Lego 1616 Combo

I have a special double review today.  I give you 1616 Special Two Set Space Pack; the Futuron bundle.  The sets contained within are 1620 Astro Dart, and 1621 Lunar MPV Vehicle. 

Bundles were an exciting part of my childhood.  Kids always felt like they were getting away with buying lots of Lego when parents said choose one.  My childhood bundle was 1729 Barnacle Bay Value Pack.   I actually bought this with my own money.  I remember paying exactly 10 dollars for it.  I was so excited too.

  

I mention it because it's the closest example to this kind of set I had as a kid. It was theme specific (Pirates), rather than containing a more motley collection of sets such as seen here in 1967 Five set Bonus Pack

The theme specific bundles were a great way to assemble additional mini-figures while allowing for a greater spread of subject matter.  In 1616's case the combo has a flying craft and a car.

These are not the only Futuron sets to come bundled; In 1988 the 1530 Space Value Pack contained 6848 Strategic Pursuer with the Classic Space set 6808 Galaxy Trekkor.  This bundle contained sets that could be obtained separately.

I feel it is worth mentioning that the 1989 Double theme pack was not limited to Space.  In 1989 you could also get 6200 Pirates Double pack Buried Treasure and Harbor Sentry.  These sets could be obtained separately.

Not to be outdone 1515 Town Value Pack was yet another theme specific double pack from 1989, although...the Town value pack looks like a cheat as the sets are meant to go together...the trailer is empty without that race car.

In a curious twist Castle contained no value pack of its own for 1989, and overall 1989 was a down year for Castle with only three sets released in what appears to have been a major push for the new pirates theme.

Overall 1616 is a pleasant combo set, perhaps it is one of the better combos.  On its own Astro Dart is underwhelming, but paired together with Lunar MPV Vehicle, they become a very desirable package.  As it stands currently Astro Dart is vanishingly rare and Lunar MPV Vehicle is very expensive relative to its size.  It's probably not coincidental as the bundle was an American exclusive, so it stands to reason that ardent enthusiasts of the Futuron theme may be dealing with a more limited pool of sets to divy out among themselves internationally.

I've spent enough time grousing about bundles though, what say we have a look at the sets in 1616?

Up first is 1620 Astro Dart.

At 30 pieces Astro Dart is the smallest Futuron set.  It contains yet another Yellow spaceman, oh joy, and it is little more than wings strapped to a rocket powered booster seat. 

 Despite the small size Astro Dart manages to pack in a some fun features.  It's got two computer tiles, moving wings, and moving rockets.  It even comes with a handy dandy walky talky.  Given that Futuron's sets all have moving parts it's just to be expected that such features would appear here.  Besides that the set does have a good look to it, it's just right visually and it manages to pack in a high concentration of black pieces relative to white.  Overall it's a well balanced little set.  It's not quite on the level of Laser Ranger or Space Patroller, but it's not bad by any means.

For parts junkies Astro Dart doesn't bring anything new to the Futuron theme, however, there is at least one piece that merits our attention.

This is what I like to refer to as the alarm computer.  It came in 9 sets; seven of which were space theme specific, and it contains three including one extra part (Although I highly doubt you will get the extra from resellers).  This is important, because it is the only space set containing more than one.  Even the mighty 6990 is relegated to just one of this excellent computer tile.  Half of the Futuron theme's selection of this piece is found within this one itty bitty Lego set.

Six additional alarm computers are found within two of the Lego Train Stations...which aren't within the purview of our study.  I just thought you should know.

Here's an alternate model of Astro Dart for your amusement.

The back thrusters make me think of the X-wing, and the result is not bad, but it doesn't pack in a lot of zing either.  It is acceptable, and just a bit cute.

Final Grade: B
Pros: Computer Tile, high concentration of Black pieces
Cons: No unique pieces, Yellow Space man

One down, one to go.

Next up we've got 1621 Lunar MPV Vehicle.

This is the smallest space Truck available within Futuron as a distinct model, however it is comparatively large next to the little cars available within the larger Futuron Space ships.
It comes with a small robot, that's not especially interesting, and a pair of tools including the walky talky, again, and a signal holder with a transparent blue brick on it.

Lunar MPV Vehicle stands apart from its Futuron brethren in the movement department.  It's not content to merely twist in the middle.  The set's steering is better described as a function.  It has a lever in the back of the vehicle that tilts left and right to steer the front wheels.  It's an awesome trick that adds massive levels of enjoyment to playtime.  Of course the black exhaust pipes at the back do tilt in the classic sense of movement.

Overall this set may be the most satisfying Futuron set to play with.  It's got a spot for the robot to sit, and the Blue spaceman; which adds a nice counterpoint to Astro Dart's Yellow spaceman.

Despite the massive potential in the steering system it was only used in one other set, also released in 1989, 6895 Spy Trak 1 from Space Police.  Although similar, Lunar MPV Vehicle only has half of the steering system in front of the lever, whereas Spy Trak 1 has a full steering system built around a central lever.  The sad truth of the matter is that the steering function, while clever and fun, lacked the elegance to be naturally integrated into models.  It's cool, but clunky.  One only has to see the models up close to realize the limitations this design imposed upon the construction of the two trucks.

Next up we'll have a look at the special parts 1621 makes available to Futuron junkies such as ourselves.

First up we have a rather ordinary piece that is easy to come by, but somehow only got into one Futuron set.  There is one 4X6 Black Plate available in 1621.

Next up is the Signal Holder in black.  Outside of Futuron it's the rarest piece in this selection of parts.  It came in 11 sets with 15 of the piece in total.  It was last seen in 1992.  There is one signal holder in the set. 

The set contains two of these slopes.  Outside of Futuron it's had a solid run, so it isn't too hard to come by.

This is another rather common piece, but once again the two you get here are all Futuron has to offer.

This part only showed up in three distinct space sets, it's unique to Futuron, but if you purchased Strategic Pursuer as part of the 1530 bundle it could be argued that you would have two of these in total via the classic space set Galaxy Trekkor.  It also appeared in a space set called 9320-1 Journey into Space; this looks like some kind of educational set under the purview of Dacta, and so it is of dubious value in our overall consideration of the space theme.

 

Finally there is the otherwise ubiquitous 6 stud long axle.   It's handy to have given its usefulness to the set, but it's such an easy piece to come by it's almost a misnomer to declare it worthy of consideration.  It is unique to Futuron, but otherwise it can be found in excess within 600 sets or more.  Let's not bother with it any further.

Overall, the selection of unique parts for Futuron's theme is 8 pieces.  For a set this small that's exceptional.  It's more than enough to make up for the absence of such parts in Astro Dart. 

Now let's have some fun with an alternate build for Lunar MPV Vehicle.

I've built a robot.  He's technically rather primitive, but he can open his mouth, turn his head, move his arms across two planes, and roll wherever he needs to go.  Just don't ask to see his back side.

 1 2 3 Balance like me

 Hi five!

Final score A-
Pros: Great function, Blue Spaceman, Multiple tools, part selection
Cons: High prices on Ebay

I've been looking forward to the opportunity of combining some Futuron sets; without further ado I present my combo alternates.

Because I'm having so much fun I've even gone and given you a second alternate from the combo

Final Score Overall: A
Pros: Good models, Complementary part selection, Excellent play value
Cons: Rare U.S. Release, hard to find/expensive