Today's 10K Club interview is dedicated to Alexandre Rossier in our community known as redera00. This time he is back with another very detailed design. His creation - The Rosenbauer PANTHER 8x8 is one of the most impressive airport firetrucks in the world!
ABOUT YOURSELF
- Who are you?
Alexandre Rossier, aka redera00
- Where are you from?
Switzerland
- How old are you?
50
- What do you study or do for a living?
Designer
- What hobbies do you have?
Music (I am also a professional trumpet player, and made several CD and TV/radio recordings and performances), photography, video production, illustrator, motorbiking, sportscar enthusiast.
- Do you have a personal LEGO portfolio website that you can share with us?
Only on social media Instagram @alexandrerossier, Facebook @User_135022 rossier, YouTube Alexandrerossier
- Have you created any LEGO MOCs (my own creations) that you’re particularly proud of? What is it, why are you proud of it and do you have a photo of it?
I have created many MOCs: locomotives, dioramas, buildings, science-fiction vehicles, and cars at various scales, from 6-stud wide to 60cm long… My favourite is… the next model I’ll create. But my latest one, Santa Claus’ Steampunk Arctic Crawler by Prinoth on the yards has been fun to create! After my Crocodile locomotive submitted to IDEAS a few years ago, I created this Spring a huge 1:22 version (90 cm long!) which is also motorized. And I am currently completing a complex futuristic all-terrain truck (6-wheel and tracks!) in LEGO Technic.
- How and when did your interest in LEGO come about?
It all started with the set 367 Moon Landing in 1975: I saw it assembled in a local store and I fell immediately in love: the lunar module, the roving vehicle, and the three.
- What is LEGO for you? What does it mean for you? How does it fit in your life? E.g. build, display, meetups, play the games or 'just' watch the cartoons.
LEGO is all about unleashing your creativity: nothing is impossible: Have an idea, sketch it directly with bricks, experiment, improve, finalize! I have a LEGO room in my flat where I create and store my MOCs. I hardly expose them in public.
- What is your favourite LEGO theme (current or past)? Why? And has any theme inspired your building style or preference in any particular way?
LEGO Space (for their creativity, elegance, playfulness) and Technic (for being able to create complex machines). I love to mix LEGO System and Technic to create realistic and functional vehicles.
- What is your favourite official LEGO set? Why?
LEGO Technic chassis 8860, because it was the first realistic car with gearbox, suspensions, steering, engine, and I got it as the first prize at a local LEGO competition in 1982; and NASA Apollo Saturn V 21309, which is just gorgeous: faithful to reality, full of unusual assembly methods, beautiful!
- What is your favourite LEGO element? Why?
LEGO Technic shock absorber. It was so innovative in 1980 that it was not even pictured on the official pictures of the LEGO chassis 8860… It is still in production today!
ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
- Where did your interest in this particular model come from?
I had the opportunity to visit the firemen team of the Geneva Airport when I has a child, and their firetrucks fascinated me: the size, the power, the performances, ... and they save lives!
- How long was the process of making the project did, and what did you have to research as well. What kind of prep, research and design phases did you go through to produce your creation?
I have been looking for pictures and some blueprints. The fan community of Rosenbauer is so large that it has been easy to find pictures and documentation on the Panther...
- What special challenges did you face creating the model? What was the most difficult part to recreate?
The cabin is rather tricky to replicate because of its numerous facets. And since I also wanted to build the model like the real one, with the possibility to separate the bodywork from the chassis, I had to make sure that the model would be strong enough to carry its own weight...
- How long did it take to complete the model? Did you finish it fairly quickly, or did it take a long time? And how did the build time compare to the time you spent promoting your Product Idea to reach 10,000 supporters?
Approximately 50 hours to create the model (I had created two models actually: this red one from the ‘Sitten Flughafen’, and another one in lime green and the livery of the Geneva Airport), and 20 to do photo/video shootings. I did not spend so much time promoting the model on IDEAS, but many worldwide famous car blogs featured my project.
- How did it feel when you reached the magic 10,000 votes and how long did it take?
It has been my third model to reach the 10K (after the Prinoth Leitwolf snow-groomer and the Auto Union Type C), and I was still very proud to achieve the goal!
- Approximately how many LEGO bricks did you use to create your model?
2,900
- What is your favourite building technique or part/section that you’ve incorporated into your Product Idea?
Blending LEGO system (for realism) with LEGO Technic elements (for stiffness and motorization).
- If you used custom stickers or prints for your design, how did you create them or where did you get them?
I create them with graphic software and print them on semi-glossy adhesive paper.
ABOUT LEGO IDEAS
- Do you have any useful advice about creating a successful LEGO Ideas project?
Be passionate about your project and believe in it!
- What (if any) methods did you use to advertise and attract support to your Product Idea?
Social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube). And many blogs and websites from worldwide firefighters or enthusiasts have promoted it as well.
- What is your favourite LEGO Ideas Product Idea (besides your own of course)? Are there any Product Ideas you think have been overlooked?
NASA Apollo Saturn V and I liked the UCS Space Shuttle Atlantis.
- What is it about the platform that attracts you? What tips would you give to anyone who is thinking about uploading an idea?
Impressive to see all that creativity from all around the world. And my tip would be to do something original, or done in a way that has never been done previously…
- Do you have plans to submit any other Product Ideas in the future? If yes, can you give us a hint of what that might be?
A legendary vehicle from the Sixties will be submitted very soon…
By
Kamila9