking public-attendance.

On the fan side, we simply tried to create an event that we would want to come to as attendees. Because of our start on YouTube and our ongoing content creation on Facebook and Instagram, we attract more members from those communities than any other convention.

As for touring show Brick Fest Live, we provide an arena for families to come build, play, and learn together. It is our mission for parents to see LEGO as an investment in their child’s future. Once they understand that, they realise there’s an unlimited return on that investment.

In the last few years, new websites and YouTube channels have become primary sources for up-to-the-minute LEGO news and set reviews. Two of these popular media outlets will be at Philly Brick Fest. Notable LEGO blogger Allen Tran, aka The Brick Fan, will be coming all the way from San Diego. Additionally, Jason and Stephen Forthofer, hosts of the YouTube channel The Brick Show, will be at the event, and are always a hit with the public.

How has LEGO taken to your event?

As large as The LEGO Group is, we are fortunate as fans to have a company that allocates staff to supporting the community. LEGO understands they have a rabid fan base that spans generations, and have groups of employees whose sole mission is to be a liaison between the community and the company. Kevin Hinkle remains our primary point of contact for Philly Brick Fest. Based on our feedback, LEGO were extremely pleased with the inaugural Philly Brick Fest last year on all fronts including fan participation and public attendance.

BRICK LIFE Wife THE LEGO WIDOW Wonder what it’s like living with an Adult Fan of LEGO? The Brick Wife knows only too well. Here she gives an insight into her life as an accidental and sometimes bewildered LEGO follower

I

t’s Mothers’ Day as I write this and I can’t help but feel there should be another addition to the calendar – LEGO Spouse Day – to celebrate that special long-suffering, LEGO-enabler in your life. I’m almost certain that LEGO could bring out a seasonal vignette to mark the occasion.

My boys are four-years old, my husband is a grown man (obviously), and LEGO is the centre of their world. LEGO is not the centre of my world. In fact, some of the time, I’d be happy if I never saw another coloured plastic resin brick again. The life of a Brick Wife isn’t an easy one. On the surface it may seem like the main pressures are the loss of a reception room, garage and attic to what can only resemble the storeroom of a LEGO museum, but it runs deeper.

Bricks litter our house like pine needles at Christmas. I can wake up at 3 o’clock in the morning to find a 4×1 brick digging in to the small of my back. Later, at work, I may delve into my pocket and instead of pulling out a pen I’m more likely to find a Batman minifigure and a handful of dots. The fact that I even know they’re called dots is a source of consternation to me. Once upon a time, my weekends were a healthy balance of work and handbag shopping. Now they centre on the latest polybag giveaway in a national newspaper, the release of a time-limited LEGO set, or that month’s promotional gift at the LEGO Store. You may think this is an exaggeration, but a look back over our last few weekends suggests otherwise.

Weekend One – LEGO Calendar Giveaway My Adult Fan of LEGO (AFOL) suddenly remembered that it was the last weekend to claim his free minifigure that came with the 2015 LEGO calendar. I say minifigure – minifigures would be more accurate. We have five 2015 LEGO calendars in our house, all identical and all pristine and untouched. Here 105 Blocks

This is me.

Overwhelmed by the sight of more LEGO entering the house.

My two small boys. There are always plenty of bricks to argue about.

he had got his senses together enough to hope that there may be some left in store. It was a risk, but it was one worth taking. We all piled in the car and made the journey along the M25 to the nearest LEGO Store. And what a relief, the journey wasn’t in vain and we managed to secure two Easter Vignettes without having to buy from eBay. The fact that it also cost an additional £80 in LEGO to drag our small boys out of the store in a timely fashion, may, however, make one question the economics of the situation.

Weekend Three – Minifigure Fondling The Easter Vignette. Our last-minute dash was worth it after all. What a relief it was to us all.

was a real dilemma for my poor AFOL, should he open them up and cut out the voucher or should he keep them wrapped in their cellophane to bequeath to generations to come? I could tell that he was really torn on this one as he repeatedly wandered in and out of our LEGO room, contemplating the best way forward. In the end, he opened four calendars and left one untouched, hoping that this was the right decision.

Weekend Two – Easter Vignettes My AFOL heard on the grapevine that the LEGO Easter Vignette scenes had sold out online. This was possibly the worst news to hit us thus far in 2015 and many days were spent watching my AFOL sitting in stunned silence, shaking his head from time to time, mournfully proclaiming, ‘But I thought I had more time’. By Friday

My AFOL. Relaxed, happy and ready for more LEGO.

This is a favourite pastime for my AFOL. Few weekends are complete without a trip to our nearest toy department to feel through minifigure packets to find ones that are missing from my AFOL’s collection. This weekend was no exception. He sat himself down by the minifigure stand in John Lewis and began his quest. Harassed mothers were stepping over him, curious children were asking him what he was doing, but he was quite happy there and nothing – apart from finding a Galaxy Trooper – would disturb him from his task. After 20 minutes, I’d had enough and marched him back to the car.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, other spouses have hobbies – cycling, football, music – and they’re equally obsessive about them.

Well, possibly. But, I’m yet to go to a friend’s house and see three entire rooms filled with footballs and related equipment. Or witness a friend being dragged out on a Saturday morning on the off-chance that the local sports shop has a rare type of wheel in stock.

And yet, for all of this, he’s my AFOL. I chose him and I wouldn’t have him any other way (possibly). But, do spare a thought for those of us married to an AFOL – it’s not always easy.

May the Fourth has been acknowledged as the annual ‘Star Wars Day’ for almost as long as Star Wars itself has existed. It originated in 1979 as part of a newspaper advertisement produced by the Conservative Party as Margaret Thatcher was elected UK Prime Minister Words: Chris Pearce Pics: Andrew Tipping

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EGO Star Wars arrived in 1999, but it wasn’t until the 10th anniversary of this event that the first LEGO promotion tied into May the Fourth took place. Since then we have enjoyed six years of free polybags, posters and events, as well as plenty of Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) sets released on May 4. With another May the Fourth coming up soon, we thought we would look back at the brief history of the day and how LEGO has celebrated it.

2009 News first broke in April 2009 that a Star Wars promotion was going to accompany May the Fourth. There was a great deal of conjecture about what the gift might be, but ultimately

many people were a bit disappointed as it was simply a poster displaying the entire Star Wars minifigure collection up to that point. These posters were limited edition to 15,000 copies and today they often fetch in the region of £15 on Bricklink.

Despite this anticlimax, a trend was set for future offers on the May the Fourth weekend.

What initially seemed to be a celebration of the Star Wars theme’s 10th anniversary has since become an annual event.

of deals have been repeated in recent years, with discounts on various UCS sets, often accompanied by a new release.

The famous bronze Boba Fett minifigure was also given away as part of a prize draw in North America. Entry was made when buying a Star Wars product. Only two of these are known to exist and one of them is held by LEGO, making it one of the rarest minifigures ever produced.

2010

The May the Fourth promotion first resembled what we enjoy today in 2011, when the first exclusive minifigure was introduced as a gift with purchase. The Shadow ARF Trooper proved immediately popular and was given away with purchases over £50 in the UK or $75 in the US. Although no such trooper appears in the films or Clone Wars TV show, it nevertheless looks fantastic, with a lovely contrast between black and metallic silver.

In addition a poster was produced showing all the UCS Star Wars sets up to that point, and more price reductions were applied to certain sets.

Things were not much more exciting in 2010 regarding the free item, which was a Star Wars sticker sheet. Much more exciting were some of the deals available including 10197 UCS Millennium Falcon at 25% off! These kinds

2011

2012

2014’s May the Fourth polybag, Darth Revan, divided opinion.

The next minifigure given away was much more appealing for many fans – TC-14. This Protocol Droid appeared on board the Saak’ak in the employ of the Trade Federation during Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The chrome silver colour scheme makes it both accurate to the movie and appealing to the many Star Wars minifigure collectors.

Deals on UCS sets this time included 20% off 10212 Imperial Shuttle and 10221 Super Star Destroyer as well as some smaller reductions on the lower priced sets.

2013 The US received a particularly impressive special offer in 2013 with 10227 B-wing reduced to half price over the May the Fourth weekend. The other offers worldwide included a free poster featuring Yoda and a Hoth Han Solo polybag.

This minifigure satisfied the debate concerning

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‘Best shape up, I hear the Admiral is on his way this May 4’.

whether Han’s coat on Hoth is dark blue or brown by giving us both – the brown one in this exclusive polybag and the blue one in 7879 Hoth Echo Base.

2014 Darth Revan, a popular character from the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic video game was released in 2014 as a May the Fourth promotional polybag. Although a hugely popular character with some, the reaction was generally lukewarm as not everybody is familiar with the source material. The sale prices were also a little disappointing this year, with only 15% off a few Star Wars sets.

Some would argue that 2014 was a low point for May the Fourth celebrations, although a 250,000-piece sculpture of Darth Vader produced in Australia to mark the occasion certainly impressed.

2015 At the time of writing we don’t yet know any details of what will be offered this May the

‘With several more movies coming up and no end in sight to LEGO’s partnership with Star Wars, I’m sure we will enjoy many more May the Fourth offers to come’ Fourth weekend, although we are aware of a Star Wars polybag, which will be this year’s giveaway. Admiral Yularen appeared in many Clone Wars episodes following a very brief cameo in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, and the white attired version of him from the original film is being released in a polybag this year.

With several more movies coming up and no end in sight to LEGO’s partnership with Star Wars, I’m sure we will enjoy many more May the Fourth offers to come. Let’s hope that the offers, events and free minifigures maintain the excellent standard set during past years.

What can you expect to pay?

As a result of their limited production run, exclusive minifigures available on May the Fourth tend to fetch a relatively high price on the second hand market. Below you will find what you might expect to pay for each one, based on the average Bricklink prices.

■ 2856197 Shadow ARF Trooper – £33.26/$49.51 ■ 5000063 TC-14 – £23.59/$35.11 ■ 5001621 Han Solo (Hoth) – £10.22/$15.21 ■ 5002123 Darth Revan – £19.92/$29.64

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Words & Pics: Tim Schiesser

LEGO AROUNDPrTHE W iced Po Tim Schiesser takes a look at the Australian LEGO market, and sees that the costs involved don’t always make sense, both new and secondhand

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o Australians, being charged what seems like unfairly high prices on international goods is nothing unusual or unexpected. When we go to the shops to buy technology products, video games, cars, toys and more, we’re often faced with costs well above what those in other regions have to pay, even after factoring in exchange rates and our 10% Goods and Services Tax (Australia’s sales tax, similar to VAT). Locals affectionately call this price hike the ‘Australia Tax’.

One of the major downsides to being a collector in Australia is that the same applies to LEGO, with what often also seems like inconsistent pricing. While we’re not the only country to face high costs for LEGO sets – many other nations in the Asia Pacific region, Singapore and New Zealand in particular – get a raw deal, we’re not nearly as lucky as our friends over in North America.

The Australia Tax is particularly high on some LEGO sets, especially the high piececount flagships that collectors such as myself love to buy. One perfect example of this is set 10188 Death Star, which is still available from Lego’s 2008 Star Wars line. This set retails for US$399.99, or £274.99/€419.99 including tax in parts of Europe. Here in Australia, we’re expected to fork out AU$699.99 for the 3,803 piece monster. Doing some quick price conversions and adjustments for

The ‘Australia Tax’ makes bargain-hunting a must Down Under.

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tax in various countries shows that we should be paying AU$490, which is a best-case scenario compared to the UK price, or AU$570 compared to the US price. Instead we’re paying AU$150200 more for no obvious reason. Even in sales we don’t get a break: the cheapest I’ve seen the Death Star in store is AU$598.

There are countless other examples where a healthy dose of Australia Tax is added to set prices Down Under. The Avengers Quinjet Chase (76032) is US$879.99/£69.99/€79.99, around 13% cheaper than our local price of AU$129.99 after factoring in tax. Star Wars battle packs are around US$13/£12/€17 overseas, yet cost 23% more in Australia.

Australia is also subject to weird, often unexplainable pricing oddities and fluctuations.

Take three premium licensed sets for example: 75060 Slave I, 76023 The Tumbler, and 10237 Tower of Orthanc. All three are priced at around US$200/£160-170/€200, yet in Australia we get three totally different price points of AU$299.99, AU$329.99 and AU$279.99 for the sets respectively. Only the Tower of Orthanc seems

logically priced going by current exchange rates, and to make things more confusing, at the start of 2015 the local price of The Tumbler went from AU$279.99 to AU$329.99.

Another pricing oddity I noticed as a Star Wars collector was last year’s Mos Eisley Cantina, a US$70/£65/€80 set priced at a heady AU$130 here. Other sets from the past three years, priced at the very same US$70, cost a much more respectable AU$100. It’s no wonder so many Aussies, including myself, are always on the hunt for 20% off sales at our local stores, which thankfully come up several times throughout the year.

Unfortunately, some LEGO sets never make it to our shops, as The LEGO Group has a collection of exclusives that they only sell through LEGO Stores. Australia is yet to have a single LEGO Store, even in our highly populated cities like Melbourne and Sydney, despite our love for the small plastic bricks. This means we have to pay regular retail prices through LEGO’s Shop at Home service, which, as well as the Australia tax, has shipping costs on top.

Luckily for us Down Under, the LEGO pricing situation isn’t all bad. Some of the more recent releases have been appropriately priced, which has surprised many

E PWORLD ossessions LEGO enthusiasts here as the Australian Dollar continues to decline against the USD. The SHIELD Helicarrier and Detective’s Office have been very fairly priced, as have nearly all of the new City sets – some are actually cheaper in Australia than they are over in North America.

Although currently it’s the exception rather than the rule, it’s a welcome change from usual.

Australia also has as a strong LEGO community, which means there are plenty of ways to buy second-hand or even brand new sets at reasonable prices. Buy and sell groups on Facebook can be a great way to buy sets at a discount, either because members have loaded up on sets during a recent sale, or because some people simply have too much LEGO (something I’m sure Blocks’ readers might understand…) and want to offload it. You’ll occasionally find the odd bad seed attempting to rip off unsuspecting buyers with hard-to-find sets selling for over retail price but mostly you’ll see sets for a decent-enough discount.

For collectors, prices of retired sets on the second-hand market can fluctuate depending on demand, just like any region. Modular buildings are always popular, with older models like the Green Grocer and Fire Brigade regularly selling for double their retail price, even as used sets.

And if you’re after the elusive UCS Millennium Falcon, expect to pay at least AU$2,000 for a used set or around AU$6,000 new, both of which are reasonable prices on the global market. Less popular sets, especially cheaper ones from non-licensed themes, can frequently be seen on the used market over here for under half their new price.

As there are so many ways to find LEGO for

There are no LEGO Stores in Austra lia just yet.

Battle packs cost almost a quarter more.

lower than retail price, Australian enthusiasts are great bargain hunters. We’re not only great at searching for 20% off sales, but we also love hunting through classifieds sites like Gumtree and eBay. Some of the best deals I’ve found have been from sites like this, including a sought-after 2007-era MTT for under half its usual asking price, and a brand new Ewok Village for 30% off. So while the retail market might not always be awesome Down Under, our second hand market is thriving, and there’s plenty of value to be found.

Good deals can still be found .

Australia’s secondhand market is a valuable tool.

Blocks 7

ROB PATON Blocks’ bargain hunter on collecting Collectible Minifigures

PATIENCE PAYS OFF

Despite a reputation for inflating prices, eBay is a tool that if used correctly, can still cough up a bargain for the right shopper. Rob Paton explains how he collects Collectible Minifigures

‘I

F I just bid a bit higher...’ eBay carries a reputation for unrealistic pricing and sometimes out-of-control bidding. Yet for the noticeable rise in prices on certain corners of their market, the best bargains I have found are the ones I continue to see today on their site.

One of the simplest examples of this is the Collectible Minifigure series. If you time it right, you can pick up the entire latest range, and as many of each minifigure, for below the recommended retail price of £2.49.

The pattern on eBay is quite regular with the Collectible Minifigures. The latest series is released sporadically in shops across the United Kingdom, meaning they are available for some, but not all buyers. Combine that staggered release with the anticipation of having known about this range coming out for up to six months, and the first wave of eBay Buy It Now listings price each minifigure at anything from £6 up to £20. There’s a temptation to grab one or two – they are brand new, you don’t have them yet, you’ve been waiting ages for them – hold out, though, and your patience will be rewarded.

As availability improves in shops, prices begin to drop, and within the first month of nationwide retail, eBay will carry the latest Collectible Minifigures within a range of £4.50 to £8, depending on early rarity and desirability. Hardly a bargain. You may be able to select which To make the most of eBay, be ready to spend all day on your computer.

110 Blocks

figure you want, but you are paying a premium for it, particularly for those that are seen as most in demand.

However, another market fluctuation occurs as the month progresses. Some minifigures that were previously priced in the ‘rare’ bracket suddenly drop.

For example, in the Series 13 range, it was initially the Galaxy Trooper, Samurai, Fencer, Egyptian Warrior, Sheriff, Classic King and Hot Dog Man that commanded the highest prices. If you saw one of those during the first couple of weeks at £4.50, that was a good price, as they were usually beyond £6.50. However, a few weeks into the first month of general sale, and the Galaxy Trooper, Egyptian Warrior, Sheriff and Classic King very quickly dropped in online price and they were soon down to no higher than £4, Buy It Now.

‘If you time it right, you can pick up the entire latest range, for below £2.49 RRP’

A reasonable price perhaps, but at this point I would preach patience once more, as you enter a second month since the series’ release – can you hold out that long? A collector’s willpower will be tested. Indeed, many may have completed their series by this time, or already assembled a 20-strong army of Galaxy Troopers, or Disco Divas. However, that helps those still in hunt of the better deal – supply remains steady both in shops and online, but demand drops online, and so do the prices.

For the wily bargain hunter, the start of this second month is the moment to start spending all day glued to eBay’s Buy It Now listings, logged in and primed with your PayPal account topped up.

Very quickly the first glimmers of a good deal appear. Sellers start to post listings beneath £3.50-per-minifigure, whilst others start to list doubles collected in job lots, and you can pick up four or five grouped together for £10 to £12.

During this period as we get to the end of the fifth week and move into a sixth since the Collectible Minifigures’ release, individual listings start to briefly appear at the magic £2.50 mark. The same price as in the shops, but with the important difference that here you can select which minifigure you want to buy.

These Buy It Now offers crop up at all times of the day during the week, but whilst some listings carry multiples of certain minifigures you may be after, they sell pretty quickly. Time your search on the site though and you have the pick of the Collectible Minifigure range, at recommended retail price. And if you are lucky and even faster with the mouse, there are some listings during this period that drop to the £2-per-minifigure mark.

This window is when prices are at their consistent lowest, and it lasts about a fortnight before they start creeping back up. Series 13’s window has been and gone, and three months on from release in stores, this series’ Collectible Minifigures are being listed between £3.50 and £8 each again, and will unlikely ever drop below that point before retirement, when as you may know, prices can then jump even higher.

When Series 14 is released, rumoured to be October 2015, test out this approach. You may find your patience rewarded. Let me know how successful you are at rob@blocksmag.com

My Serie 13 Collectible Minifigure stash has more fencers and samurai than you can shake a sword at. Plus the odd carpenter.

Blocks 111

Star Wars collecting Words and Pics: Simon Pickard

Millennium Falcon T

Since we’re celebrating all things Star Wars Day this month, Simon Pickard looks back to 2007 and the release of set 10179

hree years into CEO Jørgen Vig Knudstorp’s tenure, LEGO was well and truly back on the rise. After a difficult economic period at the turn of the millennium, the company was back in the black and, even as we stood on the cusp of the global financial crisis, things hadn’t looked this rosy for the company in a while.

It was 2007, when Britain was to see the end of Tony Blair’s premiership and the beginning of the ill-fated tenure from Gordon Brown. Apple launched its first iPhone, just as the entertainment world saw J.K. Rowling’s concluding novel in the Harry Potter series sell 11 million copies in its first 24 hours of release.

The latest film adaptation from that series, Order of the Phoenix, found itself top of most, if not all, film charts in 2007, and highlighted LEGO’s wisdom in having selected Harry Potter as its second ever franchise. In fact, LEGO’s popularity was on such an upward climb by now that the BBC’s Daily Politics show decided to use LEGO to explain Gordon Brown’s last budget.

However, 2007 was still a year that ultimately belonged to LEGO’s first franchise, Star Wars.

The Falcon remains a flagship set.

112 Blocks

As the space shuttle Endeavour was launched this year, it was perhaps fitting that LEGO were to turn to the stars themselves for the creation of their most ambitious set to date. With more than 5000 pieces and measuring in at 84cm long, 56cm wide, and 21cm tall, the Millennium Falcon certainly deserved its Ultimate Collector’s Series (UCS) title.

Somewhat controversially the top panels of the model are slotted into place but not connected meaning they will fall off if turned over, but this is built entirely with collectors in mind and probably with the realisation that anyone strong enough to pick the thing up wouldn’t be foolish enough to play with it.

The Building Experience

Minifigures Included

For me this was the first set that couldn’t be done in one sitting. In fact you would be hard pushed to complete this in 12 hours and even then constant building would be needed. But it never stops being fun to build, the shaping and techniques are exceptional, especially for its day, whilst the detail as it comes together is breathtaking.

There is a complex framework construction that is then used to rotate stud angles all around the model and any aspiring builder of the future would be well advised to study the methods in this set, as it will give you a much better understanding of how to take LEGO away from its rectangular nature.

This was also the first UCS set to come with minifigures and has very much paved the way for most UCS sets that have come since. By today’s standards they are already looking dated but the model’s display appeal is all the better for having them and most UCS sets since have taken on this mantra.

Costing the Collector At £350 this set remains to this day the most expensive LEGO model ever released. That this includes one set later released that is officially bigger might seem strange, but LEGO were taking their first big risk since their recovery, because adult fans were still an unpredictable entity to the company at that time. By the release of the bigger Taj Mahal set the economy around the world was also in serious recession.

More importantly though the complexity and design of this model is far more significant and impressive than the Taj Mahal and to most adult fans of LEGO it remains the flagship set for the company. The Falcon fetches at least £1500 second-hand, telling you all you need to know about the quality of this model.

This was the first Ultimate Collector’s Set to include minifigures.

Many AFOLs hold hope that LEGO will release another UCS version of the Falcon.

On the second hand market, this set pulls in record sums.

A lengt hy but rewa rding build.

ABOVE: The Falcon is the second largest set ever released, behind 10189 Taj Mahal.

LEFT: The first release run saw sets come with a first edition certificate of authenticity.

Blocks 113

LEGO FIX KITCH CONSTRUCT LEGO bricks are the solution to so many applications in life.

This month, it’s the inspiration behind the Munchausen LEGO kitchen

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reated by Parisian product designers Simon Pillard and Philippe Rosetti, this is the ultimate kitchen island to fit in the home of any LEGO enthusiast. There may be a basic IKEA frame underneath, but it still took more than 20,000 bricks to bring it to life, as well as days of building work.

Thanks Photograph by CĂŠline Clanet www.celineclanet.com

GET INVOLVED!

Have you built a LEGO Fix with bricks in everyday life? Get in touch, send a photo and let us know! james@blocksmag.com 87 Blocks

NEXT MONTH IN BLOCKS...

THE PIRATES ARE C MING! Avast, me hearties, Blocks is taken over by Pirates in Issue 8, as we explore one of LEGO’s most iconic and long-lasting themes

OSCAR WINNER

We chat to Nathan Sawaya on how he helped to ensure that LEGO won at the Oscars.

BRRRRRR

LEGO’s Arctic and Disney Princess themes are put under Blocks’ review microscope.

PLUS... REVIEWS, PROJECT UPDATES, EXPERT COLUMNS AND MUCH MORE…

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