by Thita (admin)
on October 28, 2014
You may have heard that there is some controversy around the Moon landings. According to Wikipedia: The Moon landing conspiracy theories claim that some or all elements of the Apollo program and the associated Moon landings were hoaxes staged by NASA with the aid of other organizations. The most notable claim is that the six manned landings (1969–1972) were faked and that twelve Apollo astronauts did not actually walk on the Moon. Various groups and individuals have made such conspiracy claims since the mid-1970s. Conspiracy theorists claim that NASA and others knowingly misled the public into believing the landings happened, by manufacturing, tampering with, or destroying evidence including photos, telemetry tapes, radio and TV transmissions, Moon rock samples, and even some key witnesses. You can read the rest of the article with all the fascinating Moon landing conspiracy theories on this Wikipedia page.
So what does this has to do with LEGO? Well, LEGO fan Brian Williams recreated some of the key aspects of what Moon landing conspiracy theorists are claiming; that the images from the Moon were actually photographed in a soundstage or aircraft hangar. Conspiracy theorists point to odd shadows, reflections and other inconsistencies in the footage as proof that the manned Moon landing was faked. Brian recreated this scene with amazing detail and accuracy. Take a look below.
This diorama has been part of the popular LEGO Area 51 exhibit (named after the infamous and super secret military site), and featured prominently in promotional advertising for the various 2014 BrickWorld shows. After all everybody loves a good conspiracy theory, and recreated in LEGO they are irresistibly fun. Note the bicycle chase scene on top from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and there are other movie references inside the buildings. The studio itself includes miniature versions of actual video-production studio equipment including Mole-Richardson 1K Lamps, lighting-control board, stands, rigging, and studio camera.
You can find more images at Brian’s flickr gallery, which I think is worth checking out; Brian has some amazing LEGO creations, including depicting some other famous conspiracy theories and movie-scenes.
So what do you think? Did we really land on the Moon? Will we ever go back? Or was that all a big hoax? Would you like to see the space program expanding? And do you know of any other conspiracy theories remade in LEGO? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
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by Thita (admin)
on October 27, 2014
You might remember the recent review of the #42030 LEGO Technic Remote-Controlled Volvo L350F Wheel Loader by one of our regular readers (see: LEGO Technic Volvo Wheel Loader Highlights). Since then we have been contacted by Volvo’s marketing department and they have sent some additional information about the collaboration between Volvo and LEGO, including a very interesting video. Check it out below! 🙂
You have probably seen on TV how they make mega factories and gigantic machines and in the following video you can watch how LEGO Technic shrank a giant Volvo L350F Wheel Loader into a miniature model. The film follows the development team behind LEGO Technic’s biggest machine for 2014 – from both LEGO and Volvo – charting their passion for getting their latest model as close a representation of the real machine as possible. It also follows LEGO Technic’s Niels Henrik Horsted, head of marketing and design manager Jeppe Juul Jensen as they conduct hands-on research, visiting the Volvo factory and a construction site and operating a L350F themselves. The real version of the alternate model of the LEGO set – the Volvo A25F Articulated Hauler – is also visible in the video.
That looked like a fun, isn’t it? Especially driving those big machines around! With 1,636 individual pieces and the largest individual element ever created for the brand (the giant bucket at the front), the remote-controlled LEGO Technic Volvo L350F Wheel Loader can lift more than 1kg in its bucket and drive over challenging terrain day in, day out – just like the real thing. “We tried to make it as realistic as possible, so it drives, steers and lifts the load just like the real thing,” says Jensen. “You can also remove the oil filters, the radiator-door swings out, pistons move and the engine is painted green, just like in the real thing.” Here are some additional specs on the LEGO versions of these giant machines:
- Features a detailed 6-cylinder Volvo-green engine with moving pistons and fan, articulated servo steering, working lift arm, and a massive, tipping bucket
- Activate the double remote-controlled LEGO Power Functions motors for powerful, simultaneous driving and digging action – just like the real machine!
- Includes the following LEGO Power Functions components: a servo motor, an XL-motor, a large motor, a medium motor, a battery box, 2 remote controls and 2 infrared receivers
- Bucket reaches over 14” (38cm) into the air!
- 2-in-1 model: rebuilds into a Volvo A25F articulated hauler
- Volvo L350F (with bucket lowered) measures over 9” (23cm) high, 22” (58cm) long and 6” (16cm) wide
- Volvo A25F measures over 9” (23cm) high, 19” (50cm) long and 6” (17cm) wide
If you are interested in this LEGO Technic model, you might want to read the previous full review here: LEGO Technic Volvo Wheel Loader Highlights, and if you would like to get yourself this LEGO Technic set, it is available at the Online LEGO Shop.
So what do you think? How do you like these LEGO Volvo models? And what do you think of the design process? Did you ever dream of becoming a LEGO designer building such awesome LEGO sets? And how about driving these giant machines? Would you like to give that a try? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
And you might also like to check out the following related posts:
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