Review: 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship
Posted by FlagsNZ,
The LEGO Pirates theme is one of the more popular, historical LEGO themes with a large community of very loyal followers.
In recent years, the pirate baton has passed to the Creator 3 and 1 theme. This year's offering, 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship, is the latest offering in this category.
Read on as I review the latest LEGO ship to be released. See if this set deserves to be labelled as Iconic.
Summary
31387 Iconic Pirate Ship, 1,074 pieces.
£89.99 / $109.99 / €99.99 | 8.4p, 10.2c, 9.3c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A really attractive small pirate ship that is great value for money.
- Four unique pirate minifigures
- Three interesting builds
- Loads of play opportunities
- The ship could have included a pirate flag
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Iconic
Relating to or of the nature of an icon; regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration. from Late Latin icon, from Greek eikon "likeness, image, portrait; image in a mirror; a semblance, phantom image."
Piracy
Robbery upon the sea, the practice of robbing on the high seas," from Medieval Latin piratia, from classical Latin, Greek peirateia "piracy," from peirates "brigand, pirate."
Source: Online Etymology Dictionary
The box
The image on the front of the box shows the 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship being attacked by an angry red octopus that is trying to climb onto the ship's deck. The crew of four pirates are steadfastly defending their ship from this sea monster's attack.
There are two small images which showcase the two alternate builds: a pirate island hideout and a pair of smaller pirate ships.
There are two notes on the front of the box:
- The models do not float, and
- The models cannot be built simultaneously.
The rear of the box has some more detailed images which include larger images of the alternative builds.
Instructions
There are three instruction booklets for 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship. The largest booklet is for the primary model.
There are two smaller booklets with instructions for the two smaller models.
Parts
The 1074 parts are divided into nine numbered paper bags.
The eight flexible tubes in medium nougat and two 6x8 white plates are packed in a plastic bag. The medium nougat tubes have been seen in five other sets.
MInifigures
There are four minifigures included in this set and one skeleton. The four torso prints are unique to this set.
Pirate minifigures
The two female pirates have some very detailed clothing.
The pirate on the left is wearing a tricorn hat, which is a dual-moulded part which has been seen in only two other sets. The hat is decorated with a red plume.
She has a choker necklace that securely holds a compass.
She is wearing a brown fitted waistcoat over a white blouse. There are two brass buckles on the waistcoat. Her legs are a printed part which is unique to this set. A teal coloured belt is knotted around her waist.
The pirate on the right has a red and white striped bandanna tied around her neck. She is wearing a sleeveless shirt and has a belt with a large skull belt buckle.
Both these minifigures have two facial expressions. The pirate on the left is squinting her left eye as if looking through a telescope while the pirate on the right has a startled expression.
You can see the red-brown coloured hair gathered into a ponytail. A buckle at the back of her waistcoat creates a fitted look for this garment.
The red and white striped headscarf is knotted at the back.
The leading female pirate is holding a treasure map. X marks the spot where the treasure could be located. There is a route marked on the map leading to the treasure's location.
A safe anchorage is also indicated on the chart along with a mariner's compass. A skull adorns the mariner's compass, so this must be the pirate's treasure map.
The two male pirates have only one facial expression each.
The captain of the pirates has a bicorn hat with a skull and crossed swords printed on it. This printed hat part is unique to this set. His hat has a white feather plume. As an indication of his rank, he is wearing pearl-gold epaulettes.
The captain wears a red uniform jacket over a white shirt with a Jabot (ruffled) collar. He has a sword belt draped over his right shoulder. A small brass key is attached to this belt on the back. This must be the key to his treasure chest.
He must have been in the wars as he has, unfortunately, lost his right leg. His right leg is a wooden peg!
The other male pirate wears a very torn blue and white singlet. On the back of the singlet is printed a burgundy octopus reminiscent of a dark red octopus element.
Under his torn singlet are two tattoos: an anchor and a compass:
- An anchor signified that the wearer had made a cruise on the Atlantic Ocean,
- For centuries, the compass has been a symbol of guidance, direction, and protection.
This pirate's legs are a dual-moulded part which is unique to this set.
The build
The numbered bags refer to the building stages of the primary model.
Bag 1 assembles the red brick-built octopus. Red toilet seats make very attractive eyes. This part has been seen in only three other sets.
Bag 2
Bag 2 begins the assembly of the ship's hull. The beginnings of the Gun Deck are taking shape.
The four pearl gold 2x2 flags represent the ship's four Gunport Doors. This element in this colour is unique to this set.
A range of SNOT bricks are used throughout this and subsequent assemblies.
The sides of this model are colour coded:
- Red elements on the port side,
- Green elements are on the starboard side,
- Yellow elements are at the bow, and
- Blue elements are at the stern.
Bag 3
Bag 3 assembles the bow section of the ship. The same colour-coded elements continue in this assembly.
Bag 4
Bag 4 assembles the stern section of the ship.
There is an opening at the stern of the ship that reveals a hidden compartment. There is a bright green hinge plate embedded in this compartment. This element in bright green has been seen in only one other set.
Bag 5
Bag 5 rigidly connects the three hull sections together. This is reminiscent of the way that the three hull sections of 10335 The Endurance are connected.
Reddish brown cheese slopes are used to create the ship's Tumblehome.
Bag 6
Bag 6 completes the stern section of the ship.
The ship's rudder is assembled. The 1 x 2 plate with clips forms the gudgeons while the 1 x 2 plates with bar up form the pintles. These two fittings form the hinge of the ship's rudder.
This module slides into the stern section of the ship. It hides the secret treasure chest.
The green clip attaches to the internal hinge plate to secure the module. This type of joint is easily disjointed, enabling the module to slide out easily should the rudder be pulled.
This type of connection was used in 21363 The Goonies set. In that set, as Andy played the bone organ, sections of the stone floor break away. This used the clip/hinge joint, too.
Bag 7
Bag 7 assembles the captain's cabin and the ship's after castle.
The pearl gold elements form the ship's ornate decorations around the stern, sometimes called gingerbread.
The ship's wheel is located on the raised quarterdeck.
Bag 8
Bag 8 finishes the ship's decks, handrails and bowsprit.
There is a Jib flying from the bowsprit.
There are two cannons in the Gun Deck. When you lift off the 8 x 8 grid plate you gain access to the cannons.
There is a supply of four round cannonballs.
In 2019, I was privileged to sail in the replica ship HMB Endeavour which carries two four-pound cannons that look just like the cannons in this ship.
Here is an excerpt from my review of 10210 Imperial Flagship.
The cannons were jettisoned after the ship struck Endeavour Reef 11 June 1770. HMB Endeavour's replica cannons have been cast from a mould made using the original cannons which were recovered in 1969.
We fired the cannon one clear morning, midway across the Tasman Sea. I used this opportunity to get some images of a minifigure gun-crew in juxtaposition with the real cannon.
You can see the cannon being fired here.
Bag 9
Bag 9 completes the build. Five brick-built sails have been added to the two masts. Each mast flies a black swallowtail pennant.
The Fore Topsail has a brick-built skull and cross-bone emblem displayed in lieu of a Jolly Roger flag.
The completed model
The completed ship is classified as a Brig: two masts which are both square-rigged. Brigs were very popular with pirates, you could almost say that Brigs are the Iconic Pirate Ship!
You can see that the pirate crew are busy fending off an attack from the red octopus.
While the Fore Topsail has a brick-built skull and cross-bone emblem on it, there could have been a printed pirate flag included with this set.
Suit of Sails
A sailing ship is equipped with a suit of sails. All her sails may comprise more than one suit, and collectively they are her sail wardrobe.
The Iconic Pirate has a suit of six brick-built sails:
- On the bowsprit is the Jib.
- On the foremast are two sails: The Fore Topsail and below it is the furled Fore Course.
- On the mainmast are two sails: The Main Topsail and below it a furled Main Course.
- The fore and aft sail on the mainmast is called the Driver (sometimes called the Spanker).
This link will take you to a more detailed sail plan for a typical Brig.
Other features
Decorating the captain's cabin are two pirate faces carved into the gingerbread.
The ship has a functional anchor. The Wildcat winds in the anchor chain.
Alternate builds
The 31387 belongs to the Creator 3 in 1 theme. As such, there are two other alternate builds.
Amazon pirates
All the way through writing this review I have been thinking of a series of children's adventure books that I grew up with (and still read from time to time): Swallows and Amazons. I have added their story to these alternate builds while I continue my review.
Captain Nancy is the leader of the Amazon pirates. Her real name is Ruth but, as everyone knows, pirates are ruthless!
Peggy is the mate of the Amazon. They are sailing their fighting ship, the Amazon, with a brick-built sail that is adorned with a pirate emblem that has a red bandanna wrapped around the skull.
Captain John is captain of the Swallow. The Swallow's sail has a pirate emblem and the skull wears a blue eye patch.
Roger has found Captain Flint's treasure chest and is holding onto it securely.
The two ships are racing each other on the lake. Swallow eventually wins the race, making Captain John the commodore of these two vessels.
Wildcat Island
Wildcat Island is the name given to the Swallows and Amazon island. It has another name, but that is not used by the pirates.
Here is the rear-view of the pirate island. The fort is hinged, so the island's footprint can be shrunk down.
There is a very clever Pythagorous 3:4:5 triangle built into the roof cladding. Captain John stands by the cannon ready to fire at anyone coming too close to their hideaway base.
Just like the 21363 The Goonies set, this pirate base has a brass organ hidden away.
There is a gun deck hidden in the attic of the fort. Peggy is standing by ready to fire the cannon which has been trained out to sea.
John had to forfeit the white feather plume from his hat to make a quill. The map sits at the lookout desk.
Captain Nancy stands lookout on top of the tower. She is peering through her telescope.
Again, it would have been great to have a printed pirate flag included with this set.
Overall opinion
It is obvious that 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship comes with plenty of play options.
I really like the primary model and the two smaller alternate builds. So much so that maybe two sets need to be purchased!
In reviewing this set, it has given me pleasant flashbacks to my reviews of 10210 Imperial Flagship, 10335 The Endurance and 21363 The Goonies.
I like the concept of the 3 in 1 Creator sets in that it encourages people to have a go at building multiple models from a finite set of parts. It reminds me of the LEGO box art that adorned sets when I was a child, as they always had images of alternate build options printed on the rear of their boxes.
In 2020, LEGO released 31109 Pirate Ship. This was also a Brig with a very similar sail plan to this Iconic Pirate Ship.
31109 Pirate Ship had 1264 parts, three unique minifgures and a skeleton, retailed for £114.99, $119.99, €129.99. Price per piece 9.1p, 9.5c, 10.3c.
Six years later, 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship with 1074 parts, four unique minifigures and a skeleton, retails for £89.99, $109.99, €99.99. Price per piece 8.4p, 10.2c, 9.3c.
These figures come to show that the price of this set represents great value for money.
Piracy in the 21st century
There are several places around the world where the threat of piracy on the high seas still exists.
I have served in merchant ships that transited through active pirate waters where we had to be extra vigilant to deter being attacked.
I have never been aboard a ship that has suffered an attack, but one ship that I served in had been attacked twice before I joined her.
176 likes
60 comments on this article
Can we have comparison with 31109?
Fantastic and super informative review! I decided to drop Pirates a few years ago to try to reduce the number of themes I collect, but I am tempted...
Great review from a fellow New Zealander! I always enjoy the extra content you include in this case being with the Endeavour. Now I once again am reminded of my want for Lego to do a model of the ship, similar to the Endurance.
Excellent review! I was worried the model would not have cannons, but you've done above and beyond in the review. Thank you for the experience you've shared.
Wow! Great review! Thank you so much!
I like the ship and the fort, but the brick sails put me off. I tried the previous model with brick sails and they just detracted from the set for me.
There's just too many expensive sets out there that I would prefer.
Great review and I love the detail. Looks like a great set
I think one of the major wins of this set is far less cartoonish skull on the captain's bicorne hat. The cartoonish skull that's been in use since 2009 has been a major point of contention with me on all Pirate sets. While I still prefer the classic skull of the original Pirate line, this is a step in the right direction.
I don't know why but I have a real soft spot for these brick built ships. I missed out on 31109 but given this set's price and it's great value for money I might need to pick this up.
Great review as always and I remember Swallows and Amazons too!
A nice looking Creator style pirate ship, very similar in its shaping to 31109. Having built the older ship recently with my son, the other main differences that stand out for me are:
- No figurehead on the new ship
- Even the flags on the older were brick built
- Different brick built sea creatures
- No clever pull-out storage for the treasure on the older
What they both share is the standard cabin (chair, table, map, goblet). This has become the default and is very basic. More imagination would be nice here.
And of course half the amount of cannons that there are space for. Age old gripe that one. Yes it must be a cost factor but that is their problem.
For a truly enjoyable ship building experience I would highly recommend 75639 Going Merry. Jammed full of accessories cleverly stored away under plates/flooring and pull out sections that open up, lovely shaping and great figs. I would call it a genius design.
While I still think 31109 Pirate Ship is a better looking ship with better alt builds, I have to admit this one is growing on me, and the new minifig torsos definitely help sell it. The two smaller ships are a fun idea. Might get it after all.
Will we see Brickset review of 10365 in the future?
@MarkingX said:
"Can we have comparison with 31109?"
no need to, 31109 is far superior
@FlagsNZ
Great review! For the longest time, I thought I was the only one who had read the Swallows and Amazons books as a child, nice to see there are others! :)
You know, I for sure thought this one was like the new shark and the new dinosaur sets that feel like they remade a set that was very popular and became a mainstay with a long shelf life... only to have the remake bigger and therefore more expensive, completely removing the low cost appeal of the older versions. I get that lego wants to make as much money as possible, but that just didn't sit right with me at all.
EDIT: I was talking about 2017s 31058 Mighty Dinosaurs (15,- or 19,- inflated) and 2019s 31088 Deep Sea Creatures (15,- or 18,- inflated) VS 31379 Fierce Dinosaur (25,-) and 31381 Fierce Shark (35,-). Currently all four are listed as available but clearly the new versions are too similar to keep both around.
This however, is apparently cheaper than the model it's clearly replacing that also has been around for quite a while. I recall that the old pirate ship used to be around this price at its inception. But the increase in prices due to inflation and probably also greedflation (that said, it was from 2020, which is now 6 years ago) made it higher.
So I'm of the oppostie opinion here and like that they made a more affordable version of the same model this time. There's even a 4th minifigure! I must say though that the alt models feel FAR weaker, although I like the two boats idea. The 2020 version's alt models were still substantial and most of all very pirate-y and very different each. Here, the boats feel like a no-brainer and the other build looks like a pile of leftover parts, especially from the back.
Speaking of, I appreciate the use of color coding for direction, but I can't help but feel that the set is a bit over-engineered on the inside. The end result looks nice and it's nice that there's a lower deck with covering, but I can't help but feel that more could have been done for the interior. Smuggling hatches, actual objects etc. Like is now common for Creator it feels like a miscellaneous category that has to be fit into the 'mould' of Creator but doesn't really want to be Creator. The previous version at least made the flags brick-built too and had a brick-built figurehead.
That said, I think this one is actually pretty good for what it set out to do. Nice!
+ Affordable
+ Good-looking
+ Fun build
+ Good minifigures
+ And isn't it iconic? Don't you think?
- Boat does not float
- No Pirate Spaceman
- A little TOO iconic. And yeah, it really does sink.
Nice set, but I have an unopened Barracuda Bay so will pass. May get the minifigures though.
@MarkingX said:
"Can we have comparison with 31109?"
Someone posted comparison photos on the LEGO Pirates subreddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/LEGOPirates/comments/1tv576i/31109_pirate_ship_vs_31387_iconic_pirate_ship/
Very clever hull design , so that it's expandable or storable with the technic pins, also resembles the prefab ship parts of other sets.]
More figures, and a lower price compared to the previous ship (that lasted 5+ years which is a lot)
It even still keeps the red/green coloring of port/starboard side which is interesting.
I didn't buy the earlier 3-in-1, but this one grabs me more.
Pros:
Figs are incredible. The two female torsos in particular, and the dual molded legs and legs with printed wrap. I'll grab some spares from PAB later.
The twin sloops build. I have a fleet with very few support ships. So happy to see this build and it's probably great for families with siblings.
Even the fort build looks like they took over an abandoned 6265 Sabre Island and made it their home. Appears weakest of the builds but it'll do.
Cons:
Over 10 cents per piece for 3-in-1 in the USA.
Still a silly skull print on the hat. Thankfully I have plenty of OG pirates hats I can sub in. But it's better than the awful one from the teens.
Would have preferred a splash of color for the gun port flags. Easy fix, but still. Green in particular would have been nice to be created anew.
I will probably pick this up on sale, along with some parts to make more figs.
Aaahh, you were doing so well.
All the nautical jargon, with the bowsprit and the tumblehome and the quarterdeck and all.
Only to stumble on the landlubber's mistake.
It is one cannon, two cannon, three cannon - ah ha ha. Not "cannons", just "cannon".
Take ye'self to the plank and be ready to swim.
Thank you for the review! I am planning on picking this up to mod into a pirate ship for Buggy with the 75637 Buggy the Clown's Circus Tent. Won't be Manga or Live adaption perfect, but will be fun enough that it will make me happy.
May pick up a couple as the Tower is great and could always use a ship for the Soldiers, never got anything for them except 6265: Sabre Island and 6276: Eldorado Fortress. They struggle to fight the pirates at sea in row boats.
@sgllama said:
"Aaahh, you were doing so well.
All the nautical jargon, with the bowsprit and the tumblehome and the quarterdeck and all.
Only to stumble on the landlubber's mistake.
It is one cannon, two cannon, three cannon - ah ha ha. Not "cannons", just "cannon".
Take ye'self to the plank and be ready to swim."
Wrong. Both cannon and cannons are acceptable.
The Amazon pirates already have it 20% discounted, woohoo (party emoji)
How many other tattooed mini figures exist?
Edit: lots of other pirates among others.
@560heliport said:
" @sgllama said:
"Aaahh, you were doing so well.
All the nautical jargon, with the bowsprit and the tumblehome and the quarterdeck and all.
Only to stumble on the landlubber's mistake.
It is one cannon, two cannon, three cannon - ah ha ha. Not "cannons", just "cannon".
Take ye'self to the plank and be ready to swim."
Wrong. Both cannon and cannons are acceptable."
In recent years, and depending upon territory/local variant of English, "cannons" is being seen more often than before.
But if you are talking about an Iconic Pirate Ship then it behooves you to use the vernacular as they would have done. Ye scurvy knave.
@LusiferSam said:
"I think one of the major wins of this set is far less cartoonish skull on the captain's bicorne hat. The cartoonish skull that's been in use since 2009 has been a major point of contention with me on all Pirate sets. While I still prefer the classic skull of the original Pirate line, this is a step in the right direction."
Wait... you think the new bicorne skull is *less* cartoonish? It has a lego skull head on it! That seems far more cartoonish than the spooky skull design of the old one.
@560heliport said:
" @sgllama said:
"Aaahh, you were doing so well.
All the nautical jargon, with the bowsprit and the tumblehome and the quarterdeck and all.
Only to stumble on the landlubber's mistake.
It is one cannon, two cannon, three cannon - ah ha ha. Not "cannons", just "cannon".
Take ye'self to the plank and be ready to swim."
Wrong. Both cannon and cannons are acceptable."
They're both canon.
@Dare_Wreck said:
" @LusiferSam said:
"I think one of the major wins of this set is far less cartoonish skull on the captain's bicorne hat. The cartoonish skull that's been in use since 2009 has been a major point of contention with me on all Pirate sets. While I still prefer the classic skull of the original Pirate line, this is a step in the right direction."
Wait... you think the new bicorne skull is *less* cartoonish? It has a lego skull head on it! That seems far more cartoonish than the spooky skull design of the old one."
I think the hated one is this: https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=2528pb03&idColor=11T=C&C=11
And the beloved one is this:
https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=2528pb01&idColor=11T=C&C=11
Love the return of the black flag
Figs are great
Boat is way to much a repeat of 31109 only smaller and a bit cheaper
SAILSHIP SAILSHIP SAILSHIP
IIRC, 31109 was $110 originally. LEGO raised the price an additional $10 when it proved to be popular. Considering that was only like 2-3 years back, it's more than fair to say that this ship represents much worse value.
Compared to 31109 , this newer 31387 set is quite small, with the rear cabin being only six studs wide. To put that into perspective, the small ship that comes with 10320 is eight studs wide, while a rowboat is about 4.5 studs wide.
I do like the figures but I've never been a fan of the rainbow colors commonly seen in creator sets, especially when these parts can still be seen in the completed model. I'm also not a big fan of the brick sails, cheap rubber rigging or the bulk of its part budget being spent building a hull that looks worse than the hull seen in sets like Barracuda Bay.
I realize it's partially unavoidable due to it being a creator set however, and I do still like it a lot more than the Going Merry set (which was mediocre, at best).
Fore course, main course... where's dessert?!
Jokes aside, great-looking model. Very interesting that they're pushing out another Creator pirate ship so soon after the last one (it came out long ago but it was in production until the end of 2025).
Great figures, great models all three of them. An improvement on the previous one in just about every way. I passed on that one, will not be passing on this one.
" @dimc said:
" @Dare_Wreck said:
Wait... you think the new bicorne skull is *less* cartoonish? It has a lego skull head on it! That seems far more cartoonish than the spooky skull design of the old one."
I think the hated one is this: https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=2528pb03&idColor=11 T=C&C=11
And the beloved one is this:
https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=2528pb01&idColor=11 T=C&C=11"
Yeah, I get that. I just don't understand how the OP can call the newer hat design "less cartoonish."
@Dare_Wreck said:
" " @dimc said:
" @Dare_Wreck said:
Wait... you think the new bicorne skull is *less* cartoonish? It has a lego skull head on it! That seems far more cartoonish than the spooky skull design of the old one."
I think the hated one is this: https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=2528pb03&idColor=11 T=C&C=11
And the beloved one is this:
https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=2528pb01&idColor=11 T=C&C=11"
Yeah, I get that. I just don't understand how the OP can call the newer hat design "less cartoonish.""
Sure, I think it's more that the teens one is just...what. It's not what a human skull looks like, and it's not what a minifig skull looks like. Where did it come from? I'd place it last out of the three versions we have across time.
Great review! The mention of 'Swallows and Amazons' has got me wanting to reread them all again!
I will grab this when its on a deep sale because.. well.. it's a ship.
But this really is one of those sets I will come to love I think when I've build it and see it in front of me, because right now, I can't get excited for it, it's just alright it seems. Especially compared to the older 3-1 set that I have as well. Might make a MOC out them both combined!
Excellent review!
@daniellesa said:
"I like the ship and the fort, but the brick sails put me off. I tried the previous model with brick sails and they just detracted from the set for me. "
It wouldn’t make sense to have fabric sails in the Creator-3-in-1 series. They’re about using the available parts to make alternative models.
Once again, thanks for all your encouraging comments.
I will look into posting an article that compares 31109 Pirate Ship with 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship.
As for Swallows and Amazons and Wildcat Island. That was a place I visited when in the UK in 2015. Going there was a "bucket list" event for me! I sailed a dingy on the lake and into their "secret harbour."
FlagsNZ reviews are my favorite reviews.
Swallows and Amazons forever.
I also wish to join the Swallows and Amazons nostalgia circle. I have a fond memory of sitting in a caravan with my grandmother and great aunt while it was absolutely tipping it down outside and preventing any beach-themed activities, being taught to knit with my siblings while they read Secret Water to us. (Also, those mini ships are a delight regardless.)
@dimc said:
" @Dare_Wreck said:
" " @dimc said:
" @Dare_Wreck said:
Wait... you think the new bicorne skull is *less* cartoonish? It has a lego skull head on it! That seems far more cartoonish than the spooky skull design of the old one."
I think the hated one is this: https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=2528pb03&idColor=11 T=C&C=11
And the beloved one is this:
https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=2528pb01&idColor=11 T=C&C=11"
Yeah, I get that. I just don't understand how the OP can call the newer hat design "less cartoonish.""
Sure, I think it's more that the teens one is just...what. It's not what a human skull looks like, and it's not what a minifig skull looks like. Where did it come from? I'd place it last out of the three versions we have across time. "
Maybe I'm crazy for this, but I prefer a pirate hat using a minfig skull rather than be semi realistic.
The Pirates II bicorne that LEGO has been pushing for decades is the worst. I'm not sure why they like it so much. To me, it looks like an alien skull with eyebrows.
The original skull probably fits the minifigure skull closest proportionately and the rounded shape better matches minifigure hair and headgear.
Release the Krak...eh...what? That's it? That doesn't seem so dangerous. I think I'll take my chances with it.
@FlagsNZ:
Are those notches that I see in the swell?
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48874269036_9a18f8f2fe_b.jpg
@daniellesa:
Normally I'd prefer cloth sails, but I take 31132 to shows, and I don't have to worry about the plastic sails being trashed by all the unpacking and packing.
@sgllama:
Speaking of landlubber mistakes, so is speaking "pirate" by using a West Country accent. That's a trope that was created by the simple fact that Robert Newton used his native accent when portraying Long John Silver in Disney's Treasure Island:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Island_(1950_film)Legacy
@Vesperas:
31109 released in 2020, and the price was increased as part of the inflation adjustment in 2022. Outside of that one mass adjustment, it is very rare that the price of an individual set will actually go up once it hits store shelves. More frequently, it goes down at some point, but mostly it just remains stable through end of life.
https://brickset.com/article/80009
@PurpleDave said:
" @Vesperas:
31109 released in 2020, and the price was increased as part of the inflation adjustment in 2022. Outside of that one mass adjustment, it is very rare that the price of an individual set will actually go up once it hits store shelves. More frequently, it goes down at some point, but mostly it just remains stable through end of life.
https://brickset.com/article/80009"
Unless you’re a Brickheadz. :o(
@PurpleDave said:
" @FlagsNZ :
Are those notches that I see in the swell?
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48874269036_9a18f8f2fe_b.jpg
I am not sure what you mean by this.
"
As usual, I thoroughly enjoyed your review and learned a lot of things I didn't realise I wanted to know!
@FlagsNZ said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @FlagsNZ :
Are those notches that I see in the swell?
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48874269036_9a18f8f2fe_b.jpg
I am not sure what you mean by this.
" "
At the business end of the real cannon, it looks like someone cut notches into the widest part of the muzzle, at roughly 10:00 and 2:30.
Only one missing leg in my set.
Perfect size also to remodel to fit the Seaside Market.
@PurpleDave said:
" @FlagsNZ said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @FlagsNZ :
Are those notches that I see in the swell?
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48874269036_9a18f8f2fe_b.jpg
I am not sure what you mean by this.
" "
At the business end of the real cannon, it looks like someone cut notches into the widest part of the muzzle, at roughly 10:00 and 2:30."
Those cannon made from casts of the real eighteth century cannon that were jetisoned from HMS Endeavour when the ship ran aground on Endeavour Reef. The cannon were recovered in 1969.
https://www.nma.gov.au/explore/collection/highlights/endeavour-cannon
In the first image of this link, you can see the cannon side on with notches at the muzzel and shoulder. Were the notches aiming devices?
@FlagsNZ said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @FlagsNZ said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @FlagsNZ :
Are those notches that I see in the swell?
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48874269036_9a18f8f2fe_b.jpg
I am not sure what you mean by this.
" "
At the business end of the real cannon, it looks like someone cut notches into the widest part of the muzzle, at roughly 10:00 and 2:30."
Those cannon made from casts of the real eighteth century cannon that were jetisoned from HMS Endeavour when the ship ran aground on Endeavour Reef. The cannon were recovered in 1969.
https://www.nma.gov.au/explore/collection/highlights/endeavour-cannon
In the first image of this link, you can see the cannon side on with notches at the muzzel and shoulder. Were the notches aiming devices?"
Doubtful. They’re at different angles from each other. Also, while I’m not remotely an expert on cannon stuff, I’ve been planning to finish making a full minifig scale US Civil War era cannon crew and rig, and what research I’ve had time to do lead me to understand that the person calling where to aim usually stands between artillery teams because that’s where the smoke is thinnest. I can’t imagine trying to peer around a shipboard cannon, though the cannon port, while that massive thing is rocketing back in your direction, and using tiny grooves in the muzzle swell to sight your aim for the next shot. If they’re cast from the originals, maybe it was damaged during service, when they went overboard, or even when they were recovered (rig a steel cable around the muzzle, and it might cut into the flared end).
@FlagsNZ:
I looked very closely at the photo you referenced. It does appear that the cuts at both ends are at the same position, radially, but there’s one thing that you have to remember that proves they’d be useless for aiming. The breech is about 25% wider than the swell of the muzzle, so lining up those two marks would result in the cannon firing way off to the right of where you’re looking.
Add in the fact that ships pitch and roll with large waves, and your aim could be all over the place depending on exactly when the cannon fires. If you’re using a cord fuse instead of a friction primer, you can’t even time the shot, as you’d have to wait for the fuse to burn down before igniting the powder charge. If you did have friction primers, you’d have to put your face right behind the breach to use the notches to aim, and if you’ve seen a shipboard cannon being fired, you know that’s the last place you want to put anything as fragile as your skull).
Another issue is that ships of the line can’t fire every cannon at the same time. When you have three gun decks, that’s just more than even a beefy ship can handle, so you had to stagger your shots. You’d have a constant supply of smoke obscuring your view, you’d have to fire when your turn came up regardless of where you were aimed, and aiming was as controlled as much by the helm as it was by the cannon crew itself.
It’s cool that I was right about there being notches in the barrel, but I really thing they represent damage to the original barrel. I’d actually be concerned that they could make the cannon unsafe to fire, as iron cannon barrels were already prone to shattering with no warning if subjected to too much stress. You already had to worry about a spray of splinters if enemy fire pierced the hull, but a cannon turning itself into shrapnel would really ruin your day. For a ship that only does demonstration fire with reduced charges and (probably) no actual shells, it’s probably not that big a risk. For a ship in historic times, firing full charges with live shells during pitched battle, I’d be worried about any cannon showing that much damage.
10/10 set
I know I am in minority, but I really wish Creator sets were cheaper and without minifigs
I was sort of amused to see you calling https://brickset.com/parts/design-30340 a "toilet seat," as it was being used as a life preserver long before it was being used as a toilet seet. Heck the element's official name is "Lifebuoy With Knob!" And speaking of elements, https://brickset.com/parts/6250682/admiral%C2%B4s-hat-no-11 is clearly the best pirate hat.
@Crux said:
"+ Affordable
+ Good-looking
+ Fun build
+ Good minifigures
+ And isn't it iconic? Don't you think?
- Boat does not float
- No Pirate Spaceman
- A little TOO iconic. And yeah, it really does sink."
+ Great post, with the usual @Crux humor
- Put Alanis Morissette in my head
@TheOtherMike said:
"I was sort of amused to see you calling https://brickset.com/parts/design-30340 a "toilet seat," as it was being used as a life preserver long before it was being used as a toilet seet. Heck the element's official name is "Lifebuoy With Knob!" And speaking of elements, https://brickset.com/parts/6250682/admiral%C2%B4s-hat-no-11 is clearly the best pirate hat."
Hmm, that wouldn't be a bad one for a Mimicaneer, but ultimately I ended up using the hat from 8833-15 to make mine:
https://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.php?i=6761072
I do like the zombie version from 71010-2, but I think we can all agree that the absolute best version is actually this one:
https://brickset.com/parts/6420916/admiral-s-hat
I wonder if the two smaller ships are meant to be references to the old 4 Juniors pirate sets? Would be a deep cut but I rarely see them talked about
It's a nice model but I don't think I need it when I have 75639