Artemis - Completed !!

 Yesterday, I managed to finish up parts bag #7, the final leg of the build.

Oops, I forgot to take the usual picture of the contents of the bag, all spilled out in a box lid.  Never mind- moving on...

This build session saw a number of different additions to the model.

First the remaining lower sections of the SRBs are built and attached.

Next up is the construction of the command/crew module and escape tower.  A couple more decals are applied here, adorning the capsule with NASA logos and American flags. Once this is complete, the capsule is placed atop the core booster where it will slide freely in and out.

The next step is the attachment of the mechanism that will lift the command module off from the booster when the crank is turned.

To accomplish this motion. The set designers used a clever combination of a LEGO cable and chain assembly.

Finally to complete the build, there is a small 1x4 plate on which to mount four micro-fig astronauts.

Here are some pics of the front and back of the model during different stages of motion as the hand crank is turned.

A very cool model for display and playing with!

One last surprise. I wasn't aware of this until I reached the final page in the instruction manual: the top cover of the base is designed to flip up so that the wonderful mechanical workings can be displayed. Nice touch.

Overall,  I think this set is one of the finest produced by LEGO as far as attractiveness and 'playability'.  The 'automaton' feature is most excellent. 

Also, I am a bit biased, as well, being a major space-nerd!

Cheers!

Artemis - Parts Bag #6

Judging from the numerous white cylindrical elements that emerged from this bag, the build will now focus on the SRBs.

For those of you who are not well-versed in rocket technology, 'SRB' is short for Solid Rocket Booster.  The two side boosters are solid propellant motors that are jettisoned once the fuel is expended. They give a lot of extra thrust to the entire vehicle during the initial push to escape gravity and atmospheric drag.  Once separated, the core vehicle, powered by liquid fuel, continues its journey without the weight of the booster airframes.

Now that I've bored you with tech-talk, let's get back to some LEGO clicking.

This is the first group of elements in the set that contains some standard LEGO pieces, but it's still mostly Technic.

The SRBs are built up using a series of Technic cylinders and standard 2x2 round bricks and plates.  At this point only the top two-thirds of the SRBs are assembled.

Roll pattern details and markings are added thanks to a lot of  self-adhesive decals.

Once completed, a handful of Technic parts are added on to attach the units to the mechanics on the main model section.

Here is a close-up of one of the SRBs attached to the model:

In addition, a pair of long axle pieces are added to the model support system to secure the core vehicle.

With these tasks completed, the action of booster separation can now be tested using the hand crank. Here are the pics:

The motion is very cool, because the core vehicle continues its upward motion as the SRBs seperate.

Tomorrow, I will post the 7th and final entry in this build series.

Looking forward to seeing (and playing with) the completed model.

Stay tuned!

Artemis - Parts Bag #5

 Now we are getting to the core of the build!

The core booster of the SLS system, that is.

Here are the bag 5 parts all ready to go:

This exercise went very quickly, as the booster is made up of four nearly identical 'modules' with the addition of a small amount of components that will affix the whole to the mechanical system.

I was surprised to see that the rocket is open in the back, but realized that the model is meant to be viewed from the front only.

Here are the pics:

More tomorrow...

Artemis - Parts Bag #4

 The 4th lot of parts in this set yields up some more interesting elements, many of which I've never encountered before.

Not surprising, though, as I haven't built a huge amount of Technic sets to date.

In this section of the build the remainder of the base cover is put in place.

Once that is done the remainder of the 'lift' mechanics is built and installed. 

This consists of the thick screw element, connected to the gear train, that will run the motion of the rocket vehicle sections.

Very fun project...

Artemis - Parts Bag #3 !

 The third bag of elements in this set contains even more Technic parts.

Of course it should - it is, after all, a Technic set!

Also required in this part of the build is the included sticker sheet.

Bag 3 builds out a few more areas of the model's base.

First, a series of black beams and pins forms the top of the base attachment at the back.

Next, the hand crank is installed into the right side of the base and attached to the gear train via a pair of universal joints. 

On turning the crank, it was noted that one of the red gears in the train at the left would lift slightly and disengage from its driver. It served as sort of a clutch mechanism in one direction.

In pondering this, I surmised that, when the crank was turned to lower the rocket and it's components back to starting position, it didn't require as much torque as when the crank was turned in the lifting direction. 

Interesting design.

Finally, the parts that make up the name plaque are installed at the front of the base, including an adhesive sticker.

Here is a shot of the build up to this point.

More to come - bag 4!

Artemis -Bag #2 !!

 The second parts bag contains the elements to build up the model's support structure.

This portion went fairly quickly, as it was 90% clicking beams and pins together.

It was a good project to work on while the not-quite-so-exciting Super Bowl droned along on the TV.

More tomorrow!

Artemis - Parts Bag #1

 Since yesterday was officially my birthday, I finally busted open the Artemis model set to begin work on the first parts bag.

As you've likely noticed throughout this blog,  I like to spread larger set builds out to opening and completing only one bag per day.

The one exceptin to this habit was the recent Ewok set, where I did almost the entire thing in a single afternoon.

Here is the pile of parts emptied from Artemis Bag 1:

A gold mine of Technic pieces!

This initial part of the build resulted in completion of the model's base section that features the gear train that will run all of the mechanical elements soon to be mounted above.

This part of the build is great hands-on training for learning all about the various support pieces for placement of axles and gears, which will come in very handy for future animated MOCs.

Moving along...

The Star Wars Ewok Build

 How forgetful of me. 

I completely forgot to post a Pic of the completed build here on the blog.

It's  been finished for nearly three weeks now!

The remainder of the project was knocked out in a single evening, so there were no progress pics taken.

So here is the 'done' pic:

A very cool addition to the growing Star Wars collection, indeed!

A Brand New Build To Chew On!

 A package arrived at my door yesterday from Amazon containing a birthday gift from my youngest daughter and son-in-law.

This is the LEGO NASA Artemis Launch Vehicle, set #42221.

I recall seeing a display version of this model during my last trip to the local LEGO store. I was very impressed with it, so it is a delight to see this set land on my doorstep.

My birthday is actually not until this coming weekend, so I will practice restraint and resist tearing into the set until then.

Cheers!

Those LEGO Botanicals Sets Are The 'Bees Knees'

 This past Christmas, my wife was gifted with one of the Botanical flowers sets, No. 10342.

She just finished it up the other day, making this the first moderately large set she's put together to date.

It is completely amazing to me that the LEGO set designers have been able to come up with offerings that have such realistic looking flowers. If one stands six feet away from any of the floral stems, it is hard to tell that they are not real.

The missus owned and operated a flower shop in Colorado Springs back in the early 2000s, so she is no stranger to putting together beautiful flower arrangements.

Rather than taking this completed set and sticking them all in one vase, she integrated the individual stems into existing floral arrangements we have hanging around the house.

Here, several of the LEGO 'cuttings' became part of a tall vase arrangement along with dried and artificial stems. They blended in marvelously!

In this next photo, the two dark pink orchid stems from the set were added to a pot of very real orchids who's blooms are nearly an identical color. From a few feet away, it's hard to distinguish real from LEGO!

LEGO, keep em' coming!

LEGO Day At The TFTDDC Home

 Even though the lion's share of the LEGO building in the family is done right here at the TFTDDC household, the rest of the clan is made up of fairly avid builders as well.

Our youngest daughter, her hubby, and young seven year old grandson have instituted a January 1st  tradition at their home of  spending the entire day engaging in LEGO building.

They live in Texas, but drove up here to Colorado to spend the holidays, so the tradition has also been adopted here.

As soon as the New Year's breakfast table was cleared, out came the LEGO!

Most of us had new sets that we had acquired as Christmas gifts.  For those who didn't have a set to build, I provided a large box of mixed parts to build with.

My project was the LEGO Star Wars 'Wicket, The Ewok' set.

During the New Year's build session I managed to finish the model up through the 3rd parts bag.

Fun way to start 2026!