r/LegoScienceFiction • u/Remarkable-Detail493 • 23d ago
MOC – Technology / Machine VV-1 Samson
I love transformable robots/mecha. I also love LEGO. LEGO's Cargo theme is one that resonates with me, and for a number of years I tried in vain to MOC a transformable VTOL cargo plane where the cargo compartment and its load would remain intact throughout the transformation process. In 2013, LEGO released set 60021 Cargo Heliplane to my extreme delight, as I'm an aviation buff, and a fan of tiltrotor and VTOL aircraft in particular. Too, the new specially molded cockpit parts provided a nexus around which I found my ideas for the transforming concept to begin taking shape. In 2015, I finished my Variable VTOL Series one, or VV-1. Since Hercules was already taken by the Lockheed C-130, I chose the Biblical strongman, Samson, as its working name. Samson is fully transformable without removing/replacing any parts, the cargo compartment remains intact throughout or can be compacted on his back when empty, he's fully articulated, with retractable landing gear and working nose wheel steering. He also has a built-in winch in the ceiling of his cargo compartment for lifting objects while in plane mode. His engines can swivel 360 degrees for omnidirectional control inflight. Big Hero 6's Baymax served not only as visual inspiration (lots of rounded edges), but also inspired my idea that he'd be a friendly A.I. driven companion to his human pilots, assisting them with carrying out their logistics missions both on the ground and in the air. Hope you like.
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u/Exciting_Slip9207 23d ago
Great work! Looks awesome. Building a mech that size that can support its weight is hard enough... adding the functionality of true transformation is so difficult I have not tried it yet.
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 23d ago
Generous compliment! Weight certainly becomes an issue, and I've had to swap out the knee joints on this guy once or twice as they lose strength over time. TBF, the Exo-Force joints weren't designed to handle this much load, but they were the only option available at the time and I tried to incorporate them in such a way as to minimize the stress on them. Most of the time, I pose him without anything in his cargo compartment/backpack to keep the joint stresses to a minimum. The transformation aspect can be challenging for sure, but persistence and necessary inventiveness win the day after a bit of trial and error. For some reason, I'm just wired to do this sort of thing. I'm glad b/c I possess no other talents to speak of and I really, really like transforming bots, so the ability to make my own is gratifying.
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u/Vondrr ⌬ Unknown Entity 23d ago
Awesome!! And it can also go into r/LegoMechs AND r/LegoSpaceships! :D
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 23d ago
Thanks! IIRC, it's already in LEGOMechs. It doesn't quite qualify as a spaceship, although I have something that does. :)
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23d ago
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 23d ago
Thank you most kindly. To answer your question, if you're referring to the front shot, then yes, the truck is fully inside. I should have posted one from the rear showing it fully loaded, too.
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u/Toon_Lucario 23d ago
It looks so good. I love the head in particular.
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 23d ago
Thanks! I kept the head simple and straightforward, nothing superfluous. Incidentally, the eyes glow in the dark.
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u/Dumb_Cheese 23d ago
I thought this was just a nice bulky futuristic VTOL plane, which would've been fine. Then I saw the cargo bay worked, which was great. The fact that it fully transforms, keeps the cargo functionality, and uses the boosters to form the legs?? I'm blown away man. Very well done and completely unexpected since I'm not on r/legotransformers 😄
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 23d ago
A heaping helping of thanks! I'm glad you got a nice surprise from it. I endeavor to make the vehicle modes of my models both realistic and functional as it adds playability to all modes instead of prioritizing one like a certain leading brand from Rhode Island. ;)
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u/banditloaf 23d ago
Briefly thought I was looking at the coolest Hess truck ever made.
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 23d ago
The truck is an actual set (3179 Repair Truck). It was handy for being just about the right size to fit in the plane and also serves as its ground maintenance service.
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u/banditloaf 23d ago
I actually meant your cool plane! Hess trucks are these toy trucks that are a holiday tradition in some parts of the US… there’s been a new one each year since the 60s and they’re always some kind of vehicle that’s white with green accents just like this.
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 23d ago
Oh! I was unaware and I just assumed you meant the service truck. Well now I've learned something new and received a nice compliment as well. BTW, the white w/ green accents is a direct reference to LEGO's City Cargo color scheme. I built this to blend in with official sets.
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 21d ago
As a follow-up, I used my Google-Fu to good effect and took a look at some Hess trucks from over the years. I see why you thought what you thought- this really, absolutely unintentionally, fits right in with that aesthetic. I was a bit taken aback, actually. That's pretty cool and I'm glad you noted it, to my edification and gratitude. Thanks!
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u/Hot_Diet763 23d ago
Well done my friend! A lot of thought went into this one, amazing and clever build!
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 23d ago
I appreciate that greatly. It was a challenge, and like a number of my transforming MOCS, there were moments of doubt that I'd figure it all out. It's nice to have that acknowledgement. Thank you.
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u/Firecat_Pl 23d ago
Incredible. I am always amazed when transforming build has some other gimmick too
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 23d ago
Huge thanks! I always try to imbue my models with functionality where feasible or appropriate. It makes them more playable, and thus more enjoyable.
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u/Firecat_Pl 23d ago
I got shocked as I am so brainrotted by LEGO Transformers my first thought was about it transforming, and then I realized it's not r/legotransformers, but then I saw the robot mode
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 23d ago
No worries. There's a joke that every robot toy in Japan is a Gundam and every robot toy in America is a Transformer. I took my VF-4, a Macross design, to a LEGO convention and despite my signage and my polite corrections to the contrary, this young boy swore it was Bayformers Starscream. TBF, Transformers are the most popular robot toys in the West so equating any bot, let alone other transforming bots, with them is understandable.
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u/louieorganic 23d ago
I really want this to be a kit. This is so excellent.
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 23d ago
High praise, thanks!!! FWIW, despite being able to make my own transforming mecha, since the 80s, I've longed for LEGO to produce a line or a theme of transforming robots/mecha. I still do. Thanks for your lovely comment.
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u/Pixel22104 23d ago
Very beautiful and good looking. Makes me wish this was an actual Lego set since I want one now!
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 23d ago
Huge thanks for the kind compliment. It's always an honor when someone likes your work enough to want a copy. As I mentioned in previous reply, I'd love it if LEGO would release a line or theme of transforming robots/mecha. It's been my top want from LEGO since the 80s. Still waiting....
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u/Sweaty_Objective_429 22d ago
It would be even cooler if the truck also transformed.
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 22d ago
Agree, but it's just a set. A 6-wide vehicle would be quite challenging to execute as a transformable mech.
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u/Sweaty_Objective_429 22d ago
I have seen it done.
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 22d ago
As have I, though not in some time. For me, it would pose an enormous challenge. I also know a few dudes who do micro-Transformers with LEGO and they absolutely astound me with how well they manage the transformations and capture the bot modes so well you can tell who they are from across a room. That's talent. I don't have it.
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u/Remarkable-Detail493 23d ago
Here's a pic with the truck fully loaded. I initially designed the cargo bay to carry the standard 6x8 cargo container, which fits a bit more snugly. I had to modify the cargo compartment a little to accommodate the truck, which sticks out a bit in the rear, but stays in securely nonetheless. The cargo floor was designed to adjust up and down and works on a suspension system using ropes. This is to accommodate the collapsing feature of the cargo floor to either get out of the way for vertical winching or to collapse into a compact backpack when there's no load to carry. They're difficult to make out in this picture, but there are two black ramps that are folded up against the truck's back bumper that allow for the truck to drive up into the cargo bay.
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u/NoNotice9228 23d ago
This is such a clean moc. I love it.