Lego Macross VF-1 Valkyrie + Fast Pack + Armored by maxvf1

Macross (also know as Robotech) is one of the most famous anime series from Japan (Gundam being the other). First appearing on television in 1982, Macross has been steadily available across a variety of formats. The most recent incarnation is the movie Macross FB 7: Ore no Uta o Kike! (Macross Dynamite 7: 15th Anniversary) and the Macross 30: The Voice that Connects the Galaxy video game. This science fiction series is centered around gigantic mecha robots known as variable fighters (veritech fighters in the Robotech variation). These variable/veritech fighters, commonly referred to as Valkyries were essential during the first Human-Alien war.

The VF-1 Valkyrie looks like a modern fighter aircraft, but it has the ability to transform into different modes/configurations. The standard space/jet fighter mode, the GERWALK (guardian) mode, and the Battroid (Battloid) mode. The GERWALK resembles a “chicken walker” style mecha and has VTOL capabilities. While Battroid mode is a full humanoid mecha. The pilot of the Valkyrie is Hikaru Ichijyo.

The Lego Macross VF-1 Valkyrie + Fast Pack + Armored is the creation of maxvf1, and has a fully detailed Lego CUUSOO proposal. The proposal is for a single VF-1 Valkyrie that can transform between all three modes (Fighter, GERWALK, Battroid) while retaining the detailing and design from the Macross series. The designer, maxvf1 has even included many variations that could be produced. Including the VF-1S and VF-1J. Although the focus is on the VF-1 Valkyrie. Even a hanger dock and Armored variations have been proposed.

These Macross Valkyries are extremely well made. Featuring fully posable articulation, and transformations (check out the YouTube video below). These are exceptionally accurate models. If for whatever reason this project never makes it out of the CUUSOO process it would be great if instructions could be provided. Mecha MOCs are always in demand.

The designer of these VF-1 Valkyrie mechas, maxvf1, has kept up a great and detailed Lego CUUSOO page here: http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/638

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFRhaNnne8c

First Photos from the upcoming Lego Minifigures Series 11

The first photo of the upcoming Lego Minifigures Series 11 has been leaked. Featuring an Evil Mech, Scientist, Yeti, Female Robot, and a Welder. Not pictured here, and not yet confirmed are the figures Jazz Musician, Constable, Holiday Elf, Bavarian Woman, Scarecrow, Mountain Climber, Grandmother, Tike Warrior, Gingerbread Man, Barbarian and Dinner Waitress. The early rumors say that the set will be available sometime around September.

Lego seems to be going strong with the collectible minifigs. No one would have predicted 11 series for this theme. The detail and number of unique parts is what keeps these things going. So far this set is looking pretty good. And, hopefully the distribution will be reasonable. (Stupid Skydiver!)

Series 10 was just recently released, so make sure to pick up a couple of those before this one hits stores. Maybe you will even find a Mr. Gold?

Thanks to Bricks & Bloks and Brickshelf for the early info: http://www.bricksandbloks.com/lego-minifigures-series-11-photos-yeti-welder-lady-robot-more/

UPDATE!

Full details and images for Series 11 here: http://everydaybricks.com/lego-minifigures-series-11-details/

LegoGenre | 00263

Robo Baggins.

Atlas and P-Body from Portal 2

ATLAS and P-Body, also known as Blue and Orange, are everybody’s favorite playable robots from Portal 2. They were created by GLaDOS as a means to replace human subjects in the Cooperative Testing Initiative at the Aperture Science Enrichment Center.

Fun robot fact: ATLAS (the round one) is male, and P-Body (the tall one) is female.

Here they have been recreated in Lego. The overall shape and design match up pretty well when compared to the source material. A difficult achievement, considering how intricate and non-Lego like their design is. This MOC is a perfect example in how integrating rubber bands into your builds can help you build the impossible. Check out the rubber bands wrapping around their core, and delicate joints.

For comparison, make sure check out ATLAS and P-Body in the cooperative trailer from Portal 2. Now to spend an hour watching Portal 2 videos on YouTube…

ATLAS & P-Body were built by Eldeeem and can be seen over at Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ltdemartinet/8807145872/

BrickPi: Lego Bricks with a Raspberry Pi Brain @ Kickstarter

BrickPi is a simple system for joining together Lego bricks with the Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi is a super small open-source computer that is powerful enough to play high definition video. The standard connections available are USB, RCA, LAN, Audio, HDMI, GPIO, and SD Cards. With this system you will be able to hook a Raspberry Pi computer into the Lego Mindstorms sensors; specifically 3 motors and 4 sensors. These things combined can be used to create smart robots. BrickPi is looking for funding on Kickstarter, check out the video for more details:

BrickPi will be powered by Arduino and Python. As an added plus, the designers will be providing examples and libraries for all your robotic needs.

BrickPi is made by the people over at Dexter Industries.

“We were founded by John Cole, an engineer who had never touched a soldering iron before 2009, but had a burning desire to make robots. Most of our products before this were for the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT or Arduino.

When we saw the RPi, we saw the future and ordered six of them. After setting up the Raspberry Pi, we were a little frustrated that it stood still. So we looked for a way to make it into a robot.

Thus was born the BrickPi.”

Kickstarter: http://kck.st/13vuWtb
Dexter Industries: http://www.dexterindustries.com/BrickPi/

Steam-Bots: The Steampunk Robot

Little tiny robots are one of the best genres of MOC builds, and when someone changes it up a little it can really stand out. For instance these Steam-Bots don’t look very deadly, but the steampunk robot on the left has a chainsaw for a hand. The choice of color and pieces is really nice, the ice cream for steam and the gold/brown color scheme really helps sell these robots. Hope you didn’t spend all your money on your new top hat and mustache cream, as robot insurance would come in handy here.

Capt. Brick over at Flickr is responsible for these little Steam-Bots: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cptbrick/8741472985/

H.U.L.K. Exo Suit

Ever since Aliens, the dream of a working Exo Suit has taken up many a person. Although still a few years away from that reality, you can build your own mecha in Lego.

That’s what Flickr user TrapleS did with his H.U.L.K. Exo Suit. Every single piece of this MOC is beyond me. The scifi robot genre of Lego builds is incredibly technically advanced. Just look at all those Technic parts, pins, and joints. All of these pieces come together in a very expressive mecha suit.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/95434269@N08/8710206399/

Steampunk Steam Temple

Imagine that Howl’s Moving Castle had a little steampunk baby… It would be great to create a stop motion video with this Steam Temple walking around. The black, brown, and gold color scheme is very harmonious.

Flickr user 6yubi6 created this Steam Temple (“NIHON NO STEAMPUNK”). Check it out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7kyubi7/8677623107/

LegoGenre | 00166

Batman’s True Identity.

Happy Lego Halloween!