My history of building things that somewhat look like other things and naming them names that are somewhat like the name of the thing of the original thing continues.
The inspiration is obvious here, though for this build I tried to make a sleeker, more compact version. 4 crew with at least 6 in the fuselage, nacelles fully rotate and the entire wingspan swivels just like the real thing.
© All Rights Reserved
Like all my models, quite a few years pass in between updates. My Dakota is no exception, having had 6 years go by before the current design you see here. Accordingly, the front, engines, and tail section received the most changes with the length of the helicopter growing by around 4 studs to accommodate a revised engine/rotor layout. In the future I may try to reign the size in a bit but for now it still looks proportionate and retains all the features I want it to. Enjoy!
© All Rights Reserved
So I didn't just redesign my M5, I totally rebuilt it. I blame/credit Aleks and his brilliant Leo revisions for that!
As for lore, the M6 is a successor to the venerable M1 Abrams, incorporating new defensive and offensive capabilities into an entirely new platform. From a brand new 120mm main gun and the addition of a 20mm cannon, to a 4 barrel mortar/loitering munition capable launcher integrated into the turret bustle, the M6 is a step into the future and provides the US military with a capable and versatile platform for conflicts in the present and in the future.
© All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
Originally intended as a test bed for technologies to be used on the Abrams, the M5 was a project that soon developed a life of its own. Named after the Gulf War General Norman Schwarzkopf, the M5 provides enhanced mobility, firepower, and protection over the currently serving M1 platform. While not quite a replacement, it is an excellent compliment to the M1, whose role on the battlefield undergoes changes.
Lore is fun. Apart from that, this tank is a product of years of development, as the toughest part of designing a successor is designing something that looks like it would be a successor. My M1 Abrams is always going to be a part of my catalogue of builds and is guaranteed to see more changes in the future. For now though you can purchase a set of instructions on Rebrickable if you'd like!
Side note: Yes, I have neglected Flickr...as it seems the Lego community has at large. Apparently I have only like, 46 photos left so that doesn't help much. Shame, as this is where I really grew my love for Lego and community interaction. Not to say I don't have either anymore, just that both of those have been relocated to my Instagram account @werded_out. See y'all there!
© All Rights Reserved