De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver LEGO Ideas Project Review

Overview

This project is a joint project between saabfan and gabriele.zannotti depicting the iconic de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver. This aircraft was designed and manufactured be de Havilland Canada from 1947 to 1967 and has become a popular and iconic plane used both in the bush and by many different militaries across the world due to its ability to perform short takeoffs and landings (STOLs) as well as the option to put the plane on wheels, floats or skies. For more information, you can visit this project on LEGO Ideas by clicking here.

Appeals of this Project
First of all, from a presentation standpoint, this project is presented beautifully. I appreciate that the computer generated model has been rendered, and rendered with great detail, even to the point of including the reflection of the DHC-2 Beaver in the water. In addition to the superb rendering job, the model is stunning by itself. The color combination, with the dark blue, yellow and white complement teach other really well, and highlight the many details included in this build, providing an overall aesthetically pleasing and appealing project.

There are a number of intricate details in this project that do not meet the eye at first glance. Starting on shore, there is a fir tree that uses the SNOT technique to add some typical scenery out in the bush, as well as a creatively designed aviation wind sock. The use of the "brick with headlight" piece (4070) really gives the dock a realistic appearance due to the slight spacing between the boards, and the rope at the end gives it a nice touch and offers increased playability such that the plane can be tied to the dock to prevent it from floating away. The two minifigures and dog are just the right number of characters to include in a build of this size, and they have plenty of accessories, including a first aid kit, mail and a fuel can that offer additional playability.

The plane itself includes details such as the single prop engine, ladder for entering and exiting the plane and radio antennas on the fuselage. However, two of the most intricate details, and the two details that offer the greatest play value, are not easily apparent. These details are the storage space in the fuselage for the valuable cargo, and my favorite, the landing gear that folds down to allow the same plane to land on water or on land (yes, there are actual De Havilland DHC-2 Beavers that are equipped with this type of landing gear. Click here to see pictures). First of all, this is an ingenious idea as it relates to the real DHC-2 Beaver, and I am glad to see the floats with landing gear included in this LEGO Ideas project also. Another detail that I appreciate seeing is the inclusion of rudders at the back of the floats for steering in the water.

Areas for Improvement
I have searched and searched this project to see if there is anything I would improve upon, and can find nothing. In fact, each time I examine the project, I become more and more convinced that it is fantastic just the way it is, and would make a fantastic set both for AFOLs and for kids.

Conclusion

Not only is this a beautiful LEGO build, but this is a very playable model as well. There are numerous appeals from both an aesthetics perspective and from a playability standpoint, and I am convinced this would make a wonderful set if it reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the Official LEGO Ideas Review Process. To see more pictures and offer your support to help this become a set, you can visit the project on LEGO Ideas here. Not sure how LEGO Ideas works? Click here to find out more.

Photos used and review completed with the permission of saabfan and gabriele.zannotti.

LEGO Bear Hunt

Check out the first ever LEGO stop motion film from All Day Bricks about a mountain man hunting in the vast wilderness. I shot this video just for fun about a year ago, and finally finished editing it and adding all of the sound effects recently. I hope you enjoy it!

(Yes, there are some areas for improvement, but everyone has to start somewhere!)

Mississippi Princess LEGO Ideas Project Review

Overview
The Mississippi Princess, created by ravescat, is a paddleboat fully decked out and detailed as it prepares for its voyage up the river of support on LEGO Ideas. This particular paddleboat is patterned as modern day replica of the old steam paddleboats that used to travel up and down rivers such as the Ohio and the Mississippi in the Unites States during the late 18th to the early 20th centauries. For more information, you can visit the project on LEGO Ideas by clicking here.

Appeals of this Project
This paddle boat is a splendid model, and it looks very much like the mighty riverboats that used to go up and down the Mississippi. There is a lovely blend of blue and red to accent the white railing and deck, and I can just picture this entering one of the larger cities like St. Louis or New Orleans with much fanfare. This vessel is packed with details such as the boarding ramps at the bow (front), the traditional riverboat bell, and the paddlewheel at the stern (back) just to name a few.

Diving into the model, the three top decks can be removed for access to all four levels, offering good playability. The upper deck is an observation deck in the stern,  where passengers can watch as the mighty paddlewheel propels the boat forward, while the bow contains the bridge where the captain and crew set the course and guide this vessel through the twists and turns of the river. The panoramic (second) deck is another observation deck, complete with benches in the stern and a little deck café (not pictured) where the minifigures can grab a bite to eat during their trip.

As we continue further down, the first deck contains the living quarters with three passenger cabins and a shared bathroom. But the biggest surprise for me was to see the inclusion of an emergency room. In a boat this magnificent, it is easy to overlook the less glamorous details, and I am really glad to see that ravescat has included a fully equipped emergency room with various types of emergency and service equipment. Finally, the lower deck houses a large entertainment room complete with dancing floor, stage, lounging areas, and even decorations from previous voyages. Behind this main room is the engine room which houses the large diesel engine used to turn the paddlewheel and propel this ship on its way.

Areas for Improvement
This is a very solid model from bow to stern, and really the only complaint I have with this model is the size. Until recently, large models have had trouble passing the Official LEGO Ideas Review process. However with the recent approval of the Apollo 11 Saturn V provides some hope that larger models, such as the Mississippi Princess, might have a chance of passing the review process.

Conclusion
I really like this riverboat, the Mississippi Princess, and think it would make a very enjoyable set if it reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the official LEGO Ideas Review Process. To see more pictures and offer your support to help this become a set, you can visit this project on LEGO Ideas here. Not sure how LEGO Ideas works? Click here to find our more.

Photos used and review completed with the permission of ravescat.

Imperial Trading Post LEGO Ideas Project Review

Overview
This project, created by freakabere, is an Imperial Trading Post which, as the name implies, portrays the imperial empire side of the Pirates theme. According to the project page, this particular trading post is set in the Caribbean Sea, and must be protected by the imperial soldiers from pirates in the area. For more information, you can visit this project on LEGO Ideas by clicking here.

Appeals of this Project
The Imperial Trading Post is a very nice looking build. The red roof and the blue sea add some eye-catching color while combining to bookend the more neutral colors that make up the dock and building portion of the trading post. The architecture style, with the lattice windows, stucco design, and arches for some of the windows and doors, is a nice representation of the style that the European powers would have taken to the Caribbean region around the 16th century. This particular trading post seems to be a joint venture between two imperial powers. Shall we call them the "Red Stripes" and the "Blue Checks"?

Looking around the docks, there are many items that will be necessary for a voyage at sea such as various weapons, barrels of powder, water, rum and food, not to mention the imperial soldiers and privateers bumming around or getting ready for their next trip to sea. Up above the trading post, we see a little jib crane that is used to move the supplies from the warehouse above the trading post to the dock below, or for loading and unloading row boats as they go to and from ships at anchor near by. In fact, we see one such row boat coming to the trading post now with a ship captain and two if his imperial sailors.

As it relates to playability, I particularly like how the top warehouse section comes off revealing the trading post underneath. Inside we find many other items, some that are necessary for a voyage at sea, others that have come from the natives in the Caribbean and will be shipped back to Europe. There is also a bar where the crusty sailors can swap sea stories and get their fill of fresh food instead of the pickled foods they are continually eating aboard ship. I particularly like how the bar makes nice use of the collectable minifigure plates for the bar countertop.

Areas for Improvement
Overall, this is a very nice project, but there are a couple of things that would make this project more appealing to me. First, I do not like how the only access to the warehouse is through the doors at the front. Making one side of the roof removable would greatly add to the playability. Second, and this is purely a matter of personal preference, I am not a fan of the mermaids. To start with, I am not a huge fan of mermaids in general, but they just seem out of place to me in this project.

Conclusion
The Imperial Trading Post is an excellent project that would fit in well with the Pirate sets that LEGO has produced in the past. With a modification to the warehouse to make it more accessible for playability, I think this would be a wonderful set if it reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the Official LEGO Ideas Review Process. To see more pictures and offer your support to help this become a set, you can visit this project on LEGO Ideas here. Not sure how LEGO Ideas works? Click here to find our more.

Photos used and review completed with the permission of freakabere.

Johnny Thunder and the Pyramid of Eternity LEGO Ideas Project Review

Overview
 This project, by PrimeMerlinian, seeks to introduce an new original set while paying tribute to the old Adventures theme with Johnny Thunder and his band of friends (and enemies) as they explored all over the world. This particular project sends Johnny and his friends back to the location of their first exploration in 1998 in the Egyptian desert. For more information, you can visit this project on LEGO Ideas by clicking here.

Appeals of this Project
This project as a large appeal to me (and I am sure to many other FOLs) from a nostalgia standpoint as the Adventures theme was one of my favorite themes growing up. Having mentioned that, there are also many other appeals to this project. This project contains many of the original characters, including Harry Crain: Johnny's closest friend and ace pilot, Gail Storm: also known as Pippin Reed an ambitious reporter and friend of Johnny, Sam Sinister: Johnny's greedy enemy and partner to Baron Von Barron, and Baron Von Barron: another enemy of Johnny and expert pilot (Fun Fact: Baron Von Barron later had his name changed to Sam Sinister).

As Johnny and company return, they are looking for the treasure of "The Pharaoh" in his Pyramid of Eternity. This pyramid does a nice job of combining some of the old Adventures style architecture with newer LEGO elements and building styles to create an intriguing model. As the explorers enter the pyramid, they must be on constant alert for the many booby traps and other dangers in the corridors through which they must travel before reaching the treasure. These booby traps greatly increase the imagination possibilities and thus the playability with this project while bring back memories of some of the booby traps in the original Adventures sets.

Another feature of this project is the base camp for Johnny and his friends. This camp comes complete with a tent, exploring map, excavation tools, and some desert scenery. The camp would be a good place for Sam Sinister and Baron Von Barron to ambush our three explorers, or for the explorers to prepare their plans for exploration the next day, or many other things that our adventurers might want to do.

Areas for Improvement
There is very little that I would change about this project, but one think I do miss seeing is the traditional Johnny Thunder hat (piece 30167). The currently used wide brim style hat (piece 61506) is definitely a nice piece, but I will forever think of Johnny Thunder with the traditional wide brimmed hat with one side folded that he has always worn, and would miss seeing him in his original hat.

Conclusion
Johnny Thunder and the other Adventurers have held a special place in the hearts of LEGO fans for many years, and it would be wonderful to see them return in this new adventure. I am convinced that this would make a very nice set if it reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the Official LEGO Ideas Review process. To see more pictures and offer your support to help this become a set, you can visit this project on LEGO Ideas here. Not sure how LEGO Ideas works? Click here for find out more.

Photos used and review completed with the permission of PrimeMerlinian.