Heavy Lift Helicopter

Let me start by going off the topic of this specific lego set to help you understand the reason for my thoughts listed below. My first lego technic set in many years (post childhood) was 42025, the cargo plane, controls located in a good spot and very useable. I very much enjoyed that build and got back into lego building this past year with the crawler crane and mobile crane sets, both with good useability/playability, so when I saw that a helicopter was coming out that would go with the cargo plane I had to get it. This build was fun and works well but I would have liked a few small improvements, more for convenience than anything. First off, at certain points in the build you have to flip your part upside down to install something. Both sides of this set are built on so it doesn't always lay exactly flat which can make putting the part in interesting. If you aren't careful you might loosen another part pushing that one in. The set, once larger was a bit unwieldy to put some later parts in. My best option was flipping it upside down in my lap or using a pillow underneath for support. Second, the switch placement. Everything works fine, but using it is another matter. Yes, for most of us we will only turn it on a few times to show the features to friends and family. For those wanting to use it as a toy I can't recommend it as much. To use the cargo door isn't a problem, nor is having the rotors spin. The moment you want to use the cargo hatch underneath or the winch it becomes a bit more of a problem. You can't support the frame anymore from the underside. I would not trust holding the set together by the tail or front end so that leaves me with holding it from the top frame/sides or putting the wheels on the ledge with the cargo door open to the air. That presents a problem if it falls of course. Perhaps changing the locations of some of the controls is an option. The power is on the underside and there is a switch on either side for your controls. The hardest controls to use were the cargo hatch and winch as the power switch is on the underside of the opposite end of the helicopter. As an adult my hands can reach it, but this nearly becomes a two person job for a child I would think. All in all I would definitely recommend the helicopter, it just needs a couple refinements. :-) more less

I absolutely love this model. The 9396 - Helicopter was one of my favorite models, but I like this one even better. The closed design is something I like a lot, as long as the model is packing some functions too. Panels alone don't cut it. Well, this set has some cool features under those panels. The mechanism for the contra-rotating rotors is pretty nifty. So are the bottom cargo bay doors. more less