Jason Cichon's MOC with LEGO® Marvel™ set 76282 Rocket & Baby Groot

We're having a week of showcasing MOCs at New Elementary, and today we're pleased to welcome a new guest builder, Jason Cichon. Originally from Adelaide, South Australia, this year Jason wowed us at Melbourne's annual mega-event Brickvention with his folding model, The Boxed Arcadia. 

We sent Jason a copy of LEGO® Marvel™ 76282 Rocket & Baby Groot, but invited him to create his own model. Keep reading to see how he went!

Products in this article were gifted by The LEGO Group; the author's opinions are their own.
This article contains affiliate links to LEGO.com; we may get a small commission if you purchase.

76282 Rocket & Baby Groot
US$59.99/ £54.99/ 59.99€/ AU$89.99
566 parts
Released 01 January 2024

Set 76282 on LEGO.com

The main part that inspired me when I saw 76282 Rocket & Baby Groot was Plant Plate, Round 1 x 2 with Leaf (3565), unique to this set in Reddish Brown, used for Rocket’s ears. 

My initial thought was to use it as a beaver’s tail, but I quickly remembered that I am Australian, and that our animals deserve more LEGO love. 

So, from Rocket Raccoon I give you Pocket Platypus!

One (well, actually two) of my favourite parts to use are found in abundance in this set: Slope Curved 2 x 1 with Stud Notch Right and Left (29119 & 29120) – 13 of each in Reddish Brown, 4 of each in Dark Blue and 2 of each in White. These are perfect for shaping wildlife, with the notches ideal as the platypus’ nostrils.

I had set out to create an alternate build – using only parts from the set – but I needed something to help pose the platypus over the base. This gave me an opportunity to finally use last year’s Bar Curved with Axle End and 1 x 1 Round Plate (4042). I’m told by the New Elementary powers-that-be that, as this is just being used to pose the main model, this still rates as an alt build!

Set 76282 is available on LEGO.com

You can enjoy more of Jason Cichon's work on Flickr.

READ MORE: Eero Okkonen's MOCs using parts from New Elementary review sets

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