A short while ago Matt started the monumental task of reverse-engineering the USS Saratoga in LDD, stating "I merely wanted to try and build it virtually as a learning exercise". Well, he went as far as LDD would let him (illegal connections marked red). Together we refined the LDD and here's the final result.

UPDATE: Due to vynsane's extra effort, the exterior panels will now connect in the LDD. I kept the illegal connections (marked red) in LDD for authenticity. If you want a completed 'renderable' model, go check vynsane's iteration of the LDD.

Download LDD file

22x200s

ASI071MC-Cool, WO SpaceCat 51, Optolong L-enhance, CGX

See the Heavy Cargo Lifter in action here.

Heaven

IC 410 & in Auriga

La Jonquera, Sant Quirze de Colera, Albanya - Girona - Spain

Equipment used :

Canon 6D mod - TS Imaging Star71 - WO SpaceCat 51

RGB 25 x 600" ISO 3200 - Optolong L-eNhance filter

12 x900" ISO 3200 - Optolong H-Alpha filter

12 x900" ISO 3200 - Optolong SII filter

12 x900" ISO 3200 - Optolong OIII filter

Sky Watcher EQ6 Mount

Guide camera QHY5

Flats, Darks & Bias

Building instructions and .ldr file available freely here.

What mainly inspired me for this build:

- intergalactic racing pit stop station something by LEGOLIZE IT MAN (2018).

- Bastard of Winterfell by dasnewten (2011).

- UNES Odyssey 21 by Kyle Collard (2013). I don't recall very well but I think this inspired me for the sensor array and the general black aesthetic behind the hull.

This is my tribute to that glorious era in the 2010's when people like dasnewten, Red Spacecat, LEGOLIZE IT MAN, Ryan Olsen, Alexander Safarik, Tim Schwalfenberg, only to name a few (find all the others in my favorites), were building all those amazing microspace ships more or less inspired by Homeworld universe, or with a brick-built hull.

Teargas grenade launchers, water cannons, shields and a low-frequency emitter causing nausea and disorientation. Do not disturb the peace, or he will disturb you.

What is promised is debt

What is promised is debt as we say here, this is so, well thanks to @Red Spacecat since I let myself copy its design to give it a different color scale, and a configuration with all the gadgets that it presented, I wanted to make a space drone not manned and here it is of course, Red and Spacecat, I hope you like it.

See You !!!

Head over to the Creations for Charity shop if you want to own a vintage Red Spacecat build :D

24x300s

ASI071MC-Cool, WO SpaceCat 51, CGX, Skyglow filter

Hull Classification: FFG-22

Class & Type: Hornet Class Frigate

Armament:

2x Rail Accelerated Munitions guns or R.A.M. guns

32x Nuclear missiles

2x 50 caliber (400mm) dual stage anti-ship guns

(1st stage: chemical propellant, 2nd stage: electromagnetic rail)

20mm explosive round close in weapon network

Ships of the Hornet class:

Hornet, Wasp, Yellow Jacket, Raptor, Tyrannosaur, Jackal, Mustang, Hellcat, Wolverine, Timberwolf, Maverick, Sidewinder, Viper, Cobra, Tigershark, Hammerhead, Piranha, Barracuda, Orca, Black Widow, Tarantula, Griffin, Chimera, Centaur, Phoenix, Pegasus, Dragon

Credit to Red Spacecat for his USS Saratoga & Ryan Olsen for his USS Ticonderoga. Both ships are amazing creations and the inspiration for the USS Maverick.

This year I participated again in Japan Brickfest 2019 and, once again, the event was a total blast!

In Kobe I met old friends and also made new ones: Stijn, Ralph, Adelle, Nick, Andrew, thanks for coming to Kobe!!!

Oh man! I met Red Spacecat in person!! Soooo happy!!!

This year I received omiyages from two very special friends, Mike and Risz. I'm cannot express with words how happy they made me!!

Left: Jeanne d'Arc Alter (Shinjuku version) by Mike. She's one of the playable servants that you can find in the Fate Grand Order game. I'm a sucker for "Alter" (i.e. evil persona) servants, and Mike knows me well, so I got a gacha jackpot from him! <3<3<3

Evil may not be stronger, but is far cooler!!

Right: Hoppo-chan, by Risz. A final boss from the Kancolle game, and the cutest, most adorable abyssal princess of all the game. Both Risz and I have built many 6-stud chibi characters from Kancolle, but I can assure you that Risz's Hoppo-chan is the most damned cute chibi ever, and a everlasting favorite of mine!

Risz, you really overdid it this time!!!

<3<3<3<3<3

Developed originally to serve as a fast light armor asset for quick hit and run tactics as well as integrated reconnaissance fire-support, the Harasser quickly became popular as an all-encompassing multi-role 'mech. Variants ranged from basic front-line squad based units to domestic police law enforcement.

Channeled some Red Spacecat decal goodness and gave printing my own waterslides a try. Worked out reasonably well, although the perceptive will notice some bubbles. As always, fits a fig in a cockpit with a functioning hatch that I forgot to photograph.

Hull Classification: DDGS-64

Class & Type: Bainbridge-Class Guided Missile Destroyer

Affiliation: United States Space Navy

History:

As more of the United States of America’s economy and prosperity became tied to the endeavors of interstellar travel and commerce, it was recognized that an increased military presence in space would be required to secure America’s interests. To achieve this, the United States Space Force and United States Navy were integrated in 2105 to form the United States Space Navy. The USSF contributed its decades of experience in space operations while the USN brought its centuries of experience and doctrine of fielding complex, multi-crew warships and establishing power projection across vast areas.

As of 2165, the primary deep space combatant of the US Space Navy is the Bainbridge-class guided missile destroyer. The Bainbridge-class is a 2nd generation space-based destroyer. A total of 35 of the class have been built to date beginning with USS Bainbridge (DDGS-52). Additional hulls are slated for construction in upcoming fiscal years. The class acts as a screening vessel during fleet operations but has the capability and endurance to perform independent operations in remote star systems.

USS Halsey (DDGS-64) is the 12th Bainbridge-class destroyer built and the 5th US warship to be named in honor of Fleet Admiral William F. “Bull” Halsey Jr., who served in the United States Navy during both the First and Second World Wars.

Interlos Incident:

Halsey responded to a distress call sent by the European Union flagged bulk cargo transport Everstar on February 27th, 2158 in the Interlos Star System. Everstar reported being under attack by Narklar pirates. Upon arriving in Interlos from the Canis-Interlos jump point, Halsey identified a Narklar cruiser pursuing the Everstar near the system’s fourth planet. The Everstar had already suffered three hull breaches and was venting atmosphere. Halsey initiated multilingual warnings over both audio and visual communication channels for the Narklar ship to break off its attack and withdraw, but the cruiser refused all attempts at communication.

Moving to intercept at maximum military power, the destroyer rapidly closed distance with the Narklar ship and engaged the vessel with precision MAC fire and Mk 60 Spearhead Anti-Ship missiles. The Narklar ship suffered damage to its power distribution nodes but remained combat capable and returned fire against Halsey with their own missile systems. Halsey was able to defeat 90% of the missiles launched against her using a combination of her RIM-750 Interceptor Missiles and Phalanx-II CIWS. The remaining 10% of missiles detonated against the destroyer’s deflector shields, resulting in moderate damage and 33 crew members injured. Having closed the remaining distance, Halsey let loose with rapid fire strikes from all four of her turreted railguns, inflecting heavy hull damage to the aggressor and causing them to retreat.

With the area secured, Halsey rendered assistance to Everstar and escorted the damaged vessel to the USSN deep space outpost Coronado in the Gemini Star System. This engagement became known as the Interlos Incident and created a diplomatic crisis with the Narklar homeworld that would not be resolved for many years. For their efforts in defending the Everstar and saving 45 lives on the transport, Halsey received the Presidential Unit Citation while the commanding officer received the Navy Cross.

Complement:

25 Officers, 285 enlisted

Armament:

2x Ratheon Block 3a Spinal Mount Heavy Magnetic Accelerator Cannons

4x General Dynamics Mk 4 Spinal Mount Gauss Cannons

4x Ratheon Block 5b Turreted Electromagnetic Railguns

32x Lockheed Martin Mk 88 Mod 9 Vertical Launch System, Quad-Pack Cells

Capable of carrying 128x Missiles in customized loadout.

Mk 60 Spearhead Anti-Ship Missile

RIM-750 Interceptor Missile

BGM-509 Tomahawk-III Orbital Strike Missile

4x BAE Space Systems 300mm Rapid Firing Dual Purpose Guns

9x General Dynamics Phalanx-II Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS)

2x Ratheon Block 2c Short Range Anti-Fighter Missile Launchers

Defenses:

8x Redundant Cycling Deflector Shield Generators

Nano-Composite Hull Armor

Propulsion:

2x General Electric Magnetic Bottle Fusion Plants

Support Craft:

Landing and Hanger Space capacity for 2 embarked support craft.

F/A-203 Banshee Multi-role Space Fighter

MQ-75 Reaper III Unmanned Space Vehicle

Behind the Scenes:

Built for SHIPtember 2021.

108 studs long

~5000 parts

Inspired from Red Spacecat’s USS Saratoga and Concept Art from Jaime Jasso.

Still a lot to do, didn't finish on time this year but will finish it, need to build the steeringhut, crane and insides/industrial thingies, btw the whole build is based on the amazing Saratoga by Red Spacecat, same technique different approach :)

SpaceCat + ASI2600 + Optolong Filtro L-eXtreme.

Foto Urbanita - MUY RUIDOSA

100 x 90S

This image of the Andromeda galaxy is a combination of imagery taken with my D810a and with a dedicated astro-camera (QSI583ws). In total 17 hours of exposures were used to catch this beautiful galaxy in all its glory.

The Andromeda galaxy is the closest sister galaxy of our Milky Way and will merge in the far future with our own galaxy. In the sky this galaxy is about the size of 6 full moons and can be seen with the naked eye from dark locations.

Telescope: TMB92ss / WO Spacecat 51

Camera: QSI583ws / Nikon D810a

Exposures: 19x300s L / 85x300s RGB

3x300s B / 9x300s R,G / 9x900s Ha / 12x1200s Ha

Playing with light and camera while waiting for parts...is the picture good or I fucked up?

Building instructions and .ldr file available freely here.

What mainly inspired me for this build:

- intergalactic racing pit stop station something by LEGOLIZE IT MAN (2018).

- Bastard of Winterfell by dasnewten (2011).

- UNES Odyssey 21 by Kyle Collard (2013). I don't recall very well but I think this inspired me for the sensor array and the general black aesthetic behind the hull.

This is my tribute to that glorious era in the 2010's when people like dasnewten, Red Spacecat, LEGOLIZE IT MAN, Ryan Olsen, Alexander Safarik, Tim Schwalfenberg, only to name a few (find all the others in my favorites), were building all those amazing microspace ships more or less inspired by Homeworld universe, or with a brick-built hull.

I had the lucky opportunity to visit Stijn van der Laan's (Red Spacecat's) Lego workshop.

To my delight, most of his builds are intact. What an outstanding fleet! And the Saratoga, one of my all-time-most-favorite-builds-from-anyone, is even more dazzling in real life. (That was amplified by the Saratoga concept art that Legolize-it-Man did after the build, now framed in prime position above the Lego table.)

I was surprised by the relatively few bricks Stijn has outside of his already-built-spaceships. It was the smallest working collection of any AFOL I've visited -- I think it speaks to how deliberate and precise his builds are. :)

Made the decision to just fully lean in towards Red Spacecat's Saratoga

I think the engine assembly is good. Just starting on the bridge.

Need to still handle the whole underside and how the stand will function.

Ideally I'll have the design all wrapped up this weekend so I can place BrickLink orders.

image taken in Colorado by Dean Salman.

Setup:

William optics Spacecat 51 f/4.9

Canon EOS RP

Skywatcher staradventurer 2i

ZWO ASI 120 MM mini+ WO Uniguide

ASIAIR mini

LIGHTS - 160x60s

DARKS - 30x

BIAS -30x

FLATS - no flat files

ISO 1600

Stacked in DSS edited in Adobe PS, a little cropped

Location :Polana, Slovakia.

Bortle Sky 3

Some liveries from one of my favourite games.

IdolMaster, Cipher, Yellow 13 and ZOE.

Building instructions

See the Mobile Container Platform in action here.

I've been messing around with the BrickLink Stud.io editor beta software lately, and was inspired with NuthinButTheRain's latest work in Red Spacecat's green ship tradition, so I designed this "Midi" scale version of Red Spacecat's USS Saratoga.

This shot is using the built in POV-RAY rendering in the editor. I'm not sure what the default settings are, but the quality seems fairly good given that it only took ~30-45 seconds to render on my 5 year old machine.

I realized too late (as in, just now) that I hadn't taken my obligatory multi-SHIP shot. Instead, here's a shot of part of the fleet that rphilo004 and Red Spacecat bravely parked within falling distance of my SR2.

Luckily, there were no casualties. (that I'm aware of)

Intrepid class derivative.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) used for electronic warfare, advanced datalink communication and early warning.

More images in the album

Build with the leftovers from the Feros project.

More images in the set.

Marchicoma entry.

By now it should be obvious that I'm leaving the purist world of lego well behind to allow for a less restrictive creative outpour. The fun I had with the ostensibly simple build of the Sidonia I did last year whetted this latent appetite I apparently had. That led to this rather Peregrine heavy year of experimenting with spray paint which subsequently led to the Splinter camo version. After cowardly switching between putting in on and under the table at STEAM, and after the surprisingly positive reactions of both AFOL's and visitors (safe for one AFOL who immediately went "ugh, it's painted"), I went for another one.

My friends know this has been a particularly rough year for me. But among the very few highlights the trip to Japan shines powerfully. Easily the best Lego trip I did, and among my most fun vacations in general. For 2020 I've provisionally set my sights on Chicago, a show I've not yet been to. Hope to see you there!

PS: don't forget to add your own compilation to the A Year in Lego group!

A Light Assault Carrier in close formation with an EML frigate.

LDD Files

• Light Assault Carrier

• EML Frigate

Tanker Noveria on cargo duty, dropping off supplies for two colonies on a moon.

SHIPtember

One Month.

One SHIP.

One Hundred studs (plus).

Rules: Build SHIP must be 100 studs or longer between September 1st and October 1st. That's it!

How do I enter? Simple! Start building your SHIP starting on Sept 1st, and start posting WIP shots as you go so everyone can all praise your guts for building a SHIP in a month!

WIP and your final glory shots should be posted in the LEGO SHIP group:

www.flickr.com/groups/the-shipyard

What about [insert standard ship critiera]? We don't care, as long as it's a 100 studs [+] and you build it all in SHIPtember we'll be happy...

Though there will be Trophies for people that build a really good SHIP... ;)

Trophies?!?! Yup. Trophies. There will be a number of custom trophies that will be awarded in various categories. Categories will be Judged by a cabal of SHIPists who are not participating in the building (or will not be eligible for trophies/prizes). And there will also be a limited of Engraved/Printed Badges for participants

Engraved/Printed Badges!?!?. Yup, we got those covered too. What's a trophy without a nice engraved brick? And we got some extras for SHIP Builders, and maybe a few for non builders.

Wait? why are non builders getting prizes too? The way I see it, SHIP building doesn't have to be a solitary affair. It seems to be one of the few builds that people typically post WIP shots leading up to the final completed SHIP. Furthermore comments and critiques offered by the larger community may actually be incorporated into the final SHIP. So I'm hoping all builders and those that can't build will help encourage the courageous few who will be attempting to build a really cool SHIP in a month.

FAQ:

What is a SHIP? a S.H.I.P. is a Seriously Huge Investment in Parts and is at minimum 100 studs in length. Alternatively it has also been dubbed a S.eriously H.uge I.nvestement in T.ime...

What scale should the SHIP be? Any scale you want, Minifig, Micro, Frog, Chicken, whatever floats your SHIP - as long as it's 100+ studs.

Does it have to have an interior? It's up to you, It's not required, but definitely bonus marks if you do. Some contend that it's not a real SHIP without a kick butt interior.

Does it have to be swooshible? Again it's up to you. It's definitely high execution points if you do. But given the size and complexity of ships these days it may not be feasible for swooshing- especially given the time constraints. Short answer: no, longer answer - swooshing is fun.

What is the current record for the longest SHIP? I believe it's Adrian Drake's Tribunal at 487 studs... let's just say if someone can top that in SHIPtember, I have something very special in store for them.... not that it's a challenge... but I bet you can't do it.

100 studs in a month? that's easy! What else can I do to make this challenge actually hard? Well there Mr. or Ms. Overachiever - you can always make it BIGGER, or build a full interior, or make it swooshible, or add play features, or add motorized functions or all the above. You have one month... impress us.

What if I build a 1x100 stud ship? Then I will laugh and mock you till next SHIPtember and disqualify you for all the awesome trophies and prize(s).

It's August, why are you announcing this now? While you're not allowed to start building your SHIP till September, part of the SHIP building process is the preparation of building a SHIP, so we decided to give a one month 'sort/prep' lead time. So start mentally thinking of how you're going to make your SHIP / pre-cracklink.

Credit to Red Spacecat for awesome poster :)

This year allowed me to build some more builds than I had managed to last year. Now that I've finished setting up my place, I'm confident this trend will continue.

Some of my 2018 highlights

Went to BFVA again, meeting all the guys I met last year and a bunch of new ones. Especially Matt (Entropedian) and Ralph (Mad Physicist) made my visit there a fun one. Even managed to win a Brickee this time. I participated in the Vietnam collaboration with the less than subtle Mk. 82 Snakeye bomb. Also took the opportunity to visit the Dayton USAF museum, which made a lasting impression for sure.

I joined Nick (Tardisblue) and Adelle for a couple of days while they were traveling trough Germany. We all went to visit the great Cole Blaq, who gave me a beautiful print of one of his many Enter the Brick creations.

Tried and failed to participate in Shiptember this year. Did a fun experimental build instead. Did several photoshop edits using the CFX-7. Had lots of fun converting the SkyRacer I had built earlier this year to the somewhat more aggressive A-32 RAVEN. Posted some failed LDD attempts, one of which was picked up for an awesome adaptation by the ever impressive Noblebun. I love interaction like that.

One of my older builds (which I gave an upgrade this year) was published in a book by frank4bricks, along with instructions.

Happy new year everybody!

SH2-101 "Tulip" and a widefield view of this region of Cygnus. Captured using the Williams Optics SpaceCat 51, Hobym Crux 140 Traveller, ZWO ASI 1600MM camera, and using Astrodon 3nm Ha, OIII, SII filter set. Imaged SHO with 12 hours of integration.

Just a little snack.

Oh, hi!

The multirole Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle designed by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is currently used in the United States Air Force and Navy. In addition to its conventional weapon systems, consisting of air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance, the ‘Vampire’ can be equipped with the Tactical Laser System (TLS) that can be used against both air and ground targets.

LDD File available

This build was inspired by the game Ace Combat Infinity.

References:

• Name → CFA-44 Nosferatu

• Shape → CFA-44 Nosferatu & XFA-36A Game

• Color → ADF-01 FALKEN

• Weapon (TLS) → ADFX-02 Morgan

Couldn't leave this alone just yet...moving on now.

Microspacetopia Superweapon Build-Off

Lhrgb with a simulation of OIII in IC 410 - 3h for channel - Sbig 16200 and Spacecat

Stealing fire and giving it to humanity whether they want it or not. Prometheus is a walking fire hazard with 6 flame resistant legs useful for maneuvering over any kind of terrain and environment whilst protecting itself from well...itself. Prometheus weaponry include 18 incendiary missiles, two anti infantry and drone miniguns, flamethrowers either side of the body with an additional peashooter for when precision is needed and lastly a massive third flamethrower on its underbelly setting ablaze anything in its path. Overall a nightmare for infantry for it having the capability's of creating hell on earth

Inspired by Red spacecat and their SPARAS-60 Combat Walker

On the last slide you can see Prometheus's predecessor the FTSM (Flame thrower spider mech) which was made August 4th 2023

This year I went to Brickfair Virginia, a plan that was thwarted in 2020 because of reasons.

Before the convention good friend Matt and I first travelled to Dayton to visit the USAF museum, and, as it turned out, attend the Dayton Air Show. Landing amid an ongoing airshow including an unhealthy amount of pyrotechnics was a first for me. We also happened to catch the Celtic festival that weekend. So, multiple bonuses right off the bat.

From there it was back to Chantilly for Brickfair. It was of course great to see and meet so many builders again. Of the many high quality builds the "New Hashima" cybercity stood out, especially during "world of lights". What an amazing piece of art that collaborative build was. And I managed to reel in another Brickee :D

After Brickfair I had taken a couple more days off to explore Washington DC and (re)visit some monuments and museums along the National Mall. Visited the Udvar Hazy center just before my departure.

All in all a great two weeks.