Model 8859 - The HarvesterThis massive model of a farm tractor was released in 1981. It featured a two cylinder engine and was one of the first models to have a working differential. The manual included five different farm implements including a couple that required parts from the 8710 accessory pack. One of these is the power rake shown in the pictures included here. The tractor could be motorized using the 870/960 4.5 volt motor kit. The backup model was an "off road racing vehicle" with a midframe mounted two cylinder engine.
Side View Rear View View of Engine Original Catalog Entry
The example shown in the views below has been constructed recently from spare parts. A few noncritical part substitutions have been made.
Front View Side View Top View Original Catalog Entry
Model 8846 - The TowtruckThe towtruck was released in 1981 in Europe. It was never sold in the USA and is a little known model here. The overall appearance of the model is quite realistic and it has a good working action. In addition to the traditional winch and hook at the rear there is a front winch that is controled by the spare tire on the hood. The original directions included four pictures that show how to operate the model in conjunction with the 8845 Dune Buggy. This demonstration has been restaged and can be seen in views 2-4 below. View 5 shows a more modern version.
The example shown here has been constructed recently from spare parts. No uncommon parts were required.
Special thanks are due to Jake Warren for making this Model of the Month possible.
Original Catalog Entry Front View Side Action View Rear Action View Wide Angle Shot Modern Version
The 8888 Idea Book - Steam ShovelThis month we feature the cover model from the original Technic/Expert Builder Idea Book, a classic steam shovel excavator. It is mounted on crawler treads and has a multiaction scoop controlled by an intricate assembly of gears. The original model as featured on the cover of the 8888 Idea book was blue with a red base and shovel. In the example shown here the main body is red with a yellow base and shovel. Otherwise the model has been built in strict agreement with the original design. This model is a very good example of a early Technic design. It has a solid body and a realistic appearance. It is one of my all time favorite models. Except for the crawler treads construction of this model requires no unusual or rare parts. Instructions can be found in the 8888 Idea Book. This book was published in 1980.
Right Side View Left Side View Original Idea Book Cover
Side view. Top view. Close up of engine. Close up of transmission. What differential? Original Catalog Entry.
The 8210 Nitro Bike GTX This month we feature a current model, the 8210 motorcycle. This small motorcycle is the most recent in a series of small motorcycles that began with the 1924 promotional set in 1983. The 8889 Technic Idea Book of 1984 featured a very similar bike. In 1991 the 8810 Dirt Bike became first small motorcycle to be released as a regular set. The 8062 Universal set of 1994 featured a small bike as part of much large set.
Larger motorcycles have also been released, the 8857(857) Motorcycle set of 1980 featured several different models. The 8838 Shock Cycle or Motorcross Bike was large bike with a chain drive and new authentic looking wheels. Back in the 1970s there were a couple of Hobby Model motorcycle sets.
The 8210 is one of the more realistic small Technic models and is a good first model for anyone who has not yet built a Technic model. It is only the second Technic set to ever feature a windshield. The first was the 8020 Universal set issued in 1984. Shown below are several views of the 8210 Nitro Bike GTX and its stable mates.
The Original Red 8210 In Black A Matched Set A Pair of 8810s A Pair of 1924s The 8889 Motorcycle The small 8062 bike
The 8660 Arctic Rescue Unit To cool us off this month we feature the 8660 Arctic Rescue Unit. The model was issued in 1986 as part of the Arctic Action Series. The 8660 was a six wheeled vehicle in white with a small red crawler tractor carried in the back. The back of the vehicle lowered to form a ramp to unload the tractor.
The alternate 8660 model was a truck with a drilling rig for drilling holes in the ice. A great model for a hot July day!
The Arctic Rescue Unit Unloading the crawler The crawler The ice drilling truck The Arctic Action Series
The 8891 Dinosaur This month the new Control Centre II, 8485, makes in debut in Europe. One featured model is a massive dinosaur. But it is not the first Technic dinosaur. Our featured model of the month for August is the 8891 Idea Book dinosaur. This horrendous beast is said to be particularly fond of Legomaniacs. Also shown is a smaller creature the Dacta 9702 dinosaur. This a much friendlier green eyed beast who would rather simply stomp on Legomaniacs, but would never eat them.
Both of these models are examples of walkers. Walkers are Lego models with legs. The walking motion results from a pair of linked legs on each side of the model. The action is controlled by a reciprocating link that gives a stepping action. Most of the time only three of the four legs are on the ground at a time. The walking action of the 8891 dinosaur is smooth in the forward or backward direction. The smaller 9702 model will only go forward.
8891 Dinosaur Side View 8891 Dinosaur Front View 8891 Dinosaur Head Shot 9702 Dinosaur Side View 9702 Dinosaur Head Shot A Fight to the Finish!
It is September and: Ho-Ho...Ho-Ho. It's off to work we go.
Summer vacation is over and the Model of the Month is a hard working machine, the 8843 Fork Lift. This red and yellow model was introduced in 1984 as one of the original pneumatic sets, along with the 8040 universal set and the 8851 excavator. The 8843 featured a pneumatically controlled dual chain lift mechanism. The movement was a bit jerky, but it worked pretty well. The 8040 Universal set also featured a forklift. A sleek low lying machine in yellow it was quite a bit different than the 8843. Interestingly the pneumatic cylinders in the 8040 were red, while the cylinders in the 8843 were yellow.
8843 Front View 8843 Right View 8843 Left View 8843 Original Catalog Entry 8040 Side View
The Model of the Month for October, is the 8858 Automobile Engine set from 1980. This set was numbered 858 in Europe, but in the USA along with the 8857 motorcycle set, was one of the first two members of the 8800 Technic series. The set was truly unique, because unlike every other Technic model the completed set did not represent a complete vehicle, aircraft or boat. Instead the set offered instructions for building four different engines.
The first engine shown below is a three cylinder in-line engine. It has working rods and pistons. It has a very nice action. The second featured model is a V-6. The remaining two engines were a six-cylinder boxer engine and a two-cycle one cylinder engine.
Left view of three cylinder engine Front view of three cylinder engine Right view of three cylinder engine Side view of V-6 engine Front view of V-6 engine
The Model of the Month for November is the 8460 Pneumatic Crane Truck, a new set for 1995. This model is a medium sized vehicle featuring a pneumatic lift mechanism for the crane arm. Two opposing cylinders are used to increase the length of the pneumatic extension. The crane arm is on a geared swivel and can be extended via another geared mechanism. The model is cool to look at and fun to play with.
A simpler crane truck, also in yellow, was featured in the 8891 Idea Book. This crane truck had a unique flex cable steering mechanism. These two LEGO orginals can be compared to a custom vehicle, the Blue Mobile Crane.
Side view of 8460 with arm raised. Side view of 8460 with arm down. Close up view of 8460 pneumatic mechanism. Top view of 8460. Side view of 8891 mobile crane with arm down. Side view of 8891 mobile crane with are up. The custom blue mobile crane
The Model of the Month for December is the 8422 V-Twin Super Bike, a new set for 1995 in Europe. The model will have a 1996 release in North America. This model is a large red motor bike with black and gray trim. It has a two cylinder engine with a chain drive. Each wheel has a dual spring suspension, there is a nice kick stand and dual head lights.
This bike is the successor to a very similar bike, the 8838 Shock Cycle - Moto Cross Bike issued in 1991. The 8838 was black with yellow and gray trim. It had a similar two cylinder engine with a chain drive. If you look carefully at the "side by side" view shown below, you can see that the 8422 has a new set of tires, the same size, but with a smoother tread than the ones found on the 8838.
The first LEGO Technic motorcycles were released back in 1980. The 8857 motor cycle set featured several different models in blue with red trim, each with a one cylinder engine that utilized one of old 2x2 block pistons. A custom version of one of the 8857 models in black is shown below.
Side view of 8422. Top view of 8422. Side view of 8838. Side by side. Custom version of 8857.
The Model of the Month for December is the 948 Go Cart, one of the original Expert Builder sets issued in 1978. The set was numbered 854 in Europe and elsewhere. This model is a small blue go cart with a black seat featuring a one cylinder engine using the old style 2x2 block pistons. The car has a large black number "9" on a white number plate at the front.
Eight years later in 1986 a similar Go-Cart, the 8842, was issued. It was red with gray trim and featured a similar one cylinder engine. It also had a large black number on a white plate at the front. It was the same number "9" used on the 948, but turned upside down to give a number "6".
Front view of 948. Rear view of 948. Front view of 8842.
The Model of the Month for February is the 8844 Helicopter, a second generation model introduced in 1981. This medium sized helicopter model features working rotors and a retractable wheel assembly. It has a control panel made up of decorated blocks taken from space sets of the day. The backup model was a rather nice gyrocopter.
Side view of 8844. Close up view of 8844. Cockpit view of 8844.
The Model of the Month for March is the 8839 Supply Ship. This was a most unusual Technic Model, the first ship or any type of water craft to be featured as a main model. The ship is a medium size model with several interesing features. The crane incorporates the Technic "turn table" unit and has a good working action. The propellors steer via a network of flex cables. Flex cables are also used to hold up the mast. The set provided a welcome alternative subject and good model for any Technic collection.
Side view of 8839. Close up view of crane. Close up view of cabin.
The Model of the Month for April is the 5540 Formula I Race Car. This is a truly awesome model. One of the original three Model Team sets, it is both the rarest and the coolest Model Team set ever issued. The red race car has a number 1 on each side centered above a very nice TURBO decal. The front wheels are dual, the rear wheels triples. The lid to the engine compartment can be removed to reveal a V-8 engine. The overall appearance of the car is very realistic. Truly a classic model from the beginning, it made its American debut in the 1988 Shop at Home catalog. The set is rare because it was the first Model Team set to be discontinued and it never was issued at all in some European countries. Earlier versions of the set showed the original Model Team logo on the box. A second box similar with the current Model Team logo was issued in 1989.
Main view of 5540. Front view of 5540. Side view of 5540. Engine compartment of 5540. The original 5540 box.
Previous Models of the Month
The Model of the Month for May is the 8865 Test Car. This model was the third "Super Car" issued in the LEGO Technic series, following the original (853/956) Auto Chassis of 1978 and the 8860 Auto Chassis of 1981. The 8865 model was issued in the U.K. in 1988 as the Test Car. One year later it made it to the USA where it was marketed as the "Auto Chassis". The Test Car had a V-4 rear engine with a three speed transmission. It had four wheel independent suspension, pop-up headlights with a red control lever next to the blue transmission lever. The main frame was red and the car had adjustable blue seats. The model was followed in 1994 by the fourth "Super Car", the 8880 Daytona VX4 Super Car.
To celebrate the arrival of summer the Model of the Month for June is the 8680 Mountain Rescue Base. This model was the largest member LEGO Technic Arctic Action series released in 1986. This set was not sold in North America and is thus a rare set for collectors here. It is a pneumatic set with lots of action. The vehicle has a large box like structure which contains a small red helicopter. At the rear end of the vehicle there is a red landing platform that can be raised and lowered using the pneumatic controls. The front end has a drop down loading ramp that raises to form a door. The blue "snowflake" Arctic Action logo is on the outside of the door and on each side of the vehicle. Two action figures are included along with his of skis. Very different from any other Technic set, the Mountain Rescue Base is a very interesting set indeed.
Main view of the 8680 Mountain Rescue Base Front view. Interior view.
The Model of the Month for July is the 5580 Big Rig Truck. This massive Model Team set was one of the three orginal Model Team sets which were introduced in the 1988 Shop at Home Catalog in the USA. However, the set was not released in many parts of the world until 1990. The 5580 was by far the most impressive of the Model Team introductions. It has dual wheels in the rear, an engine compartment that would open, and a cab interior with a sleeping compartment. It is a model that always attracts admiration.
The Model of the Month for August is the 8856 Thunder Rescue Helicopter. This large Technic set was released in 1991. It featured the new Flex Cable System, consisting of flexible plastic cables that gave added versatility to model control systems. The new system was used for thr rotor tilt control on the 8856. The Thunder Rescue Helicopter (Whirlwind Rescue in the U.K.) had several other features including retractable landing gear, a hoist and rotating propellors.
Side view of the 8856 Thunder Rescue Helicopter Front view. Close up view. Top view.
The Model of the Month for September is the 954 Sky Copter. This helicopter was one of the original Technic "Expert Builder" sets released in 1978. The European version was numbered 852. The large model was the first Technic helicopter and introduced many features that have become common place in many other subsequent sets. Both the main and rear rotor blades operate. There is an elaborate mechanism for controlling the tilt of the rotor blades. The Sky Copter was featured on the cover of the first U.S. Expert Builder catalog.
Side View Front Left View. Front Right View View of Rotor Mechanism. 1978 Expert Builder Catalog Cover.
The Model of the Month for October is the 8847 Dragster. This vehicle was a medium sized set released in 1983. It featured a four cylinder engine linked to wheels with a chain drive. The engine used the old square pistons common to all early Technic engines. A long axle was used to connect the front steering mechanism to the steering wheel. The blue with red and white trim color scheme used for this model was one of the most successful ones found in any Technic set, which are more often than not constructed from a single color.
Side View Front View. Rear View Top View.
The Model of the Month for November is the 5550 Custom Rally Van. This vehicle was a Model Team set released in 1991. It was one of the "second generation" Model Team sets and the first van. A highly realistic model it has quite a selection of doors including the normal front doors, full side doors that lift up, and double rear doors. The interior includes a set of red seats. The steering mechanism is controlled through the spare tire on the roof of the van. The van has a very hefty constrution and is a must for any Model Team Collection.
Side View Front View. Rear View Interior View.
Side View Top View Front View Engine Closeup
Some of the most successful Technic models have been helicopters. They are a natural subject. A mechanized rotor provides lots of action. With some ingenuity on the part of the design team, a realistic control system can be implemented. In 1995 a good example of such a helicopter, the 8412 Sky Wasp helicopter, was introduced in Europe. The following year it was released in North America as the Nighthawk helicopter. This medium sized black helicopter has gray trim and a blue seat. The flex system is used to build a control for the tilt of the main rotor. Both the main and rear rotors can be rotated. The helicopter has a neat looking engine and overall a very nice appearance.
Main View Top View Closeup View
Certain types of machinery have Technic subjects from the beginning. Forklifts are a good example. A fork lift has a natural function that lends itself to modeling. In 1993 a new universal set, the 8082, was released and one of the featured models was a remote controlled forklift. The set featured two motors, th first was a conventional nine volt motor and the second the new micro motor. The main motor powered three functions, the wheels, steering and the lift mechanism. The micro motor was used as a switch to select which of the main motor functions to activate at a given time. While the set was not the most realistic appearing fork lift set, it certainly was the most fun to play with.
Main View Front View Side View
Some of the best Lego designs come from idea books. The 8891 idea book was released 1991. It featured several great models, many of them very elaborate and requiring a large store chest of spare parts to build. The 8891 wrecker was a smaller model and one easy to build. The red and yellow truck looks quite nice and has a nice action. Paired with the small red car also featured in the 8891 idea book it is a fun model to play with.
Main View Action View with Car The 8891 Idea Book
Top View Night View Top View at Night
Entering the Station The Smiling Engineer Main Engine The Coach The Dining Car Entire Train
Mainview Topview Hydrofoil and helicopter Helicopter
The 8479 Multi-Set has plans for four models, the truck, a dune buggy, a satallite truck and a robot. Each unit can be controlled by the Code Pilot unit. The Code Pilot unite read bar codes off a special card included with the set. The unit also features various sounds, a running engine, gear noise, robot noise and musical notes. Motor speed can be controlled as well as time intervals. The set uses the new 8735 Technic motor and a pair of microswitch detectors or sensors. There is also a white timing wheel that the Code Pilot can read to control movement. The Bar Code Truck has three modes of operation all controlled by the same program. Unfortunately operator intervention is required to switch between the three modes of operation. In the first mode the loader will pick up an extra tire and wheel and deposit in in the back. After a switch on the side of the unit is thrown the back raises up to dump the load. The third mode is a simple back and forth movement accomplished by unplugging the motor from one side and putting it in a socket on the other side of the truck.
Overall the 8479 is one of the most sophisticated sets ever released. It is a truly significant Model of the Month.
Front View Claw Up Load Released Bed Raised Top View Top View with Raised Bed Rear View Code Pilot Close Up
Overall the 8459 is great set, perhaps the best pneumatic set ever released.
Front View Side View Rear View Top View Close Up of Air Tank
Front View of Robot Side View of Robot Top View of Robot Front View of Truck Top view of Truck
Top View of Plane Side View of Plane Font View of Plane Close Up of Engine