M:Tron in 260 Idea Book

We've returned to the wellspring of building wisdom known as 260 Idea book.

This time I'm back with commentary for M:Tron; just another theme in a panoply of Space themed goodness.

I really like the repair tool that guy on the bridge has.  Besides that, there's a crane, a crane car, a small space scooter, and a hovercraft.

I was actually quite versed in M:tron's toy line, having chosen to be born at such an optimal time as was amenable to their purchase.  ;)  Which is how I ended up with Beacon Tracer...and no other M:Tron at the time.  What? you thought a 5 year old came preloaded with money???

Anyways; notably we see that the really big bits from Multi-Core Magnetizer were curiously left out so as to leave room to view the rest of the parts which could be used.

Here we see a tiny security detail surrounding a Black-tron wayfarer who stumbled into the wrong neighborhood...or the right neighborhood???  Good is bad when bad is in it?  But maybe they're making a deal unbeknownst to that yellow futuron Astronaut who's hanging out at the flying garage where his ship is getting fixed up; for a 'reasonable' fee.

This is the main garage; as close as M:tron had to an officially sanctioned base.  There's the Cure-All Pill getting his latest busted spaceship restored to category three condition.  Another Futuron type buggy is getting lifted by crane, and a pair of spaceships do a flyby of the perimeter.

The leftmost vehicle received instructions for the budding enthusiast.  The following parts were sourced from Stellar Recon Voyager, Particle Ionizer, and Lunar MPV Vehicle.  Always keep a Brick separator handy when disassembling fiddly bits.  I prefer the original myself...Old dark grey; woot!  I got it from a friend.

The instruction panel.  This little model incorporates a blue Futuron Astronaut...Cool!

And now for the finished model.  The bed in front floats above the ground.

Overall the model is simple, easy to build, and pleasing to look at assembled; but the little front pod seems lacking in the way of further use.  It seems like a simple mechanic's taxi to drive the Futuron astronaut to the garage while his ship is towed in.  Coincidentally, why are there two pilots for this craft??? Copilot? on something this small?  Okay.

 Wow...short post; it's a simpler affair than my Futuron 260 post by comparison.

These days the really big themes are Ninjago and Chima, and in 10-15 years time I think they'll be fondly remembered for the sweeping variety and unity of their themes.  It had started to feel like every theme that came out was separate from everything else and the unity of the System was lacking.  A great part of Star Wars' license success was its constructed world.  5 sets won't cut it, but 25 sets...now we're talking.

This is a collection from another time; a time of unity, a time of singular purpose, and yet, a place that was remarkably colorful and varied.  When I see Chima going strong I no longer scoff at it; that world opened up into something wild and expansive.  Chima has earned its place and will be remembered for its breadth of play.  I'm happy to see the return of these larger themes even if they're not the themes I favor.

What are some of your favorite themes that didn't hit the big time???  We're talking Divers, Time Cruisers, NBA, and Slizers.  Chat it up!