Random set of the day: Red Planet Cruiser
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 7311 Red Planet Cruiser, released in 2001. It's one of 24 Space sets produced that year. It contains 73 pieces and 1 minifig, and its retail price was US$7/£4.99.
It's owned by 2260 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
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17 comments on this article
I usually scoff at those saying that a set looks like a mess, but this one really does look like it's made from a bunch of leftover parts. I'm not even sure what I'm looking at - is this a jet/speeder that transforms into a one-legged mech?
^picturing a mech hopping on one leg...too funny
@Dare_Wreck One of the main points of the Mars Mission sets was that every single one of them could transform or separate and recombine in some way, shape, or form, even to the point of combining with multiple other sets. In this case, it could be a one-legged hopper, or the leg could fold up into a more aerodynamic position to become a glider.
My first Life on Mars set. I love the alien minifigs from this theme!
Some of those early Mars sets were really great (I'm naturally thinking about the mechs), but some of them were just really strange. This is one of the latter, I feel.
This was one of the first sets I received as a gift when I was a kid that got me hooked on lego. Fond memories!
It does look rather strange on the image, agreed. It looks a little better in real life, but as @Zordboy said: from my limited experience, these Mars sets are a very mixed bunch
Adorable Martians! However set is undefined.
I got a handful of these guys because I kept taking them apart and making my own stuff. Young me never wanted to take apart the MOCs I made with the pieces, but also wanted to keep the sets around at the same time. My parents probably gave in on this guy a couple of times since it was only five bucks. I will forever love Life on Mars. I'm calling for a 2021 revival to celebrate the 20th anniversary. If we start now, it has a better potential of become a reality.
And I'm only half joking...
IMO one of the best Space series.
The set is simple a scout jumper.
Always thought that one random leg was an odd design. I think I modded it into being some kind of subterranean scanner or drill
I like space sets but these... I don't mind not having any.
I received one of these in a multi-pack for my birthday back in the day. I had already had 1 or 2 of this set, and it was incredible! I mean, ya, I was right at the target age when it came out so nostalgia plays a big role, but its simple. It was relatively stable for a mech and had some moving parts that made it fun. Being able to transform into a jet also made it fun to swoosh around. This set (and the smaller ones from the oatmeal boxes) got me interested in space exploration, so kudos to TLG!
This alien has a horrible design.
Ah, I love the Life on Mars line; the alien minifigures are still some of my favourites. In hindsight, the sets maybe weren't great; but they were a big part of my childhood, and I was very happy with them at that age. I know people complain about these 'mishmash-looking' Lego sets... but honestly, they were absolutely my aesthetic at the time.
It only just now occurs to me to wonder why Altair here was the only Martian to have hair, though.
@natro220:
"^picturing a mech hopping on one leg...too funny'"
It was actually doing just exactly that in the LEGO Racers 2 PC game^^
@andrelego
OR
That alien design is fantastic and your opinion is factually wrong.