Technic: 8068 Rescue Helicopter

Side view of Rescue Helicopter

Purchase:
I swung by a local toy retailer that tends to carry a pretty random collection of Lego's in the hope of finding some  of the more rare sets that big box retailers don't carry.  I was actually pleasantly surprised to see that they had improved their selection quite a bit and even had some Technics sets, which are almost impossible to find in the area!  The three sets they had were 8065 - Mini Container Truck (which I already own), 8067 - Mini Mobile Crane and 8068 Rescue Helicopter.  I decided to go big and pick up the Rescue Helicopter as it was a very nice looking model and I have a love of all things airplanes and helicopter!  My first impression on looking at the box was that it seemed like a small box and the back did not do a very good job of explaining functionality.  In particular I had doubts about the tail rotor being linked to the main rotor and other core motion functions.  I purchased the set for $39.99 and went on my way.

Front view of Rescue Helicopter

Build:
At 408 pieces, the box was pretty full.  The model had 12 of the larger "panel" pieces used to give the model its shape.  The model took about an hour to put together and the build was quite fun.  There were a couple times were the instructions did not specifically point out where small pieces went and it took a few minutes to figure it out by comparing the page to previous ones, otherwise the instructions were fine.  The  model also has 10 stickers, all which are of moderate to large size and of odd shape that go on panels with lots of angles and curved surfaces.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the model was larger than I thought it would be and ends up being a very well built and substantial model.

Primary and alternate model instructions.

Details and Functions:
Of course the best part about Technics is their various functions.  This model has four functions.  The three landing gear elements retract via a gear knob on the side.   This function is very smooth and well done using a worm gear to provide a 90 degree mesh with a small gear that then provides movement via a shaft to unique four point knobs that provide another 90 degree mesh and actually move the gear up and down.  All three gear move together and are very sturdy when deployed.  My only complaint is none of the gear pivot (mainly the nose landing gear would need to pivot and the others stay fixed) so the model does not really make turns on its gear.  The next and most important feature is the rotors.  The main rotor (which is very nicely built and feels well proportioned) and the tail rotor both spin together via another gear know located on the same side and directly above the landing gear knob.  This action is completed by three 90 degree gear meshes using the small 90 degree yellow gears.  The action is smooth and solid.  The tail rotor guard is made out of the flex pieces and due to this it doesn't quite line up right around the rotor itself, but it otherwise looks fine and I don't know if there was really a better way to do this.  The other functions are both very simple, a spool with string and a hook at the end is attached to the same side as the other two two gear knobs and provides the rescue feature and on both sides of the main cabin are doors that swivel up on hinges.  The detailing is nice, especially in the cockpit where there are two adjustable seats, a detailed control panel (using two more stickers) and the panels that make up the body of the helicopter provide just enough shape and enclosure to really define the helicopter and give it a solid look and feel.

Tail rotor and guard.

View showing gear in down position.

Detail of cabin with door in the up position.  The bottom left knob is for the gear, the top left is the rotor action and the rescue lift is the top middle one.  You can also see the gearing for the main rotor.

Detail of landing gear function.

Alternate Model:
The alternate model is a much smaller and less substantial light helicopter.  It only uses a small number of panels and has two functions.  The functions are the rotor assembly and another crank to lift cargo.  I have not built the alternate model.  If your interested in seeing it, let me know and I will put it together.

Overall I was very pleased with this model.  It was fun to build, had lots of great detailing and functions which makes it great looking and fun to play with.  I would highly recommend "Rescue Helicopter"!