<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">Only use old grey. I know there are
all kinds of tempting new elements in bley, but there are also plenty
of lovely things that haven’t been used in old grey. There is much
to discover within the old palette. We’ve barely scratched the
surface. You’ll have to find some trans yellow supplies, too (not
easy). Working within these parameters is restrictive, but also rather
satisfying (when it works).</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">There are still plenty of exciting
new pieces in blue. Some of the elements from the new Racer <a href="http://www.brickset.com/detail.aspx?Set=8494-1">‘Ring
of Fire’</a> set are amazing. </span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">Beware of new grey infiltration. Segregation
is the key. If a single element of light bley infiltrates a Classic
Space display, it’ll make everything look grotty. It’s happened
to me several times, to my shame. That’ll teach me to build in the
dark. We must be vigilant at all times, my friends.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">I once used <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38509565@N00/2425192632/in/set-72157603399119228/">two light bley cheesers</a> in a moment of weakness. Terrible business. </span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">The temptation to use them... just to
have that one piece... it was overwhelming. A good friend publicly shamed
me on flickr, which I needed. I’m only saying this so you don’t
make the same mistake.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">I have found that dark bley looks okay
for accessories (in moderation). I can justify them by claiming they’re
off-world cargo.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">When building, start with the cockpit
and work out from there. You have to find your trans yellow solution
early on – trying to shoehorn something in afterwards is asking for
trouble.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">Always include landing gear. People
just don’t respect you otherwise.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">Control those studs, newbie. We’re
looking for cutting edge build techniques here – not some ghastly
throwback to the 70s. </span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">Don’t forget the bumblebee markings,
sideways plate on the wing (and correct orientation). Stacked 1x1s or
1x2 plates are my preferred method.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">Find some trans clear visors if possible.
They’re expensive, yes. And hardly ever on Bricklink...but they are
out there. I need some more quite badly, actually. </span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">Use only red or white spacemen, in
the best condition you can get hold of. Their tools and accessories
were black in the old days, and that’s fine for Neo-Classic Space.
There are a number of exquisite accessories nowadays...black lightsaber
handles and Star Wars blasters spring to mind immediately. There’s
something very pleasing about a spaceman holding two uzis.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">Do some underside work. It takes time,
and there aren’t many elements designed to clip underneath a plate.
But trust me, if you put in the time it’ll be worth it. Try and invert
the studs where possible to allow for upside down construction. A couple
of cans of strong lager can often help you through this stage. You should
get into it, though - it’s always nice to hear a gasp when you flip
a ship over for the kiddies.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">Looking at the <a href="/image/ll-928-galaxy-explorer-(box-art)">Galaxy Explorer box
art</a>, it seems that the red guys are the pilots and the white guys are
the ground crew. So, logically, the red guys would be piloting the blue/grey/trans
yellow stuff, and the white guys would be driving the grey stuff with
red wheels. Right?</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">There are a lot of things that can
be done with the white guys (Ground Crew, as I like to call ‘em).
Doug Idle made a fantastic <a href="/image/surface-explorer">Lunar Crawler</a> and rigidly stuck to the rules.
The results are astounding.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">More recently, I allowed some <a href="/image/exo-suit">carefully
chosen metallic colours</a> into a (95% grey) ground crew build. I think
I can justify it by playing the ‘extra realism’ card. In real life,
there would be varying shades in mechanical areas. So perhaps a few
dull metallics are okay, after all.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">I’m always very cautious when using
trans red and trans green. Some of the old sets used it with reckless
abandon. It’s attractive to kiddies, but I find results are better
if it’s used very sparingly. I’ve also taken the liberty of adding
trans clear headlights to my Rovers. I’ll play the extra realism card
there, I think.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">If you’re building a blue and grey
ship, you should be thinking about the three digit number it’ll have.
Are there any cool birthdays/car registrations/bits of phone numbers
that might be good? Look in the <a href="/registry">LL registry</a> to check what’s been taken already.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">I always try and build a model in several
stages. I’ll also try and improve on existing designs to get them
as good as possible. One thing you need to be asking yourself is ‘Is
that bit there as detailed and lovely as it can be? And if not, why
not?’.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">I’ve built multiples of some of my
better models. I’m trying to build a fleet after all, and there’s
nothing wrong with making squadrons of certain ships. Rebuilding an
existing model (with slight refinements) is a good way to get stuff
done if you’re low on inspiration.</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri"> On the subject of inspiration –
anything goes, really. I’d recommend looking through old Lego catalogues
for possible sets that could be updated. But also study your sci-fi.
Absorb as much spaceship action as you can. There’s nothing wrong
with watching Return of the Jedi again, or Star Trek: Voyager, for that
matter. </span>
</p>
<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Calibri">But you don’t have to base the build
on anything you’ve seen... you could just make something up and see
what happens. Some of my favourite models aren’t based on anything.</span>