Exclusive: Great LEGO Sets micro-scale Space Cruiser
Posted by Huw,
I have just received an advance copy of the forthcoming DK book Great LEGO Sets that's due to be published early in October. It's an absolutely stunning book which I need time to digest before posting a review.
The included model, 11910 Micro-Scale Space Cruiser, which is a miniature replica of perhaps the greatest set of them all 928/497 Galaxy Explorer, is equally stunning and I could not wait to build it.
(Excuse the slightly poor photo quality today; for some reason my Photoshop Elements is playing up and running very slowly so I haven't done as much post-processing as usual).
The book and model come in a slip-case which is absolutely huge: 32x26cm and 5cm deep. It's fantastic that DK has ditched the front-cover mounted box in favour of this format as it makes the book so much easier and more pleasant to read.
The book has an unusual cover, to say the least...
The model is packed in a book-sized box with the parts in a clear polybag. Unlike other DK books, the set number is clearly stated and it looks much like a real set box cover image.
The 102-parts and instruction manual are packed in the thin box.
The 102-parts come together quickly to form a very good mini representation of the Galaxy Explorer.
Just like the big version, the back is hinged to reveal a tiny 1x2 vehicle which can be 'driven' down a hinged ramp.
The set was designed by Brickset's favourite Aussie set designer Mel Caddick and I think you will agree she's done a fantastic job and produced a set that's as great, if not better, than many of those featured in the book.
Great LEGO Sets is published by DK on October the 1st and can be pre-ordered from Amazon.co.uk
Thanks to Majama at DK for sending it to me for review. Now I'm off to upgrade to Windows 10. See you on the other side...
2 likes
27 comments on this article
I want at least half a dozen of them, and to modify them slightly so they can be piloted by the Microfig Spacemen from 3842 Lunar Command and 3850 Meteor Strike.
Very nice. Can't wait to see more of the contents of the book :-)
Holy cow, that's incredible. Love the work they've put into this,
Ah! Windows 10! Excellent.
I'll be getting this book before I'll be getting Windows 10.
I'm done with being an early adopter of new OSes. I'll wait a few months for service pack 1 to come out.
I had the original version of this back in the late 70's or early 80's. What a deja vu moment!
Ok I was excited about this little micro model before, but when I saw it opens up and has a working ramp and a little vehicle my face almost melted.
I definitely have to get this now.
Huw does the micro ship contain any rare or unusual parts? Can it be made from parts that you can easily find on Bricklink?
No nothing unusual although the grey droid heads are not very common.
I'm out on my bike at the moment whilst Windows 10 installs so I'll check if the instructions have a parts list at the back when I get home and post on Flickr if so.
The model looks great, but I can't see why they used transparent green tile instead of red one on the right side of the ship. The original has two lights of identical color..
That is poor photo quality? *sigh* Time to work on my photography some more...
This really is a great set- do you have the original to compare size to, Huw?
@black_davy_vane, there's a spare red one, you can swap it out if it bothers you :)
Windows 10 installed with no dramas so far.
^ Sadly not :(
The model looks great. I sure do hope not all the models on the back are included in the book. Some of them like the Lion Chi Temple aren't that great of sets besides display. The rest of them look worthy, though.
I already pre ordered it
^^ The contents of the book is 'great LEGO sets' and that of course is subjective.
I compiled a list with the help of forum members of what we considered to be the 'greatest' and this was used as the basis of the book. However I suspect that some sets that we AFOLS may find lacklustre but which are significant in one way or another have also made their way into it, which is understandable. The Chi temple is probably the best LoC set and in the absence of any LoC sets in the list I sent it makes sense to include one given the theme's popularity.
Parts list: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brickset/19961584609
I bought a 928 off Cragislist with the intent to complete it and re-sell it (I stood to pretty much break even--I just couldn't pass up owning one, if only for a short while).
It's now complete, but five years later, I still haven't gotten around to the re-selling it part... Anyway, this will look great sitting next to it on my display case! For a "short while," of course.
I might actually print up a couple stickers for this--a black stripe for that yellow 1x1 tile, and maybe a tiny CS logo for the lower wind screen.
Thanks for the close look. What nice little ship, with actual functionality. Sigh...I want.
Looks very neat.
I love Classic Space. Just yesterday I put together my gray, blue and translucent yellow bricks to make a Classic Space Microfighter to put Benny on it.
Right now for those in the US, the book is 48% off as well ($20.76).
The parts go for about $12. I'm thinking it will make an excellent Classic Space Microfighter with some mods to allow for a minifig.
I'm hoping to pick this book up at Sam's Club at a discount. If I find this at Books a Million, or any other store that carries books I'd still be happy.
The mini set will probably be the main thing driving the purchase of the book for me.
A long over due homage to the greatest Lego set ever built.
Christmas 1980 Whanganui New Zealand, unwrapping that beauty.........
This is a brilliant micro version of the 928/497 Galaxy Explorer.
However, these nouveau Classic Space sets including Benny's SPACESHIP incorrectly have green wing-tip markers on the starboard wings. All the Classic Space Ships have red wing-tip markers on the left and right wing-tips.
Thanks for the parts list, Huw :)
This is certainly a must buy. I have been working on a best ever sets list myself, based on my collection. I have to soon start divesting and and I want to keep a few gems. I hoped to get it down to 20, but I'm still well above 100 in the editing process. It might be a good project to have members submit their all time top 10 lists and see what comes out as the top 100 statistically.
If anyone's interested, I constructed this in LDD from photos and Huw's part list
http://bit.ly/1LmztXv