BANBAO #8473 - EIFFEL TOWER

Overall an impressive model, there are however issues with the bricks. Opening the box we were optimistic at the feel and of the blocks and the quality there of, unfortunately a couple of 'misformed' blocks were discovered. Only closer inspection compatibility issues with other brands were noted.

Studs are slightly higher and results in plates not fitting flush. Blocks are slightly taller than other brands.

PIECES:  1800

                               VALUE:   ZAR 450 (ZAR 0.250 per brick)
ACCURACY OF PACKAGING:  8/10
               FUN/PLAYABILITY:  2/10
                             QUALITY:  4/10
                  INSTRUCTIONS:  6/10
             MINI CHARACTERS:  5/10
                           OVERALL:  4/10

Playability of the model is increased with the inclusion of 5 mini figures, a couple of dogs, a cat and what seems to be a 'radio controlled helicopter'.

There is also the possibility of building the Arc de Triomphe from the set, there are however no instructions included for this and nothing available on-line.

MOC: SUB STATION

Progress on Luboville has been slow of late much as a result of not having the right bricks. The sub-station has been a nagging challenge and was finally completed yesterday...

Now that it is completed, the next obstacle to overcome is to find enough bricks to complete the supporting buildings for the Luboville power station.

BELA #9734 - NINJA THUNDER SWORDSMAN

PIECES:  377

                               VALUE:   ZAR 159.00 (ZAR 0.422 per brick)
ACCURACY OF PACKAGING:  9/10
               FUN/PLAYABILITY:  8/10
                             QUALITY:  7/10
                  INSTRUCTIONS:  7/10
             MINI CHARACTERS:  8/10
                           OVERALL:  7/10

Some interesting pieces with the set offering a lot of playability with the moving parts and hidden traps and includes playing cards.

LEGO CITY # 60000 FIRE MOTORBIKE

PIECES:  39

                               VALUE:   ZAR 29.00 (ZAR 0.744 per brick)
ACCURACY OF PACKAGING:  9/10
               FUN/PLAYABILITY:  8/10
                             QUALITY:  9/10
                  INSTRUCTIONS:  9/10
             MINI CHARACTERS:  9/10
                           OVERALL:  9/10

DECOO #3332 EXPLOITER

Huge fans of the Lego® Technique range and bought this with hesitation. Quality is fair, the model does though miss the level of detail found in the technique range.

PIECES:  678

                               VALUE:   ZAR 330.00 (ZAR 0.487 per brick)
ACCURACY OF PACKAGING:  8/10
               FUN/PLAYABILITY:  8/10
                             QUALITY:  7/10
                  INSTRUCTIONS:  8/10
             MINI CHARACTERS:  -
                           OVERALL:  7/10

XSZ HERO FACTORY 4 - BREEZ

Not something we would normally purchase, curiosity did however the get the better of us...

                               VALUE:   ZAR 35.00
ACCURACY OF PACKAGING:  9/10
               FUN/PLAYABILITY:  7/10
                             QUALITY:  8/10
                  INSTRUCTIONS:  8/10
             MINI CHARACTERS:  -
                           OVERALL:  7/10

A blatant copy and not sure how the quality compares to the Lego® range. Simple single page instruction sheet and a quick build with the final model study affording good playability.

WANGE #8011 - THE PETRONAS TOWERS

This build turned out to be a little finicky, with parts falling down the center of the tower and disassemble required to retrieve them at times. The build also tended to be a bit monotonous with each section simply a repetition of the previous.

 PIECES:  1 160

                               VALUE:   ZAR 350.00 (ZAR 0.302 per brick)
ACCURACY OF PACKAGING:  8/10
               FUN/PLAYABILITY:  -
                             QUALITY:  8/10
                  INSTRUCTIONS:  7/10
             MINI CHARACTERS:  -

                           OVERALL:  7/10

STREET ART

Not even Luboville is safe from graffiti!

WHAT WOULD YOU BUILD

Given an unlimited source of bricks, we were contemplating what we would build...
The first consideration was a Buddhist Monastery or Temple,

The Bates Motel is definetley high on the list

After exploring various blogs and images it dawned us that it would be great to build models based on buildings specific to South Africa;

1. Sun Coast Casino in Durban

2. Cape of Good Hope Fort in Capetown

3. Capetown's Old Station

4.Court House in Durban

5.  Old Post Office in Capetown

6. King Shaka International Airport

7. Union Buildings in Pretoria

Just some of the ideas that we contemplated... its great to dream!

ENLIGHTEN #128 RIOT TRACKING CAR

PIECES:  325

                               VALUE:   ZAR 149.00 (ZAR 0.459 per brick)

ACCURACY OF PACKAGING:  9/10

               FUN/PLAYABILITY:  8/10

                             QUALITY:  8/10

                  INSTRUCTIONS:  5/10

             MINI CHARACTERS:  6/10

                           OVERALL:  7/10

A simple one page instruction sheet and a quick build. This enlighten set is a clear copy of Lego® set #7728 with a few minor changes.

MOC WIND-TURBINE

Oh these bricks are amazing and frustrating at the same time. After many an hour of attempting to fix the blades to the motor and many failures, we finally figured it out!

At that remains now is to build the control room and sub-station.