JMBricklayer Cloud Surfing Dragon (70007) – Review

Brick Mcbricksworth is back with an alternative brick review. Today we bring you the JMBricklayer Cloud Surfing Dragon (70007)! 

Firstly a massive thanks to JMBricklayer for sending this set over to me for review on behalf of The Brick Post. For our affiliate link and discount code please find at the end of the review. 

I have written multiple reviews on alternative brand sets before and always start a review with a look at the instructions. When you are looking at an alternative brand the instructions are so important to know how difficult or easy a build will be. JMBricklayer are an alternative brand who have extremely easy to follow instructions. They are laid out well and they even prompt you when a part of the build may be difficult.

Set details:

• JMBricklayer Cloud Surfing Dragon
• Set number 70007
• 1364 pieces
• $69.99 (RRP JMB website)
• Age 14+

Inside the box:

The set consists of 4 numbered bags. There is also a bag containing the lights and the battery box. There is one little box that contains a specialist moon piece which is opaque in look, but looks illuminated once one of the the lights are shining through it!

With any set with a light kit I would always recommend checking the light kit before you start. JMBricklayer can be contacted for replacement parts like any other reputable brand we review for you.

The build:

The set begins with you building the base, which looks like water/the ocean, and a brick built rock column surrounds a technic structure, which is essential for holding up the finished model. This part is quite sturdy but there is a bit of flex in the model until nearer the end. (You have to leave a small portion off for later light install purposes). At the end of this bag you will also have a few pieces left over that make you think that you have gone wrong, as there are around 4 3×3 plates etc left over. Worry not, you haven’t made a mistake. You need to keep these pieces for later in the build so the instructions would lead you to believe. (Looking back at the build they could have been set in their place without the need to wait until later in the build).

The next bag sees the start of the main dragon build. You start with the tail piece. As this is not structural, this part is really easy to build but a little repetitive if anything. Looking at the photo’s it would seem we have a very flimsy build afoot! Not the case. There is 2x specialist pieces in the form of two long metal flexible rods! These things are strong and they hold the finished model really well. In some respects they are too strong and a little hard to flex into the position you need. But stick with it, with a little patience and follow the instructions fully.

Bag three moves past the middle structure much in the same build way as bag two, as is the repetitive nature of the body portions. It’s all very easy up until a certain point where you will have to bend the rod into an exact position. JMB state this part will be hard in the instructions. As I know there can be some harder parts in JMB sets, I usually look for these to see if I can find an easier approach to building through past experience. This set is no different. If you build to a certain point where you have connected some technic pieces to the main body attach it to the rest of the frame then. This will make bending into position much easier than later on when you have more pieces that can ping off! Some pieces still decided to explode out of position on me, but much less of a disaster than if more was built on the body at the time.

Bag four becomes much easier but also less repetitive at the same time. You are now on to building the dragon head and the techniques used here are bloomin’ brilliant – It looks fantastic! Then an easy clip attach to the body and its time to finish off with some decorative cloud and pieces resembling mist etc.

Let there be light:

The lights are a doddle in this set, but there is no place to hide the dragon eye lights cables really as it is quite an open build. I just ran my cables down the back. I won’t be looking at the back of the model, so this is a good enough solution.

Final thought:

Overall the set looks stunning, really stunning. Yes it’s got  repetitive stages – Yes it does rely on specialist pieces and there is that one stage that could have some people really losing their temper if it goes wrong. But try the method in the review and that can be avoided.

• Build quality 8/10
• Look of the model 10/10!
• Instructions and presentation 9/10
• Part selection/colour choice 9/10
• Lights 8/10 (They look great but let down slightly by not being able to hide the wire)

In conclusion this a stunning looking model. It has its share of easy and difficult stages. If you want a large set but don’t have hours and hours to build, this one is great for that. I give this one a 9 out of 10.

US Amazon:

• https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D9W4P4G6
• 30% discount code: BRICKPOS7 (valid for one month)

JMBricklayer global online store:

• https://www.jmbricklayer.com/product/cloud-surfing-dragon-loong-70007/?wpam_id=81
• 15% off code: JMBTBP15 (valid for all non-sale items within the store, valid for a long time)

*we may gain a small commission