2013

2013 was another good year for my LEGO portfolio, though not quite as prolific as 2012. I created 7 MOCs over the course of the year, which I guess is respectable considering the size and complicity of some of my MOCs. As a recap, this year I completed the Spitfire, the Talon Track, the CargoMaster Crane, the Cat 573c Feller, the Bedford MWD, the Sod Farm, and the MAN TGS. I also spent some time creating instructions for my popular T-72 and the Kenworth T55.

Some thoughts as I look forward to 2014.

First, instructions seem to be very popular. Various people ask for instructions often, and I suspect this is consistent with other builders. While many of my MOCs have instructions freely available, I have decided to start charging $5 USD for some, particularly the more complex and unique MOCs. The reality is that creating instructions is a lot of work. I hope to keep offering a mix of both.

Second, I have been enjoying building more MOCs that do not include Power Functions. While creating another Trial Truck is always exciting, creating something smaller with lots of features has been very exciting. Still some of the works I enjoyed the most both in building and in playing are my 4×4 8081, the Sod Harvester, the Mini Feller, and the MAN TGS. Also, these builds are more accessible to other builders who may have a smaller collections. The simplicity allows them to build one of their own. Good design should not require a large collection.

Third, I really do enjoy the big modeling projects. The Spitfire is my proudest accomplishment, but yet there are many parts of the airplane that can be improved. While the Spitfire was much better than my FW-190, I can do even better on the next one. As I write this I am in the planning stages for something large and functional to follow in the steps of overly-large brick based Technic airplanes.

For 2014, let me publish some goals.

Attend Brickworld 2014, and bring the following:

Create a Studless Supercar with a short-throw 6 speed shifter.

Model another large plane. I have to use those dark green parts for something.

Make another working helicopter.

Design another small forklift.

Build another Trial Truck with independent suspension; 6×6 or 8×8.

Two small projects. These usually develop organically, so planning for them is a little hard. But each will be not more than 500 parts.

Also, 2014 will be my ten year anniversary of returning to LEGO from my Dark Ages. I hope to return to the set that brought me back, with a modified version of 8386.

Until these are completed, happy building, and thanks for visiting.