LEGO CUUSOO

Moving rusty rock – the Sandcrawler Somehow I always liked this slow moving bulky vessel as I saw it the first time in "A new hope". Its clear lines and its massive size stands again the force of the sand and winds even in the harshest of desert conditions of Tatooine and keeps his small habitants safe. It's actual more than just a vehicle it’s a moving town. The Sandcrawler was originally used in his earlier days for mining purpose and was long time abandoned before the Jawas rediscovered it as their new mobile headquarters, shops and homes. More than its adventurous background I love the proper design, the sharp edges and the proportions of the model a lot and I have always thought that the Sandcrawler never got as much love from the community as it deserves. The build The model itself is not that complex designed – it is just a big brown box! That was also my first thought, but there are more unusual angles as you are thinking at the first sight. Untill I was finally satisfied with the result, I ended up rebuilding the whole model three and the most difficult bits uncountable times during the process. The back: one of the flashiest details are the two large cylinders actual the power generators of the vehicle. I had found a solution with curved slopes connected with snot adaptors on the greebly base plate. The cylinders are sticking through the roof and ending in different designed fans. The front: the forward sweep of the crawler’s body is probably one of the most complex parts of the build. It’s consisting of irregular angles. I had decided to build all panels brick building wise instead of using plates – this decision didn’t make the whole intend easier, not at all! It might sound ridiculous, but achieving the proper angles took me weeks of developing and trial and error. Wall pattern: I achieved the rusty and weathered appearance of the walls with different brown shades and the use of dark orange and bluish grey splashes as seen on the original model. Youtube video So here is the chance to turn the model in to an official LEGO set! Use the force!

See the English below: TVアニメーション「超時空要塞マクロス」の主役メカ、VF-1バルキリーです。バルキリーは、日本における変形ロボットの先駆者であり、30年前の放映当時、ファイター（戦闘機）、ガウォーク（飛行機に手足が生えた中間形態）、バトロイド（ロボット）への３段変形は衝撃でした。 その衝撃を再現すべく、３形態に変形可能な形で作りました。 マクロスは歴史のあるアニメシリーズで、バルキリーの変形玩具はこれまでにもたくさん発売されてきました。ですが、「組み替えること」ができるのはレゴだけです。組み替えることで変形構造への理解が深まり、さらにパーツの組み換えによって、１モデルからさまざまなバリエーションへ発展させることも可能です。 また、このようなアニメーションモデルをレゴのプロジェクトとして提案することも１つの挑戦ではないかと考えています。もしこれが実現すれば、日本のアニメーションが生み出した名デザインたちが、アニメとは異なる形で世界に波及していくかもしれません。 その扉を開くカギを、このバルキリーに託します。 This is a model suggestion for VF-1 Valkyrie; the distinguished variable fighter from the TV animation "Space fortress Macross". The Valkyrie is a highly admired pioneer of Japanese transforming robot. The first animation was broadcasted on TV back in 1982. It made a huge impact on both Japanese kids and adult fans alike with exceptional transformation capabilities of changing between the FIGHTER, GERWALK and BATTROID modes. Here I wish to recreate that same emotional ‘‘impact’’, through a single model offering that is able to transform into all 3 modes. Being an intellectual property with a long history as an animation, many Macross and Valkyrie toys launched in the past and present did not strongly consider construction play as a means to demonstrate or even allow better understanding of transformation functions and designs. Whereas LEGO unique build and re-build play qualities achieves just that and perfectly support endless possibilities for personal recreations to expand on variations of the same model. I assume it is going to be a big challenge to produce LEGO endorsed models and products inspired directly and created from Japanese animations. However if this entry can successfully gather enough votes to make it into production, then it will be the first official LEGO Valkryrie model that has the potential to introduce greater Japanese animation designs to all fans worldwide and not just limited to animation contents only. [Update info] 01 Nov 2011 新規バリエーション機として、VF-1S ロイフォッカー機を制作しました。 You tubeに変形動画アップしました！是非、下記URLからご覧になってください。 Now I added new variation of VF-1, VF-1S Roy-Focker Special. and uploaded the transform sequence video on the You tube! please watch it on the URL below: VF-1 transform video on Youtube [Update info] 01 Dec 2011 新規バリエーション機として、VF-1J マックス機を制作しました。 ニコニコ動画にも動画を公開しました。 変形ビデオ公開中！onニコニコ動画 Now I added new variation of VF-1, Blue VF-1J, called VF-1J Max-Jenius Special. [Infomation] 09 Dec 2011 レゴ社から公式コメントいただきました！ We got an official LEGO comment! please check it out! Official LEGO comment! [Update info] 24 Dec 2011 スーパーバルキリー、ストライクバルキリーを制作しました。 Now I added fast packs for VF-1, now you can see the super Valkyrie, and strike Valkyrie! [Update info] 24 Jan 2012 ミリア機を追加しました。マックス、ミリア機にファストパックを追加しました。Now I added new variations, VF-1J super valkyrie Max special and Milia special. [Update info] 01 Mar 2012 映画「愛おぼえていますか」より、劇場版VF-1A一条機とマックス機を追加しました。 Now I added new variations from the movie, VF-1A valkyrie Hikaru special and Max special. [Update info] 01 Apr 2012 新規バリエーションとして、アーマードパーツを制作、アーマードバルキリーを再現しました！ Now I added new additional parts for VF-1, called Armored parts, and you can see VF-1J Armored Valkyrie! hope you liked it! その他過去のメイン画像等をFlickr, MOC pageにて公開してます。是非ご覧になってください！ You can see more pics on Flickr an MOC page. Please visit my photo pages here: maxvf1's photo stream maxvf1's MOC page Thank you and please support for make it real!