- Details
- Category: Greater Than 1000pcs Sets
- Hits: 367
- Set Year: 1995
- Set Number: 8485
- Set Parts: 1079
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
Though not technically labeled as a Universal Set, the 1995 set 8485 easily holds the title of the best one (with the possible exception of 8479 which is also not technically a Universal Set). It is based around a Control Center programmable electronic battery box nearly identical to that first found in 8094 with a very notable exception. Although typically called "Control Center II" by fans due to its obvious succession of 8094, it is actually not labeled as such. Like its predecessor, this is one of my favorite of all Technic sets, and should be the near the top of any collector's acquisition list, but be prepared to pay dearly for it.
This massive set is annoyingly difficult to acquire in the United States. It is a massive set with over 1,000 parts and was among the very biggest Technic sets ever until the new millennium repeatedly broke that mark. The set also includes 3 of the high speed 9V motors, a pile of nice long (and rare) flex system parts, 6 electric cables, an AC/DC transformer (for powering from household electricity), 14 silicone belts, and 18 beams of 16L length! This set marks the first time that a significant number of parts have been used for the "stand" to support and control a model as opposed to simply creating the model itself.
Each and every model is a work of art, with the first two in particular breaking new ground that has scarcely, if ever, been matched. The helicopter serves as a flight simulator with elevation, pitch, roll, and rotating rotors all under the pilot's control. The dinosaur features incredibly life-like (I guess I can't actually prove this) motion including arms, tail, neck, jaw, and legs which move. The final model, and air boat, while not as large or impressive as the others, is an excellent model in its own right. It drives, steers, and spins the fan.
After first acquiring this set, I agonized for years over which model to display, the dinosaur or the helicopter. After reaching a state of acceptance that a choice would never be made, I solved the problem by getting a second copy and displaying both models.
- Details
- Category: Sets
- Hits: 388
- Set Year: 1995
- Set Number: 8460
- Set Parts: 851
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
This marvelous crane, released in 1995, seemed strangely unpopular. I recall seeing it in catalogs for years and not being terribly interested for some reason. Perhaps the photos did not do it justice. I finally purchased it when it was on clearance and could not have been more delighted with what I got. This huge model is absolutely packed with functions. It does pretty well everything you would expect a real mobile crane to do. It has 4 wheel steering with a 6 wheel chassis. There are 4 outriggers which can actually lift the model. A pair of pneumatic actuators in series lift the boom which can then telescope with a crank. The hoist employs a ratcheting mechanism. A crank on the back slews the superstructure 360 degrees which is possible because all of the pneumatics including the pump are above the turntable. When fully deployed, the reach of this model is truly extraordinary; 69 studs!
There is a lot of traditional studded construction in this model, but also a few surprises. This was the first model to put two pneumatic actuators end to end to extend the stroke and the bottom of the telescoping boom is built upside down. All the cranks in this model use the new handle part, only seen this year.
This model was released again twice, which seems to contradict my above speculation that it wasn't very popular. In 2002 it was released as 8431 and again in 2003 as 8438. In both of these subsequent cases, the model was identical except that it no longer had the handle parts and had an updated box. Why they released it as two different numbers in two consecutive years is a bit of a mystery since the normal production run of a model would have spanned over this time anyway.
- Details
- Category: Sets
- Hits: 388
- Set Year: 1995
- Set Number: 8440
- Set Parts: 415
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
This F1 racer, released in 1995, was the first mid scale race car in the Technic line. It features front wheel steering and a mid-mounted V-6 engine driven by the rear wheels through a differential. Although it is primarily built from plates and beams, it still manages to achieve a sculpted look due to the hinges used in the side fairings.
This model uses quite a few stickers including the "Octan" logo which was used on many Technic and Model Team race cars, as well as the circular Technic logo badge. This was the first model (of only a few) to use flex system parts for steering instead of gears. Although the front and rear axles are supported by control arms capable of being used for suspension, there are no shock absorbers and therefore no suspension.
On a personal note, the site of this model on a coworkers shelf circa 1995 is what originally interested me in purchasing Technic models. I especially found the working differential fascinating having never seen one in toy form before at that time.
- Details
- Category: Sets
- Hits: 342
- Set Year: 1995
- Set Number: 8422
- Set Parts: 315
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
Set 8422, released in 1995, was similar in function to the previous motorcycle 8838 - Shock Cycle but represent more of a road bike instead of an off road or dirt bike. It still features a steerable fork, kickstand, front and rear suspension, and a chain driven V-2 engine. It also has a front fairing and windshield and what appears to be a luggage container behind the seat.
Although at first glance it appears that this model is build with many odd angles, the main body is in fact built mainly on traditional studs. The entire body is then tipped at an angle when mated to the suspension assemblies. The gas tank is built of angles using liftarms, triangles, and rotors.
This model uses the same wheels as the previous motorcycle, but adds new smooth tires which appear only in this model. If you look closely, you will see that the revolving animation actually uses the wrong knobby tires because the correct tires do not exist in LDraw. I actually like this look because it resembles a BMW dual-sport bike.
- Details
- Category: Sets
- Hits: 371
- Set Year: 1995
- Set Number: 8412
- Set Parts: 286
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
Set 8412, released in 1995, was the first "Tech Build" set, and it was a great start. This medium sized helicopter reminds me of Korean War era open cockpit helicopter like a Bell 47. It features a fully articulated main rotor head, a rotating tail rotor, and a simulated turbine engine.
Although this helicopter is not very large, the functionality is really excellent and it features some interesting building techniques. The canopy is made from bent semi-rigid pneumatic tubes. The tail boom is made from exposed axles. The landing skids use axles and angle connectors. The cyclic system for the main rotor head uses the rare Flex System components including the new ball end connectors. There are even hidden parts usually used as control arms of suspension systems. The larger of these controls the pitch axis cyclic and the smaller is a spacer on the tail boom.
A technic figure will fit in the seat in the cockpit even though the set does not come with one.
This small set was an excellent and inexpensive introduction to the complexities of Technic in 1995, and still holds up very well today.
- Details
- Category: Sets
- Hits: 385
- Set Year: 1995
- Set Number: 8280
- Set Parts: 431
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
Set 8280, released in 1995, was the first Technic fire truck. This very rectangular vehicle was the largest "Tech Play" set of 1995, and therefore its design is centered around playability. It has front wheel steering, two poseable firefighters with helmets, a water cannon mounted on a remotely operated boom, and a ratcheting hose reel in the back.
This set makes use of both of the new gearbox parts and 4 of the new crank handles. As a Tech Play set, construction is fairly straightforward and most angles are square with the exception of the windshield posts which are pinned at an angle. There is nothing in the construction of this set which could not have been accomplished in previous years, but the addition of some of the new parts makes the assembly much simpler.
There are a large number of stickers used in this model. There are 4 headlights on the front, a coupe of identifying numbers on the top and back, some decorations on the water cannon, a water control panel near the back hose reel, and 5 control panels and gauges in the cabin.
- Details
- Category: Sets
- Hits: 347
- Set Year: 1995
- Set Number: 8235
- Set Parts: 165
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
The 8235 wheel loader, released in 1995, is similar in size and appearance to its 3 year older cousin 8828 - Front End Loader, but functionally it is quite different. Both have rear wheel rack and pinion steering, but in this case the bucket lift is pivoted about the rear of the vehicle resulting in a much higher lift. The dump mechanism uses an over-center linkage with a cam.
This model also makes use of both of the new gearboxes for ease of assembly, as would be expected of a Tech Play model. The worm gearbox actually ends up making the rear of the vehicle look rather hollow and fragile, but technically it works marvelously. This model also comes with a Technic figure to operate the machine. Finally, like most of this year's set, the crank uses the new handle part which would never be seen again.
- Details
- Category: Less Than 100pcs Sets
- Hits: 354
- Set Year: 1995
- Set Number: 8225
- Set Parts: 96
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
The 8225 go kart, released in 1995, is quite an accurate representation of a real go kart. The wheel base is almost square, and the tires are wide and smooth. The center of gravity is low, and a single cylinder engine is rear mounted to a solid drive axle. The steering uses the flexible rack assembly. It includes a sticker sheet and a Technic figure to drive. The driver follows the "safety first" principle and wears a helmet. Using the figure for scale, this is actually a very large go kart, perhaps 10 feet long.
There's nothing groundbreaking in this set, but you get introduced to a lot of features for a small price. Additionally, it was the first and cheapest Tech Play set and a way to get one of the Technic figures. This particular figure is one of the most common, appearing in a total of 6 sets.
One bit of trivia is that, if you look closely, you can see that the driver's feet actually extend through the floor suggesting that this model employs some sort of "Fred Flintstone" braking system.
- Details
- Category: Less Than 100pcs Sets
- Hits: 445
- Set Year: 1995
- Set Number: 8210
- Set Parts: 86
- Building Instruction: No
- Currency: na
This little motorcycle, released in 1995, is extremely similar to set 8810 - Alpha Racer released only 4 years earlier. It is so similar, in fact, that I was able to use the same computer images of the internals and merely change the color. Even the set number differs by only a single digit. The primary differences involve the lack of a kickstand on this model, the addition of a windshield, and the presence of stickers.
This set uses a head tube element to support the fork. It also features dual rear shocks supporting a swing arm type suspension.
This is one of only a handful of Technic sets to include an actual transparent windshield. More typically, windshields are "implied" by constructing only the outer frame. This set, like the other new Tech Play sets from 1995, makes considerable use of stickers. In this case, the stickers are printed on transparent stock that resists UV light degradation quite well.
Subcategories
Less Than 100pcs Sets
All technic sets consisting of 100 or less pieces.
Greater Than 1000pcs Sets
All technic setc consistimng of more than 1000 pieces.
Expert Builder Set
All sets belonging to the Expert Builder series from late 1970-ties and 1980-ties.
Pullback Motor
All sets containing a Pullback motor.