Planes, Trains and Automobiles: An Interview with Ralph Savelsberg
/Today on BrickNerd, Ronald Vallenduuk chats with Ralph Savelsberg. From the A-Team to ZZ Top, Ralph has built it all. Check it out!
Read MoreToday on BrickNerd, Ronald Vallenduuk chats with Ralph Savelsberg. From the A-Team to ZZ Top, Ralph has built it all. Check it out!
Read MoreWhen you hear “pusher canard” I’m sure a certain percentage of you would think “huh?”, the rest of you are plane geeks. This rear propeller (pusher) aircraft with front mounted elevator (canard) from builder Red Spacecat is ready for some serious sky warfare. With enough firepower to orbit Arnold Schwarzenegger, this looks ready for total sky domination.
I have undeniable ties to the US Navy. My father served and so did my father-in-law. While my dad never talked much about his service, my wife's father told me some very interesting stories about being a radar operator on an S2F Tracker. If I had to guess, there were at least a few of these A-3Bs on the aircraft carrier as well. Builder Mad Physicist has done it again with a large scale aircraft of one of the Navy's largest aircraft (they didn't call it "the whale" for nothing). It's loaded with details including foldable wings, articulated air brakes and an opening escape hatch. Ralph has also loaded the descriptions of numerous photos (including WIP) with loads of history, click through to learn more about this often overlooked aircraft.
Jon Hall is back with another brilliant aircraft. This time it's a dual prop fighter that packs a wallop, just look at the size of the cannon on the front of this thing! The color combinations, cockpit configuration, custom stickers and overall design make this a really appealing craft. Well, as long as you're not on the receiving end of that firepower.
This is a fun little forced perspective and chibi vignette by builder Klikstyle. It featured the last biplane to see official use by the US Navy, the Grumman F3. And while I say chibi, the F3F-2 has the distinction of actually being pretty chibi in real life, with it's squat fuselage, tucked in landing gear it's got cartoony but endearing proportions, earning it the nickname "beer barrel".
The messershmidt Bf-109 is as iconic a WWII aircraft as you can get. I don't want to glorify war, but that was a golden age of aviation, and both the axis and the allies both stepped up with some major innovation. This version, and updated model by Daniel Siskind, can actually be yours in the near future from Brickmania.
The Corsair is one of my favorite WWII fighters. Which, now that I write that, seems an odd thing to say. I'm sure being a fan of Baa Baa Black Sheep when I was a kid factors in, but declaring "this is one of my favorite machines of war" does seem like a strange utterance. I am a bit of an aviation buff though, and gull wing design has always appealed to my aesthetic sensibilities. This smartly crafted MOC by Sydag hits all the right notes of proportion, contour and color, it's lovely.
I spent a lot of time building scale models as a kid. One that I vividly remember was called Flap Jack by Monogram. I don't know why, but this latest radical aircraft by Jon Hall reminds me of that. But even if it didn't I think I'd be smitten with this master of the skies. I can't decide if I love the bulbous gun turret, the double ended counter rotating props or the gull wings the best. Or maybe the graphics or the cockpit. Then again it might be the cowl...
Builder 6Kyubi6 and his friends have started a sort of "phone game" where they are sending MOCs to each other and the next person has to build on that inspiration. This was the result from getting this plane from builder Pistash (which I understand didn't fair well in the mail, bummer). I can't wait to see where this all goes.
Builder Sylon-tw takes to the skies with with his latest build, the F-06 Skyrazor. I love the wings on this bird, both the color scheme and it's graphical appeal and the inverted gull-wing design. That plus the bulged cockpit gives this plane a squat but menacing appearance.
I had a really cool Red Baron model kit when I was a kid. Of course I really had no idea what it represented, who Manfred von Richthofen was or who was fighting who and for what reason 50 years before I was born. All I knew is it was a bitchin' red triplane. Speaking of which, it's no less awesome built in bricks as we can see in this sweet diorama by PigletCiamek.
Want to customize a minifig without fancy printers or toxic fumes? Learn how to use the dark art of reductive design to literally erase the line between official and custom LEGO parts.
LEGO meets tabletop combat in the Brassbound universe. We talk with creator Paul Antoine about designing microscale armies, turning builds into game pieces, and developing games with a growing community.
When a legendary archaeologist minifigure meets the spin cycle, adventure calls! Follow along as we reclaim the lost fedora of Indiana Jones and uncover how to repair a LEGO keychain.
LEGO adventurers need somewhere to unwind between quests. We talk with Sleepy Dragon Inn designer Marin Graux about classic Castle, medieval hospitality, and how his design evolved for the BrickLink Designer Program.
From sketches to superglue, see how this custom LEGO motorcycle earned its street cred. We chat with Jean-Yves about the design, prototyping, and even heat resistance of his LEGO customizations, taking them from prototype to the pavement.
October has arrived with a fresh selection of LEGO contests and challenges. Don’t miss your chance to build a MOC and maybe even win some awesome LEGO prizes. With a new LEGO Speederbike Challenge, and a Halloween contest or two, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found!
What makes your eye land on one part of a LEGO build before another? In this month’s Conversation Piece, we explore focal points, visual weight, and how builders can guide a viewer through a composition.
BrickNerd is your source for all things LEGO and the LEGO fan community
Like what we're doing? Become a patron to show your support, get early access, exclusive swag and more. Or leave a one-time donation by hitting the yellow button. Everything is appreciated!
BrickNerd is not associated with The LEGO Group.
Opinions shared on this site are our own and not the opinions of LEGO or The LEGO Group.
LEGO® is a trademark of The LEGO Group which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site.
Copyright © 2013 - 2026 BrickNerd. All Rights Reserved.
Contact Us
Old LEGO magic still has its charms. We revisit Borgin and Burkes and Dumbledore’s office to compare how their buildings, curious objects, and magical creatures have changed across generations of Harry Potter sets.