Best Technic for best Christmas
Posted by
kari
in Hungary
on
19 November 2007
All began in a snowy Christmas, 1994. The set had been released in 1992, but my father could buy it only two years later for me (things were not so easy in Hungary at that time). I was so lucky (thanks to him) that I could choose between 8868 and 8880, but my decision was univocal. It was my first huge Technic set and - still the best.
The building of the set took hours under the Christmas-tree with my brother and nearly midnight it was completed. Worlds can not describe the feeling when the truck compressor and pneumatic system was first put into order. Despite the fact, that since then I was honored to build many of LEGO Technic's supersets (such as 8880, 8421 and 8455), I can still say that this one is above all.
With the aesthetic LEGO did an excellent work. The only two things, that I would mention if I defenitely have to, the slim of the rear wheels (it should have double wheels on all the four axels), and maybe the V6 engine (instead of the real truck's V8). Otherwise the model looks real and I love the colour combination (black, white, and yellow) of it. Of course there are no rearview mirrors or steering wheel, but hey boy, this one is from classic times.
The technic/function is the strongest part of the rig. The pneumatics (even the turning of the crane is executed by pneumatic cylinders) work automatically thanks to the 9 Volt-engine driven compressor-system, which produces air constantly. The only thing you have to do is controlling (like in real life) by the four valves settled on both sides. The net of the pneumatic tubes looks great underneath and this is the most difficult part to put together during the building. The truck has V6 engine with cooling fan driven by two (!) differential from the rear wheels. The steering works well.
I can remember this set was pretty expensive at that time (such as 8880), but it worthed every penny. My model still works as if it were new. If Technic is the ultimate LEGO than 8868 Air Tech Claw Rig is the ultimate Technic.
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