Bricklink has been SOLD! New management wants your ideas...

BrickLink is a name that any die-hard lover of Technic Lego knows and relies on.  It was via a community message that the current CEO of BrickLink, Eliska Jezkova, told us that she is stepping down and handing over the reigns to the new owner, Jung-Ju "Jay" Kim.  He is no slouch in the business world.  His family has been very successful in just about everything that they touch.  He is also the founder of Nexon, one of the world's largest online game companies. 

Since the original post this morning, there has been additional information provided.  Check it out here on BrickLink's website.  Based on thoughts from Jung-Ju Kim it looks like we may see some great changes coming sooner rather than later.  I just hope that it doesn't cost us more to enjoy this formerly family run business. 

He is wanting our help.  In his statement, he says: "In order to expedite the process of renovating BrickLink.com, I and Bricklink Limited will be asking users to e-mail us with their ideas for the improved functionality of the site, as well as any current issues that need to be addressed in order to provide users with the best possible selling and buying experience.  We'll establish those lines of communication very soon."  This is exciting...I am creating my list now.  We will be sure to share that contact information as soon as we become aware of it as well.  

I am wondering if anyone else caught something.  I was reading the original post that Eliska Jeskova wrote and I could have sworn that it said 'Eliska Jezkova, CEO of BrickLink.com'.  I kind of laughed to myself at the time and wondered why she signed it that way being that she was saying that she had handed over everything already.  When the page was updated with the Message from Jung-Ju "Jay" Kim, I saw that it was changed to 'former CEO'.  Now I could just be getting old and blind, but did I actually see that?

Thanks for reading and as always, I will try to keep my readers aware of the ever changing world of our Technic Lego and the like.

Lego Technic Exclusive CO-Creation Model 41999

I received an email the other day about why I hadn't posted anything about this particular model and I did no have a good answer.  I had followed the official LEGO "You Design it, we make it" challenge contest and voted for one.  I am apologetic in my slacking of late.  I will try to do better for my loyal readers.  In light of this, I think that a little highlight of the impressive model is due.  Check it out!

Truly an impressive model by the winner Egor Karshiev who is described on the Technic Lego page as a creative mastermind.  You should definitely check out the page here.  Not only will the license plate have the initials "EK" on it, but it will also have some additional motorized functions.  I am truly looking forward to trying to get my hands on one of these sets.  I say trying because there is going to be a limited run of only 20000 sets worldwide.  Thanks to my readers for keeping me on my toes and to Lego for keeping us busy with all the new models this year!

Lego Architecture 21015 - Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Lego Architecture 21015 is the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  This set has some nice features.  I look forward to seeing how they did the leaning.  I had posted a question about which set this would be, but that set has also been identified recently and we talk briefly about it here.  Below is a picture of the 21015 Set.  Being that there are several versions floating around such places as Cuusoo and other image sites, how do you think Lego did with this design?

Lego Architecture 21018 - United Nations Headquarters

It turns out that the 21015 was the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  Lego Architecture 21018 is showing up on the web as the United Nations Headquarters here!  This is a very interesting looking set with 597 pieces.  I know it will be on my list.  I think that Lego is creating some very interesting landmarks for us to build.  I look forward to what they will be providing next.  What do you think?

Lego Architecture set 21018 - Possibly the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

Again I am sharing my love of Architecture with my Technic readers.  Lego is only showing to release two Architecture sets this year.  The first of course is Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel that once stood in Tokyo Japan that we spoke about here.  Well there are already some pics around the web of a new Lego Architecture Set possibly the 21018.  It is the Leaning Tower of Pisa and it has a very nice look to it.  Brickset has a post including a picture of the set behind what appears to be a glass case.  Check it out!

We will post as soon as more official photos are released.

Thanks for reading and we do have more Technic related content coming soon!

NEW 2013 2H Lego Technic sets - Early Blurry Images!

As with every new year, the new sets are what we want to know about.  As we posted earlier about, there are several already released and the end of 2012 has brought us information on the release of the 2H or Second Half of 2013 Technic Lego sets.  Very clear images are not yet available, but we will be sure to post them as soon as they do.  What we do have is a list and some really rough images to give you an idea of what will be coming soon. 

42001 - Mini Off-Roader

This set has been seen and talked about on multiple sites.  It is thought that this will cost around 10 Euros which today is about 13 dollars.  Based on the ages, I would say that it will be similar to the 8066 Off Roader set which sold for around 20 dollars.  This image is yet to come. 

42005 - Monster Truck

This looks to be a miniature version of the 9398 4x4 Crawler with what appears to have 4 wheel steering and hand of god steering.  Nice starter kit for younger Technic users. Imaged captured from the video clip from the Nuremberg Toy Fair.

42008 -Service Truck

This sets looks like it has a lot to offer.  My kids and I actually took a picture of one of these we saw in a parking lot to try and build a MOC (My Own Creation) version as one of our future projects.  I think this set will give us a nice starting point to work from.  Should be great fun.  Although some sources are saying that it does not have pneumatics, the picture has what appears to be something yellow like a pneumatic part towards the rear, but this could also be some type of shock absorber.  It does however use power functions with at least one motor.  Nice side view.  This will be a nice upgrade to the classic 8285 Tow Truck of 2006.  I do still prefer the longer truck design of the 8285, but if the functions work better in this one, it is going to be a close call as to which is my favorite.  

42009 - Mobile Crane MK II

This appears to be the flagship set of 2013.  There is a lot of speculation on what this will include, but no matter what, it will definitely be a set to enjoy.  I am curious to see what type of improvements have been made since the 8421 Mobile Crane of 2005.  That has been a favorite of ours to build many times.  It does have power functions and based on how it does not look like yellow but rather gray under the lift arm, it does look like LA's (Linear Actuators) instead of pneumatics.  Time will tell, and we will be sure to let you know when we find out for sure!

Looks like these particular models will not be available until sometime close to August based on the source of these photos.  Of course, these images are preliminary, there is a possibility that they could change between now and their official release.  The 2H is not as large a group of models as some of us would probably like, but with so many financial uncertainties for the coming year, I think the Lego Group has made some good choices to keep us satisfied and challenged for the year to come.  Again, thanks for reading and until next time, Play Well!

Lego Technic 2013 2H Sets seen in Nuremberg at Toy Fair

There is already a video on YouTube from the Toy Fair in Nuremberg.  It shows at least three of the 2H Lego Technic Sets for 2013.  It is about a two minute clip that shows the 42005 Monster Truck, the 42008 Service Truck, and the 42009 Mobile Crane MK II.  Check it out!

We can see a little of the functions for both the Service Truck and the Mobile Crane.  It is shaping up to be a nice year in Technic Sets.  I have to ask though, does the Mobile Crane look stable enough to put any load on it at all?  Perhaps some MOC strengthening will be required to make the most of it.  Just looks a little flimsy in this video.  The Service Truck looks great, having both Linear Actuators and Pneumatics.  Very nice how they work together when they are lowering the boom.  I am sure as the week progresses we will be getting more insights into the new sets as well as some clearer pictures.  Till then...play well!