Online images from the 2H2012 LEGO Technic Sets

As most of you may have seen by now, images from the Dealer Catalogue with the 2012 sets, are being published on YouTube since last Sunday (18).
A few minutes ago, it was time for the LEGO Technic line-up!

Please realize on the auto-censured warning logo that we have added to this post, because watermarked images can't be posted here as per TLG wish…
However you will certainly find them with ease, so I'll just make a few comments on my first impressions.

9396 - Heavy-Lift Helicopter
Age: 10-16

It is an huge yellow and red Rescue Helicopter with winch, which recalls me the 20 years old 8856, Whirlwind Rescue..
The preliminary box art doesn't give any indication about the inclusion of PF elements, however it shows the typical "Batteries Not Included" sign...
The functions seem to be:

• Winch
• Opening rear door
• Main and tail rotating rotors
• There seem to be also a kind of swash plate, to control the main rotor blades pitch.
• Guess the landing gears are also retractile, despite not clearly indicated on the present image.

9398 - Remote Control Off-Roader
Age: 11-16

As anticipated it seems to be a kind of large Crawler, despite the tire size seems to be equivalent to the already existing "81.6 x 38 R Ballon" (45982). More precisely we see now it is a "Remote Control Off-Roader".
It seems to include the same portal axle hubs, as included with the 8110 Unimog, and pendular suspension on both axles.
The orange annotations are also appreciated! 

The box-art shows one PF IR Remote, on Battery box, one PF IR Receiver and 2+1 PF M-Motors.
While this sounds Ok from the capability of the battery box to feed three PF M-motors, it won't fit the single IR Receiver neither the motors arrangement on the box image.
As it happened in the past, maybe this is so preliminary that not even the motors were shown in their correct version and one or two XL might be used instead!?

From the image, it seems we will be able drive the model remotely (which is very unique for a LEGO Technic wheeled flagship) and also steer the wheels. But... on front and rear axles!? 

Still not convinced whether this is going to be a great year for the LEGO Technic theme, as it has been the case in the past few years. But as we know, from the first impressions till we get the product in the shelves, many further details usually pop-up to change our opinions. 


Finally it seems we are still missing the third 2H reference, which was leaked as being a Tractor. Maybe it comes with reference 9393 to fill the gap. 

And now, another full year countdown for the next big news...