LO!!! The Mueller Mini-Mik 2020 comes to a conclusion! As a reminder, each participant began with a home-made kit based on our sugar can car design. Finished products had to conform to the exacting standards of 1:24-ish PLAYMOBIL scale and actually be stable in tow behind a train.
To begin with, all participants passed the high design standards. Though taken after the “glamor shots,” I present the field test first to introduce the Triple O’s latest rolling stock:
Video: Diesel Dan Parades the 2020 Mueller Mini-Mik creations
And, in the event the video fails:
Our contestants were each allowed to stage and take three photos. We’ll work left to right based on the picture above…
Entry #1: Roman Assault Wagon (by Oldest Son)
This “timber clad” draws inspiration from the Trojan horse and features lunch counters to make it appear an innocuous lunch wagon. Firing loupes allow for ranged weaponry of any epoch, and the tin roof pops open for siege artillery or a maniple of pila-tossing legionnaires. Oldest Son points out the platform did actually push this thing along at a steady marching pace. I promised him he would not be penalized because Dad wanted to wait to place the parts order to save on shipping.
Entry #2: Birthday Coach (by Youngest Daughter)
Rides can enjoy their big day under a hand sewn canopy, riding in the open air on seats made of cloth-covered bottle caps and a custom table made of a bottlecap, skewers, and cloth. YD crafted the chocolate cake from sculptamold, the balloons from pipecleaners and “poof balls,” and trimmed the car and safety rails with beads. YD told me I have to figure a way to couple her coach to the Oma Bea-liner to allow future parties to enjoy this charming bit of motive power… My bad.
Entry #3: Rolling Garden Store (by Oldest Daughter)
Normally, I would let OD write here own entry. To be fair to her siblings, she must suffer with my prose, too! OD sought to strike a balance between whimsy and realism with her open topped garden center. The plants sit in home made pots of various materials. The plants themselves are real leaves cut to shape, fashioned bits of paper, and feathers, among other things. Safety chains keep the sales crew and their wares from bouncing out the ends. OD points out that she did this at the last minute, because the pressure spurred creativity and the deadline gave her an excuse to sequester herself with her craft supplies. Kiwi - looking irked by his leash - and Fiery Elias prepare to set out on a sales mission after coupling up!
Entry #4: Rolling Lounge Chair Combine (by Kid-zilla)
At various times, this has been a coach, a gondola, a caboose, and a fire truck. Regardless of its classification, the First Responders of the the Triple O seem to appreciate the rustic, shaded comfort of the vehicle as they relax on the way home from a job behind the ever faithful Diesel Dan! The roof appears more comfortable to Kiwi than that of a steam tram…
And now…YOU GET TO VOTE!!!
After much discussion over two nights, the crew decided that the grandparents, cousins, etc. would not render fair votes, and, my protestations to the contrary, deemed the LSC community fairer arbiters of craftsmanship. All votes must be in by mindnight(ish), Friday, 4 September 2020, Hawaii Time. I’ll tally them like the MIK:
- 4 points for a first place
- 3 points for a second place
- 2 points for a third place
- 1 point for a fourth place
Because I enjoy being married, all votes are subject to nullification by CINCHOUSE. There is PLAYMOBIL on the line here, folks, for the winner (OD asked for something of equivalent value for her new garden project), and, of course, bragging rights.
Thanks in advance for letting me use this forum as a venue to keep the crew involved in something creative this summer. They do get a kick out seeing their work on-line, and, yes, I do enjoy the “proud parent” moments along the way.
Aloha,
Eric
