Review: 5002812 Classic Spaceman Minifigure
Posted by CapnRex101,
With the release of Peter Reid's Exo-Suit fast approaching, LEGO appear to be increasing their focus on Space themes, and as such have released a promotional set to build anticipation. Space is perhaps more popular than ever at the moment following the excitement surrounding Benny and his Spaceship (set 70816) and thus 5002812 Classic Spaceman Minifigure is bound to be popular.
This is perhaps the best promotional item of recent years in my opinion, not only because I like the subject matter, but because of the quality of the packaging, which really makes this feel like an exclusive item.
Box and Contents
As you can see from the photos, the artwork is predominantly white and features a stud design, with the contents displayed in a relatively small framed image. Interestingly, the classic LEGO logo is used on the top and sides of the box, and unusually for the UK, the piece count is displayed on the left hand side.
The box opens by sliding out a tray from the right hand side, and this tray has thick sides a bit like the boxes for the LEGO Games of the last couple of years.
The instruction booklet is even more interesting however as it contains a timeline of LEGO Space themed sets, as well as a line-up of some Space Minifigures from the last thirty-six years. As far as I am aware, every subtheme is included in the timeline of sets, right up to Galaxy Squad of 2013. I think these are really nice features, and it is a great touch to make the set a little more 'special.'
The Completed Model
This set is only tiny, consisting of a white Spaceman and a small black robot, but it is excellent nevertheless. Of course the original helmet type is absent, replaced by the more modern motorcycle and space helmet, which may bother some people, although I am happy with this helmet to be honest. The torso and head designs are as simple as one would expect, featuring the classic smiling face and the famous Space logo. There is no back printing, but this is of no consequence since the air tanks obscure this area anyway, and the legs are plain white.
The robot is very simple, but still quite attractive with a black and yellow colour scheme, which is somewhat reminiscent of Blacktron. His head, which is complete with aerials and yellow eye, can be turned on a 1x2 jumper plate, and his arms are also poseable. A hinge allows the robot to bend down, but when it is stood up straight the hinge actually serves to add some nice detail which looks great. Thanks to lomis, who pointed out that this robot is identical to that which appeared in 1985's 6931 FX Star Patroller, which is a superb reference back to the (later) era of Classic Space.
Overall
This is only a small set, but it is well worth adding your collection. If you are able to get to a LEGO store in the next four days then you should be able to pick up this model for free with a £25 or €30 minimum purchase.
The packaging is what makes this set for me as it really feels like a 'special' and exclusive item, although the contents are also lovely, particularly if you are a fan of Classic Space.
I am not going to give this set a rating since many of the standard criteria are not applicable here, but suffice to say I recommend this set, and if you miss out on getting one for free, it may be worth trying to pick up a copy for a few pounds on Bricklink or eBay (although prices are rather higher than that at the moment).
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44 comments on this article
Is this exclusive to the UK Lego stores, or will be available in the US as well?
I sure hope the US gets this promo.
Is there a rod (don't know the proper name) in the robot where the arms are attached? Don't remember seeing that in classic space sets such as http://brickset.com/sets/6872-1/Xenon-X-Craft , which has a similar robot (just 29 years older... I'm getting old...).
Very pleased to see what the product looks like as my intention was to keep it MIB atleast for a few years, It's really one of those sets/minifigs that just doesn't really appeal to me.
Still nice to have though I can see it being one collectors will be after.
@Plymp - it looks like 2 headlight bricks and a 3L bar (short lightsaber rod) from the instructions above. Guess it gives a better grip for the arms.
@CapnRex101: You may want to add that this robot is the same design that came with http://brickset.com/sets/6931-1/FX-Star-Patroller back in 1985...
^^ I thought he looked familiar!
So jealous right now. I was really anticipating this being on the North America store calendar for August, but it isn't! I can't imagine that it won't be available over here eventually, but one never can tell.
I think the helmet should have a visor, though.
I am looking forward to get mine... I also like the new helmet better, making this spaceman special and ready for neo-space lego, like the Exo-Suit. I somehow miss a 2x2 baseplate for the robot, since the first robot I got back in the day was part of 6952-1 Solar Power Transport - and had said baseplate. As a kid I felt that all of the following robots did miss something, since they all came without it. Funny, I feel the same way today...
Got mine Tuesday and I have to say its a great little gift, the booklet in particular was a great touch and the packaging made it feel that little bit more special for me vs the normal polybags.
@Starwarsgeek500
They missed a whole bunch of things, like UFO, Blacktron 1 and 2, even Alien Conquest...
Didn't I read somewhere else on brickset that this will be the September US/Canada promotion?
What's the difference between the helmet in this set and 'later' versions? It looks the same as the helmets that use the visors. No nubs for the visor to connect to?
I am just young enough (well, 33 now) to not have been into 'classic' space. There was one set I got, somehow from McDonald's, a big ship. But it was with M-Tron and Blacktron II I really got into LEGO space (and castle at the time).
It isn't on Lego shop @home UK any more?
^ It's a VIP member only offer so if you don't have it added to your basket when you add £25 of stuff to it, log in.
Having said that there is some talk of it being in short supply in the forum so maybe they have all gone already...
Looks cool but a shame they've used the 'new' helmet instead of the true 'classic' straight sided one.
^^^ I think they've sold out online already, I can't find a single mention of it on LEGO.com in the UK now. Not even on the VIP promotions page, where I did see it just yesterday. My goodness that was quick if that is true...
I just ordered mine and it was added to my basket along with the Chima set. I too wish they had a new "old" helmet piece that would be amazing. I picked up a classic Black space suit minifig at a boot sale at the weekend so pleased in really good condition. I now have red, blue and black classic space men.
That doesn't look like a Wave 2 SP3 figure for 2010... what is that?
I would be happy for this to be in September, my little bro's birthday is in September, and he loves LEGO. :-)
Just checked and 5002812 is still showing as 'In Stock' but as the weekend approaches I'd say the chance of no stock will only increase.
^^Looks like a Lego Town 'Space Port' minifigure.
why would I want a minifig of which I already have quite a few not to mention the robot (who, sorry which is gorgeous) :-) Better save my pennies (mean quits) for the upcoming exosuit stuff yeah!!!
^ because it's new and the first one of it's kind made in decades. :o) I've got a small army of classic spacemen in my cellar, too. But I am nevertheless excited about this little guy (or girl, who knows?).
@shirhac - is it the first in decades, though? Is this figure different from the white spaceman in the vintage minifig set 852535 from 2009?
I sinmply love that classic space logo.
@Dare_Wreck @shirhac they've been out even more recently than that, in 2010 ->
http://brickset.com/sets/2855028-1/Exclusive-Spaceman-Magnet
I recognized the Star Patroller's robot immediately--my favorite set of all time! Small enough to "fly" to grandma's on the car ride, big enough to have some fun play features. And everything that made classic space great. So how do I get one of these?
Would have preferred the classic helmet but I guess it's out of print. And I'm a little surprised Blacktron didn't make the booklet, but they probably prefer to keep a low profile. ;)
So how do I get one of these in the US? Are we just hoping the rumors are true that it'll be exclusive in August or September?
The booklet was both a high and a low for me. The fact that it had sewn binding (rather than staples or glue) was fantastic, but a lot of the set images were incredibly low resolution. For me, this marred what could have been a wonderful little booklet.
That said, it made me really happy to have M-Tron in the timeline (although I was surprised not to see Blacktron in there).
I also recognized the droid as being the one from the FX-Star Patroller.
I meant to comment earlier but I can't get my phone to log me into the mobile site. I was sorely disappointed CapnRex didn't know whence came the droid. The FX is one of the all-time greats, IMHO. It wasn't super expensive, and had enormous play value.
Just got mine today! Seems they`re out of stock at LEGO.com as they have removed the banner.
Was in both Leeds and Sheffield LEGO shops today, and they were still behind the counter
@peterlmorris - I was born during the era of Unitron, so a considerable time after the period of Classic Space. Thus I have limited experience of it and did not recognise the robot.
Oh god CapnRex101 is younger than I am... I need to re-evaluate my life...
In all seriousness, this is an awesome set, even for a kid like me who was born in 1991 and only got to experience Classic Space second-hand through bulk bricks and idea books bought at yard sales.
@Mr. PicnicBasket: I was puzzled about that figure too, until I saw legoguysw's comment and I remembered 10213. That's where the figure is from.
Yum! Cool review. Bought on Ebay few seconds ago!
@Aanchir
Don't feel bad. I had LEGO years before they started Classic Space! Heck, there were no minifigures back then, not even the static ones.
I feel old now.
Got mine today. It definately does bring back a bunch of memories from my childhood :) The only thing I am missing is actually the old type of helmet, fortunately got many of those from vintage Space sets, yay!
The box is great, almost as good as old boxes.. however shame on LEGO to put into the booklet pictures with such a bad resolution (these are LEGO products there, can't belive they didn't have better quality pictures of those items)
I'm with surt, the booklet is acutally a bit rubbish. I was quite excited for it, but the quality of the pics is very poor. Totally love the freebie though :)
I got mine yesterday from the Bluewater store, they are being pretty strict on the one per customer. They marked my VIP card with a red dot to show I'd had my fun.
Haven't opened it yet, but loving the classic system style box.
The Lego store in Meadowhall had five left this afternoon (1pm). The store assistant said that's all that was left.
Anyone want to trade? I passed up 40079 ;)
Can anybody tell me if they still have them available in the store at Leeds?
Got it as a gift from my girlfriend. Such a nice collectable :)
Can't wait for mine to come, I just ordered some Speedorz yesterday. :)