The Unimog has a history in Technic that goes back to the 8110 from 2011. That original set is still talked about as one of the best Technic builds of the modern era. Every so often LEGO returns to it, and when they do, people pay attention.
The 42242 dropped on 1 June. This is the U 5023, the larger, heavier Unimog with a rear-mounted crane. 1,189 pieces at £109.99.
Pneumatic crane, proper off-road
The headline feature is the working pneumatic crane at the rear. You pump the hand pump and the arm lifts. LEGO has used pneumatics in Technic for decades and it is still one of the better ways to demonstrate mechanical function without hiding it in a motor.
Beyond the crane: all-wheel drive, high ground clearance, a detailed engine. It is a working model, not just a shape. That matters for a library kit.
At £109.99 it is good value for the piece count. The Volvo FMX 42175 sits at a similar price and similar piece count, and that does well in rotation. I expect the Unimog to be the same kind of kit: something that members who like working mechanisms enjoy, and that looks good on a shelf when it is done.
The previous Unimog in the library was the 8110 from 2011. We had one copy of it and it moved steadily. The 42242 is the proper successor. It goes straight in.
If you have built the old 8110 and want to compare, drop a comment on Facebook or Instagram. I would be interested to hear how it stacks up from someone who has done both.
The part I care about is whether it earns build time, not just whether it photographs well in a press image. That is how I am judging this one for the library.
What do you think? Drop a comment on Facebook or Instagram. I read them, especially when someone thinks I have backed the wrong set.
The library is open. Pick your subscription.
Technic Fan gets you six kits a year at £17/month with free postage both ways. Master Builder steps it up with more frequent rotations and priority allocation. Both plans include a pre-paid return label, brick separator, and original building instructions.