Category Archives: classic

SNOT Blacktron and (A/T/C)FOLs

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Part 1: I do a lot of surfing on the Lego Flickr group. One thing that I’ve noticed is very often someone will post a photo of an excellent MOC and someone will call them on not having the entire thing smooth, or not using enough SNOT (studs not on top). It’s something that has started to bug me.

Part 2: Blacktron is entering a Neo stage (NBT), much like Classic Space enjoyed a few months ago. I thoroughly enjoyed the Neo Classic Space movement (the term still makes my wife giggle when I say it), and look forward to a darker, more violent theme to Blacktron. Of course like everything, people have set up a series of rules regarding what is and what is not NBT. Which brings me to the final part of this title.

Part 3: Adult, Teen, and Child Fans Of Lego all use these different Lego related groups on Flickr. Recently there have been discussions right down to how to refer to Lego, and how to interact with non Lego fans… Even though I fully agree that it is never cool to correct someone unless they ask. I’m beginning to wonder why do we need so many rules?

To me, Lego (as a kid, I called them Legos so bite it) were about freedom. Sure I built sets from the instructions, but they never stayed together. I always took them apart and enjoyed building My Own Creations (MOCs) more then most any set. I don’t know, maybe I’m in the minority, but I buy most of my sets now based on parts, minifigs, and finally sometimes if the model is really cool. I admit I follow some building trends, like hopping on and trying out some steam punk, or the NBT craze. For the most part however, I just enjoy being creative, I keep a box of Lego (plural bricks here) in the living room most of the time to build with while watching tv, or whenever.

I really enjoy seeing how new and creative ideas result in awesome looking stuff. There are certainly much more proficient builders out there then I. However, when these new techniques are shown, how and why do they become the new rules to build by?

Which brings me to the model way up at the top of this rant. Scroll up if you forgot what it looks like, I have. I was surfing again last night thinking I would like to explore the NBT movement. Blacktron, after all, was one of my favorite themes as a kid. Then I got thinking about it, and made a ship intentionally using SNOT techniques to get Studs on all sides of this Blacktron fighter. My intention was then to compile a short comic with it. However, by the time I finished this fighter, and figured out how to successfully photograph it, it was time to interact with the family. So the comic will be on hold until this weekend. Until then, please enjoy this fighter, which uses all the ‘rules’ to break them.

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Shipwreck Treasure Cave

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Inspired by Lego set 6253 Shipwreck Hideout I had to build my own version. I took the general concept and beefed it up a little bit. Most of the pieces come from 2 of the 6253 sets, but a mast or two and the rear hull come from my collection. Overall, the rock island is a little more formidable, and a little more of the ship survives making some living quarters. Add in a little more of a cave for the pirates to hide their treasure, and obvious disgust for whatever statesmen they had prisoner at the time of the crash and I give you Shipwreck Treasure Cave. (Any ideas for better names are welcome) Enjoy!




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Belated. . .

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I’d make a horrible Dad. I know it. Know why? Got any clues? Well, in 2006 on 10-25 at 9:57 P.M. I posted my first article here on Brickblog. Why, I remember when this blog was still in diapers, I was excited to get 1 visit after posting oh so many articles. To date, I’m up to 4,694 visits since I installed Google Analytics (November 9, 2006) to track such things. Truly amazing. What’s even scarrier is when I analyze what kinds of articles bring people to my site, I see when you search for d40 vs d70 my site comes up #1 in google.

So lets think back to what brought this blog to life. . .

Oh thats right, those damn raccoons. They’re still around, in fact I had great fun, ehr, I mean I was left no other option, then to shoot one a couple weeks ago with my paintball gun while I had the electric fence repurposed on the garden for the summer.

But of course, I wouldn’t be here with such an audience if it wasn’t for my peeps. Those folks that both read my insane ramblings, and those that link to my blog. So since I can’t thank every single one of you by name, I’ll be certain to report out what WordPress tells me are the good folks linking to my site.

Thanks!


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Hazza for the return of Classic Castle!

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It looks like Lego has finally gotten back to a more classic style castle theme. This is good news for those of us that have been collecting Lego for a long time. This
new issue of classic mold parts means that army building can continue without resorting to buying higher priced used lego.

As you can see, the molds are back to a traditional style. The only draw back is the switch to a ‘shiny’ plastic for the helms, and weapons are now of the new bley (blue-gray) that all Light gray pieces from Lego are now colored. To me, this isn’t such a big deal. With a little mixing up of new figures and old armor and vice versa, it could actually give a more realistic look to your army. Interestingly enough the patterns on the new knights are also similar to the Viking series. Which means in a pinch you could mix and match some bodies, or have Vikings v.s. knights.

This also marks the return of the maiden. Something that has been missing from sets of this style theme. Unless I missed something, the last few versions of Lego Castle theme lacked a female of any kind. No worries for those seeking equal rights, you can spin the head around to reveal a less frightened look while she mills about the castle.

It also looks like the return to dragons that look like dragons. Don’t get me wrong, I love the red dragon in the viking sets, but the majority of them look a little too Bionicle for me, and he larger ones lack the ability to hold their head or wings up. These new dragons are just right, both size and mix of molded parts.

We also have a few new additions, which intrigue me. The skeleton horse. Both in white and black (the same is true for the skeletons that ride them) they make a neat addition to the theme. Although, I’m a bit confused, as I thought bones were white. . .

Let the army building continue, and the epic battles return!

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