Exploring the Endless Potential of LEGO Technic Set 42120-1: Beyond the Rescue Hovercraft

When the 2021 Technic Rescue Hovercraft (Set 42120-1) first arrived on shelves, builders were immediately captivated by its sleek profile, working propellers and adjustable rudders. But behind that yellow-and-gray hull lies an even greater promise: a treasure trove of parts perfectly calibrated for creative reinvention. Imagine transforming your hovercraft into a stealthy submarine, a roaring jet, or even a wind-powered mill—each build a testament to Technic’s versatility and your own ingenuity.

Technic elements, with their beams, connectors, gears and panels, invite a deeper level of construction play. You’re not just snapping bricks; you’re engineering mechanisms, experimenting with weight distribution, balance and motion. The very components that give the Rescue Hovercraft its lift—its buoyant pontoons and spinning fans—can be repurposed to propel a model boat across a table, spin a windmill’s sails, or even power a twin-rotor helicopter’s blades. Gears that mesh to turn propellers can instead drive a submarine’s ballast system, while pneumatic hoses hint at possibilities for creating working cranes or robotic arms.

Beyond mechanical curiosity, alternate builds foster problem-solving and design thinking. How might you reinforce a wing structure using the hovercraft’s beams? What’s the optimal gear ratio for a fast-rolling dragster made from the same parts? As you iterate and refine, you develop spatial reasoning and an intuitive grasp of engineering principles—all while diving into playful experimentation.

This blog showcases twenty inspiring MOCs—all created using only the parts in Set 42120-1—ranging from amphibious vehicles to sci-fi starfighters. Each design demonstrates how a single Technic set can unlock dozens of new models, fuel both solo and collaborative builds, and keep even veteran builders engaged for hours on end. Whether you’re hunting for your next build challenge or simply curious about the creative potential hidden within your parts bin, read on to discover these remarkable transformations.

42120 Submarine

By Nequmodiva
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42120 Cessna Skymaster

By Nequmodiva
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42120 Biplane

By artemisovsky
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42120 Jet Plane

By Nequmodiva
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42120 Helicopter

By 13neat8
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42120 Car Ferry

By Nequmodiva
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42120 Windmill

By artemisovsky
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42120 TIE Fighter

By artemisovsky
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42120 Motorboat

By artemisovsky
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42120 Twin Rotor Helicopter

By artemisovsky
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42120 Bird

By artemisovsky
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Los Angeles Class Submarine

By jpgon
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42120 alt L92 Plane

By przemoe
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42120 Fighter Aircraft

By artemisovsky
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42120 Robot

By Barcia
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F-104 Starfighter

By jpgon
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42120 Ultra Light Helicopter

By artemisovsky
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42120 Airboat

By Fabio_BrickintheWall
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Dragster C-Model

By Legonid
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Grumman Albatross

By jpgon
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With just one Technic set, you can unlock a fleet of vehicles, vessels and machines limited only by your imagination. Happy building!

Click here for more alternative builds and Modifications for this Lego set