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Registration: PH-AKE
Construction Number: 1381
Model: A330-303
Manufacturer: Airbus
Owner: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Author of this photo: Frans Hodiamont
(Uploaded with permission)
Nummer: 2809 (186 201-0)
Materieelserie: TRAXX F140 MS
Fabricage: Bombardier Transportation (Kassel, D)
Verhuurder: Alpha Trains
Author of this photo: Frans Hodiamont
(Uploaded with permission)
Kenteken: 1-TGJ-37
Merk / Model: MB Sprinter (W906) 316CDI 163pk
Opbouwer: C. Miesen
Importeur: Tulatech Belgers
Type: Low-Care Ambulance
Historie:
jan 2014 - dec 2020: 17-411 (AmbulanceZorg Rotterdam-Rijnmond, post Barendrecht)
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
All the parts in this image were not officially released to the public. I have obtained them through other collectors and resellers. From left to right:
• prototype SNOT plates
• a test print
• a Q-Element
• a Grangemouth test brick
• a Satin-Light blue minifigure
These items have been collected because of a genuine hobbyist interest in, and enthusiasm for, LEGO history, production, engineering and quality control. Finding and understanding these items, is like an ongoing treasure hunt that is shared with a community of like-minded LEGO fans.
The items
Prototype parts
Prototype parts, like the prototype SNOT plates in the photo, are "early models" of part designs. The parts never made it into production in this form. They are generally used to evaluate the part design (for example to evaluate the concept, visual appearance, user-experience testing, ...). The parts are usually discarded afterwards.
The parts that I own have been sold in LEGO's internal shop for employees or have been given away in lots that LEGO donated, for example for promotional purposes.
Test bricks
LEGO required that the chemical companies and manufacturers followed a strict quality control programme using test bricks. They often manufactured other plastic products also. The quality control process that was in place for their work for LEGO, was frequently also applied to their other plastic products. As a result, test bricks can be found in a wide range of materials and colours that were never used by LEGO itself.
Initially, old production moulds were used. These bricks have the LEGO logo on all studs. Later specific test brick moulds were made. Initially, those also had the LEGO logo on all studs. After that, bricks with the letters ABCD with varying stud size were used. Later those were replaced by bricks with the letter C on the studs. These days, several other letters are seen.
Nightshift Grangemouth test bricks
In the late 1970s some employees at Borg-Warner wanted to experiment with some of the excess plastic from the regular LEGO production and used the mould to produce bricks with a "granite effect", like the multicoloured brick in the photo. The bricks they produced were given to children. They did not see this as a problem, because the marbled "granite" bricks could be clearly distinguished from real LEGO products. This might have been done with permission within the factory, or they might have been produced during night shifts, but LEGO was not pleased about it. As the story was told on BrickLink, the bricks were eventually spotted by a LEGO representative and the mould was taken away.
It looks like soon after, the test moulds with LEGO logos were replaced with test moulds without LEGO markings. From now on, if any unofficial products that might not meet all quality standards made their way to the general public, it would be clear that these were not official LEGO products.
Test prints
A lot can go wrong while printing on LEGO parts. That is why LEGO has a quality control process for printing. We find both print alignment calibration parts and parts that are printed on the "wrong" base colour, like the minifigure head in the photo.
We assume that these wrong-coloured parts are usually test prints, made on whatever colour was available in the machine at the time but not on the intended colour. This way, the final print design can be evaluated while any test parts can easily be separated from the later actual production parts. That way, there can be no confusion and only the correct parts can be included into sets. Even with all that care, things can still go wrong. Technology can fail, printers can run out of ink, etc. As a result, incomplete prints or misaligned prints are also found.
These parts used to be very rare, but in recent year many have found their way to resellers. They have been included in charity gifts that LEGO made, and some German resellers that seem to have access to LEGO's leftovers get them.
Q-elements
Q-Elements are parts that are made by LEGO for use in model shops. The model shops can request certain parts in unusual colours when they need them. That is how the transparent dark blue brick in this photo was made. They are intended to be used by these model shops only, and as a result they probably do not have to meet all the strict quality requirements that the parts that are released in sets have to meet. That would explain why transparent parts are available to model shops but not in sets. Leftovers from these model shops are sometimes sold or given away.
Mould test runs
Moulds require maintenance. After a mould has been disassembled, maintained and reassembled, a test is needed to ensure that everything works properly. Traditionally, red and transparent material has been used for these tests because some flaws are more visible using these colours.
Few of these parts have shown up, although the number seems to be increasing. These parts used to be rare, but are not hard to find now (finding a random part is easy, finding a specific part is still nearly impossible).
The parts are still often sold as "rare prototypes" by resellers who wish to increase the price.
"Nightshift minifigures"
Before 2020, only very few transparent minifigures were known to exist. They were probably really part of initial mould testing (looking for hidden flaws in the first parts made in a new mould). These were extremely rare. Also, a red Darth Vader helmet was known. That part was probably also made during a first mould test. It sold for such a high value, that later clone brands made "replica prototype helmets" and sold those on Ebay.
In 2020, several transparent minifigures found their way to online sales platforms. The figures were made with genuine LEGO parts, made in unreleased colours. As far as we could tell, the parts originated in the Mexico factory. They were received with enthusiasm by several collectors who were willing to pay serious amounts of money for them. Soon, more minifigures became available. In order to increase collectability and related value, soon accessories like helmets/headgear and weapons were added to the minifigures. Minifigures related to themes like Star Wars and Batman became available in a wide range of colours. When these figures were first made, I expected LEGO to stop them soon. For some reason, LEGO has not done that or has not been able to. By 2022, the range of colours has increased to include 9 or 10 colours with glitter and 11 colours with satin have been made or announced (including the figure in this photo). Many of those colours were never released with those additions in officially released LEGO products.
Because the quality standards that normally apply to LEGO parts did not fully apply to these figures, deviations could occur. Several transparent parts are already known to crack. There is a good reason why LEGO does not release full-transparent minifigures. The available combination of material and design is not suitable for this application. This is an important quality consideration for LEGO products, but it does not appear to be for these unofficial released parts.
I would guess that these parts are made in small quantities during mould testing after maintenance. That would keep them out of the regular LEGO production lines, and possibly out of strict supervision.
Replicas and clones
Finally, there are replica's and clones, which are parts that were "inspired" by actual LEGO bricks. Made with "Is no fake, is copy"-ethics. For example, we have seen
• Replica stickers or replica prints on genuine (unprinted) LEGO parts, especially for expensive collectible sets
• Replica Plant Leaves 6 x 5 (part 2417) that were made "only in colours that LEGO did not make", until LEGO made some of those colours later...
• Replica train wheel rubber, to replace old parts that have deteriorated over time.
• Custom chromed parts, making it difficult to find the parts that were actually chromed by LEGO
• And finally last year there was a story that Chinese clone bricks were found that used the LEGO logo. As far as I know, this is the first time that suspected clone bricks might actually have used the LEGO logo. Usually, people just think that parts made in another mould version must be fake.
These fake parts often violate the intellectual property rights of LEGO (and franchises like Star Wars when those stickers/prints are copied). For collectors, they can make things very difficult. How to separate genuine or even rare valuable items from cheap knock-offs?
I don't have any of these in my collection, but I would probably be interested in a few of those rumoured Chinese Fake-LEGO-2x4-bricks with LEGO logo...
Reasons to collect
Treasure hunt and the community - It's a fun hobby
People still frequently find items that have never been seen by our community before. Finding them, sharing them online, and engaging the community bring both joy and social interaction with fellow collectors. The new items provide an opportunity to everyone to learn something new and to gain new insights or better understanding.
There is also fun in the chase. Figuring out what is out there and where to find it. Gotta catch 'em all!
And, finally.... Ohhh, Look how beautiful this new brick is!
Understanding history and product design
Through collecting these items, we can learn about LEGO's history. By comparing them, or thinking about why things are the way they are, we can learn about the evolution of technology and ideas. Every brick tells a story, about when and how it was made, about the challenges that had to be overcome or about the people that made and used them.
Conservation of knowledge and unique items
By finding, collecting and conserving items that are otherwise unobtainable and that might otherwise be scrapped and destroyed, we preserve tangible items that tell us the stories behind them in a visible way. When we find these items, we are often also finding the stories relating to these items.
Telling a story
Finally, when the items and their information become available, we can use those to tell a story. We can share what we have found in exhibitions or online, like on this Flickr page. Through these items and their stories, we can help people understand their rich history.
Ethical considerations
Collecting unreleased items?
While collecting, a collector should consider the implications of his or her actions.
We could consider several aspects:
1) Why the parts were made;
2) How the parts became available;
3) Who benefits from them;
4) Confidentiality and conflicts of interest.
Most of these parts were made as part of LEGO's design or quality control processes. They were made by LEGO or by their suppliers because they were needed.
Although the parts were not made to be released to the general public, most parts that do find their way out of the factories seem to do so by legitimate routes. They are, for example, included in sales or donations of leftover parts. There are stories where chemical companies have given test parts to their employees.
In most cases the person who made the parts did not personally benefit from them. The parts were often seen as unusable leftovers that could be donated or as interesting gifts to contacts or people who were involved in their development, or simply as toys for children of employees. Only later, often decades later when these children were grown up or when the employees died, did these parts make it to the secondary market. Resellers make some money by finding and selling these items.
As far as I know, confidentiality and conflicts of interest have not caused any issues yet. Considering confidentiality, we might happen to find information that could (still) be confidential. The basic principle should be that we, as fans of LEGO, do not wish to do any harm to LEGO. As a result, intellectual property and proprietary information should remain confidential. We can, however, share all publicly available information (including when it takes some effort of specialist knowledge to get it) about the items we find and our thoughts about them. Collectors might have personal friendships with people in the professional communities. We can ask for information, but we should respect their professional limits in what they can or cannot share and respect confidentiality when they ask us to remain silent about something.
Stimulation of illegitimate behaviour
In the case of the minifigure, a new situation seems to have occurred. It looks like someone, or probably a small group of people, is actively benefiting from an illegitimate activity. They have discovered the LEGO AFOL collectors market, and have found that serious money can be made by selling "unreleased prototypes", especially of minifigures related to collectable themes like Star Wars or Batman.
We cannot be certain as long as no official statements are made by LEGO, but it seems like these parts are made using LEGO moulds and LEGO materials without proper authorisation and without financial benefits for LEGO. This might be a form of theft, by the employee(s) who used the facilities and materials for personal gain. When buying these items, we might support and stimulate this kind of behaviour.
I consider the "nightshift minifigures" an interesting example of how LEGO employees and LEGO collectors deal with these items. Because of that, I do think that some of these parts have a place in my collection. I do however do not wish to stimulate the production of these figures much. That is why I choose to limit myself to a few parts. I will not buy any for resale or trade. That is just my approach though, every collector will have to make his or her own choices here.
Roepnummer: KM710*
Registratieplaat: 81-DMD-9
Merk / Model: MB G-Guard (W463) G500 V8 422pk
Opbouwer: VanDerKooij & Armoured Car Systems
Pantser-klasse: VR7
Type: Gepantserd dienstvoertuig
Standplaats: Den Haag (Koningin Beatrixkazerne)
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Kenteken: 53-MB-TK
Merk / Model: BMW R1200RT-P (K26) 1.17 110pk
Opbouwer: Honac
Type: Zware dienstmotor
Historie:
okt 2012 - dec 2012: Politie, Limburg-Zuid, Basiseenheid Maastricht
jan 2013 - jul 2019: Politie, Eenheid Limburg, Basisteam Maastricht
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Nummer: 9902
Materieelserie: 1600
Fabricage: GEC-Alsthom (Belfort, FR)
Historie:
apr 1982 - jan 1999: 1616 "Oldenzaal" (Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
jan 1999 - sep 2020: 1616 "Oldenzaal" (NS Cargo > Railion > DB Schenker > DB Cargo Nederland)
Author of this photo: Thijmen Hidding
(Uploaded with permission)
Kennzeichen: HS RD6031
Marke / Modell: MB Sprinter (W906F) 519CDI V6 190PS
Aufbau: Fahrtec Systeme (Typ C)
Fahrzeugtyp: Rettungswagen
Besonderheit: Koffer stammt von alten Fahrgestell
Lebenslauf:
feb 2017 - mar 2018: Rettung Selfkant RTW-1 (Rettungsdienst Kreis Heinsberg)
mar 2018 - xxx 2024: Rettung Heinsberg RTW-1 (Rettungsdienst Kreis Heinsberg)
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Registration: PH-ELP
Callsign: LifeLiner x (number depends on posting)
Construction Numer: 0370
Model: EC-135 T2
Manufacturer: Eurocopter
Owner: ANWB Medical Air Assistance
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Roepnummer: 02-147
Kenteken: 75-XD-ZH
Merk / Model: VW T5 Transporter 2.5TDI34 4M 174pk
Opbouwer: AmbulanzMobile (Hornis Silverline)
Importeur: Visser Leeuwarden
Type: High-Care Ambulance
Standplaats: Schiermonnikoog (Knuppeldam)
Author of this photo: Mats Medema
(Uploaded with permission)
Registration: PH-BQE
Construction Number: 28691
Model: 777-200 Extended Range
Manufacturer: Boeing
Owner: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Author of this photo: Frans Hodiamont
(Uploaded with permission)
Roepnaam: Bravo 1.*-*0
Kenteken: PT-624-J
Merk / Model: MB Sprinter (W906F) 316CDI 163pk
Opbouwer: VDL-Bus
Type: Manschappenwagen
Onderdeel: Mobiele Eenheid
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
License plate: GB 2 XXC
Make / Model: MB O530 "Citaro Facelift"
Type: Regional bus
Author of this photo: Fenno Peters
(Uploaded with permission)
Kenteken: 43-BLT-3
Merk / Model: Scania NextGen 650S V8 B6x2
Type: Zware bergingstruck
Herkomst: Nederland
Author of this photo: Jaimy Bijl
(Uploaded with permission)
Funkrufname: Jupiter 21/15
Kennzeichen: NRW 5-5368
Fahrgestell: MB Sprinter (W907) 316CDI32 163PS
Aufbau: Mosolf
Fahrzeugtyp: Halbgruppenkraftwagen (HGruKw)
Abschnitt: 11. Bereitschaftspolizeihundertschaft, 1. Zug
Standort: BePo-Wache Aachen (Hubert-Wienen Straße, Aachen)
Author of this photo: Quinn Lumey
(Uploaded with permission)
Merk / Model: Kia Ceed II Sportswagon 1.0T-GDi 110pk
Type: Onopvallend dienstvoertuig
Historie:
apr 2017 - mei 2020: Politie, Eenheid Limburg, Onbekend
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Nummer: 2434
Materieelserie: SLT2-IV
Fabricage: Bombardier Transportation (Hennigsdorf / Aachen, D)
Author of this photo: Fenno Peters
(Uploaded with permission)
Roepnummer: 17-0451 (voorm. HW14-1)
Kenteken: BV-FG-03
Merk / Model: Volvo FM II-F 9.350 6x2*4
Opbouwer: Bronto Skylift (F34 RLX)
Importeur: Kenbri Fire Fighting
Type: Hoogwerker
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Funkrufname: Düssel 61/**
Kennzeichen: NRW 5-4494
Fahrgestell: MB Vito (W447) 116CDI 163PS
Aufbau: CARS Technik & Logistik
Fahrzeugtyp: Sicherungskraftwagen (SiKw)
Abschnitt: Verkehrsinspektion 3
Standort: Unbekannt
Author of this photo: Luca Cremers
(Uploaded with permission)
Kenteken: GF-489-J
Merk / Model: VW Touran I GP2 2.0TDI BmT 140pk
Opbouwer: Modiforce
Type: Surveillancevoertuig
Historie:
jun 2015 - apr 2019: Politie, Eenheid Limburg, Basisteam Venray / Gennep
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Kenteken: V-144-BJ
Merk / Model: Isuzu D-Max II 1.9D 4x4 163pk
Opbouwer: Van den Born (TacTic)
Type: Dienstvoertuig WIS
Historie:
nov 2016 - mrt 2022: Rijkswaterstaat, Zuid-Nederland, locatie Sint Joost
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Wagenparknummer: 5872
Kenteken: 8-VXL-70
Merk / Model: VW T5GP Transporter 2.0BiTDI 180pk
Opbouwer: Honac
Type: Dienstbus
Historie:
nov 2012 - aug 2018: Poltiie, Eenheid Midden-Nederland, Team Surveillancehonden
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Roepnummer: LX83**
Merk / Model: VW T6 Transporter 2.0TDI34 150pk
Opbouwer: Abiom
Type: Onopvallende dienstbus
Onderdeel: Speurhonden
Bijzonderheid: VDM- & PD-hond
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
上を向いて、みんなでがんばりましょう！
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Donate List
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Registration: 54╬04
Construction Number: 35
Model: A400M-180 "Atlas"
Manufacturer: Airbus
Owner: German Air Force
Unit: Lufttransportgeschwader 62 (Wunstorf Air Base)
Author of this photo: Fenno Peters
(Uploaded with permission)
Kenteken: 64-BFX-7
Merk / Model: DAF XF106.510 6x4
Type: Trekker
Herkomst: Nederland
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Registration: OY-KFH
Construction Number: 15240
Model: CRJ900ER
Manufacturer: Bombardier
Owner: Scandinavian Airlines System
Author of this photo: Frans Hodiamont
(Uploaded with permission)
Registration: F-GUBE
Construction Number: 145668
Model: ERJ145MP
Manufacturer: Embraer
Owner: HOP!
Author of this photo: Frans Hodiamont
(Uploaded with permission)
Merk / Model: Audi A4 (B9) 2.0TDI 190pk
Opbouwer: Modiforce
Type: Onopvallend dienstvoertuig
Onderdeel: Dienst Speciale Interventies, Arrestatieteam Den Haag
Author of this photo: Fenno Peters
(Uploaded with permission)
Roepnummer: 36-8110
Kenteken: RK-923-X
Merk / Model: Toyota Land Cruiser (J15-F²) 2.8D-4D 177pk
Opbouwer: Louwman Bedrijfswagens
Type: Terreinvaardig dienstvoertuig
Standplaats: Grootebroek (Wijzend)
Historie:
apr 2018 - jun 2024: RB120 (Zandvoort)
Author of this photo: Noah Cornelissen
(Uploaded with permission)
License plate: IL 216 MW
Make / Model: MAN NL363-15 "Lion's City L LE (A44)"
Type: Regional bus
Author of this photo: Fenno Peters
(Uploaded with permission)
Kenteken: BL-NL-34
Merk / Model: MB Vario (V668) 614D 136pk
Opbouwer: Terberg Specials
Type: Manschappenwagen ME
Historie:
dec 2001 - okt 2022: 1411 (Politie, Eenheid Amsterdam, Team Crisisbeheersing)
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Kenteken: XF-558-G
Merk / Model: MB B-Klasse (W246) B220CDI 170pk
Opbouwer: VDL-Bus
Type: Surveillancevoertuig
Bijzonderheid: In 2020 vernieuwd en voorzien van OOV-striping
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Registration: D-HEGY
Construction Number: 2700
Model: AS-332L1 Super Puma
Manufacturer: Aérospatiale
Owner: German Federal Police
Author of this photo: Fenno Peters
(Uploaded with permission)
Nummer: 7781
Materieelserie: HLR 77
Fabricage: Vossloh (Kiel-Friedrichsdorf, D)
Verhuurder: Beacon Rail Leasing
Bijzonderheid: Beschikt over ATB-NG & PZB90
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Roepnummer: 17-3451
Kenteken: 29-BLJ-3
Merk / Model: DAF New-LF55.290
Opbouwers: Hilton Engineering & Magirus
Type: Autoladder
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Kenteken: G-325-GD
Merk / Model: MB Vito (W447) Tourer 114CDI 136pk
Opbouwer: VDL-Bus
Type: Handhavingsbus
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
Nummer: 4024 119-2
Materieelserie: TALENT-1 Rh4024
Fabricage: Bombardier (Aachen, D)
Samenstelling:
4024 119-2
7024 119-5
7124 119-4
6024 119-7
Author of this photo: Fenno Peters
(Uploaded with permission)
Registration: PH-GRL
Construction Number: 11570
Model: A-180
Manufacturer: Cameron
Owner: Greetzz V.o.F.
Author of this photo: Bjorn de Hoog
(Uploaded with permission)
License plate: GB 511 AN
Make / Model: MB O633 "Intouro M"
Type: Intercity bus
Author of this photo: Fenno Peters
(Uploaded with permission)