42181 VTOL Heavy Cargo Spaceship LT81

[R0Sch]

This one will also include the 45° knob gear! That's already 3 sets where it was necessary for the build. Wonder why this element was not "invented" much earlier.

[PlopiNinetySix]

Question though, was this color (dark orange) used in other (both Technic and other themes) sets before? I've personally never seen it. 

Regardless, this is a fantastic color combination for a fantastic theme. 

Edited December 12, 2023 by PlopiNinetySix

[legoturtle]

It is a NEW colour.

[PlopiNinetySix]

1 minute ago, legoturtle said:

It is a NEW colour.

Oh nice^ 

[legoturtle]

When designers started with these 3 sets - they heard about this NEW colour. After that they started to figure out how to use the colour. Colour palette BUT also which parts would be that new orange colour. We are getting something truly extraordinary. I would pay 200 € for that set.

[Seasider]

Having just watched @kbalage’s YouTube video I can just picture TLG employees swooshing this VTOL and the Dune Ornithopter around the design office together.

Genuinely impressed with the size of this, didn’t picture it as big as it is 

[Thirdwigg]

I love all the creative play features of this set. It looks a little wonky to my eyes, but the integration of the controls with the handhold is unique from what we have seen from Technic in the past. I can see this being popular with a new demographic for Technic.

[R0Sch]

Better look at the new "bone gear" albeit with an SLS prototype part:

[Zerobricks]

I don't understand why a new knob gear is needed here?

[SNIPE]

This set has a new type of beam according to this video:

The video also confirms that they are jet engines and not rocket engines, and I noticed that tne engine pods have space for an M/L/XL motor! so i'll add that.

Edited December 13, 2023 by SNIPE

[aeh5040]

2 hours ago, Zerobricks said:

I don't understand why a new knob gear is needed here?

If you've got it, flaunt it?

[Timorzelorzworz]

10 hours ago, Zerobricks said:

I don't understand why a new knob gear is needed here?

To syncronize both engines

Hopefully we see this dark orange colour again in some emergency or construction vehicle. Would be a shame to waste it only for space stuff

[R0Sch]

1 hour ago, Timorzelorzworz said:

To syncronize both engines

Hopefully we see this dark orange colour again in some emergency or construction vehicle. Would be a shame to waste it only for space stuff

Let's just call it by the official name "Vibrant Orange" or "Reddish Orange (Bricklink?)" since Dark Orange is a completely different shade. Also the colour appears in Monkie Kid's Megapolis and different Friends sets as well. So already not exclusive to the Space theme.

[Zerobricks]

1 hour ago, Timorzelorzworz said:

To syncronize both engines 

Since both sides are mirrored, the new knob gears arent really needed. The only thing is they offset the central, control axle by 45 degrees which is not needed. 

[Timewhatistime]

1 hour ago, Zerobricks said:

Since both sides are mirrored, the new knob gears arent really needed. The only thing is they offset the central, control axle by 45 degrees which is not needed. 

Maybe the 45 degree offset is needed for the functions of the b-model...  😝

[Lego Tom]

Why does this set make me hungry.....

[Timorzelorzworz]

20 hours ago, legoturtle said:

I would pay 200 € for that set.

For that money you get 2 of them. You can take one in each hand and then smashing them together in a universal fight

[legoturtle]

Well, that's a great idea. BUT first I will buy small rovers, Technic/space and City/space ... and quite a lot space things - also space CMF.

[JunkstyleGio]

On 12/3/2023 at 3:43 PM, JaBaCaDaBra said:

Now try to think if you were 10 years old.

Yes, it may be very playable and swooshable and has some great functions, still it's not "my glass of whiskey"

Sometimes things do not do it for you. 

[nerdsforprez]

56 minutes ago, JunkstyleGio said:

still it's not "my glass of whiskey"

Lol.... I am not sure you have stated this, or some variant, enough.  Perhaps you should post this on more of the new space set threads.  

Seriously though, I think we get it  

[JunkstyleGio]

3 hours ago, nerdsforprez said:

Lol.... I am not sure you have stated this, or some variant, enough.  Perhaps you should post this on more of the new space set threads.  

Seriously though, I think we get it  

I know, but i thought you might have forgotten it...

[nerdsforprez]

1 hour ago, JunkstyleGio said:

I know, but i thought you might have forgotten it...

Lol...that's the funny part. I'm not on here much anymore but obviously, even considering that, I DID remember. That's how much you've posted it.  

[SNIPE]

So, since the designer video confirmed that they are jet engines and not rockets, I can't see a way for all 4 of them to spin up in sync unfortunatley.

So thats one thing I gotta do to MOD it, which means moving the axle for the VTOL outside of the mini turntables (unless I use a clever trick by putting a small linear actuator thru the mini turntable, giving 2 degrees of rotatonal freedom, but this is tricky and cumbersome to implement so Ill probably just drive the turntable via gears from an external axle much like on the bell ospray. (RIP)

Also kinda wished the rear engines could VTOL too but oh well.

edit: yes, I know that jet engines don't work in outer space, now idk what to say... Maybe its meant for "inner space" where a jet engine would work, since its now as far away as outer space but is technically classed as space..however im fairly sure these nasa space vehicles were designed for mars , which DEFINITELY qualifies as outer space. Maybe the designer said jet instead of rocket..

Edited January 9, 2024 by SNIPE

[R0Sch]

High res images can be seen here:
https://www.2ttoys.nl/en-fr/products/lego-42181-vtol-vrachtruimteschip-lt81

[Ngoc Nguyen]

I have my paws on this.