Back in 2011 LEGO introduced a new boat hull for small vessels the Boat Hull Unitary 28 x 8, I was excited when it came out as it was a nice design that had plenty of potential for building a wide range of vessels with the ability to cram in a good amount of detail. The first two sets had the hull in white and then later on in red and light bluish grey, this was great but for me I really wanted one in orange to use for a my Legodtenstein Coast Guard Service. In 2010 I had made some small patrol vessels using cockpit pieces and bricks measuring 24 x 6, they are quite nice little vessels but are rather limited with what you can do detail wise given the space available. Luckily for me this year the new 28 x 8 boat hull came out in orange in 60085 4 x 4 with Powerboat, I was also lucky enough that one retailer had a 20% discount on City sets a couple of days after they were released so I snapped one up real quick and got to work. For comparrison I have attached a photo of the earlier model for people to see, anyway enough of my nerd rant and onto the backstory.

The LCGSS Gepard is the sole member of its class in the Legodtenstein Coast Guard Service, the vessel is primarily used as an inshore patrol vessel. Due to the limitations of the preceding Kormoran Class, which was based on an adaption of a commercial design, it was decided to purchase a purpose built vessel that was more suited to the role. The LCGSS Gepard provides a leap in capabilities compared to the Kormoran Class vessels, the larger hull provides the ability to carry a heavier armament, as well as having a more spacious cabin area and better seakeeping abilities. The LCGSS Gepard has a top speed of 35knots, it also carries an armament of 1 x 0.50 Cal HMG and 0.50 Cal HMG/40mm AGL combo.

LCGS Gepard Class Inshore Patrol Vessel

LCGS Komoran Class Inshore Patrol Vessel

Very nice build! I always look forward seeing your new creations, even tough they are mocs, they look like a more detailed city set and blend in well with the existing city line. It's a shame LEGO does not put this level of detail in smaller sets.

I hate to say it, but I this boat only for the weapons......AWESOME ! (actually the boat is cool looking as well )

Brick On while guarding your coast 'Steinkopf' !

What piece have you used for the cowling under the window? Looks like a one-piece curved part?

I like the smooth style of your Coast Guard boats - guess you shouldn't wreck the Kormoran class which still looks great in spite of its width. As boats of two different classes they fit together very well, I think.

Very nice build! I always look forward seeing your new creations, even tough they are mocs, they look like a more detailed city set and blend in well with the existing city line. It's a shame LEGO does not put this level of detail in smaller sets.

Thanks thomas

My main goal has always been to build models that look like a more mature take on the City theme sets, I like to push it to the limit of what would City sets look like with a higher level of detail, mind you the designers are doing a good job with the level of detail that they are putting into sets these days.

What piece have you used for the cowling under the window? Looks like a one-piece curved part?

Hello cei

I used the large canopy windscreen part for the forward part of the cabin, http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=61484 .

I like the smooth style of your Coast Guard boats - guess you shouldn't wreck the Kormoran class which still looks great in spite of its width. As boats of two different classes they fit together very well, I think.

I won't be scrapping the Kormoran as it's one of my early LCGS models and I am rather fond of her, she also has a sister vessel the Albatros which is used as a diving tender, both of those vessels have been upgraded with new parts over time so if anything they will be improved in the future rather than scrapped.

Edited February 1, 201510 yr by Steinkopf

Armaments? Doesn't the real coast guard focus on rescuing people, rather than shooting bad guys?

Anyway, have you tested this boat on real water?

Wow that boat is really heavily armed.

The real life coast guard in many nations is armed, as they're used for intercepting drug traffickers etc. where some guns come in handy. The US Coast Guard takes this to another level, and their big cutters are very well armed. The newest Legend class has a Bofors 57mm main gun, a Phalanx CIWS, 4 .50 machine guns and 2 7.62mm machine guns all coupled to military grade radar and fire control systems.

Armaments? Doesn't the real coast guard focus on rescuing people, rather than shooting bad guys?

Anyway, have you tested this boat on real water?

Wow that boat is really heavily armed.

The role of coastguards vary from nation to nation, in a lot of countries their coastguards are tasked with the protection of territorial waters which at times require the use of armed vessels to enforce this, coastguard vessels are used for a variety of tasks such as stopping illegal fishing and smuggling as well as fufilling more humanitarian tasks such as search and rescue. The armament of the Legodtenstein Coast Guard Service vessels is similar to that used by a number of nations and is in no way heavy, the USCGS for example had 127mm 38 Cal guns on some of its cutters which were fitted to WWII destroyers, other nations have vessels fitted with modern 76mm, 57mm Naval Guns and 30mm, 25mm, 23mm and 20mm automatic cannons as part of their armament. The USCGS, Russian Coast Guard and Finnish Coast Guard have vessels that are armed with anti submarine weapons such as Mk 32 Triple 324mm torpedo tubes and RBU 1200 Anti Submarine Rocket Launchers.

Edited February 2, 201510 yr by Steinkopf

Nice set of vessels Steinkopf. Really makes me want to add a couple quick response ships to my fleet