Maaboo the Witch

I'd think that tracks would require more power, especially on smooth surfaces. Also, there'd need to be one motor for each track, as tracked vehicles can't actually 'steer' like wheeled vehicles do. I'm sure LEGO have some tricks up their collective sleeve, or at least Uwe Wabra does. Hopefully. I'm looking forward to knowing more.

I like his 42023 scraper model, which I think really illustrates that point. It uses such a limited selection of parts and has some clever functions.

No, Uwe Wabra is. He might have meant 42069.

Note the MR on the side of the passenger door - Milan Reindl? Looks like the sort of thing he'd design. The 'Zulu' logo from 42066 also appears at the back; I laughed when I read the 'Air Philters' one. The driver side door is up; I like the way that opens! I assume the other door does the same. Track links on the roof as well - spares for the drive units? There's so much to point out here, so I'll leave it to others to point out the rest!

I'm more interested in the B-models for the big three. Right now my interest in the big truck kind of rests on what else you can do with it. Ditto the other two.

Yeah, I'd say it's a mix of those two.

Don't forget the 8045, which is essentially a miniature version of 8295. Now that you mention it, one of the 2016 Creator sets features a telehandler with the same colour scheme.

Maybe I was a bit severe earlier. While this year probably isn't the strongest in Technic history, I in no way meant that LEGO is losing it. I just thought that the Ocean Explorer double act is a bit unoriginal. You have to admit they are a smidgen too similar, but that's probably me! That does sound great! There are loads of Creator sets that would look good in Technic. I'd like to see another Technic space shuttle, or a robot dog like the Creator models from this year. Then that's all that's important.

Well, here's something interesting! This particular Creator set from 2016 bears resemblance to a set I think we all know. Have LEGO run out of ideas or what?

Nice review! I do like this set; it's my favourite of the current 2017 range. Well done for making the B-model look reasonably good too!

Nice observations on the 42070! Funnily enough, Kossman and Wabra might SEEM to be the only designers behind the mighty flagships, but Aurelien Rouffiange designed the 42055-B aggregate plant, and the CLAAS and Volvo of last year, flagships in their own right, were designed by Michael Jeppesen and Olav Kroigaard. The 2008 flagship is somewhat of an odd matter; the 8296 off roader was designed by Wabra along with Natanael Kuipers and Lars Krogh Jensen, but the 8295 telehandler by Alfred Pedersen could also be the flagship for that year, according to Blakbird on Technicopedia, possibly due to its larger part count. Also, the 8043 excavator, 2010's flagship, was designed by Anders Gaesedal Christensen, and Jeppe Juul Jensen designed the 9398 crawler in 2012. That's pretty much it, though!

I'd like the 42070-B to be a logging vehicle of some kind, especially given those tyres. I think someone suggested it before, actually. 42069? Huh. That's a tough one. Possibly a snow groomer? 42068... hmm. Not sure if we'll get a repeat of the two buggy models from 2003. Maybe a buggy and a bike!

I see that the curved-panel seats in 42068 are now blue instead of white. Bit of a shame; it would have been nice to have them in a newer colour. Doesn't really detract from the model, though.

I think 1H has been quite good, especially where the smaller sets are concerned. And the Tow Truck is rather cool, even if it might be a bit of style over substance. I'm sure 42069 will find its audience, even if that audience doesn't include me. And let's face it: plain fire truck - better than no fire truck!

Actually, the BWE and the Xerion got cloned as well. So did the Arocs, which has pneumatics. For some reason they've overlooked the Volvo EW160E; maybe it's not big or high-profile enough.

Wonder what the B-models will look like?

Okay, since lots of other people have given comprehensive responses to today's scintillating news, I'll chip in with my own brief assessment! 42068 - bit dull, maybe something to buy if bored. 42069 - aargh, no! It does look like something out of Ski Region Simulator and I see the idea behind it, but... aargh, no! 42070 - now this is more like it! Love the sticker motif, the teddy and the Claas tyres! Also noticed the UW on the front grill - Uwe Wabra?

Some point today, I'd think. Looking forward to it!

That truck is so cool! I'm even more pumped for 42070 now. From what I remember of the erstwhile prelim image, it does have outriggers and the crane did look like it did more than raising and lowering.

Can't wait! Looking forward to the tow truck.

I'm stupefied that we STILL haven't seen the designer videos for the 1H sets. Are the designers ashamed or something?

It's on the rear of the skidder, opposite the claw. On the right, you can see the gear that unspools it.

Cool news about the fire truck! I do remember the seat panels being white rather than red in the 42051 prelim, though.

Wonder when we'll see the designer videos for the 1H wave.

The Ponsse Beaver has six equally sized wheels.