Ralph_S Posted April 6, 2009 Posted April 6, 2009 (edited) Following Captain Kirk's example, I've decided to post my entry for the Neo-classic space project. I'm not a space builder by any means, but my friends Peter Reid (Legoloverman on Flickr) has been trying to persuade me for a while and when James Shields (lostcarpark on flickr) set up the neo-classic space website and contacted builders, including me, to build a neo classic space MOC for every day of the month March, I couldn't resist any longer. Ed Diment (Lego Monster on flickr), one of the other builders who was invited, is a good friend of mine. His initial idea was to build a large wheeled vehicle with power functions remote control, but he was not at all happy with his first attempts. On a visit, I drew a quick sketch of a six-wheeled vehicle that could carry a base module, inspired by classic sets such as the All terrain vehicle and the Mobile Rocket Transport as well as mining equipment. Ed and I agreed that I would take over the design and building of the vehicle, but obviously with his input. I had a bit of experience with building vehicles with power functions remote control after I built my FDNY fire engine, but this vehicle was tricky. Combining steering and drive on the front wheels proved difficult and it took a while to sort out the gearing for the drive. The biggest problem was getting the steering to work properly, probably because of the size of the wheels. Initially we used a worm gear and a technic torque gear in a set-up similar to that on my fire engine, but depending on the gearing, the steering was either too slow or the torque gear kept slipping. The torque gear was required to prevent the steering mechanism from wrecking itself when it hit a stop. The idea of using the spring came up in a discussion on the brickish website a while ago, but I can't remember who came up with it. We tried that next, but at first it didn't work very well. When the vehicle was sitting on the ground, the spring wasn't strong enough to centre the wheels. Part of the solution involved changing and firming up the steering geometry. It now drives reasonably well, although after a few sudden turns the front wheels start to splay a bit. The vehicle got its name from one of the first versions, which moved forward in an odd lurching motion. Since other builders who have been doing classic space -most notably Peter- have defined a certain style of building (old grey, blue and trans yellow like the first classic space sets, and fairly heavily greebled and largely studless) I temporarily gave up my reluctance to build studless. Anyway, enough talk. Let's look at some pictures: a very short movie of the L.U.R.C.H. in action L.U.R.C.H. photo set on flickr It certainly was a rather different build than those I normally do, but great fun. I hope you'll like it. Cheers, Ralph Edited April 8, 2009 by Ralph_S Quote
Capt. Kirk Posted April 6, 2009 Posted April 6, 2009 I saw it a while ago on the website of Neo-Classic-space and it's one of my favorites... But Peter did it again... he's really the king of Classic-space IMO. MOCs of Peter aka LegoLoverMan Quote
Guss Posted April 6, 2009 Posted April 6, 2009 Ralph.. this creation is just excellent! and it moves very well with remote control! Great job seriously! the motors are nicely integrated, when I saw it I didn't even think there were technic parts on it^^ :thumbup: Capt. Kirk , awesome spaceship you just showed oO, I'm totally in love with the first ^^ Quote
Asuka Posted April 6, 2009 Posted April 6, 2009 That´s indeed an ingenious vehicle. It looks gorgeous, with very strong and clear lines. Annie's laboratory module is very beautiful too and its interior´s simply great, especially that cool CS blanket. It´s just fine to see such an elaborate research vehicle, a really inspiring work! Quote
Basiliscus Posted April 7, 2009 Posted April 7, 2009 It's always nice to see Space ground vehicles as they are so rare, but this is a great example of what can be done. I love the cockpit design. Quote
Ralph_S Posted April 7, 2009 Author Posted April 7, 2009 Thanks guys. Peter Reid's ships are on an intirely different level. As far as I am concerned, he pretty much invented neo classic space. I liked Ed's idea of a ground vehilce, because ground vehicles tended to be the classic space sets that I liked the most. I also liked the challenge of building it with PF control, although during the actual build I felt like it was never going to work and we'd better give up on it. Ed and I built the lab section at my place in a single evening just before the deadline. It is a true collaborative effort. We had a lot of fun building the interior. Cheers, Ralph Quote
keetong Posted April 8, 2009 Posted April 8, 2009 (edited) Wow, thats got detail, looks amazing, Got a question whats Neo Classic Space Project? Edited April 8, 2009 by keetong Quote
Ralph_S Posted April 8, 2009 Author Posted April 8, 2009 Wow, thats got detail, looks amazing, Got a question whats Neo Classic Space Project? Between 1979 and 1987 LEGO produced a range of space sets that AFOLs often refer to as Classic Space. Peter Reid, a friend of mine and fellow member of Brickish is a big classic space fan and about a year ago started building models inspired by the old sets, but using newer parts and building techniques. Within Brickish we started calling it Neo Classic Space. Because this year it's been thirty years since the sets were first releaased, he and James Shields have set up a website devoted to it and that's what this model is for. Cheers, Ralph Quote
Dutch Posted April 8, 2009 Posted April 8, 2009 That is amazing. I like the to color and the details you put in. so keep it up. also nice use of the snot technique. My 100TH post yay. Quote
Batbrick Posted April 8, 2009 Posted April 8, 2009 Wonderful creation, really makes me appreciate Classic Space all the more. I love all the detials and greebling on it, and the wheels are a nice job too. The front cockpit is my favourite part, excellent work and thanks for posting! Batbrick Away! Quote
Ralph_S Posted April 8, 2009 Author Posted April 8, 2009 That is amazing. I like the to color and the details you put in. so keep it up. also nice use of the snot technique.My 100TH post yay. Thanks. The colour was really determined by the original classic space sets. Ground vehicles were initially old grey with trans yellow transparencies (if any). Since the original sets always had red wheel hubs, most people who build neo classic space vehicles tend to use red for the wheels as well. It might not make any logical sense perhaps, but it does help emphasise the link with the original classic space sets. Congratulations on your 100th post, BTW Wonderful creation, really makes me appreciate Classic Space all the more. I love all the detials and greebling on it, and the wheels are a nice job too. The front cockpit is my favourite part, excellent work and thanks for posting!Batbrick Away! Thanks. I always liked what other people were doing with it, but I was always a bit reluctant to participate myself. I don't normally build sci-fi or even vehicles of my own design. This was like jumping into the pool at the deep end in a sense, so I'm quite pleased with the reception that it got. Cheers, Ralph Quote
General Armendariz Posted April 14, 2009 Posted April 14, 2009 Wow, both of these are great, their like, classic but at the same time not! Quote
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