February 10, 201312 yr 8049 has good B-model. Actually, it's more fun to play with it than with main model.
February 11, 201312 yr Out of interest, does anyone have any insight into how the B-model fits into the design process? I.e. when they're designing a new set, do they just design the A model, then give the parts list to someone to come up with a B model? Or are they designed simultaneously? I've often thought about that. There's quite a few system-sets that I've built over the years, (eg; Creator), where a certain step has an odd part (eg; 2 * 1x4's, rather than a single 1x8)... and then you built the alternate models, and realise that they need them! Technic... not so sure.. but in any case.. the best B Models use nearly all the parts too.. and I too love it, when they are something completely different (Shuttle and Submarine would be about the best!) RB
February 11, 201312 yr I've often thought about that. There's quite a few system-sets that I've built over the years, (eg; Creator), where a certain step has an odd part (eg; 2 * 1x4's, rather than a single 1x8)... and then you built the alternate models, and realise that they need them! Technic... not so sure.. but in any case.. the best B Models use nearly all the parts too.. and I too love it, when they are something completely different (Shuttle and Submarine would be about the best!) RB Using (eg; 2 * 1x4's, rather than a single 1x8) could also be to save money in some cases, rather than introducing the part that would make most sense.
February 14, 201312 yr First and foremost, the 8043's b model, 8110's, 8049's (as one said it is more fun, and actually I made it into a Genie style boom lift, just took off the claw/grabber and extended the boom, pneumatically operated w/ the compressor), 9397's, can't think of any more off-hand, but I'm sure I'm missing some.
February 15, 201312 yr Ah. there is one I forgot, the b model of the 8053 Crane. The harbor crane is excellent, just not with the rims on the bases. I took them off and just used a bunch of full and half bushes in place. First time I played with it with the rims on, it rolled right off the table onto the floor. And I get a plus, 8 black rims to use on other models, I put them on the 8049 b model genie style boom lift I made and also put 4 on the b model buggy of the 9393 Tractor set.
February 16, 201312 yr I think 42009 will have a b-model that will blow our minds. And yes, 8053 has an excellent b-model, plus you get a bunch of good pieces. Edited February 16, 201312 yr by sama
February 16, 201312 yr As far as the harbor crane b model of the 8053 set, I am sure it can motorized like the main model crane. I'm going to give it a go, unfortunately I gave my fiancee and her young child the harbor crane I built, and it kind of got destroyed, but seeing as how I have so many sets I want to sell, I might just crack open another 8053 and build another harbor crane.
February 25, 201312 yr Author well, after building a lot of B-models i come to the following conclusion (for me): Very good: 8880 racer (outstanding look), 8862 combine (in addition it has plenty of space for modifications, e.g. an engine), 8480 submarine (uniqueness), 8053 harbour crane (uniqueness), 8485 T-Rex (uniqueness) Good: 8258, 8868 (ugly and few features but outstanding automatic pneumatic loop), 8479 Buggy... Common for all of them is a great look and the fact, they are quite different from the main model... most of them would be a good set for its own...
February 25, 201312 yr @ bacem: A Lego set's "B-Model" is the alternate model of a "2-for-1" set. Lately, the alternate Building Instructions are posted on the Lego Customer Service Building Instructions webpage.
February 25, 201312 yr oh i see. then, in that case: 42007 Moto Cross Bike 8291 Dirt Bike maybe all Technic bike. this is my personal opinion tough, since i like Technic bike, even though i didn't have any of them.
February 28, 201311 yr Here is some of my favs. 8256 B-Model, a lawnmower, really funny statement from the Lego-Designers. Also a uncommon find is the streetsweeper of Set 8415. The tiny Tractor is also cool, i think, the designer stated that its construction from the limited partsupply was a challenge. B-Model of 8048. As mentioned above the alternate 8049 is great, too. Last but not least, here is the real hottie.. 8070 - B. From my point of view it could have been an A-Model too. The harbour crane of 8053 is also i really uncommon and nice idea. But it missing/restricted parts were a bit of letdown in design to me. Pics borrowed from: http://lego.brickinstructions.com/lego_technic.php - Thanks. All the best Tom
February 28, 201311 yr Anybody mentioned the B-model of 8460? I built it last weekend and I think it makes better use of the pneumatics than the A-model. Fun build too, and unlike many B-models it doesn't feel like it stands in the shade of the A-model
March 1, 201311 yr Some of my favorites are 8868, 8480 and 9396. 8868 was probably the best one since it introduced entirely new mechanisms, which have still not been seen anywhere else in Technic. 8480 and 9396 were unusual concepts (submarine and intermeshing rotor helicopter) that haven't been done better by any other set, and had fewer but very different functions from the main models. Many of the universal and multi-model sets also had good alternate models, but it was unclear which one was the "main" model. The largest one shown on the box was often different from the one they advertised in other places (e.g. for 8485 the T-rex was shown as the main model in S@H catalogs). Most Technic B models are simply cut-down variations on the main model, or have very similar but reduced functionality. It's rare to find genuinely good ones.
March 1, 201311 yr Although I have not yet built it, the alternative model for 9397 looks quite good to me: Anyone here built it? Edited March 1, 201311 yr by phool
March 1, 201311 yr looks like the rear wheels can be raised. I haven't built this model, since the main model wasn't so good. Maybe during the summer holidays...:D
March 1, 201311 yr Out of interest, does anyone have any insight into how the B-model fits into the design process? I.e. when they're designing a new set, do they just design the A model, then give the parts list to someone to come up with a B model? Or are they designed simultaneously? We first designed the A-model. When that was finished we started working on the B-model. Sometimes we revisited the A-model to tweak some parts (other colors typically to get a better B-model), but nothing major. Edited March 1, 201311 yr by Jeroen Ottens
May 30, 201311 yr Author Found another very good B-model: The Powerboat of the 8425 Airplane: Satisfies all criterias of a good b-model: - something completely different than the main model (powerboat vs. airplane) - uses almost all parts - has very nice features: attachable boat-engines, moving the boat drives the engines, very well done steering - very good overall design - quite interesting building IMHO this b-model is so good that i will buy a second 8425 so the powerboat and the airplane can be on display at once
May 30, 201311 yr Found another very good B-model: The Powerboat of the 8425 Airplane: Satisfies all criterias of a good b-model: - something completely different than the main model (powerboat vs. airplane) - uses almost all parts - has very nice features: attachable boat-engines, moving the boat drives the engines, very well done steering - very good overall design - quite interesting building IMHO this b-model is so good that i will buy a second 8425 so the powerboat and the airplane can be on display at once Very nice! Come to think of it; how cool would a big Powerboat model be!! Flagship might be too much, but a model like the 9396 Helicopter.
May 30, 201311 yr Author Come to think of it; how cool would a big Powerboat model be!! Flagship might be too much, but a model like the 9396 Helicopter. yes, i agree - this could be a really great mid-range model - lets say about 1000 parts with working engines, a working helm and some more nifty features...could be also a good set for motorizing and remote controlling... with studless arms and panels i'm sure a very cute design could be achieved... At least this would be something completely new and not the 37th mobile crane or 129th truck
May 30, 201311 yr At least this would be something completely new and not the 37th mobile crane or 129th truck Amen
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