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Jane Goodall Tribute (40530) GWP for International Women’s Day 2022, Beginning March 3

Never let it be said that LEGO isn’t appreciative of the role of women in the history of the world. Beyond just the theme lines like Friends and such, LEGO has paid tribute to notable women through occasional special sets. Who can recall the LEGO Ideas Women of NASA (now retired) from 2017? Or, more recently, remember the GWP Tribute to Amelia Earhart (40450) from early last year? Speaking of which, there has already been a buzz about a new Tribute GWP. The subject is arguably the world’s most famous expert on Chimpanzees. A LEGO Certified Store has confirmed this.

Brickset reports that a Jane Goodall Tribute (40530) will be coming soon as a GWP in March. Like Amelia Earhart last year, this GWP period covers International Women’s Day on March 8. Confirmation comes from a promo image released by a Singaporean LEGO Certified Store. The gift-with-purchase period starts on the 3^rd next month, with a total qualifying LEGO purchase of SG$165. Converted to US$ that would be around 120, so it’s not a hard limit to reach. The set is a diorama featuring Jane Goodall and her chimpanzee friends in a jungle canopy. It’s a nice tribute to one of the great scientists to show us more about primates.

Interestingly, this GWP period somewhat overlaps with LEGO’s VIP double-points event for the US. At worst, it may end just as the VIP promo begins. We’ll just have to see.

10-K: 1990 Lancia Rally Car Joins LEGO Ideas First 2022 Review

One can browse LEGO Ideas, particularly the product ideas with 10-K support awaiting review, and not fail to be impressed. The amount of complexity that goes into every product idea built is as variable as LEGO’s many theme lines. Some sets are simple enough in construction for younger builders to enjoy. Others would draw older LEGO veterans in terms of detail or mechanical functionality. One might see the latter best in machine sets, primarily brick-built vehicles. LEGO Technic also comes to mind. And indeed, this new 10-K review-ready product idea would be a perfect fit for the Technic theme too.

This submission, the 1990 Lancia Delta Integrale 16V Rally Car, is the brainchild of LEGO Ideas member Lumik. From the images thus far, you’d think this product idea easily rivals the various Technic supercars released in years past. Indeed, look at the photos and ask yourself: was this car model even made of LEGO pieces? Now check the follow-up images and be assured that it is.

The “pre-decal version” makes it quite clear too. Still, the structure is sound and the interior seats and dashboards will make you blow chef’s kisses. Lumik just set the bar for Ideas members designing Technic-esque submissions, in our opinion.

At present, only five product ideas or so on the First 2022 Review Stage are thematically similar to this build. But with the extra features Lumik put in, this Lancia Rally Car may have secured its review approval. Having 4WD connected to the steering wheel, and suspension too? Working headlights and gear-shift thanks to 3 Power Function Motors, with room for 2-3 more PF XL? If approved, this will cost a pretty penny. But collectors will eat this model up.

Alternative Build Ideas for LEGO GWP Vintage Taxi (40532) on Rebrickable

Late last January, LEGO launched a GWP set that went with its New Year 2022-released Creator Expert Boutique Hotel (10297). It was a cool-retro Vintage Taxi (40532) that came with a buildable roadside taxi stop. Pairing it with the Boutique Hotel building somewhat nailed the setting as a European-Parisian locale. But for those who feel the Vintage Taxi design is too old, never fear. A builder from LEGO MOC website Rebrickable has seen plenty of potential in the GWP set’s component pieces. He has a multitude of building options for 40532 to share, using only the pieces inside the set.

This nifty feature is shared to us by Brick Fanatics, which caught wind of Rebrickable member Keep on Bricking’s work. He has an astonishing 16 alternate build instructions for the LEGO Vintage Taxi (40532) set. You think the vehicle’s early-mid-20^th Century aesthetic is too old for your own neighborhood build? Why not redesign the cab into a convertible? How about a sports car or SUV? Keep on Bricking even made a mind-blowing Batmobile build, using only the 163 pieces of set 40532. These alternate instructions are sure to pique the Master Builder in many LEGO collectors/players. Just check out his page on the Rebrickable website.

We’ve taken a look at Rebrickable quite recently before too. That was with Viv Grannell aka toastergrl, creator of the LEGO Ideas Sonic the Hedgehog (21331). She offered some alternate building ideas for the set’s buildable characters like Doctor Eggman.

LEGO Creator Vespa (40517) Joins Expert Version (10298) in LEGO.com Listing

Whenever LEGO sets we first learn of as rumors and speculations are officially announced, we can’t help but feel relieved. After all, the suspenseful wait, learning if a revealed set is true, might end with a LEGO.com product listing. There’s also the matter of whether the advance info was accurate, or if it meant something else. Anyway, the period of uncertainty about the LEGO Creator Expert Vespa (10298) is over as of this weekend. There’s still one part of the initial product rumor that must be addressed however. But that too has become moot with the latest LEGO shop listing.

The Brick Fan tells us that the miniature Vespa (40517) initially rumored alongside the big version is officially listed. Compared to its Creator Expert version (10298), the 40517 edition is obviously small. And yet it captures the distinctive design contours and aesthetics of the Vespa scooter series. Sure it has no rear basket or other accessories, but the vehicle itself is as sweet build. Of course, we’ve known this since the reveal of the set in that January 2022 “group picture.” With its size dimensions, one might be able to pose a LEGO buildable figure set to ride it, even.

But we’re rambling. Here’re some of the official details for the Creator Vespa (40517). Note that it will be launching at the same time as the Creator Expert set (10298).

Vespa (40517)

Age 9+ | 118 pieces | $9.99 | Coming March 1, 2022

Kids can pretend to zip through the streets with this brilliant model of the iconic Vespa (40517) scooter. It features many of the Vespa’s distinctive details, including its handlebars and seat, and comes in a bold red color. A brilliant gift for LEGO® fans aged 9 and up who have a passion for cool vehicles.

Authentic features – Kids can play out fun scenes with the LEGO® Creator Vespa scooter and enjoy details such as its distinctive handlebars and seat

Creative fun – LEGO® fans aged 9 and up who love vehicles can use the Vespa to play out action-packed stories or add it to other sets for more fun

More LEGO Marvel Sets Rumored Coming Mid-2022

The 2022 launch timetable for the LEGO Marvel theme line has been filling up rather nicely. We’ve already seen some of these sets when they came out on New Year’s Day. More will also arrive later on, as early as this Tuesday, March 1. It’s to be expected given that the MCU film series will never brake for anything, at least not for long. Even then, mixed in with the movie tie-ins are sets celebrating the MCU installments of the past. At least, that’s what the rumored upcoming LEGO Marvel sets seem to indicate name-wise.

Thanks to German LEGO news source Stone Wars, we have at least three more 2022 LEGO Marvel set rumored coming. Of them, one at least might count as a tie-in for an MCU Phase 4 film. The rest appear to be callbacks to the “Infinity Saga” that spanned MCU Phase 1 to 3. LEGO’s done a lot of that since “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019. Apparently, the new set based on Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum will be a modular thing too. Stone Wars also gives us likely product specs and release dates for these sets, so there’s that. We have to consider them rumors for now, but hopefully LEGO will tell us more, officially, sometime soon

76216 – Iron Man Hall of Armor (Age 7+, 496 pieces, 8 minifigures, €89.99, June 2022)
76217 – Buildable(?) Baby Groot (Age 10+, 476 pieces, €49.99, June 2022)
76218 – Sanctum Sanctorum (Age 18+, 2,708 pieces, 9 minifigures minimum, €219.99, August 2022) for “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” perhaps?

Other upcoming LEGO Marvel sets we know include The Goat Boat (76208) for “Thor: Love and Thunder.” There’s also Spider-Man & Green Goblin Mech Battle (76219). Both of these sets will launch in April 1.

The Opera: Another Jiwoo Build Joins First 2022 Review

Many members of LEGO Ideas might build plenty enough product ideas to vie for support and review approval. The pace at which support builds to 10,000 will decide when a submission gets added to the currently ongoing Review Stage. As such, sometimes multiple builds by one member-creator might end up bunched together for reviewers. Speaking of which, that has indeed happened for this First 2022 Review Stage. Late last January, LEGO Ideas member Jiwoo saw his artistically eye-catching library build reach 10-K support. On the last weekend of February that submission is joined by another of Jiwoo’s LEGO City-esque builds.

What could possibly equal, or top, Jiwoo’s Library with its architectural design fusion aesthetic? How about a night at The Opera? Indeed, the newest Jiwoo product idea for First 2022 Review is a regally tall opera house. Its dimensions are rather similar to the earlier Library submission, with three levels (just no rooftop deck).

Rather than the mixed classical/modern look of his library build, The Opera is more opulent. From the front door, the hallway leads to two staircases: left to the orchestra seats, right to the balcony. The opera chamber itself is beautifully rendered. And Jiwoo also considered ease of access to the interior in designing the set’s mechanics.

Open Sesame, and All That

In the back of the building, at one corner, one can find a button. With a simple press, the rear wall of the opera house can open wide on hinges. Now one can check out the opera chamber, scaled for minifigures. Like with the library, The Opera comes with just one doorman minifig. But it would be possible to fill the inside with LEGO minifigures. Play out productions of “Barber of Seville” or maybe “Hamilton” if you prefer something modern.

Jiwoo’s LEGO Ideas submissions are yet more aspiring sets that could slot right in to any LEGO City neighborhood. They also have a unifying aesthetic of their own to really stand out from other brick-buildings. Nobody knows how First 2022 Review will play out, but this set has our vote if we had one.

Creator Expert Vespa 125 (10298) Now Listed on LEGO.com

This was certainly another LEGO set that was heavily anticipated by collectors since the latter half of 2021. After a number of rumors and leaks, LEGO finally has this Creator Expert set’s product listing up. We now have their official word on the long-teased Vespa 125 (10298) as shared to us by Brick Fanatics. Sure, some retailers may have jumped the gun and released it early, giving us our first look. But it’s nothing like getting the info right from LEGO itself. This brick-built rendition of the famous Italian scooter brand is yet another prize item for 18+ LEGO collectors.

And it’s an absolute beauty, have no doubt. Creator Expert 10298 not only replicates the 1960s Vespa Piaggo. It makes the vehicle look like it’s at home in Italy, with the rear basket, flowers and Italian license plate. The helmet and goggles also make for a nice touch. Vespa aficionados celebrating the brand’s 75^th year can’t go wrong with this LEGO collaboration. Like many Creator Expert vehicles, Vespa 125 has plenty of mechanical gimmicks. The handlebar steering works, as do the kickstand. Even the scooter engine sports great detail under the removable cover. If you haven’t lucked out with the “early buyers,” then wait for Vespa 125 (10298) to launch for real in March 1.

Vespa 125 (10298)

Age 18+ | 1,106 pieces | $99.99 | Coming March 1

Assemble your own LEGO® Vespa 125 – Build a detailed displayable model of an Italian icon with this building set (10298) for adults

Inspired by the original – This brick-built Vespa features a front wheel mounted on one side, 2 seats, a removable engine cover with a brick-built engine underneath, and working steering

Extra details – Finishing touches include the Vespa logo, a classic 1960s Italian license plate, a spare wheel, helmet and an accessories basket with flower bouquet

Designed for Vespa fans – To celebrate Vespa’s 75th anniversary, the LEGO® designers have worked with the lifestyle brand to create a model to appeal to lovers of Italian culture

LEGO Ideas 10-K Set for Review: Polaroid SX-70 Camera

We at The Brick Show have made the website visit to LEGO Ideas for 10-K support updates often enough. Whenever we check new additions to the current Review Stage, we see some cool submissions at Product Ideas’ front page. Some of these would eventually gain their needed 10,000 supporters and we’d cover them when they do. One such product idea has indeed performed that feat and we’ll feature it now. This one’s notable as a mechanically-focused set. We showed you such a submission as part of First 2022 Review, with The LEGO Toilet. 10k Club Member Minibrick Productions aims to outdo that with this build.

What could be better than a LEGO Toilet with flush mechanism? How about a near 1:1 reproduction of the Polaroid SX-70 camera? In the late 20^th Century, Polaroid was a household name in terms of instant-developing photography. The One-Step SX-70 is among the most iconic Polaroid camera models. Using 538 LEGO pieces Minibrick Productions reproduced the camera with instant photo pop-out action. The build provides for several sample photo-plates that could be swapped and loaded into the camera. A twist of the left-side gear and the “developed” Polaroid photo rolls out or in as needed.

Beyond the photographic print rollout, this brick-built Polaroid cam features a transparent viewfinder. The front can also open up to insert photos, but the interior also replicates the SX-70’s inner workings. Minibrick Productions proves their well-deserved 10K Club membership in LEGO Ideas with this submission. We know we come across as contradicting ourselves with every new “strong” submission. But this one’s pretty cool. Will the Ideas Reviewers agree? It’ll be a long wait to find out. In the meantime, this First 2022 Review Stage will have more 10-K entries yet.

LEGO Starts Distributing Special MRI Scanner Sets to 600 Hospitals Globally

Not all LEGO sets are purchasable goods for collectors. LEGO has also designed some special few to serve greater symbolic purposes. Last year we featured LEGO’s collaborative plan with NASA to send astronaut minfigures aboard the un-crewed Artemis 1 mission. This test launch of a prospective new-generation lunar mission spacecraft is due to happen sometime this year. In another field, LEGO Foundation announced last month its simple idea to ease children’s concerns about getting an MRI. Their idea: distribute some special MRI scanner sets to be to local-community hospitals around the world. LEGO looks to be ready now.

As told by Brickset, a February 23 press release from LEGO announced their plans to donate brick-built MRI Scanner sets. Hospitals around the world with a radiology department and MRI Scanning facility can apply to receive one of these. Thus far, LEGO has earmarked 600 MRI Scanner sets to be given to selected hospitals that have applied here. LEGO designer Erik Ullerlund Staehr developed these sets back in 2015. It’s based on the MRI setup of Odense University Hospital in Denmark, made out of nearly 500 pieces. It depicts two MRI techs giving a scan to an excited boy.

That’s the kind of mood LEGO hopes to instill in young MRI subjects through their limited-edition special sets. Already, LEGO MRI sets have arrived at about 100 applicants of their planned 600 beneficiary hospitals worldwide. More information about the MRI Scanner sets can be found above courtesy of the LEGO Foundation. They even made an introductory video for it too.

LEGO VIP Double-Points Period Clarification (Feb, Mar)

It’s times like this when we can’t help but miss the old LEGO store calendars. Just days ago LEGO sent out online alerts for a VIP double-points event period. The thing was, one advisory said it will run this week, February 24 to 28. Another version noted it’ll be from March 12 to 14 instead. There was also some confusion on the regions where the 2x-Point would apply. LEGO.com US and its UK/Europe counterpart can have different dates after all. And indeed, we now have clarification on the event courtesy of The Brick Fan. If you’re LEGO shopping, listen up.

The February 24-28 LEGO VIP double-points event period applies to LEGO.com UK, Europe and Australia. The March 12-14 VIP period on the other hand is for LEGO.com US. Thankfully that clears up any possible confusion. It’s strange however that the Euro-Australian edition has more days to get double VIP points than North America. Then again, double points are double points. And if you haven’t joined LEGO’s VIP by now, then you really should consider. Happy LEGO VIP shopping then over there in Europe and Australia. The other greeting will have to wait until next month.