BIG IDEAS

BIG IDEAS This month, Bricks gets moving, as we look at ideas based on transport - planes, trains and boats. Our Ideas seekers Adam White and Drew Maughan pack their bags and get ready to travel

Transport

HOT AIR BALLOON BY LUCA CASCIOLA

ideas.lego.com/projects/155494

LIGHTHOUSE BY DOMINIKQN

ideas.lego.com/projects/155330

An area that’s only recently been covered in official sets is the hot air balloon. Unlike many other MOCs, this project goes for an Ultimate Collectors Series approach, with the craft being designed to minifigure scale and constructed with a combination of Technic and System parts. A lot of thought has clearly gone into the design, including the balloon’s colours, which incidentally are the most common colours used with hot air balloons.

Adding to previous lighthouse LEGO sets is this highly detailed rendition, with the unique selling point of having two interconnecting islands instead of a single one. The numerous textures, including the rock formations, the path and the removable roof, always give us something to look at. What we really like about the lighthouse is that it’s not entirely for show: the rear wall opens to reveal a tall spiral staircase leading to the top.

THE BLUE DOLPHIN BY SKYWARDBRICK

ideas.lego.com/projects/149857

Pirates may be one of the classic LEGO themes but it’s also a theme that has never really evolved beyond its original concept, unlike LEGO Space and Castle. This set still relies on the classic notion of pirates but gives it enough of a twist to edge it out ahead of other pirate-based projects currently on the LEGO Ideas platform. The use of blue elements not only ties nicely to the story behind the set but also makes it look pretty cool as well.

LEGO SEA DUCK BY PUNSMASH

ideas.lego.com/projects/154178

With clear inspiration from the Yellow Submarine, this is the iconic aeroplane from the Disney cartoon TaleSpin, which is modelled after a real seaplane. Though there are other similar projects, this one appears to be designed for playability and for minifigures to sit in the cockpit. Who wouldn’t like to have a Baloo minifigure, even dressed as a pilot?

MICRO TRACK BY STEPHANIX

ideas.lego.com/projects/155562

This is for anyone who has always wanted a LEGO train set – or any train set for that matter – but never had the opportunity or the space to own one. This project lets you create your very own microscale rail network, with plenty of features to customise it to your heart’s content. Most impressive about this project has been the proactive approach to including curved sections of track, which was previously thought of as impossible.

SAN FRANCISCO CABLE CAR BY KEVINSZETO

ideas.lego.com/projects/125350

If you’ve ever visited San Francisco, chances are you’ll have seen the city’s famous cable cars. Unlike trams, the cable car relies on a unique cable pulley system to get it around. It’s a vehicle not often seen in LEGO sets, plus this project uses LEGO pieces in interesting ways to re-create this iconic mode of transportation with style and panache.

STINGRAY BY MATTHEWL97

ideas.lego.com/projects/154422

The titular underwater vehicle from the 1960s TV show, this takes the traditional approach of exposed studs but remains true to the shape of the craft. Stingray was clearly designed for playability: as well as a large cockpit for two minifigures, driving it across the floor makes the rear propeller spin! There are also two spring-loaded projectiles at its disposal for combative fun. Stand by for action!

DE HAVILLAND DHC-2 BEAVER BY SAABFAN

ideas.lego.com/projects/131944

The de Havilland DHC-2 light aircraft is lovingly known as the Beaver and just like its namesake, it’s quite at home on the calm lakes of the Canadian wilderness. This project captures the DHC-2 in a LEGO City-type set and along with the plane, also includes a fun little jetty and a slice of the Canadian forest with a grassy hill and tree. There’s also a pilot minifigure, a hermit, his dog and extra fuel as well as a mail package and a first aid kit.

BIG IDEAS

ROCKY MOUNTAIN EXPRESS BY PIX027

ideas.lego.com/projects/122904

Despite the LEGO community’s love of trains, there are few released as sets and those that are, are often based on modern type engines. However, this set captures the nostalgia of the steam engine with the Rocky Mountain Express. It can also be retrofitted to include Power Functions.

TUG BOAT BY PIX027

ideas.lego.com/projects/152252

The detail this tug contains is impressive and is achieved with a great use of parts and elements. Better still, it’s a completely original design, making it unique and looking like it would make an interesting build. It’s the perfect example of a well thought-out and presented Ideas project.

RMS TITANIC BY CARLIERTI

ideas.lego.com/projects/135695

One of the most famous ships to ever sail was the ill-fated RMS Titanic. In its time, it was an engineering marvel but it proved no match for an iceberg. Its structure and appearance make for a great LEGO set with appeal beyond just LEGO fans. Although this project has limited playability it would make a great display piece.

HEADING TO DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS

With year two of LEGO Dimensions content now available, we look at previous LEGO Ideas projects featuring franchises that now appear in the LEGO Multiverse.

THE WIZARD OF OZ In 2014 the The Road to Oz project reached 10,000 supporters and went into LEGO Ideas review. It didn’t make it to retail but the world of Oz was later introduced as a LEGO Dimensions Fun Pack, with a unique Wicked Witch minifigure and Flying Monkey.

PORTAL 2 The Thinking With Portals – Portal 2 Ideas project hit 10k in the CUUSOO days but never made it past review. Chell and GLADOS would join the amazing LEGO Dimensions Portal 2 Level Pack though, the perfect platform for Portal 2 and LEGO to meet.

DOCTOR WHO Doctor Who is popular on LEGO Ideas and in 2014 the Doctor Who and Companions project was approved, with the set released in 2015. But the Doctor would have his first LEGO adventure through time and space thanks to LEGO Dimensions.

GHOSTBUSTERS In 2013 the Ghostbusters 30th Anniversary project hit 10k and was approved the following year. Ecto1 hit stores in June 2014. As the LEGO Group were working with Sony on the Ideas set, three Ghostbusters LEGO Dimensions sets appeared.

ADVENTURE TIME Earlier this year it was announced that brick-built Adventure Time figures would appear in 2017. But residents of the Land of Ooo make their debut in the new LEGO Dimensions sets. Wave Six includes a Level Pack and Team Pack with more due next year.

THE GOONIES Despite The Goonies Inferno Ideas project getting 10,000 supporters in 2015, they never made it past the review stage. But they will ride again next year as a LEGO Dimensions Pack. This will include a Sloth minifigure and a brick-built Inferno pirates ship.

We are not suggesting any Ideas projects which failed to pass review did so to appear in LEGO Dimensions. It’s just nice to see the fictional worlds LEGO fans are passionate about can get a second chance thanks to LEGO Dimensions.