My First BIG Brick Aircraft Build!
Not Easy Going...But Still Fun...
I'll make this summary of the experience of building a medium sized (I call it big, but there are bigger) COBI brick model brief.
Although, I have already make a COBI model [see my 'M151 MUTT Jeep Build' video] it was only a small one and a fairly quick and easy build, this MS. 406 fighter aircraft was a lot more complex and was a lot more challenging (for me).
I think it's fairer to compare this to my only other brick aircraft build - my LEGO Indiana Jones German Fighter model - because of the level of complexity and the number of small and special parts that were included. For, while either model seems well designed the amount of thought that went into the way either goes together, how the bricks *fit* together (securely) and the instructions are quite a bit different.
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| Above: LEGO Indiana Jones Fighter Chase Diorama plane model. Not so realistic as the COBI MS. 406 but better designed in how the bricks fitted together. |
I found the LEGO model a lot easier to put together - *and stay together* - than the COBI plane and in this case I came across a lot more 'uncooperative parts' that, when you tried to attach to the model, tended to dislodge other already attached parts! ...Which was rather annoying!
But - I guess - that's what you have to expect from a model that is put together without using glue! 😆
Still, at times that attachment points of the COBI model were very tenuous, sometimes only using one or two 'pegs' to hold a part in place. Now this is OK for decorative surface parts, but on any load bearing points this can be a little tricky. 😡
When a Model Becomes a Jig Saw
I have said before that these brick models kinda remind me of 3D jigsaw puzzles... Only they - allegedly - come with detailed instructions. 😏
In the case of the LEGO plane this was very true as the kit not only came with printed instructions BUT you also have access to LEGO's excellent interactive app ('LEGO Builder). The great thing about having the LEGO app is that it allows you to manipulate a 3D version of the model that you are making so that you can examine the build from all angels. This makes a LOT of difference.
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| Above: The LEGO Builder app which allows you to spin a 3D version of your model to see where things fit. I wish COBI did an app like this. |
Some times, with the COBI instructions, I found it hard to precisely locate which peg a part was supposed to be located as the printed illustration partially hid placements. This led to some trial and error and I would find - in later stages of the build - that I would have to go back by removing parts to re- install earlier bricks that I had put in the wrong place. 😩
...Luckily, through the magic of video editing, these errors are not apparent in this build (neither are any of my 'wobbly hand moments')! LMAO
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