Futuron: Box Retrospective II

Hope you're all warm...I went to my parents home for Christmas and New Years and guess what...I've been stuck here for the past three days.  This is the primary reason for no new posts.  But I am not to be outdone by a lack of a camera, and the lack of an old Lego set.   

Today I have another retrospective on Box art and alternate models.  This is supposed to be the easy part of my blog, but some of these box alternates are nigh unto impossible to find with a simple Google search. 

Here goes.
From Brickipedia
http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/1616_Space_Combi-Pack
Astro Dart and Lunar MPV Vehicle
Front and Rear

I apologize for the small size, this was the only image I could find.  I hoped to find the images from the backs of the set boxes, but the packaging was glued to the yellow sheet, and as Paul Mison has observed from a box of 1621 the back of the box is blank.

Small as the images are, I can't comment as to their creativity, but I do want to point out the use of the black 4x6 plate on the trailer middle right.  What is going on there???

Interestingly, it appears the alternates were restricted to parts from each specific set to each specific alternate.  This may be fortunate for us, but i think it would have been more interesting if the big backing had combined builds, and these could have appeared on the backs of each set in question. 

Brickipedia
http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/6828_Twin-Winged_Spoiler
Twin Wing Spoiler front

Moctagon Jones
Twin Wing Spoiler Rear
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moctagon/5392020006/in/set-72157625734508167
For all its faults Twin Wing Spoiler has a lot of colorful pieces and printed tiles.  Unsurprisingly the back alternate models are vivid.  I think the pair of robots are quirky, and would fit alongside the droid from 1621 Lunar MPV Vehicle. Other than that nothing here inspires, but as a showcase for the parts, this is a nice display.

Phil8248
---From eBay listing, no link provided as it will cease to exist soon.
Orion II Hyperspace

This one was interesting to me, because there is a special offer on the cover; which I found in one eBay listing, and nowhere else.  So, as you can see, here is a special offer for a free Lego Space watch; that's cool.  My Mother always required us to have analog watches as kids, but I could see myself being very excited about a watch like that as a kid. 

Recently Paul Mison, Blogger at Welcome to the Futuron, offered his help in tracking down the back image for 6893 Galactic Starship, aka, SpaceProbe Transporter, aka, Orion II Hyperspace

Tada!  As a model Orion II Hyperspace is a great design with excellent features, and it has some great parts in the mix, but the balance of plates to bricks, and the types of bricks put some odd restraints on construction options.  The bottom left model seems most successful at being interesting, but top right seems clunky, and bottom right sort of reminds me of 6835 Spyrius Saucer Scout.  In general Futuron sets have been a mixed bag of parts; and having worked with the parts in this set extensively, I can safely add that this set isn't going to change my opinion.

Thank you for your help Mr. Mison.  I'm Grateful for your contribution.

I tried to find more information about the Lego Space Watch as well, but alas, it's also proving difficult to find anything about it.

AirMauro
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=350939
Hovercraft Front

AirMauro
Hovercraft rear

I have to say, some of these alternates look very cool.  I especially like the wraparound window in the large image.  There's a ground based Laser cannon, a robot, and a typical spacecraft that could have succeeded as a set itself by my estimation.  Overall the robot seems underdeveloped, and the laser turret is a bit too thin, but give it a few more pieces from the collection and Hovercraft looks like a strong base from which to get started on some cool projects. 

AirMauro and Dark
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=351654
Crater Crawler Front

AirMauro and Dark
Crater Crawler Rear

Crater Crawler's alternates wouldn't be complete without a little space station.  That is one of the coolest things about Crater Crawler, it is only a few parts away from having everything necessary for a compelling Space Lab.  Beyond that the alternates include two rovers, which are overall successful, a scooter which is serviceable, two droids, a computer terminal, and a spacecraft.  The Spacecraft struggles with a selection of parts that aren't favorable to such a construction, note the lack of wings, and the forced misuse of the central hinge as it creates asymmetry where it fails to make sense.  Overall this set of alternates gives a good sense of what the Crater Crawler is made of, and also serves to highlight its limitations as a set.

That's all I have for today folks, I trust you will all strive to stay warm in these unseasonably cold temperatures; and so for now, I bid you adieu.

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