LEGO Ideas has quickly become one of the most exciting and progressive product lines of the company, and the latest set, 21311 Voltron: Defender of the Universe is no different. From the designer video included below, we learn from LEGO designer Niek van Slagmaat and graphic designer Mark Tranter that the leg and arm connections on Voltron were the most challenging part of creating the functional set (and we get to see Niek being particularly fly with some beautiful drum-lacquered silver elements). The set will be available July 23rd for LEGO VIPs and August 1st for everyone else for $179.99 USD. Look out for our thorough review coming later this week. The post LEGO Voltron designer video shows behind the scenes effort to make the set a reality [Video] appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Dave Schefcik

Amazon Prime Day is starting now, which means deals on everything from LEGO to electronics and more. In the past, we’ve seen large discounts on LEGO sets, organizing drawers, video games, books and movies, in addition to everything else that Amazon slashes prices on. (We will update this post if we see anything not to be missed!) When you click through this link to shop at Amazon, The Brothers Brick receives a small amount back which helps us bring you the quality content you’ve come to expect. So if you are going to purchase anything at Amazon today, please consider helping a brother out. LEGO sets 40% off or more amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "thebrobri-20";amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual";amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart";amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon";amzn_assoc_region = "US";amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links";amzn_assoc_asins = "B01MXEMMGU";amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit";amzn_assoc_linkid = "64369217d13666e43d6d8c1b0826e1bb"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "thebrobri-20";amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual";amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart";amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon";amzn_assoc_region = "US";amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links";amzn_assoc_asins = "B01MXEMXGK";amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit";amzn_assoc_linkid = "e29d8422e6b07e0c8590b6c2a754feea"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "thebrobri-20";amzn_assoc_ad_mode...

Even though the North Vietnamese didn’t have much of an air force at the start of the air war over Vietnam in 1964, with Soviet assistance they were soon able to present US pilots with a few surprises. Their MiG-17 fighters were old-fashioned and only had guns as their armament. The jets were small, though, and well-suited to out-turn heavier US jets mostly optimised for higher speeds. Peter Dornbach has built the more modern MiG-21, known as the “Fishbed” in the West. This entered Vietnamese service in 1966. Peter’s model has a retractable undercarriage, opening cockpit and a brick-built representation of the characteristic camouflage used by the Vietnam People’s Air Force. With its higher speed and two AA-2 Atoll air-to-air missiles the Fishbed was typically used in hit-and-run attacks. The US countered this threat using the F-4 Phantom II. This wasn’t particularly agile, but had powerful twin engines. Its crews were...

Creating anything that appears haphazard and undesigned with LEGO bricks is never easy, which makes #1 Nomad’s Shanty Town all the more impressive. A tottering tower of makeshift units and containers, where each segment is crafted according to a unique aesthetic: one flying the livery of LEGO Classic Space theme, with its blue frame and yellow arrow prints, the next offering a nod to the Octan colour scheme. Nomad demonstrates his skill by orchestrating this chaos, from the precise way the detritus is scattered around the creation’s base, to the lines of snaking cables and satellite dishes that clad the building. The result is something essentially disorganised, visually fascinating and ultimately beautiful. The post Shanty Town: Designing a disordered way of living appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: David Smith

In addition to the amazing LEGO models created by builders all over the world, The Brothers Brick brings you the best of LEGO news and reviews. This is our weekly Brick Report for the third week of July 2018. TBB NEWS, REVIEWS & INSTRUCTIONS: Things are drastically changing for LEGO with the arrival of new shorter, moveable legs and the LEGO apocalypse. Review of 71022 Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Collectible Minifigures – This series really nails the characters’ looks and introduces brand new poseable shorter legs.First look at the The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part sets – The LEGO apocalypse is here, and the first movie crew is geared up to take on the challenge in these three new sets.Feature: Having fun for charity at Bricktastic Manchester 2018 – TBB writer Ralph reports from Bricktastic in Manchester, England, a charity event for Fairy Bricks.Instructions to build Shotaro Kaneda’s Bike from Akira – The...

LEGO bricks are forever. They are all I need to please me…and I am very pleased with Victor’s 1985 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, as driven by James Bond in The Living Daylights (1987). Victor has done an excellent job of sculpting out the body to replicate the look of 007’s famous ride. The use of ratchet minifigure accessories as windshield pillars works really well here, and they are angled in such a way that matches the profile of the Aston Martin. Bond’s bells and whistles are also present, including a side-mounted skis and a giant flame for a speedy getaway through the snow. If you peek inside, you will even notice the interior upholstery is textured! It’s a design that is best shaken, not stirred… The post Comes the morning, and the headlights fade away appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Matt Hocker

This baroque Church, created by builder Jellyeater, achieves the illusive feat of capturing an authentic sense of place. Numerous building techniques have been used to accurately capture the proportions, angles and curves of the baroque style, with the elegant dome being a stand out feature. However, when a creator gets me excited about the gradients of grey in a slate roof, I know I’m looking at something special. This theme of exquisite detail is continued in the form of various modified plates, bricks and tiles used in the off-set courtyard tower; hinting at age, wear and centuries of repair. The oak doors, made from turntable bases layered over black bricks, completes the historical effect. The post Behold the baroque beauty of this LEGO church appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: David Smith

You can tell that Nathaniel is a fan of Star Wars just by looking at the way he has lovingly upgraded the recent Boba Fett buildable figure set. Everyone’s favourite Mandalorian looks noticeably filled-out with new anatomical details added in the form of cleverly integrated brick built thighs. A number of other neat touches to his armour provide detail and a samurai twist. I suspect Nathaniel knows his Star Wars lore, specifically George Lucas’s debt to Akira Kurosawa’s epic The Seven Samurai, referencing the connection in the theming of his creation. I have to agree, that the bounty hunter reimagined as samurai warrior, banners flying, Katana in hand, striding across a flower-laden Shogun era meadow, looks amazing. The post Boba Fett: The last bounty hunter appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: David Smith

Here’s a great little LEGO scene from Foolish Bricks depicting a lazy morning spent on the sofa. There are no fancy building techniques on display, but there’s a good selection of parts which add depth and texture to every surface, and the details are meticulously placed to great effect. The precise layout is enhanced by some good macro photography, and the overall presentation is excellent — those light rays and the curl of steam from the coffee mug (which I’m assuming was added in post-production) elevate this model into something special. The post Curl up on the LEGO sofa appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Rod

If you are going to build a giant bubble gum-coloured leviathan, you absolutely want to showcase its serpentine movement. This was builder Jayfa’s intention when designing this mythical beast, which is its second iteration in a quest for greater poseability. Abandoning Bionicle connections for more traditional LEGO bricks and ratchet joints he has created a more substantial looking, fully posable monster that twists and turns without additional support. Add to this some neat part use in the form of the threaded bricks to create its flexed tail, and conical Ninjago hats to suggest cheeks for its maw, and you have a perfectly realised beast.Now that is just showing off! The post Dagon the Great Leviathan strikes a pose! appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: David Smith