Update on #10231, 'Shuttle Expedition'
Posted by bluemoose,
From the Ambassador forums, an update on #10231 'Shuttle Expedition', the replacement for #10213 'Shuttle Adventure', which explains some of the reasons for the replacement, and gives details on the differences between the sets ...
"Dear Ambassadors,
Since its release in 2010, 10213 Shuttle Adventure has proven to be very popular! Although the model was designed for a 16+ target audience, our consumer call center has brought to our intention that many younger children have been building and playing with the model. As a result, the Direct team has decided to look at the model once more to see what changes could be made in order to provide a better build and play experience for a slightly younger target audience.
10231 Shuttle Expedition may look similar to Shuttle Adventure in many ways, however its build is very different and offers several advantages.
- The fuel tank has been reinforced with supports to strengthen the assembly
- The landing gear is strengthened to function better across many different floor types
- The Cargo doors can now be more rigorously opened and closed
- The entire build has been reworked to limit opportunities for misplacing elements
- Astronauts now have wigs in addition to their helmets (1 male, 1 female). Face prints are also different.
- The new set now has 1,230 elements
- New Satellite can be securely positioned on the new mechanical arm
10231 Shuttle Expedition has already gone on sale in LEGOLAND Billund and will soon be available across all LEGO brand retail stores and on LEGO.com.
Kind regards
LEGO Direct Team"
0 likes
28 comments on this article
Cool! When I was at a Lego store for my birthday I was deciding whether to buy the '10213: Shuttle Adventure' or a few other sets. I'm glad I didn't get the Shuttle Adventure. This will definitely be my type of set. I wonder if adults will purchase the '10231: Shuttle Expedition' if they've already bought the '10213: Shuttle Adventure'.
Looks like this just made the 10213 'Shuttle Adventure' a collector's item. Too bad I assemble all of my sets and throw out the boxes, this would be a good one to have as MISB. Also looks like I will be building up my Shuttle fleet with the new one as well, now I just need to make a crawler/transporter and launch tower.
I hope this set has the same price as Shuttle Adventure. If so, I'm glad I held out on buying Shuttle Adventure since this new rendition offers quite a bit more while retaining the great look of the original.
The Shuttle Adventure is one I had my eye on and I was wondering why it was gone all of a sudden from the shelves at my local LEGO store when I visited it last week. I thought it was now past it's time and my only hope was to get in online. This is good news to hear and I think the Shuttle Expedition set will be just as good, if not better for what I want. Like was already mentioned, I do hope the price doesn't go up on it though.
Translation: "our first design stunk, we've fixed it...sorry"
@voypro: LOL! Exactly what went through my mind!
Have we not got a picture of the new one yet?
It doesn't mention a change to the actual age range on the box, so they could well have moved that down.
New box:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/grogall/10231/b_10231_box_side.jpg
Source: Eurobricks, grogall
Looks the same to me.
Feel a bit short-changed that these "improvements" weren't implemented before the original release. I love my set but it is too fragile and comes apart too easily if you handle it. Still it remains in (current) pride of place on bedside cabinet - won't be getting new one!
I see one of the astronauts with his helmet off (showing his hair) on the box cover, with a smirk on his face. :)
Well this kinda sucks. I got the original and had to order the service pack to strengthen the fuel tank, but it always bugged me how fragile the satellite was when connected to the arm, I would have loved to display it with the satellite out. Still probably won't be buying the new one.
Sounds good, who wouldn't want to play with any model space shuttle :)
Aaah, I picked up the original on holiday from the Lego store in Orlando just about a month ago... I still haven't bothered to get the service pack though. I don't think I'll bother buying the second version either, because I don't really intend to do much more with it than display it. Though it would be nice to have it with the Canada arm and satellite deployed on display...
It's great that they're making it slightly more kid-friendly, but they won't get much revenue from this one as they got from 10213. Everyone (including many younger children apparently) already got the first one! ;)
Will they offer a kit to convert shuttle Adventure into shuttle Expedition? It'd be a lot cheaper to buy the replacement parts than to buy a whole new shuttle. I already reinforced the external fuel tank through the Service Pack given to me from Lego. All I really need now is better landing gear and to get the Satellite to stay on the arm.
Not sure what to do now? I was just going to buy the original, but maybe I should wait for the updated version?
Any thoughts?
Not sure what I should do with my old one? Sell it and replace it with the new and "improved" one?
@vwong19: If the old set is new in a sealed box, I would sell it. If you have built the model, then you will not get much the origional price back for a used Shuttle Adventure and I doubt the "improved" set would be cheaper.
Just to be clear, is the choice for those who already have Shuttle Adventure to either call Lego for the free service pack, or buy a completely new model? Or just do nothing at all I suppose....
I wanted to get the first one, but if I can I will get this one instead. Price ideas, anyone?
Perhaps after Expedition comes out we'll all be wishing we could still buy Adventure since it was only $100.
I like the idea of a sturdier design, since my 3 y.o. son treats my Lego the way that Godzilla treats Tokyo.
Finally. I don't have this set, but my friend Will is annoyed. He has it, and it breaks frequently. I'm lucky that I waited till now, because this might be a nice chance :)
So are they pulling these from shelves? I'm sure they won't be producing any more of the Adventure, but what about the ones Lego still has in stock?
Depending on how much parts overlap there is Lego might recycle whatever Adventure sets they haven't sold into Expedition sets.
10231 now listed as "in stock" on Target.com.
10231 on Target.com shows: "Arriving soon! Order now for shipment in 2 to 4 weeks"
Amazon has 9 10213 in stock @ $99.99
must have gotten one last shipment from LEGO