[2007-12-23] LEGO mecha minifig head exploit
A trick I've noticed many LEGO mecha modellers using is what I call the "head exploit." Kyle Vrieze's excellent power armor model (MLCAD file here), shown above, provides a good example. Basically, the trick exploits the disproportionality of the LEGO minifig head by placing it on a larger and more realistically proportioned body.
As is obvious to even the most casual observer, the minifig head is much too large for the minifig body, which is about 4 heads tall, whereas a realistically proportioned human body is about 8:
What's more, many mecha are designed with what might be called "heroic proportions," with large bodies and small heads. There are considerably more extreme examples than blahblah's Gundam shown below, which is a relatively reserved 9.5 heads tall.
Many futuristic- or mechanical-looking minifig heads or helmets have been produced over the years. The #x182 "UFO Helmet" shown above in Kyle's model is a great example, but there are many others. I've compiled a list of good "head exploit" candidates by browsing the parts pages over at BrickLink.
| Black Minifig, Visor Underwater | x41 |  |
| Chrome Gold Minifig, Visor Large | x111 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet Round Bubble | 30214 |  |
| White Minifig, Headgear Helmet Underwater with Clips | x40 |  |
| Dark Gray Minifig, Headgear Helmet Underwater Aquashark | 6089 |  |
| Dark Bluish Gray Minifig, Scuba Tank | 30091 |  |
| Dark Blue Minifig, Head Modified Bionicle Inika Toa Hahli | bb119 |  |
| Minifig, Head Modified Bionicle Inika Toa Hewkii | bb121 |  |
| Minifig, Head Modified Bionicle Inika Toa Jaller | bb123 |  |
| Minifig, Head Modified Bionicle Inika Toa Kongu | bb124 |  |
| Minifig, Head Modified Bionicle Inika Toa Matoro | bb132 |  |
| Minifig, Head Modified Bionicle Inika Toa Nuparu | bb136 |  |
| Minifig, Head Modified Bionicle Piraka Avak | bb105 |  |
| Minifig, Head Modified Bionicle Piraka Hakann | bb106 |  |
| Minifig, Head Modified Bionicle Piraka Reidak | bb110 |  |
| Minifig, Head Modified Bionicle Piraka Thok | bb111 |  |
| Minifig, Head Modified Bionicle Piraka Vezok | bb113 |  |
| Minifig, Head Modified Bionicle Piraka Zaktan | bb115 |  |
| Minifig, Visor Pointed | x126 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet Castle with Angled Cheek Protection | bb52 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet Castle with Fixed Face Grill | x167 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet Castle with Studded Bands and Cheek Protection | bb303 |  |
| Minifig, Visor Old with Grill and Feather | x105 |  |
| Metallic Silver Minifig, Headgear Helmet with Wings | bb302 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet with Bat Wings | x183 |  |
| Minifig, Visor Fanciful for Danju Minifig | 48485 |  |
| Minifig, Visor Fanciful for Jayko Minifig | 48486 |  |
| Minifig, Visor Fanciful for Vladek Minifig | 48489 |  |
| Minifig, Visor Fanciful for Rascus Minifig | 48488 |  |
| Minifig, Visor Fanciful for Santis Minifig | 48487 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet Castle with Dragon Crown Top | x43 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet Ninja (Samurai) | x63 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet Underwater with Hose | x168 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet with Breathing Apparatus and Headlights | 30325 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet UFO with Mechanical Pattern | x182px1 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet SW Clone Trooper Ep.3 | bb83 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet SW Clone Trooper Ep.2 | bb82 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet SW Darth Vader | 30368 |  |
| Minifig, Head Modified General Grievous | bb179 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet SW Rocket Pack | x50 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet SW Skiff Guard | bb208 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet SW Rebel Scout Trooper | 61182 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet SW Royal Guard | x132 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet SW Scout Trooper | x52 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet SW Snowtrooper | x181 |  |
| Minifig, Headgear Helmet SW Stormtrooper Pattern | x130 |  |
Each of these "exploitable" minifig heads or headgear is the potential starting point of an original LEGO mecha design. The principle is simple: pick a head and design a body to go with it.
last modified 2007-12-23