It’s sheer steampunk balloonacy

Lego Fjotten continues to be one of the most interesting builders in the steampunk genre. Hot on the heels (wheels?) of his recent LEGO steampunk creations comes this cracking little hot air balloon. There are great details on display here — particularly the use of droid arms for an effective basket texture, and the mechanical boiler elements are simple yet believable. However, it’s the clean composition of the image and the cobbled base which elevate this model out of the steampunk norms. Plus, I love how the builder isn’t using the “same-old same-old” minifigs which constantly seem to show up in steampunk creations. Long may this builder’s refreshing foray into the genre continue.

Steampunk - Hot air balloon

Spider robot creeps out of your nightmares

David Steeves has created a fabulous “spider drone”. The legs and various greebly bits give this a wonderful steamy/dieselpunk feel, and the smart use of the net across the “eye” makes for a frankly brilliant Bioshock-esque porthole effect. To top it all, the spider’s body is made from a large rubber LEGO wheel turned inside-out. All-in-all, an excellently creepy and clanky model with smart parts-usage — good stuff.

Spider Gunner VIII

Light Steam Landship Mk. LXIII

We haven’t had many Steampunk builds on here lately. It about time for one. This Landship is a sort of cross-country locomotive and looks like it packs quite the punch. I especially like the side-mounted turrets. I’m sure Beau Donnan intended it, but they remind me of the guns on the British “Mark” series of World War I tanks.

Light Steam Landship Mk. LXIII (side)

Victorian Fantasy Fortress

Daniel García (AlterEvo) comes back from a half-year hiatus with this ground-breaking creation. The fact that it is actually a fantasy Victorian fortress makes it much more refreshing than yet another castle (not that I’m against castles). This almost looks like a combination of two models: a floating rock planted onto a town in the mountains.