Did you build B-models when sets had those?

[Zerobricks]

As a hardcore MOC-er, I would usually just builkd the A model for a ew days/weeks and than reuse the parts, so I would very rarely built the B models. When I did, noticed that their quality varied a lot, I would dare say it depended a lot on the designer and the efforts they would go. Sometimes A models would have extra parts randomly placed inside them just to be used for B model, which for me was a sign of a good quality B model and commitment.

[gyenesvi]

28 minutes ago, Maaboo the Witch said:

It's not that I don't want people expressing their opinions; that's fine. I support that. We wouldn't have much of a forum if there weren't differing opinions. If others think B-models aren't important, great. If someone disagrees with me, then that's also fine.

It's just that I believe there's a right way to do it; using words like "nonsense" to effectively write off other's views and calling other comments "disgusting" is a bit strong from my perspective. Not everyone has English as a first language; also a consideration, as your post illustrates. But I think the language used here needs to be moderated better.

I do agree that some words may be a bit strong (I was also surprised to read "disgusting"). But different people react with different emotional charge to things, maybe he was disgusted, it's his right to be so, but he has to deal with that himself. But if all such expressions were moderated, that would also create a lot of unnecessary confrontation and policing atmosphere, so I think it's better not to expect such moderation but rather ignore the comment if we don't agree with it, or just say we don't agree with it without blaming the other person of anything, after all it's his opinion. Obviously, if comments would get really personal and use a lot of really strong language like swearing, that would have to be moderated.

I think I've said enough, don't want to repeat myself, and sorry for getting off-topic.

[Gumalca]

I own 80 Lego Technic sets, and I think I've built all the B-models except for 8258. I guess it just happened that I parted out the set before I had time to build the B-model.

I've also built a lot of rebrickable alternates, free and paid ones.

In the last years, most of the time there were better looking alternates from rebrickable. But I still appreciated that the official B-models were sturdy and easy to build. 

Edited December 4, 2023 by Gumalca

[deehtha]

17 hours ago, Maaboo the Witch said:

Just because you don't feel a certain way does not mean you should insult others who do feel that way.

I was not insulting anyone, but if you feel insulted, maybe you should do some introspection. And it does get old, every time a new is released without a B-model and we have to see many posts about the lack of a B-model and how TLG has lost their way. 

 

If TLG has the resources to design 10 models for a year, I would rather see 10 sets released, not 5. It wasn't that long ago when the Technic theme was lucky to get 10 sets a year.

[PlopiNinetySix]

3rd option for me. 

I have a few reasons:

-First, they're B-models. It's always awesome. Just the thought of "Yea I like the A-model, I've built it, what else the set has to offer?" Then the realization that a second build exists from the same set with the same pieces, is awesome. I didn't build many B-models but it always added a sense of life and quality to the set. Also the option of building B-models digitally or from the Lego Technic instructions app was always appreciated and fun. Imho building a B-model is just as satisfying as the A-model.

-Second, the sense of difference from the A-model. Many B-models are basically similar vehicles/machines to match their A-model counterparts [not always, some don't and nothing wrong with that]. There's always criticism that the B-models are worsely designed, and yes, that's true, but not always. Like 42008- amazing A-model, and a pretty good B-model that's basically 2 sections: crane truck and a trailer to go with it. It didn't look the best, but in regard to playability and functionality, a really good one.

-Third, (this mightn't be my strongest opinion, it's similar to my first reason, but I think the point still stands)- B models kinda act as a gate for the MOC world. Like, they give inspiration of 'After you disassembled the set, see its pieces. See the B-model. Try it and make something similar with those pieces.' sort of thing. I'll use 42008 [also 42043 was a strong motive here] as an example once again because this set is nostalgically and memorably engraved in my mind (it's a little of a vague memory, but I mostly remember it due to photographic memory)- So some time after taking apart the B-model, some idea came to my mind; that is to build a trailer-crane truck, something very similar to 42008 and 42043's B using my Lego collection at the time. After some hours of building something I've succeed in building a trailer [with 42008 pieces, mostly, but also those of 42009] gearbox that controls a crane at the back of the trailer bed. I was ridiculously happy with the result because it seemed to really work well, and was probably one of my first complicated Technic MOCs till today. It was unfinished and later on taken apart.

Discontinued or not, I will always appreciate the existence of B-models in the Lego Technic line. :P

Edited December 5, 2023 by PlopiNinetySix

[Maaboo the Witch]

I finally got around to building the 42006-B after leaving the main model built for over a decade just recently, and the result is simply brilliant. Sure, it's not quite as visually polished as the main model, but I think the functions are more interesting.

@PlopiNinetySix - I doubt I could have made that point with more eloquence. All very well said.

Nice to see another TUFF Puppy fan around here as well!

 

[PlopiNinetySix]

7 minutes ago, Maaboo the Witch said:

 

@PlopiNinetySix - I doubt I could have made that point with more eloquence. All very well said.

Nice to see another TUFF Puppy fan around here as well!

 

Thank you!!

Yea, I watched the series when I was younger [not all of it, but I definitely remember it]. Underrated as hell. I almost completely forgot about it when I finally heard about it in a Wiki last year, it's been years (also I never knew how TUFF Puppy was called in English till recently XD)! 

Edited December 5, 2023 by PlopiNinetySix

[msk6003]

Considering that, from what I roughly understand, the main complaint people on this forum have about missing the B model is lack of creativity, I think it would be a good idea to include a kind of 'idea model' that doesn't come with instructions like the older models.

[Maaboo the Witch]

2 minutes ago, msk6003 said:

Considering that, from what I roughly understand, the main complaint people on this forum have about missing the B model is lack of creativity, I think it would be a good idea to include a kind of 'idea model' that doesn't come with instructions like the older models.

Yeah, nah. That was hard enough with System parts.

[Toastie]

I never built a B-model - actually all A-models (stopped buying functional Technic models about 10 years ago) have been disassembled for parts usage in structures, supports and such. The only model I kept intact, is the 42042 crawler crane. It pulls up and down a train bridge. Back then, I got two of them to extend the boom (https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/156326-lego-train-bridges/ - bridge 2).

Never made it into modern super cars and such as they usually look (to me!) as if they had been under machine gun fire

And all the 6++ motors with multiple hubs (or PF remotes) are just ... beyond LEGO - just for me!

Best,
Thorsten

 

 

Edited December 5, 2023 by Toastie

[johnnytifosi]

14 hours ago, Maaboo the Witch said:

I finally got around to building the 42006-B after leaving the main model built for over a decade just recently, and the result is simply brilliant. Sure, it's not quite as visually polished as the main model, but I think the functions are more interesting.

 

This was another advantage of B-models. It allowed for weird models to be made that would never fly as a standalone set. Now it has to be only cars to make the sets viable.

[Maaboo the Witch]

1 minute ago, johnnytifosi said:

This was another advantage of B-models. It allowed for weird models to be made that would never fly as a standalone set. Now it has to be only cars to make the sets viable.

I dunno, some B-model mainstays like logging machines and harvesters are getting the A-model treatment lately, plus the Mars vehicles look pretty unusual. But yeah, I see your overall point. 

[Mikdun]

16 hours ago, msk6003 said:

Considering that, from what I roughly understand, the main complaint people on this forum have about missing the B model is lack of creativity, I think it would be a good idea to include a kind of 'idea model' that doesn't come with instructions like the older models.

My first Technic set was Unversal Set 8055. It comes with instructions for 5 models (IIRC) and pictures of few another to figure out by myself. This was the best building experience to date. (Granted, I had much more time to do it back then )

I was so proud I build seat from 8860 set - just a seat, I didn't have more bricks then, and of course no instruction, just picture form catalogue.

 

15 hours ago, Toastie said:

I never built a B-model - actually all A-models (stopped buying functional Technic models about 10 years ago) have been disassembled for parts usage in structures, supports and such. The only model I kept intact, is the 42042 crawler crane.

I build all A models and most B-models. I can think of 1 set that I did not. They all are now disassembled. I keep one MOC model, but it's mot my design. And few other in progres... 

 

Also if I remember correctly set 8284 was sold in Europe as a Tractor and in US as a Buggy. So the roles of B-model was reversed.

[CP5670]

I just built the crane B model for 8094, so thought I would bump this thread. A few B models for the largest sets were amazing but most were forgettable. I can see why they stopped making them after the growth of Rebrickable and custom moc instructions being much more common now. Many of them were good but felt like inferior versions of the main model, so there wasn't much reason to keep it built. I often built the B model several years later with spare parts not from the same set.

My favorite ones are in 8868, 8480, 9396, 8094, 8485, 8425 and 8458. I especially like the ones where they introduced new and very different functionality like 8868 or 8485. The Universal sets also had good ones but sometimes had no clear main model to begin with.

[Paul B Technic]

I would often buy two sets, to build both models.

[Maaboo the Witch]

9 hours ago, CP5670 said:

I just built the crane B model for 8094, so thought I would bump this thread. A few B models for the largest sets were amazing

Great B-models weren't limited to larger sets. 42004, anyone?

[bitbamboo]

I remember going further with 42040 building both planes AND the duck! (semi-offical C model by the set designer) https://brickset.com/reviews/50418 

I find interesting the unmounting (never easy), relaxing the classification and nice-as-always the rebuild, even for the Bucket Wheel excav. 42055 which is the largest technic set I've ever bought 

[CP5670]

Yes, a few midsize sets had very good B models too. I like the ones in 8425 and 8295, and for 8284 the A and B models were switched around in some countries.

The duck looks awesome, I never saw it before. I don't have that set but will have to try building it.

Edited July 8, 2024 by CP5670

[XTN]

I've entered the Lego Techic party kinda late when buying 42078 as my first Technic set, so I've totally missed the four digits set number era that many of you praise for offering great B-models. 

After building the Mack A-model I also had to buy another copy to buy the B-model, bc I loved to have two Amreican trucks in the same scale standing next to each other on the shelf. So yes, I've build the B-model because the set had one.
I've also built 42093 B and the van from 42098 B as a basis for further modding.

Later I found the RB website and the incredible amount of models that fit the theme and the scale of 42078, so I've bought another copy of it and manifested my addiction to 15 studs wide trucks.
After crossing this border, I've bought sets bc of their alternatives on RB or later as parts packs, so I don't really miss the B-models. At the end it doesn't matter for me if the alternative model is provided by TLG or a talented MOCer.

[Shiva]

My 8888 is still in a modified B-model from, well, partly. I had the nose modified Plan is to build the A-model again in the future.

42030, only B-model built. A-model still in the box.