Context: This is an original LEGO creation that I submitted to a LEGO IDEAS contest. However, my attempts to provide a sufficiently concise description of my creation became a fascinating exercise in creative writing. As you can read below, all three descriptions say essentially the same thing. The only difference is how I reformat each description to contain the same basic information while using fewer words. I was able to accomplish this task by ranking the relative importance of the different pieces of information contained in the first (and most verbose) description. As the descriptions became progressively more brief, I was forced to remove information that was deemed of less importance. However, writing increasingly shorter summaries is not as straightforward as simply removing less-important details. Instead, I also had to switch the format of the description from a paragraph style to a list style, in order to keep the information clear and well-organized.
Attempt #1:
This is a far sturdier and more robust re-design of the projectile firing system introduced with Set 7048: Troll Warship and Set 7038: Troll Assault Wagon, both from the fantasy Castle theme. While this design looks nothing like those early studs-on-top designs, it still utilizes the pull-back spring-loaded minifigure soccer stand to propel the missiles. However, the construction of the set has been turned sideways, which reduces the number of pieces used, maintains the build's durability, and adds three additional features.
The first additional feature is a friction-powered disc shooter built into the front, which uses a Technic axle pushed from behind to fire it. This Technic pin can be pushed through the holes in the Technic lift arm, allowing it to fire discs even when the missiles are loaded from above.
The second additional feature of this design is the drop-out of spent missile clips. Previous designs using Technic lift arms to hold missiles would eventually hit a plate beneath the firing mechanism, requiring the Technic lift arm to be lifted out of the mechanism before a new one can be loaded. In contrast, this design permits the launching mechanism to be mounted on Technic pins, rotating enough to permit clearance beneath for the spent Technic lift arm to drop through and allow a new Technic lift arm to be loaded instantly from above. This special mounting on Technic pins also supplies this design's third and final additional feature.
With the simple turn of a winch below, the firing angle can be adjusted up to 30 degrees, which permits more precise aim and maximization of distance covered by the fired missiles. As you can see from these images, this new and improved design is far superior to the previous one, and has great potential for integration and use in many future LEGO sets.
Attempt #2:
This is a study and robust projectile firing system designed for use by the Trolls from the fantasy Castle theme. While it still utilizes the pull-back spring-loaded minifigure soccer stand to propel the missiles, the construction of the set has been turned sideways in order to reduce the number of pieces used, maintain the build's durability, and add three additional features:
Feature #1: A friction-powered disc shooter built into the front, which uses a Technic axle pushed from behind to fire it. This Technic pin can be pushed through the holes in the Technic lift arm, allowing it to fire discs even when the missiles are loaded from above.
Feature #2: Sufficient height to permit Technic lift arms to drop out from below, once the missiles have been fired. This allows a new Technic lift arm to be loaded immediately from above.
Feature #3: Winch to adjust the firing angle up to 30 degrees, which permits more precise aim and maximization of distance covered by the fired missiles.
Attempt #3:
This sturdy and robust build has the following features:
#1: Pull back and then release the spring-loaded stand to propel projectiles out of a loaded Technic lift arm functioning as a projectile "clip."
#2: Push a Technic axle from behind to fire the integrated friction-powered disc shooter, even when a Technic "clip" is loaded.
#3: Reload a new Technic "clip" immediately after a previous "spent" one has dropped out from below.
#4: Winch to adjust the firing angle for more precise aim.
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