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My 8465, back-ordered from Lego S@H, arrived in mail yesterday. I rushed to
build it, for the fear that this may be the last chance that we can judge
this set all by itself, without it being overshadowed by its big brother
once 8466 comes out.
The instructions for the main model take 54 pages and are divided into 4
stages. Accordingly, the pieces are packaged in four plastic bags.
Then there are 27 pages to show you how to dismantle part of the main model
to build the alternative model. I have not built the alternative model yet,
but it seems to share the same guts with the main model, only in a different
body style.
Next are 12 pages to show you how to add to the alternative model a tow hook
that is raised and lowered pneumatically, using 5218 Pneumatic Pack; 16
pages for adding 5206 Speed Computer to the main model; 18 pages for adding
the motor; and 3 more pages for adding both the motor and the Speed
Computer. As you can see, these add-on's occupy a large portion of the
instructions.
Technic is about working mechanisms. The sole interesting mechanism in this
set is the suspension. The models are equipped with 4-wheel independent
suspension -- Although it comes with only two suspension springs, each
controls two wheels, through some ingenious linkages the whole suspension
system gets the same degree of freedom in motion as what you can find in,
say, 8448.
Aside from the suspension, the rests are quite unremarkable. The steer
wheels in both models are not even linked to the steering mechanism, and
there are no driving mechanism at all -- The way you add either the Speed
Computer or the motor to the model is to first remove the suspension!
In terms of parts, this set is quite nice. When I started building the
model, the first reaction was: Bah, yet another steering/suspension system
built upon specialized parts. These specialized parts, however, now start
growing on me:1) They are compact. 2) They seem to be go beyond
steering/suspension, and can be used for general-purpose ball-joint mechanisms.
Of course you also get four large balloon tires. Yay!
Mechanically 8465 is no supercar, and Technic car as a concept is really,
really old and tired. However, this set does come with an interesting
suspension mechanism, and some nice parts. Compared with other Technic cars
under $40, this set is outstanding.
Cheers,
Hao-yang Wang
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: 8465 First Impressions
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| (...) I should have done more research before I wrote the above. The steering/suspension elements of 8465 are not new -- They are from 8858, released in 1994/1995. (The elements are the same, the mechanism is a bit different.) See (URL): 1) The blue (...) (23 years ago, 11-Jul-01, to lugnet.technic)
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