To celebrate BalloonChat's birthday here is a new review.....

Balloon Review 145 - Rumble Trucks by David and Shana Brenion Video Download

Available from http://www.balloon-animals.com/catalog priced $35

This is the latest video download by David and Shana Brenion for a collection of seven 'Rumble Trucks'. The videos can be viewed online or downloaded to your PC for later viewing. As with all of the Brenion productions, the video quality and the teaching is superb. Some of the designs are provided in two formats. A fast run through of the model (great as a refresher or the more experienced twister) and a slower step by step walkthrough version.

Lets see what we have here....

BASIC CAR

All these car designs uses a q-link for each of the wheels. Whilst not strictly necessary (you could you rounds) the q links are so much easier to assemble. David shows two methods to assemble the wheels. The wheels are the most time consuming part of each design. When the wheels are made the rest of the body is easy. Shana provides a lovely tutorial on how to draw faces which really makes a massive difference to the end result.

This one is a chubby version of lightning mcqueen from the Cars movie. Really good and very popular at a recent event.

This basic car is then used as a foundation for other variations.

POLICE CAR

The first variation of the basic car is the police car. The only real difference there is the top of the car which has coloured lights. Very effective and fun to make!

[attachment=0:1dpldl6m][/attachment]788-policecar.jpg[/attachment:1dpldl6m]

CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE

Another variation from the basic car design. The only problem I found with this design was that the demolition 'ball' had so much static it would not hang freely and keep sticking to the main vehicle. The kids enjoy pushing it around with the swinging ball.

[attachment=0:13c3ei36][/attachment]785-construction.jpg[/attachment:13c3ei36]

I am probably going to get this but need to wait a bit before spending cash I don't really have. Interested to see how the rest of the review pans out

I just bought this too, its a great addition for those younger kids who want trucks.

As usual the quality of the video is great and all very well explained.

David credits Buster Balloon and myself for assisting with the design which is very kind of him.  

I have to agree with Danny. I bought this download (before Nippy's review started to come out, otherwise I would've waited for it!) and this is a VERY useful and practical set of figures. I'm enjoying making them. Thank you for your contribution to it, Danny!

It's because of this video that I've stocked up on quick links. :-)

Josh

MONSTER TRUCK

The monster truck designs use 11" black q-links for the wheels. I actually found making the larger wheels easier than the smaller ones. The main frame uses 646Qs and this can be a little tricky to twist and shape (some wrestling skills required). These designs are very impressive, nice, large and cuddly (just like me!)

I can see these being very popular at my birthday parties.

[attachment=0:1t4kyji0][/attachment]790-monster1.jpg[/attachment:1t4kyji0]

TOW TRUCK

The best design of the collection - Tom Mater from 'Cars' - I absolutely love this one. I found the positioning of the front 350Q mocha (for the mouth) a little tricky to get right. David's looks a little better than mine. I have had so many positive comments on my Facebook page and from customers - i can see myself making lots of these. I would easily pay $35 just for this one!

[attachment=0:3tmnw4st][/attachment]791-tow1.jpg[/attachment:3tmnw4st]

Gorgeous job!!

GARBAGE TRUCK

This is the third truck style design in the collection which uses a 646Q for the main body. I feel this can be used for any juggernaut / transporter type truck. Has plenty of potential to make some really decent designs.

[attachment=0:2uuwwisf][/attachment]789-garbage.jpg[/attachment:2uuwwisf]

FIRE TRUCK

Another variation of the garbage truck this time with a ladder attached at the back.

[attachment=0:1mr8yzx9][/attachment]786-fire.jpg[/attachment:1mr8yzx9]

SUMMARY

Another quality release from Mr and Mrs Brenion. I forgot to mention there is a whole section dedicated to drawing faces on the trucks which makes the artwork simple for those like me who cannot draw!

This is a premium release - it is worth the price just for the Mater design.

Brilliant!