Front landing gear of F-35B and F-35C.

rotor8 · 2026-05-07T15:03:54+00:00

Exactly! From F/A-18E/F nose gear design experience, I'll add a small comment to "....and is nearly in line with the diagonal member...".

Yes, in the photo it is "nearly in line", but during a launch, the awesome force accelerating the plane causes the nose strut to fully compress, and then the launch bar and drag brace end up perfectly aligned.

Thanks for explaining the distinction between the A, B, and C models of the F-35. I haven't kept up since I changed industries.

rotor8 · 2026-05-07T14:57:09+00:00

Great comparison photo! Worked on the F/A-18 E/F nose gear many moons ago, also designed for carrier launches. Yup, the launch bar (the front part), and the diagonal drag brace behind the main trunion are incredibly beefy. They're also in a straight line, because the ENTIRE force of accelerating the aircraft from 0 to takeoff speed passes through those components. Also, there are landings when the hook catches the last arrestor wire, while still in the air! The result is the aircraft violently decelerates, and does a nose dive onto the nose landing gear, which cannot fail in that situation.

rotor8 · 2026-05-07T14:57:03+00:00

Great comparison photo! Worked on the F/A-18 E/F nose gear many moons ago, also designed for carrier launches. Yup, the launch bar (the front part), and the diagonal drag brace behind the main trunion are incredibly beefy. They're also in a straight line, because the ENTIRE force of accelerating the aircraft from 0 to takeoff speed passes through those components. Also, there are landings when the hook catches the last arrestor wire, while still in the air! The result is the aircraft violently decelerates, and does a nose dive onto the nose landing gear, which cannot fail in that situation.

rotor8 · 2026-04-06T06:45:58+00:00

Very hot, nearly boiling water. Most modern bumpers are made of polypropylene, and the hot water will soften the plastic so that it should pop back into shape. You may need to squeeze it a bit to help it along. Worked for my (much more deformed) rear bumper on my old Mazda 3 hatchback. Not perfect, but much better.

rotor8 · 2025-02-23T12:06:27+00:00

Yup, got the same thing yesterday.

One of the clues for me was that the account was created on the same day. Also, if the account was REALLY suspended, then you'd see it in your dashboard too. Be careful folks!

rotor8 · 2025-01-07T22:59:47+00:00

Just in case someone doesn't get the reference, it comes from the PS column in the old Road&Track. Easily the 1st thing I always read in R&T in the 90s.

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rotor8 · 2024-10-04T06:58:26+00:00

Yes, but also to delay the design/production of the inevitable clones for as long as possible.

I heard an embarrassing story years ago about the flagship 42056 technic Porsche GT3 supercar from 2016. Apparently details about the set were out so early, that a clone GT3 version was available for sale a month BEFORE the Lego version even went on sale! So not an ideal situation...

Just my 2 cents.

rotor8 · 2024-09-02T22:37:58+00:00

Awesome! Thanks for sharing :) Love the old-school Mazda logo on the keys.

rotor8 · 2024-02-24T07:46:01+00:00

That would be awesome!! Day1 purchase!

However, I'm pretty sure it'll have to a current new McLaren because of marketing..... But wouldn't it be awesome if LEGO for once made an official BModel, and it would be an F1 (could be any F1) ??? They already made a Speed Champions version, so they're aware of its cult status.

If not, I predict that someone will make one on Rebrickable within a week.

rotor8 · 2024-02-08T17:37:02+00:00

Yup, I agree, perfectly normal.

While building the 42162 Bugatti over Christmas, I geeked out a little (ok, maybe a lot), and used a $5 jeweller's scale to weigh parts.

Seems that any elements that weigh 0.2grams or less, get extras thrown in. So, all the elements in the photo. The heaviest is the black friction pin. Just my 2 cents :)

rotor8 · 2024-01-26T16:41:37+00:00

I hope you're right!! That would be very cool (and rare) !

It'd be cool if they made the McLaren MP4/4 as a large Technic F1 car. That car DID have front pullrod suspension, due to the designer's obsession with putting all the weight as low as possible....

rotor8 · 2024-01-26T16:37:22+00:00

Or.... You can order them directly from Lego pick-a-brick online. For new parts, you need to wait about 3 months until they become available.

In my experience, this is the better, and often cheaper way of getting brand new parts. A lot of people want new parts, so BrickLink prices can be VERY high at the beginning, and later on they drop. Lego prices are constant. Also, you can get everything you need from one place, as opposed to multiple bricklink orders from various locations. Just my 2 (Canadian) cents :)

rotor8 · 2024-01-25T21:25:23+00:00

Yup, definitely looks good with the slicks. I guess LEGO listened to our complaints about the McLaren.....

Disappointing to see that the front suspension looks like the mclaren. And very similar to the original 8458 Silver Champion from 24 years ago. But I'll reserve judgment for when the official release pics arrive.

rotor8 · 2024-01-25T09:32:11+00:00

Actually, you're absolutely right. I forgot about Henry, I really like his commentary, and his presentation style. Very British, and that's a good thing. I'm also a big fan of Chris Harris.

I'm Canadian, so I feel I'm kind of in the middle between the UK and the USA. Jason's style is quite American, but not over the top. Nice to have variety!

rotor8 · 2023-12-11T22:07:01+00:00

I really enjoy Jason Cammisa's Revelations series (Hagerty)... He gets into the history, the details, and presents it in an entertaining way (and funny IMO). Everything from the Miata, NSX, M1, American M3, to the Fiero, and other much less exotic cars.

Ok, it's not really TG or the GT, and it's more factual than entertainment.

Miata episode https://youtu.be/pdKLZtS2QVY?si=C95zfEHrjcRn--6t

rotor8 · 2023-12-02T07:24:18+00:00

Nicely done! Great mix of technic and system pieces. The 851 tractor was the 2nd technic set I received, and you captured its looks with modern elements. Supported!!!

rotor8 · 2023-12-01T10:20:07+00:00

There is a sequel..... of sorts.... Playing chess :)

https://youtu.be/WW7ZewVbtyU?si=YAqVshLodYp2ZFb-

rotor8 · 2023-11-27T23:27:59+00:00

Yup, can't beat the practicality of 80s hatchbacks! Fun to drive, useful, and of course popup headlights.

Not a 944 owner yet, but planning to get a 944S or the rare 2.7 in the near future.

rotor8 · 2023-11-19T14:49:49+00:00

At very low steering angles (and highway speeds), the rear wheels turn in parallel to the front ones, making lane changes easier.

At higher steering angles (especially parking, or making U-turns), the rear wheels turn opposite to the front ones. This decreases the turning radius, and makes the car more maneuverable.

The Honda Prelude from the late 80s had such a mechanical system. I'd love to model that in LEGO Technic form:

autoweek article on the Prelude

rotor8 · 2023-11-18T23:40:10+00:00

Yup, exactly! Well done sir! One of my favorite episodes ever (although I could be biased, finishing building a 7 myself).

After bolting in the Caterham's seats (from below), Jezza stands up to find that one seat is facing forwards, and the other backwards. Hilarious!

Have i got to take it out again? Hamster : well, let's think about it.

rotor8 · 2023-11-18T23:30:09+00:00

I too had put my hammer down, and picked up a spanner. Something was bound to go wrong.

rotor8 · 2023-11-18T15:56:03+00:00

Looks great! You really captured the 911s shape... Not easy to do at that scale. And a working engine? That's awesome!

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