Sam42

If you can only pick one I'd go for 8110, the functionality and further building opportunities offered by this model are second to none, and if I remember correctly its the largest technic model produced to date by part count! Although i'm biased, 8110 is my favourite lego set ever... however 8258 will be deleted sooner than the mog so maybe go with the advice above!

IMAG0118 by sam2442, on Flickr I played with it! It was awesome!

Manchester yes, Birmingham no. Much as I'd love to pop down to brum to chat technic tomorrow I'm afraid I'm working! Though it'd be cool to meet another eurobricks technic, mindstorms and modelteam regular in real life! Meeting Ralph at afolcon was good but that Alasdair! I thought he was hard work on the internet!!

Like! Esp. the lite version...

I thought you were an islander not the highlander! :D

Looking good! You've seen my efforts in the flesh, pneumatic cylinders for the vertical stage are easier to implement but the mini la option does give better adjustability..

Oooh dluders I think you're downplaying this set-mod just a little! having built 10220 and then lowered it (only by half a stud) I can confirm just how much reworking the standard model needs to achieve that much drop. And all the little changes and details make for a nice smooth look. Lovely work. Damn it though I was gonna give mine a little skully gear shifter knob! My efforts- IMAG0268 by sam2442, on Flickr

Lovely detail! Especially the realistic suspension linkage.

New magnum? Can't wait!

Worst. Case. Scenario. What a disappointment! How can this even be classed as a technic challenge if there's no real scope for functionality? It's just a styling exercise! We should hold our own crawler based build challenge!

Looks good! A nice equivalent to a leaf sprung live axle set up..... I believe our friend Ingmar (2LegoOrNot2Lego) uses the same flexible rubber part in the suspension in his trucks... I've considered using them in place of ball joints in certain applications before now...

90% of the time for the parts, i've bought a few sets that didn't even get built! we should have a poll on this subject!

Oh i forgot about him! he was awesome... Sorry it took a while, Busy work schedule and a lack of home computer conspired against me! if it's any consolation i've still not got round to shooting my Unimog upgrades and they were built ten months ago! and i've a new project that still needs a photo session and posting, maybe this weekend....

Ok so this event might have been around 6 months ago but in my defence i usually don"t have access to a computer, The event itself was AWESOME with great models and interesting presentations from a whole bunch of people from Lego and the fan community, and it was cool to meet some technic and modelteam forum members in actual real life! Anyway, on to the pictures, rather limited i'm afraid as i was too busy meeting new lego people, buying bricks watching presentations etc but here goes- Firstly, my display! IMAG0106 by sam2442, on Flickr from l to r- My Landrover truck trailer, Heavily Modded 9396, Simple 4x4 platform inspired by Mechanical Mule, My modified 8110 (new crane and logging winch- more to come!) Next, a bunch of cool models from Alasdair Ryan of our fair forum- IMAG0116 by sam2442, on Flickr IMAG0117 by sam2442, on Flickr IMAG0118 by sam2442, on Flickr IMAG0120 by sam2442, on Flickr IMAG0121 by sam2442, on Flickr IMAG0123 by sam2442, on Flickr And some great model team stuff from Ralph S IMAG0127 by sam2442, on Flickr IMAG0128 by sam2442, on Flickr IMAG0129 by sam2442, on Flickr And finally one of my technic figs looking after my newly acquired micro motor! IMAG0125 by sam2442, on Flickr More of my shots from AFOLCon can be found in the set on my flickr, theres some awesome stuff from a whole bunch of cool builders! http://www.flickr.com/photos/sam2442/sets/72157631580897636/with/8006013764/

I really hope the competition doesn't go in the design an alternative bodywork for the crawler direction. With that task the competition would purely be an exercise in aesthetics excluding technical functionality (which is technic's raison d'etre as far as I'm concerned!) And also partially because I as yet don't own the crawler and because I already have a chassis in development :D