Kyle84 has recently sailed into the LEGO Pirates Forum and he’s wasted no time impressing us with his digital ship builds! The “HMS Surprise” is a sleek Imperial Guard vessel armed to the hatches with 20 ferocious cannons and a sizeable, but capable crew.

Move aside, Soldiers and Imperial Armada or you’ll receive a nasty surprise!

Kyle writes:

Hi

This is my second upload.

HMS Surprise in movie “Master and Command”

I published the first version on BrickLink at last February 11th .
And I got some good feedback about it.

Many modificatied since the first version.
This is almost the final.

Now i will try build actually and make the instructions.

Looks awesome doesn’t she? Imagine how much more awesome this ship would be with sails!

This is the perspective of the HMS Surprise you’d see from Castaway’s Raft

Does it come any surprise that the HMS Surprise has “SURPRISE” written on her stern?

Imagine this sleek vessel on en route to intercept pirates!

That butterfly net is very useful for catching… well, probably not butterflies!

Now let’s peel away the layers to get a better look at the decks…

Now let’s remove the upper deck and take a look a the gun deck

They say the figurehead was made of stone…

The jolly boat has two sets of oars but only one set of oarlocks – can’t hurt to have a spare pair getting in the way!

The Imperial Forces are ready for action… maybe a little early given they’re still at sea but you’ve got admire their enthuasiasm!

Carpenters are essential to the crew – things are going to break when the ship is under fire!

Able bodied seaman ensure the jolly boat is in immaculate condition for the next shore mission

On the bridge you’ll find the high ranking officers ensuring the smooth operations of this outfit

The sextant is so named because its arc encompasses one sixth of a circle (60°) – and not because it has anything to do with sex

This is the chief bug catcher – watch the 2003 film, “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” and you’ll understand this reference

Meanwhile in the Captain’s Cabin… the Captain is enjoying the concierge service – Governor Broadside would be jealous!

This is where naughty cabin boys are sent when they misbehave!

About the Builder…

Kyle Park has only recently parked moored his fleet in the Pirates MOC Sub Forum but his Flickr account is rapidly expanding with new imagery of digital ship builds – so do cruise by there!

And once you’re done, discuss this fine vessel in the LEGO Pirates Forum with Kyle84 and the Classic Pirates!

During the 18^th century, a peaceful colony of settlers enjoying the island treasures they discovered suddenly had their serenity interrupted. The invaders called themselves the LEGO Pirates of the Sea!

Gold seeking Pirates had become such a problem for Governor Broadside and the other settlers, most notably SleeplessNight (a local carpenter and expert brick mason)  forcing them to strengthen many of their existing settlements.

Using new building techniques and cutting edge technology of the time, one such fortified settlement soon became widely known as the Lagoon Lock-Up (Revisited).

Welcome to the Lagoon Lock-Up! If ye be Pirate, you can check-out any time you want, but you can never leave.

SleeplessNight writes:

Some time ago I thought it would be cool to have a modular pirate-era town. I also wanted to remake one of the all-time best LEGO sets, namely Lagoon Lock-Up. And so this project came to being.

Welcome to the pirate-era modular town! The buildings include an armory, harbor master’s office, a lockup and a gateway to the town.

The layout can be rearranged in a few ways, while retaining full functionality. Floors can be taken off and back walls removed for better access or in order to display interiors.

187 pieces LEGO Lagoon Lock-Up in comparison to the Revisited version of 3897 pieces.

6267 Lagoon Lock-Up is one of the all time favourite sets inside the Classic LEGO community. A set which has been reimagined dozens of times, and as some of our loyal readers may recall, one exceptionally lovely remake was crafted by Master0889.

Where Master0889 endeavored to stay true to the size of the original set, SleeplessNight sailed in the opposite direction and completely re-envisioned our favourite little goal by the sea!

The Backstory

For decades this small port on the lagoon remained derelict. But then, with renewed interest in local trade routes, great efforts were made to refurbish buildings and the waterfront.

While the majority of images used here are digital renders, don’t think for a second that this design went up untested on the Rebrickable. Here is the photo of the physical build, and oh my… look at that gorgeous pier!

The fortifications were strengthened with the addition of a new observation turret. The Harbor Master’s Office was erected. Beautiful, intricate pavements were laid to herald new era of prosperity.

And just when everything seemed to be smooth sailing, the peace was disrupted yet again by the infamous pirate who goes by the name of Captain Redbeard and his dreaded ship – the Black Seas Barracuda.

Undoubtedly the most dangerous person in this settlement. You simply don’t wear that kind of shirt unless people already fear you.

The Build

SleeplessNight found normal Modulars too large and incompatible with a harbour setting, so he opted for a 6×6 module, in which each building’s width is a multiplication of this module.

The same building can be placed in a row or on a corner and it still works because the side walls have sufficient detail. The floors and back walls can be removed for improved access.

The inside of the harbor master’s office, where the man himself is busy paper pushing with important officer work.

The armoury and the beautiful stairs which lead to guard station above.

Not only does SleeplessNight excel in building design, but he also shows quite a talent in furniture design.

So many rich details are packed in this build, for instance observe the fence of the guard terrace on the right. Can you name all the used pieces?

As you can see the SleeplessNight also invested heavily in tiling, because rumor has it that studs are outdated.

As noted by the experts inside the LEGO Pirates forum, the only issue with this set is the jail is the only room with an actual bed! There really is no justice in this world…

Fun fact! Lagoon Lockup was known as Soldiers Tavern in the UK and various other regions. The blue and red striped awning on the larger structure on the left was to represent a galley or a very modest restaurant.

Sabre Island Revisited

SleeplessNight continues:

This set will look especially good, when displayed next to the original Lego 21322 “Pirates of Barracuda Bay”.

You may also consider adding my other MOC, “Sabre Island A.D. 2021“

Just imagine being a kid and having these two sets! Darn you SleeplessNight, where were you thirty years ago 🙂

Troublesome Neighbours

It wasn’t long until some thugs decided to allocate their shady assets in real estate… a common theme of every nice neighbourhood, and of course they built it all without the permit!

Now would be a good time for easily bribed Imperial officials to pay them a visit… Or else questionable characters like this will overrun a once nice and civilised settlement.

About the Builder…

SleeplessNight hails from Warsaw, Poland. As the name suggests, between juggling his job, kids and family, books and other hobbies, his favourite activity is designing beautiful creations during the wee hours when he feels most inspired to undertake the strenuous creative work.

He prefers to work first in digital form using the BrickLink Studio, and then progresses to real bricks for his test-builds. While his favourite theme is Castle Pirates, he also enjoys crossing over to the Castle theme. It should not come as a surprise that SleeplessNight is also a member of the LEGO Ideas rejected 10K Club, where all talented 10K builders like him provide valuable insights about their brick passion in an interview.

You can find him on almost all social media platforms where he regularly shares his brilliant ideas:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Flickr
• LEGO Ideas

If you are interested in obtaining building instructions, you can do so by visiting his Rebrickable profile.

What do you think of SleeplessNight’s rendition of Lagoon Lockup?  Has he improved upon the original concept? Or has he taken it so far off course it’s completely unrecognisable? Either way, have you read our post about his Sabre Island remake?

Until the next Classic-Pirates blog post, we invite you to visit the LEGO Pirates MOC subforum  and give us your two pieces of eight on the Lagoon Lock-Up Revisited by clicking the enticing, red shiny button below.

Kolonialbeamter is a LEGO Pirate MOCing powerhouse – a steady stream of digital builds pours out him like no tomorrow!

And when he wants to get serious about building, he doesn’t hold back!  Behold… The “Royal Philip”, a 114-gun Ship-of-the-Line, at 14,200 pieces, it includes sails, rigging, minifigures and flags. Not too shabby for an entirely digital creation!

He constructed the “Royal Philip” for the Brethren of the Brick Seas game with the aim of bolstering Oleon’s influence in the waters of New Terra.

Kolonialbeamter writes:

First of all, some numbers:

• 14200 parts
• length at waterline is 120 studs, LOA 171 studs, beam 29
• each broadside fires 57 guns.

Now, more importantly, no worries, y’all! Launching yet another ship-of-the-line is no act of aggression towards any of you. It’s rather the result of some major confusion from my side. The upcoming Adventure-MCRA gave me the idea to send the Secretary of the Navy as ambassador to Mardier. But I got this idea only after le Monarque was posted and planned in for convoy duty, so I was in desperate need of an additional ship, and no lesser would be suited for such a mission.

The Royal Philip is an enhanced version of a ship I posted several years ago, and her base is still older than that of Monarque, which is why Monarque’s hull is smoother. Still it’s here that I first made the switch to using hinge bricks instead of curved slopes for the part of the hull between waterline and lower gun-deck. Didn’t go all the way, though, back in the day.

But then, the better ship is always the next one.

Vive le Roi!

On the bow of this magnificent ship you can see the figurehead – too bad Kolonialbeamter didn’t see fit to provide any close-up renders!

Look at all those decks… if only we could peel away the layers for a look inside.
Again, no such images! (Kolonialbeamter probably didn’t design the interior)

A vessel that commands prestige! (And also close-up and interior renders)

The Story

As one of the heaviest and most formidable ships-of-the-line in His Majesty’s Royal Navy, the Royal Philip is naturally suited to fill out the role of an admiral’s flagship. And flagship she is! At the moment, she serves under admiral d’Ancios as lead-ship of the Perennes Squadron, the one unit of La Royale stationed closest to Oleon’s border with Corrington. During her active service of now almost four years, in countless maneuvers and fleet exercises, the Royal Philip has proven herself a powerful and – even more importantly – very reliable warship, with excellent sailing capabilities. A true asset. Rumors circulating in the Royal Court have it that soon she might be transferred to the colonies in an effort to strengthen Oleon’s influence in the waters of New Terra. Such a step, however, would have to be very carefully pondered, as it would mean to noticeably weaken the nation’s defenses against her northern neighbor. But regardless of where she will see service in the future, with her dedicated, veteran crew and her seasoned captain, the Royal Philip will surely fulfill the role entrusted to her – to guard the realm, protect the nations interests, and to proudly fly Oleon’s colors on the waves!

But how does it stack up against the largest Imperial Guard ship?

The Royal Philip compared to official set 10210 Imperial Flagship – look how puny it is!

Admiral Woodhouse’s mustache would straighten if he saw the Royal Philip approaching over the horizon!

About the Builder…

Kolonial Beamter  (Jens Fischer – not to be confused with this Kolonial Beamter) has long been affiliated with the LEGO Pirates Forum and Brethren of the Brick Seas, in which he was been contributing builds for years.

But it’s his Flickr account where he shares a plethora of pristine digital builds. They’re so pristine, you can almost see your reflection in them – sp take a good look!

And when you’re finished being impressed by Kolonial’s digital proficiency, plot a course to the LEGO Pirates Forum so can send him your love and affection.  And perhaps suggest he churn out a few close-up and interior renders of the Royal Philip.

What happens to a young lieutenant of the Imperial Army when he’s assigned to take command of a remote island outpost, with two useless soldiers, where, unbeknownst to all, the dead don’t stay dead for long?

While this may seem like a synopsis plucked straight from a Stephen King novel, it was actually the question which tormented another master storyteller, and far better MOC builder (sorry Stevie), Jan Kusters who built Whale Rock Outpost to discover the answer.

If you think this is an eye-catching and cleverly packed build, just wait till you immerse yourself into the Jan’s gripping backstory… it will haunt you… make your blood run cold… and your heart race with fear… not necessarily in that order, though.

This week’s Classic-Pirates post is brought to you by the Imperial Soldiers Army. The Imperial Army is for everyone. Join now and think later. Start your adventure the Imperial way and see the world! (Also, beware of false advertising and Imperial propaganda)

Jan Kusters writes:

I have spent a lot of time looking here at Imperial builds for inspiration, trying to design something like a smallish Imperial Outpost into my Crimson Mermaid display. It has been very educational. You all have been a great help and sown fantastic ideas, thank you so much!

The whole thing is based on the Sabre Island’ (6265) and the Broadside’s Brigg’ (6259). I liked the tower from Sabre Island a lot, and decided to keep it mostly ‘as is’ (added a few ladders and threw in one more panel). I also kept the basic prison cell from Broadside’s Brigg, but sank it into the Rock (to keep it all within the small space I had for it).

Best renditions, in any art form, occur when the artist renders the new work in their trademark style, while retaining a hint of the former, thus paying respect and attribution to the original.

Comparing the classic sets with modern day custom builds (like Jan’s) makes one wonder how in the world the LEGO Group managed to get away with such stingy designs. Stingy!? Well yes, look at them! 6259 Broadside’s Brig has only 65 pieces, and the 6265 Sabre Island a whopping 96 pieces…

But by the same token, when was the last time you managed to build something iconic and ultra playable with less than 100 pieces? Nay, scratch that. When was the last time we saw anybody build something iconic and ultra playable with less than 100 pieces? Exactly!

We can pretend to detest those designs, but as hard as that brick pill is to swallow, they are awesome and we love them because of that. Enough digressing! Let us proceed with the more lavish and less economical design in question…

The Not-so-Stingy Design

Jan Kusters continues:

Since my display space is limited, I wanted to build it all on a 16×32 plate, no bigger. That is half the size of the classic Eldorado Fortress. But at the same time I wanted to get most ‘functionality’ into that smaller space. It turned out to be a but of a squeeze, but I like the general shape better than I expected.

To ensure maximum playability several key sections can be easily removed while the rest of the build remains firmly placed on solid rock foundations. Take notice of the innovative use of the 1x4x2 fence and the 1x6x2 arch-to make a barrack window

The interior is packed with everything a new commanding officer needs; books, table, tea kettle and bed.

Wait! Where’s the bed? Ah yes, a new Imperial regulation dictates that there are no beds for officers! A real gentlemen is expected to sleep standing to avoid wrinkling and maintain his respectable appearance.  After all, the Imperial Officer Club has a classy image to uphold (unlike those unscrupulous Pirates and other whatnots)

While the officer suffers enjoys his sleepless bourgeois lifestyle, the common soldier must seek accommodation in the dirty barracks, confined within the lower parts of the outpost

Viewing it from different angles, the outpost has a few rather ‘intimidating’ aspects, but also one tamed and completely domesticated side. A lesson here: never look behind the golden curtains!

Note the lack of ‘roof top canon’ like other LEGO sets and MOCs offer. Jan says he always had his doubts regarding roofs with big gun platforms, and who are we to disagree? Those things are visually hideous, and we will not have them up there!

The Gripping Backstory

Somewhere far, far away

Enter Lieutenant Rupert, the main hero of our story who, besides the obvious skill of writing love letters, also happens to have uncanny ability of mailing them home, even from the middle of nowhere. Ah yes, you cynics, true love conquers all

My dearest Petronella Gertruda,

I have finally been offered my first command! I will be in charge of a fort at the Whale Island. I will also be in charge of the rest of the island. I am a deputy Governor so to speak. No more counting uniforms, no more signing paperwork!

Granted, I had hoped for a slightly bigger detail at my disposal, but I am sure I can make something of the men I have been issued. And Sergeant Jones seems to be an experienced man, if not a bit rough.

Best wishes and love, forever yours, Rupert…

Enter Sergeant Jones, who is deeply lost in his thoughts, dreaming of pleasant days long past

Sweet!

A post in the middle of nowhere, no traffic, no people and no regiment to look down my throat. Only a pencil pushing lieutenant, who will believe everything I say, and a fresh recruit to boss around!

Yes Sergeant Jones, this is the one post we are going to enjoy…

Enter Private Bugleblower, whose face and body language unmistakably convey grim thoughts and feelings about his present and future place in this world

Join the Imperial Army, they said.

See the world, they said.

Meet new and interesting people, they said.

Visit the exotic Island and far away countries, they said.

I just wish they said something about the rowing…

The small crew, like so many other humans, could not resist but to stop and marvel at the natural spectacle of the sunset, never knowing, never suspecting the dangers which lurked around them in the open waters

“Ah, will you look at the sunset, Sergeant? Glorious!” Rupert squealed in delight.

Did you know that Jan went through a training as a professional photographer, then later participated in several exhibitions in the Netherlands and abroad? He swears he used only ‘simple’ techniques for this photo session, but somehow we don’t buy it.

“Well, Sergeant Jones? How’s that for a bit of navigating… Two days and two nights of rowing.” Rupert exclaimed, pleased by their accomplishment. “By the way, well done, Private Bugleblower – and here we are, the Whale Rock, and its fortress.”

“Uhm, is that ALL of the Whale Rock Island? I was expecting something slightly bigger, Sir.” Bugleblower gasped exhaustively.

“Take us about, Private.” Jones grunted. “There should be a dock on the other side.”

Well tested horror-story formula… Several people decide to spend a ‘fun’ weekend somewhere remote yet ominous, deliberately ignoring all the warnings signs along the way. What could possibly go wrong?

“What’s that up there!” Jones shouted, “I thought I saw a man in a cape, Lieutenant, but he’s gone now…”

“Stand down men, it’s just shadows and darkness. And a long night at sea…” Rupert replied calmly.

After the good night sleep, mainly by standing and snoozing in the corner, lieutenant Rupert wakes up refreshed and ready to bring this place up in line with the high Imperial standards for forts and outposts

“Morning sergeant. Have the men… man… up on the platform, ready for inspection, Sergeant.” Rupert commanded.

“Sir!” Jones responded.

“Dear lord, this is sad, we really need to redecorate and freshen this place at our nearest convenience, Sergeant.” Rupert continued.

“Sir, yes Sir!” Jones agreed.

Well, this is certainly an unsettling discovery

“Sergeant! Up here!!!” screamed Private Bugleblower.

Apparently, once you enroll in the Imperial Army it’s not only for life, but for death as well. Semper fidelis Imperial

“Ahum… uhm, Sergeant? Why is there a skeleton standing to attention?” Rupert asked politely.

“Left over from the last detail, Sir. I had him remobilised.” Jones replied loudly.

“But he is dead!” Rupert protested.

“Still a soldier, Sir. Got his shako and everything, Sir.” Jones replied stoically.

“Dead, sergeant, he’s very dead! He’s just a skeleton! How is he even standing to attention?” a bewildered Rupert retorted.

“Four years as drill-sergeant, Sir.” smirked Jones.

“Yes, right. Well… Take him below, find an empty chest, we’ll send him off for a decent funeral with the first supply ship.”

“Sir, Yes Sir.” replied Jones “PRIVATE BONES!!! DIS… wait for it, you rattling heap of calcium… MISSED!!!”

Later that night a strange noise drew Private Bugleblower’s attention

“Hey, what… HALT! WHO GOES THERE?!? PASSWORD! Ow crap, do we even have a password? Never Mind. STOP OR I’LL SHOOT!”

The high pitched, woman-like, shriek jolted the half-drunk Sargent Jones from his slumber

“Grmblmmbl… What’s with all the shouting, Soldier?” Jones scowled. “Could you keep it down a little? People are trying to sleep!”

“A prisoner escaping, Sergeant!” Bugleblower shouted back.

“A prisoner? What prisoner? All we have is a bunch of bones in the brig! Bones don’t…” Jones began before erupting in a bloodcurdling scream “AAAAAHHHHH!”

The nights on the remote outpost can be gloomy and full of terrors

“AAAAAAH!” everybody screamed liked small children on a rollercoaster.

Not sure what to make of the great prison escape, the crew agreed not to talk about it, and with that life on the outpost fell into an uneventful routine… by the end of the month they had a visit from its first supply ship.

“Hay ho, we’ve no supplies!” Duddlestone, one of the new arrivals announced, whilst being crudely hoisted on to the dock like a sack of potatoes.

“We are well stocked on hard tack and salted beef, boys. It’s soldiers we need! Welcome to your new post…” Jones replied happily.

And with that, Private Bones was officially released from his duty. Off he goes

“But Sir!” Duddlestone attempted to argue.

“No buts, Soldier!  This private is going home with you… and that’s final!” Lieutenant Rupert snapped in authority, “Yes, he is dead, and no, we don’t have space here for a decent grave. And no, he won’t stay in the chest for the journey. How would you feel, all cooped up in a chest for days at sea! Give the poor man a break, he has served the Empire till the end. Sadly we had another dead person for burial, but that one escaped…”

“ESCAPED?!?” screamed Duddlestone.

“Yes, well, never mind that, Soldier.” Rupert barked. “Now, I am sure your superiors at the fort will give this brave man a decent burial. Off you go, see you in a month!”

A doubloon, or two, for Charon and the passage across. It is said, those who cannot pay the fee, or whose bodies are left unburied, must wander the shores for one hundred years, before they are permitted to cross to the other side

“NO! You don’t need to pay him! Just sit down and… keep still!” Duddlestone pondered nervously.  “Who do you think he is?!? Charon, the ferryman of the dea… Oh crap, he is, isn’t he?”

Hey look! It’s that bag of bones from the prison… and he’s brought friends

“Sssssssh… Be very quiet now… Douse the lamp… We’re going to find that dead soldier that was in the fortress too…” whispered the leader of skeleton party.

Assault on Precinct 13 the Whale Rock Outpost

“ALARM!!! They’re back!!!” wailed Private Bugleblower.

“Who’s ba…AAAAAH!” Sargent Jones trembled “A walking skeleton! That’s a walking skeleton! Another walking skeleton! More walking skeletons!”

“Up! Up! Get up to the tower!!!, move, move” Bugleblower cried.

“Get that lamp out of my eyes, Soldier” Jones shouted. “And take this ladder! Move!”

“What about the lieutenant, Sergeant!!?” Bugleblower wailed.

“Trapped in his room, I could not get to him!” Jones replied frantically. “Probably searching how to kill dead people in his military handbook! Forget the lieutenant…”

Several minutes later in Lieutenant Rupert’s quarters

“Sorry about that sword, old chap, it’s just when you burst in like that… Anyway, tea?” Rupert offered calmly before continuing:

“Now let me see, a dead soldier, yes, we found a dead soldier when we came here. He is enroute to the mainland right now. You want him? Why? Happier with your lot? Hmmm yes, you might be right, he certainly did not fancy staying in his coffin… Tell you what. He was by no means fit for duty, so I will sign papers for his military release. If you hurry, you might very well catch up with them. You’ll find them in a row boat headed west…”

About the Builder…

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing” Bernard Shaw surmised – and no other quote could serve as a better introduction for a builder of the caliber of Jan.

Jan Kusters managed to accomplish a lot in life during his Dark Age (the time away from LEGO). He is a professional photographer and teacher of arts and crafts. For several years he ran a own studio at the Sittard Arts Centre, in the Netherlands, before returning to teaching… and wait till you hear read this, he taught law, the social law. Yes, you read that right.

After 15 years of sending hundreds, if not thousands, of bright young minds into the world of law and order, he’d had his fill and absconded. A most dangerous act to be sure, for he would soon find himself among the outlaws in the lawless sea of the LEGO Pirates forum.

Leaving his Dark Age behind, his new life of LEGO adventures began, which is documented in meticulous detail within his Flickr account account, so you would do well to invest time there exploring it’s great MOCs, shots and hilarious backstories.

And, so here we are. We hope you have enjoyed this MOC’s presentation and the accompanying story. Before we part ways, the Classic Pirates invite you to share your thoughts and feedback about Whale Rock Outpost in the discussion forum by clicking the big red shiny button bellow.