The Massive Samurai Code Lego Project

Ben Pitchfork Samurai Code Lego Project

Lego MOCs come in all shapes and sizes, and some of the most remarkable are the also the largest. This is the Samurai Code; a gigantic MOC created by Ben Pitchfork. Just the cost to build something like this is something to marvel at. Thousands and thousands of Lego pieces make up this huge Japanese volcanic island. This project has a little bit of everything, a huge MOC, a Lego Ideas proposal, and time-lapse video.

Ben Pitchfork Samurai Code Lego Project Light

Featuring an ancient shrine (or samurai dojo), a huge mountain lake, multiple waterfalls, a volcano, beach, rope bridges, islands, steep cliffs, winding paths, and lots of little secrets. This is a masterpiece.

Ben Pitchfork Lego Samurai Code Detail Ben Pitchfork Lego Samurai Temple

The best part is the whole thing has been wired up with LEDs. Giving these twin peaks a whole new atmosphere in the dark. The lighting brings out new details, while creating dangerous shadows.

Ben Pitchfork Samurai Code Lego Project Night

Lego Ideas Samurai Code

A piece of the Samurai Code has been carefully recreated as a Lego Ideas project. Go vote!

“Recreate the old tales of traditional Japan with a highly detailed, yet realistic model of ancient Japanese architecture. Featuring one model that you can customize into an ancient shrine or a samurai dojo. Includes a cherry blossom tree, 2 decorative lanterns, and 3 minifigures with a horse.

Designed with lots of exterior and interior details, advanced building techniques, and inside lights for displaying. Unlike previous dojos, this is geared more for adult fans and displaying. There is a detachable roof to allow access and play ability also.” — Lego Ideas

Lego Ideas Samurai Code

Time-lapse Video

Also, make sure to check out this quick time-lapse video of the project going from concept to finished MOC. It shows off some great building secrets, such as hallow mountains…

If you need more details and more photos of the Samurai Code Lego MOC you can find that over here: Flickr, Lego Ideas, YouTube

Erebor by Blake Baer and Jack Bittner. 80,000 Lego pieces strong.

Blake Baer and Jack Bittner's Lego Erebor. The Hobbit.

“Far over the Misty Mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old,
We must away, ere break of day,
To seek our pale enchanted gold.

The pines were roaring on the heights,
The wind was moaning in the night,
The fire was red, it flaming spread,
The trees like torches blazed with light.

The bells were ringing in the dale,
And men looked up with faces pale.
The dragon’s ire, more fierce than fire,
Laid low their towers and houses frail.

The mountain smoked beneath the moon.
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled the hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.”

The Hobbit — J.R.R. Tolkien

Blake Baer and Jack Bittner set out to create their largest Lego creation. The result is the super impressive Erebor. Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. This massive Lego MOC is centered around a huge mountain and contains the main entrance into the dwarven city, a human city, a working windmill, and more details then you can imagine. A total of 6 months went into this build, and 80,000 Lego pieces. With no dragon, this Lonely Mountain sure is looking very peaceful.

http://youtu.be/iiYI-5_08Hg

The sheer size of Erebor is hard to capture with just a few photographs. Luckily, a video has been made to show off a lot of the features. A build this size needs a video.

Blake Baer and Jack Bittner's Lego Erebor. The Hobbit. Overview.

Here an overhead perspective shows just how large the exterior of this build is. A huge river, three different roads, and a plethora of flora can all be seen from above. It feels like you are bird flying over everything.

The tiny details give so much personality. From a tiny bird nest perched near the river, to an overcrowded market place. There is so much to look at. By taking these photos from a lower angle it allows the viewer to be drawn into the scene.

Blake Baer and Jack Bittner's Lego Erebor. The Hobbit. 02Blake Baer and Jack Bittner's Lego Erebor. The Hobbit. 04

Blake Baer and Jack Bittner's Lego Erebor. The Hobbit. 01Blake Baer and Jack Bittner's Lego Erebor. The Hobbit. 05

Erebor has some amazing stats:

  • 80,000+ Lego pieces.
  • 16, 32×32, baseplates in a 4×4 pattern.
  • 56 inches tall at the peak.
  • Modular, breaks away into 11 separate sections.
  • 400+ hours of work.

Blake Baer and Jack Bittner's Lego Erebor. The Hobbit. 03

One interesting thing about these massive builds is what goes into creating the illusion of a solid MOC. Usually Erebor will be shown in person with its back to the wall, so the hidden support structure will never be seen. This massive mountain is a technicolor hollow shell with many supports and miscellaneous pieces holding up the exterior walls. Amazing.

Blake Baer and Jack Bittner's Lego Erebor. The Hobbit. Backside.

Check out many many more photos, or read the full story about Erebor over on MOCPages: http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/375137

There is also a Flickr page here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/baericks/sets/72157638097215594/