This was created for the 2018 Newcastle Brickfest (NSW, Australia).
I have tried to MOC up a few of the Star Wars ships and vehicles into the Classic Space colour theme. But here are some more pictures of my simple Classic Space Trench Run!
If I had to do it again, I’d make it less busy. The funnest thing to make was the Turret which is in the top left of the picture above or bottom left of the picture below.
Here is half of my oldest Classic Space poster I have.
Technically there is another piece the same size that is meant to go underneath the image. Below is the other side of the poster.You can get the full scope of how big it is!
If you are wondering what the writing is, well it’s Dutch (Nederlands, which is very close to my heart as I was born in S’hertogenbosch). It reads:
Nieuw: Legoland Ruimtevaart. Wedstrijfolder met Poster 1e Prijs: Vliegreis (met je ouders naar LEGOLAND). Which is translated…
New: Legoland Space Travel. Competition brochure with Poster 1st Prize: Air travel (with your parents to LEGOLAND)
Imagine winning this competition. Air Fares to Billund! It’s a little different when you are situated in Europe though!
LEGOLAND Ruimtevaart. spanning en avontuur!
LEGOLAND Space travel excitement and adventure!
These poster also conjured up how I could play with Lego. Alongside Classic Space, I played with the Classic Castle stuff and later on Pirates. Posters always made me want to explore, build, create and own more sets. But the biggest thing was to immerse myself into the posters and be part of the story that was being told!
In 2018, as happens every year, San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) release a range of exclusive products. Lego also joins in. Sad to say I will probably never get to a SDCC event being in Australia. 2018 saw a number of releases and one of them was the Millennium Falcon Cockpit.
As you can see it is a tribute to the Solo movie and the Kessel Run Falcon that Lego brought out (75212). As you can see it features Han (from the people of none) Solo and Chewbacca. The package is meant to mimic that of the old school VHS video’s of the past (yep, I had them when I was a kid… funny story I finally saved up the money to buy the box set of Episode’s 4, 5, and 6 in VHS the extended versions and the next year they came out on DVD…).
When I saw this, I had to have it. But the price is through the roof. It is a childhood classic to enlarge and dream about the Millennium Falcon, better so the cockpit. SOLO, the movie was great in my opinion and it beautifully tells of how we, the audience, meet the Millennium Falcon and the sequence of events that allow it to be in the hands of Han and not Lando.
Not only this but we get a better look at what the cockpit and the interior of the Falcon looks like.
Having said all that, if I couldn’t own it, I WANTED TO MOC IT. But MOC it in a Classic Space Version.
I tried hard to stick within the Falcon mood. I drew inspiration from the instructions but had to venture off to make it fit the colour scheme of Classic Space. I tried to stick within the Blue, Light Gray and Trans-Yellow. The only real non Classic Space lego pieces are the blue 1×1 modified brick with stud on one side, the blue slope 30 1 x 1 x 2/3, the black pieces that make the back row of chairs and the yellow tile, modified 1 x 2 grille with bottom groove / lip. I could have worked without them but I think they add so much value to the build.
What I do like:
+ the eventual roundish shape used by ‘triangle’d’ bricks.
+ the inverted computer screens, I added last minute.
+ the old school steering wheels and simple controls
+ the lights under the doorway.
I contemplated for a while whether the minifigures should have worn their air tanks. And I thought, well they are in the Millennium Falcon, no one wears oxygen masks let alone air tanks in the Falcon. So they went without. They do fit though.
I hope you like it, I enjoyed trying to re create it.
Here we go with the Alt Builds to the set 442/891 Space Shuttle or it can be known as the Two Man Transport. I did read one review that called it the ‘Opps, I lost my mate Shuttle!’ Which could be a story for another time.
I love this box! But, I am here to bring you the Alt Builds from this 1979 set and see what Lego did with the 34 parts and 1 minifigure to stimulate creativity with what you got in the box!
All the Alt Builds, if you noticed still embrace a spaceship of some sort! But with trying to use all the printed bricks (Light Gray Slope 45 2 x 2 with Computer Panel Pattern & Light Gray Slope 33 3 x 2 with Classic Space Logo Pattern), I went with the Alt Build to the far right. The little outpost and scooter style of spaceship. I did display this in my Outpost exhibition on Instagram and it became Outpost No. 8.
If you haven’t already noticed I switched over the Computer Panel Pattern Brick with the RARE Light Gray Slope 45 2 x 2 with Computer Screen and Left Side Buttons Pattern.
RARE, you say???
That is correct, this print was never released in a set making it a rare piece of lego.
The correct print is Light Gray Slope 45 2 x 2 with Computer Screen and Right Side Buttons Pattern. The great thing is that I was able to pick one up in mint condition. A little prize I keep 🙂
Keep on bricking!
The Space Command Center
This is the first Command Center to be released in the Classic Space theme. In 1978 the 493 Space Command Center dropped with three other sets, the 487 Space Cruiser, 483 Alpha 1 Rocket Base and the 462 Mobile Rocket Launcher.
Here is the set + the back of the box art work, where it shows some Lego Alt Builds!
I am not even going to mention the fact that this set has 2 Light Gray Antenna with Side Spokes, or it has a 32×32 Light Gray Baseplate, or that it came with 8 Light Gray Brick, Round Corner 2 x 2 Macaroni with Stud Notch. All worth a bomb now!
What I am looking at here is the Alt Builds! I love them and here are two that I was able to ‘kind of’ copy.
The above one is a modified version of the ‘Laser Beam.’ I called this Outpost No. 10 in the little exhibition I displayed on Instagram back in 2018. I know it doesn’t have the right minifigures either but I was looking for a contrast in the exhibition.
The little command centre (Outpost No. 5) was used to transmit data back to the original Command Center (well in my mind it did). I love that Lego still used the Light Gray Antenna. And kept with the original feel with the little buggy. I have used this little Outpost in a few other displays I have done, I quite like it!
Again, I love that Lego help inspire us around ‘what could be.’ It is not a hard and fast rule that you must build like they say.
Keep on bricking!
Well this is really the unforgotten set. I say this as the LL924 is sandwiched between the legendary LL918 and the colossal LL928 which was everyone’s dream set. Yet there are many ‘easter eggs’ or hidden links between the LL918 and LL928 and the rest of the Classic Space genre.
This is a tricky one. The Lego Space Cruiser (as it is officially known as) was first released as the 487-1 in 1978 in the USA. Then released in 1979 under the model number 924.
This set came with 170 bricks and 2 Minifigures (one red and one white). The stand out pieces for me are:
+ firstly the forklift. Did I mention the forklift, no… ok IT COMES WITH A FORKLIFT!
+ the logo’d 1×2 Blue Space logo brick (x2), oh the shinny GOLD MOON
+ the logo’d 1×4 Blue LL924 Brick (x2), which still came in set number 487
+ the logo’d 1×2 Blue Arrow Pointing Down brick (x2)
+ again, all the Trans-Yellow plates and Sloped bricks and bricks.
This is a great set as it accompanies many of the Base Sets and slots in well next to the 918 Lego Space Transport. This is the highlighted by the forklift (for onsite work on the moon) and the sole purpose of the ship to ferry cargo to and from the bases.
The Space Cruiser is very swooshable, that’s for sure. The back swinging hinges which open up the Cargo Hold are held together with a simple 1×2 Blue Tile. The Cargo Hold holds a small Cargo Container which is white all over. The Cargo Container does has a left and right 1x3x1 door on each side which helps transport a Trans-Green Brick, Round 1 x 1 Open Stud.
Here continues the MYSTERY.
What is the Trans-Green Brick meant to be?
What does it do?
Is this the real reason work has begun far in the depths of the universe?
Does the ‘item’ being transported fit in the transport bay of the LL918 Space Transport.
Is this the connection between the two sets? The missing link I mentioned in the LL918 review?
Whatever it is, it needs it own Cargo Container and it needs a FORKLIFT to lift it up!
Did I mention this set comes with a forklift!
Brick wise I have mentioned the standout bricks, here come the aesthetic comments!
IS IT BEAUTIFUL?
The LL924 is notably larger in wing span and length. The Tran-Yellow plate that is the entry to the cockpit is a 4×10 plate! The front screen is two slopes high. It is the beginning also of the larger tail setup on the wings, that eventuate on the LL928 with thrusters. The opening Cargo Hold is an exiting little feature and it is the right height for the forklift. The forklift is Light Gray and can only be found in one other set (which was an expansion set, click here).
The only down side with this set is that it the wings with tails do look unfinished and is noticeable when made. The exposed studs of the Light Gray Tail 4 x 2 x 2 just don’t look finished.
The start of the Bumblebee Stripe’s
The Instructions are still rocking my world (in a good way).
They are so simple… BUT the even more impressive thing is the back of the instructions…
HOW GOOD is that poster!
How many Classic Space sets can you count?
This for many is one of the ‘must have’ sets. It is the smallest of the LL900 range but, but is for many the most nostalgic.
It is the LL918 Space Transport.
It could also be known as the One Man Space Ship, but let’s be honest who would call it that? Well actually when the 442-1 Space Shuttle was re released as 891-1 it was renamed the Two-Man Scooter. So maybe the LL918 Space Transport was to marry the two together.
The LL918 was released in 1979 with 81 pieces and one red space minifig. The stand out pieces for me are the:
+ logo’d 1×4 Blue LL918 Bricks (x2)
+ logo’d 1×4 Light Gray Homemaker Stove Switch Pattern (control grill, if you want a better name)
+ the expensive left and right 1x3x1 Light Gray Doors
+ the nose piece or Blue Slope 33 3 x 6 with Inner Walls with Classic Space Logo Pattern Large
+ and finally anything Trans-Yellow (Mind you the 4×6 Trans-Yellow Plate is very sought after)
This set is still so SWOOSHABLE, which means that anyone at any age can hold it in their hand and run around the room pretending you are flying it in Space.
The design is simple with a solid base and inverted bricks to make the hull, it is then compacted with wings, lights, a blue body displaying it’s name and the Classic Space logo. And to finish it off it has a simple but awesome tail setup and cone as it’s thruster. The Light Gray 2x2x2 supports act as landing pads and do not tuck away, but can be taken off mid flight (I never did).
…THE MYSTERY…
What on earth where they transporting? What can be placed inside the doors? To this day I have never set up a scene or even tried to tuck something in there. Which makes me ask… What are they hiding!
The one other thing I loved about these classic sets are the instructions. Keep your self up to date because I will upload the instructions to this set as I find it some relaxing to gaze through. If you quickly scroll back to the top, the box is displayed with the similar picture that is on the instructions. The one thing the instructions did not do was help you with the Alternate Builds that where displayed on the sides and back of the boxes. The alt builds where there to inspire, challenge and help broaden the scope of what Lego could do!
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