Random set of the day: Message Intercept Base
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 6987 Message Intercept Base, released in 1988. It's one of 12 Space sets produced that year. It contains 569 pieces and 5 minifigs.
It's owned by 1786 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
Help me come to life! If you like the set I've chosen for you today, please pledge your support for me on LEGO Ideas so I have a chance of becoming an official LEGO set!
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69 comments on this article
Wow, best set ever. I got this as a kid and still have the parts.
A communications disruption could mean only one thing: Invasion.
This was hands down my favorite Space theme, and all I ever managed to get were the Battrax and Invader. Of course, the two sets I wanted the most from this sub-theme were the Renegade and this base. Back in the early 90's, after watching the Flash Gordon movie, I ended up building a rocket sled that, excluding the cockpit canopies, used pretty much all the special Blacktron-specific elements from those two sets, and I still have it built today. It is my oldest surviving MOC.
An absolutely iconic set. Simply one of the all-time greats.
I was absolutely shocked, stunned and elated to get this for Christmas that year. Blacktron is still my favorite theme ever. This was a $50 set back then, which was a humongous amount for my family to spend on one item, especially a toy. I never thought I would actually get it! I still have this and the other first generation Blacktron sets and I cherish them to this day. Even got them all out and built them a couple years ago with my daughter.
Friggin awesome. I think I would be in actual tears if there was even a one-set rival of a named Classic Space subtheme. I wouldn't even know which one I would want the most.
I remember drooling over pictures of this set in a catalog at the time. LEGO truly does inspire the imagination in children, e.g., the imagination that your family will be able to afford it.
A top contender for best Lego Space base released. This large set (it takes up a fair proportion of the two 32x32 baseplates) is chock-full of interesting details like the ladder leading up to an elevated control tower in the main hanger bay, a tool rack, as well as one of the only corridors in a Space ground base. The opening bay doors are similar to that from the previous year's 6953, although their purpose here is a little more vague as they simply open the roof for the small fighter craft that could likely also take off by flying out the open front (unlike the mechanism in 6953 that also serves to elevate the rocket). There is also no obvious purpose in the separating the quarter dome section from the main base but the moving elements of the base are fairly well-integrated into the set. The small flying and ground vehicles included are both well designed and display plenty of character and menace.
I imagine that Blacktron was started out of this as a humble pirate radio station, before the gang got the technology to recieve as well as broadcast signals. Then this illicit broadcast center turned into the Message Intercept Base, where the space pirates would intercept Futuron communicatioins and use the inside intel to commit robberies of their expensive technology. As the operation expanded they would get their hands on stealth ships such as the 6954 Renegade to ambush Futuron while hiding form the Space Police. However the Space Police were so dumb they put tons of guns yet no engines on their flagship 6986, and eventually Futuron was infiltrated and taken over by Blacktron agents.
In the next decades, the Future Generation, Blacktron had become a fascist empire. Giant Bs were compulsory on all spacesuits, and they nationalistically thought themselves the best of all space factions. It is possible to see Futuron influences: the widespread use of 6x6 octagonal canopies, Futuron white blending with Blacktron black, and ship designs used by the Futuron defense force (i.e. 6932) evolving into ones to invade and subjugate (6981), as suggested by their respective titles.
Of course this is just a made up theory. And I'm not even getting into Lego City Undercovers ending, nor Legend of Zelda upside-down Triforce crossover theories.
Still one of my favorite sets. I wish they'd used those corridor pieces in more sets. They're only available in a handful of colors and are very expensive. :(
Message Intercept Base...on the day that when TLG releases a Typewriter...Irony:)
@Norikins:
Your theory falls apart with Blacktron II. They were clearly the cadet corps, as evidenced by their bright, target-like uniforms. If you can't survive as a cadet, you don't deserve to graduate to the stealthy black uniforms.
What a LEGO Legend! I credit the Blacktron theme almost as much as the Pirates theme with ushering in the first LEGO Golden Age, and this set from 1988 really makes that case virtually single-handedly! Coincidentally, I was also born in that same year, so a good portent of things to come? Haha.
Being born the same year, when I finally came of age to collect and build LEGO sets, the only thing available to me with the word "Blacktron" in the title was 1991's "Future Generation" lineup. I loved those sets, of course, but with the rise of the World Wide Web and my access to it, I became aware of the original Blacktron and realized all the awesomeness I had missed out on.
Though never a priority, part of me always wanted something from the theme, whether it was from the 1987 or 1988 releases. Of course, the Message Intercept Base loomed largest in my mind, but over a decade removed from its original release, I had no idea on how to obtain one, much less afford it.
Fate stepped in when, while visiting Brick Fiesta in Houston in 2016, I came across a vendor from Dallas selling multiple sealed LEGO sets from the late 80s and early 90s. There, prominently displayed amongst many gems (including some I already owned) was the Message Intercept Base with a sticky note attached to the cover that simply said, "$600". Ouch. I was excited just to see it, however; to hold in my hands this relic from a time when I was just a newborn and LEGO was the unconceived dream of my later childhood. I recall stepping away to view the other MOC displays, but I realized after several minutes, I was just going in circles and always keeping one eye on that set, as if I was worried it might escape me in the blink of an eye.
I can't recall what exactly pushed me over the edge, but I did go back to the vendor, grabbed the set (along with a sealed copy of my first ever LEGO set, the Mud Runner) and paid the gentleman who manned the booth. In no way do I regret it! I haven't even had a chance to build this masterpiece, but I do, and in the meantime, I feel like I own a real cornerstone of LEGO Space history. It and the Mega Core Magnetizer from M-TRON are two special pieces of my Space collection that define what LEGO Space means to me on a deep, fundamental level. I hope we one day get another set that honors these titans of LEGO history. Kids of all generations should get the chance to have their imaginations fired up by this incredible sci-fi space base or something a lot like it!
Folks, I was so excited to comment on this awesome random set & it’s hallowed place in my 8 yo brain. From the moment I saw it in an instruction manual ad I could almost project myself into the action, helping stow the rover, climb the coms tower. As I scrolled down reading all the preceding comments I got an effn tear in my eye from all your shared experiences. Nostalgia is a powerful drug, especially paired with this pinnacle of classic space LEGO. Thx Huwbot!
This is the one that got away... I've slowly collected nearly all original Blacktron, even have a couple doubles. Twice I've spied 6987 pieces in local "Lego lot" collections and have been beat to the purchase. I'll own you one day!
I do own the Space Police base that is not even half as cool, so there's that.
Love this and have it! I had to wait until I was an adult to purchase this set. It was well worth the wait.
Nothing random about this set. Trans-yellow heaven!
Horrible base, weak builds(besides the flyer) and amazing pieces.
@Norikins said:
"I imagine that Blacktron was started out of this as a humble pirate radio station, before the gang got the technology to recieve as well as broadcast signals. Then this illicit broadcast center turned into the Message Intercept Base, where the space pirates would intercept Futuron communicatioins and use the inside intel to commit robberies of their expensive technology. As the operation expanded they would get their hands on stealth ships such as the 6954 Renegade to ambush Futuron while hiding form the Space Police. However the Space Police were so dumb they put tons of guns yet no engines on their flagship 6986, and eventually Futuron was infiltrated and taken over by Blacktron agents.
In the next decades, the Future Generation, Blacktron had become a fascist empire. Giant Bs were compulsory on all spacesuits, and they nationalistically thought themselves the best of all space factions. It is possible to see Futuron influences: the widespread use of 6x6 octagonal canopies, Futuron white blending with Blacktron black, and ship designs used by the Futuron defense force (i.e. 6932) evolving into ones to invade and subjugate (6981), as suggested by their respective titles.
Of course this is just a made up theory. And I'm not even getting into Lego City Undercovers ending, nor Legend of Zelda upside-down Triforce crossover theories."
Please do get into those!
Wow, I see so much nostalgic feelings around this chat. I could talk in the exact same way about the Space themes of my generation (Mars Mission, Space Police III, Alien Conquest, and Galaxy Squad) which sadly most AFOLs seem to have missed out on.
That said, I really don't understand why LEGO decided to stop releasing Original Space themes when this has always been one of their bread and butter themes. The last one came out in 2013, and we haven't gotten anything since. But who can blame them I guess, if they've got Star Wars, why bother being creative and making their own unique themes?
That is one of the main reasons why I dislike licensed themes like Star Wars. Because they are based off popular IPs, LEGO can simply not try at all and still succeed. With Original Space themes, on the other hand, the effort to make the sets stand out is clearly visible.
I really wish LEGO would someday return to their roots and take a break from Star Wars at least for once... there is no way that would do any harm.
^ Not to play the blame game, but I actually attribute the dearth of original in-house Space themes since 2013 to Super Heroes, not Star Wars. Between Star Wars and City/Town Space there was still room in the product line for another imaginative sci-fi Space theme distinct from either of those, but then Super Heroes started releasing things like the Milano (2014, Marvel) and the Javelin (2015, DC). The Marvel and DC spaceships are more colorful and zany than Star Wars spaceships, so they leave less room to carve out a distinct niche for an in-house theme. Compare the Benny Spaceship to the Milano: They're both big blue and gray and yellow spaceships from 2014 that come with little black bad guy spaceships to fight, but while the Benny Spaceship is the one that many nostalgic AFOLs found more memorable the Milano is the one that has had more sets descended from it, up to and including this year's wonderful Benatar (76193).
Oh, what a beautiful set this is... Blacktron theme and a Blacktron base, excellent. I hated when BT came out with whites and trans-green color scheme.
All your message are belong to base.
@LegoDavid:
I got over 200 of the Alien Conquest “clingers”...but I got them on LUGBulk. I know someone else who tried, but they submitted their order later and got denied. It pairs really well with my all-time favorite minifig head.
Classic Blacktron... One of the best color schemes ever for a theme (along with Space Police 1 actually) Had the Renegade as a kid, but never any other Blacktron I sets. It took about 25 years, but I got myself a Message Intercept base even though I was not trying to collect space again (and never found one in any LEGO lot I got off of eBay strangely enough), but I had to get at least one copy of this legendary set. Now I have the Invader, Battrax, and Renegade and not letting them go. Now if I can just concentrate and make a version of 6990 in Blacktron I theme like others have.
A truly great set. Even I, the hardcore Blacktron 2 fanatic, can appreciate this set. I acquired a copy late last year, completing my Blacktron 1 collection, and boy, this set doesn't disappoint. the functions are fun, if kinda confusing to a realistic purpose.
Can't go wrong with Blacktron. Is it a better base than the 6988 Alpha Centauri Outpost? Yes, though a good portion of ACO's budget was into the space ship and light and sound feature. I would argue with anyone that ACO actually offers as much, if not more play value than MIB. Same amount of identical figs, but ACO has a MUCH larger ship. Base has much less going for it, obviously, but there is still something to work with. ACO is the best set with a base to ship ratio. Period. The ship here is nice, but small.
Okay, sorry for the Blacktron 2 tangent, but I'm wearing neon green tinted glasses.... This set is awesome, glad I own it.
@PurpleDave said:
"I got over 200 of the Alien Conquest “clingers”...but I got them on LUGBulk."
You seem to bring this up with astonishing regularity! It's like purple Dave bingo. Obviously, I am envious of such a concentration of that part, but maybe mention your purchase in your profile instead...? ;-)
AWESOME!
Why did I read this as “random message of the day”? I thought huw bot was doing something different today!
This was my only set that didn't come with all the pieces, so I never got to build it. Huge disappointment for five-year-old me
Awesome set. Unfortunately one I never had.
Very cool
I have a MIB MIB...
9 years old me won this in a giveaway from a magazine. I still remember how happy I was!
To this day, it remains the best thing I ever won.
And the postman didn't want to give it to me, because my surname was mispelled... luckily there wasn't anybody else with a similar name in my neighbourhood, so the post office director agreed it was a mistake and didn't send it back!
The main reason I kinda hate Star Wars Theme is because they are a barrier to a good old school Space Theme revival. Blacktron and Ice Planet still are the best Space Themes for me.. I wish for a revival of those. I was never able to get this set... :(
There is something charming about the black and yellow color scheme. So simple, yet incredibly effective. I really wish we get more someday.
@MCLegoboy said:
"A communications disruption could mean only one thing: Invasion."
I had to log in just to give this comment the like it deserves
The 3D view shows the spacecraft fits rather snugly in the hanger. At the time I gave it a miss as I was not keen on all those large prefabricated wall pieces which annoyed me as I wanted to use actual Lego bricks. Now I can see that you would not have had the impressive scale for the same price. I assumed the quarter control tower slide out to get better reception, similar to moving a 1980's tv aerial around the living room.
I guess they tried it again with Galaxy Squad, and while the vehicles and everything were excellent in my opinion (and part of the reason I came out of my 2nd dark period) I really didn't like the theme of humans vs aliens. The Alien Conquest theme worked on those lines because of the setting and was quirky and fun, but with a purely space theme I would have preferred to have seen something more on the lines of the original exploring themes, or make it a bit Mass Effect-y so the good guys and bad guys, if you even had them, were a mixed bag of humans, aliens etc. Maybe that's just me
I picked this set up a few weeks ago. Opening it up and building it felt like Christmas morning! I love the subtle charm of these early space sets. They did so much with so little.
@lordofdragonss said:
"Horrible base, weak builds(besides the flyer) and amazing pieces."
Come on, Adam, have you actually built it and played with it? I got mine just a couple years ago and even then I was amazed with what it offered. And don't forget - I got the chance to actually see in person all of Amal's Space collection, so I dare say I have quite the basis to make an informed comparison.
@lost_scotsman said:
"I guess they tried it again with Galaxy Squad, and while the vehicles and everything were excellent in my opinion (and part of the reason I came out of my 2nd dark period) I really didn't like the theme of humans vs aliens. The Alien Conquest theme worked on those lines because of the setting and was quirky and fun, but with a purely space theme I would have preferred to have seen something more on the lines of the original exploring themes, or make it a bit Mass Effect-y so the good guys and bad guys, if you even had them, were a mixed bag of humans, aliens etc. Maybe that's just me"
Well, the sad reality is that you need conflict in a box in order to get kids to buy your toys. It is a lot easier to play with such sets if they have identifiable good guys and bad guys that the kids can just slam around and make them fight each other. I see a lot of AFOLs saying they preferred the more "ambiguous" style, in which you are not directly told who are the good or bad guys, but sadly this doesn't seem to fly very well with kids today.
Ok, so the quote about communications disruption and invasion is from The Phantom Menace. It's been an eternity since I watched that film.
Anyway, a healthy dose of Space here! I have 6972 Polaris I Space Lab from the previous year, and this just blew it out of the water with how cool it was. The only thing bigger and more complex was the infamous space monorail set I think.
This was about the time my dark ages began, so I never really got into Blacktron, but they do have the most badass livery.
Great RSOTD.
A great set! I had the opportunity to buy it cheap but unfortunately I did not use it, now in my region the cheapest are $ 300-400. With Blacktron 2 I have all the sets, from Blacktron 1 I miss two (6954 and this one)
Given that most of the classic space vases are kind of hollow under big domes with maybe some kind of antenna array off to the side, this looks impressively busy and full
This is literally my favorite set of all time. My parents couldn't afford it so I collected what I could from the Blacktron and Space Police lines. But like most the internet has filled holes from my childhood.
The Interceptor Base is proudly built and displayed in my office to this day. Hail Blacktron!
@bananaworld said:
"
All your message are belong to base."
What you say?
One of my all time favorite sets, especially when I was fortunate enough to enjoy it as a child. One of these days it shall be rebuilt!
@Samie said:
"The main reason I kinda hate Star Wars Theme is because they are a barrier to a good old school Space Theme revival. Blacktron and Ice Planet still are the best Space Themes for me.. I wish for a revival of those. I was never able to get this set... :("
While I don't hate Star Wars or Harry Potter etc, I don't collect it myself but realise there are many collectors (they seem very focal on social media), I do agree I miss full waves of Space.
If those Licensed themes still had their yellow figures I also would be more interested.
Castle and Pirates, IDEAS and 3in1 sets do help but there are no smaller sets to expand.
The Harry Potter sets since 2018 and now 2021 basicly function well as an expandable castle , but it's not the same as generic factions and actual knights with horses.
Even having small sets like Benny's Space Squad would help a lot, then people can make their own builds, but have the figures to go with it, right now many Space/Castle/Pirate figures are only second hand, or teased via CMF/build-a-minifigure.
Right now there's a lack of Space figures, Horses/Knights and Imperials(Pirates) to collect.
2019 City Space had some nice variations of figs, and a minifig pack, 2019 also had LEGO Movie 2 Space stuff, so it can co-exist with Star Wars still.
And 2021 still has some Space-ish stuff out there, I just hope it continues :
31111: Cyber Drone
80020: White Dragon Horse Jet
@iwybs said:
"^ Not to play the blame game, but I actually attribute the dearth of original in-house Space themes since 2013 to Super Heroes, not Star Wars. Between Star Wars and City/Town Space there was still room in the product line for another imaginative sci-fi Space theme distinct from either of those, but then Super Heroes started releasing things like the Milano (2014, Marvel) and the Javelin (2015, DC). The Marvel and DC spaceships are more colorful and zany than Star Wars spaceships, so they leave less room to carve out a distinct niche for an in-house theme. Compare the Benny Spaceship to the Milano: They're both big blue and gray and yellow spaceships from 2014 that come with little black bad guy spaceships to fight, but while the Benny Spaceship is the one that many nostalgic AFOLs found more memorable the Milano is the one that has had more sets descended from it, up to and including this year's wonderful Benatar (76193)."
That's the thing, those large Marvel/Star Wars ships overshadow anything Space in attention nowadays.
Benny's Space Squad proved sets don't have to be big to be well loved, I don't know how well it sold as I saw it on discount a lot but I wish LEGO did more regular "Battle Packs" of those Classic themes.
https://brickset.com/sets/tag-Minifigure-Pack
Sets don't even have to be battle packs either, could be small sets with 2-4 figs
But I understand there's probably no shelf space to have many small classic sets, is why they are fit into IDEAS or now 3in1.
And most Minifigure packs have turned into LEGO Exclusives, City Starter Packs have since stopped as well and turned into blister packs.
Star Wars battle packs have been the exception and remained boxed sets even while the price went up also there.
I only ever had the Invader and Alienator, but I wanted them all! I loved just staring for what seemed like ever at the beautiful photos of the various LEGO catalogs, imagining all the space battles happening between Blacktron and Futuron.
@LegoDavid said:
" @lost_scotsman said:
"I guess they tried it again with Galaxy Squad, and while the vehicles and everything were excellent in my opinion (and part of the reason I came out of my 2nd dark period) I really didn't like the theme of humans vs aliens. The Alien Conquest theme worked on those lines because of the setting and was quirky and fun, but with a purely space theme I would have preferred to have seen something more on the lines of the original exploring themes, or make it a bit Mass Effect-y so the good guys and bad guys, if you even had them, were a mixed bag of humans, aliens etc. Maybe that's just me"
Well, the sad reality is that you need conflict in a box in order to get kids to buy your toys. It is a lot easier to play with such sets if they have identifiable good guys and bad guys that the kids can just slam around and make them fight each other. I see a lot of AFOLs saying they preferred the more "ambiguous" style, in which you are not directly told who are the good or bad guys, but sadly this doesn't seem to fly very well with kids today.
"
Very true. I would say I've no issue with clear good and bad guys, but the bad guys being all Aliens was just boring and a bit "species-ist" :D Space Police managed a bit of a mix so it's not impossible to do. I think it would be better to give it the Ninjago treatment and give it a story and some depth and characters on both sides. A good villain can be equally as fun as a good hero.
This was before my time, but I still love it just on looks and presentation alone. Anyone else see the "B" in the communications tower?
@LegoDavid said:
"Wow, I see so much nostalgic feelings around this chat. I could talk in the exact same way about the Space themes of my generation (Mars Mission, Space Police III, Alien Conquest, and Galaxy Squad) which sadly most AFOLs seem to have missed out on.
That said, I really don't understand why LEGO decided to stop releasing Original Space themes when this has always been one of their bread and butter themes. The last one came out in 2013, and we haven't gotten anything since. But who can blame them I guess, if they've got Star Wars, why bother being creative and making their own unique themes?
That is one of the main reasons why I dislike licensed themes like Star Wars. Because they are based off popular IPs, LEGO can simply not try at all and still succeed. With Original Space themes, on the other hand, the effort to make the sets stand out is clearly visible.
I really wish LEGO would someday return to their roots and take a break from Star Wars at least for once... there is no way that would do any harm. "
Lego has always had a non-Star Wars space theme going. It went Nexo Knights, Lego Movie 2, City space, and currently NASA. It hasn't always been a specifically designated space theme (like the awesome Alien Conquest), but it's always been there.
Traded 60083 Snowplough Truck and 60081 Pickup Tow Truck for this set in 2016.
Pretty sure I won that trade.....
@Harmonious_Building said:
"Friggin awesome. I think I would be in actual tears if there was even a one-set rival of a named Classic Space subtheme. I wouldn't even know which one I would want the most. "
I agree.it would be even better would be if they did a revival set for each of the classic space themes. Like a revival series. This could also be done with castle and pirates as well.
@Drzhivago138 said:
"This was before my time, but I still love it just on looks and presentation alone. Anyone else see the "B" in the communications tower?"
I didn't see it before, but now I can't un-see it.
Probably my most vivid childhood LEGO memory is about this set, it's etched into my brain. The only "big" LEGO set I ever got as a kid. Got to pick it as my present 5 week before Christmas. It was the longest 5 weeks of my young life knowing it was in the cupboard. I remember the store, the conversation with the shop assistant and pleading with my parents. I even remember exactly where I built it on the floor in our home. It will always be a magical set to me. Pure LEGO joy.
The Sierpinski Triangle actually was there before both Zelda and Blacktron. Just wanted to mention it^^
@Huw:
Wouldn’t that technically be 5x MiB in a MIB MIB?
@LegoTiger72376:
Somebody set up us the brick.
@Drzhivago138:
All I see is an “8”, but maybe I just have a different perspective on things...
@Iguanaboy said:
" @Harmonious_Building said:
"Friggin awesome. I think I would be in actual tears if there was even a one-set rival of a named Classic Space subtheme. I wouldn't even know which one I would want the most. "
I agree.it would be even better would be if they did a revival set for each of the classic space themes. Like a revival series. This could also be done with castle and pirates as well.
"
This would end up costing me a lot of money!!!
Today, AFOLs are nostalgic for the world of 1988, where the Message Intercept Base awaited them under the Christmas tree, if they were lucky. That world almost feels as distant as the world of 1888.
Ideally, this facility would be concealed behind a mountain (read: furniture) while the Blacktrons hatched plots to disrupt the monorail and undermine Futuron activities in the sector...
MIB Men In Black
I was in high school when this came out, so my dark age was just starting. Somehow I did get 6941 (and I'm pretty sure I bought it myself instead of receiving it as a gift), but that was pretty much it and one of my last sets before moving out on my own after college and the ability to spend money on whatever I wanted without anyone judging me (or knowing about it since those sets were often squirreled away when visitors came over.)
I should order new pieces to re-create this as much as possible using currently available parts. (I'm not interested in Bricklinking old parts...and I'm sure a MIB MIB would cost more space bucks than I care to spend.)
EDIT: Just looked closer at the major pieces that would be necessary...and getting most of these from Pick-A-Brick is NOT happening.
@PurpleDave said:
"All I see is an “8”, but maybe I just have a different perspective on things..."
Or maybe you've been reading one-too-many 8-themed New Elementary articles! :-)
@bananaworld :
I do read New E, but don’t recall any “8”-themed articles offhand. But it would make sense if you can find a 3D viewer for this set. Or if you study it a bit harder, and think about what you’re looking at.
Edit: Ah, no, figured it out. I don’t usually read certain sites from work because their comment systems don’t cooperate with my iPod.
@chief7575 said:
"I was absolutely shocked, stunned and elated to get this for Christmas that year. Blacktron is still my favorite theme ever. This was a $50 set back then, which was a humongous amount for my family to spend on one item, especially a toy. I never thought I would actually get it! I still have this and the other first generation Blacktron sets and I cherish them to this day. Even got them all out and built them a couple years ago with my daughter. "
I had older neighbors who were able to get bigger sets like this. I was never able to, and was both super happy to play with them and also super jealous of them :)
I guess this is one of those sets of one of those themes which, rereleased, would never ever sell as well among Gen-Xers as, say, a replica of their parents old typewriters… sarcoff
I just wanted to leave a comment so I could say I commented... one of my favorites.