Random part of the day: Cockpit 4X6X2
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random part is 41883, 'Cockpit 4X6X2', which is a System part, category Windscreens And Cockpits. It was introduced in 2002 and was last used in 2011. It was made in 2 colours and has appeared in 25 sets, one of the first of which was 7163 Republic Gunship.
Our members collectively own a total of 130,082 of them. If you'd like to buy some you should find them for sale at BrickLink.
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15 comments on this article
This seemed so cool at first, until you realize the angled sides coupled with the small size make it very hard to work into a MOC.
I got a 7163 from a recent estate sale, but I think it is incomplete…at least if this part is missing, replacements will be straightforward.
One of my first Star Wars sets was that old black and blue Stormtrooper battle pack (I even got two of 'em) so this set is insanely nostalgic for me.
I have a love/hate relationship with this piece. On one hand, it's very cool looking and one of the few small space canopies. Also it was used to great effect in Mars Mission. On the other hand, it's very hard to integrate and most of its Star Wars applications are inaccurate to the source material.
@PurpleDave said:
"This seemed so cool at first, until you realize the angled sides coupled with the small size make it very hard to work into a MOC."
I grew up with this part being ubiquitous in my collection and yeah, that was something I felt a lot growing up
I really like this piece for making old aeroplanes, especially WW2 aircraft. I've never been into Star Wars but the theme does provide lots of useful pieces for aircraft MOCs.
It's a pit where cocks live.
I got one of those in Trans-Orange from the 8113 Assault Tiger set, and I honestly quite love it. I used it several times in my Mars Mission MOCs.
I see some negative comments related to it being too small, but I think a piece like this is ideal for small-to-mid-sized aircraft.
You know, only a few days ago I had trouble reading my e-reader in bed because the light that comes with the folding case was just too bright and bluish. So whaddayaknow, I suddenly stumble across this piece in Tr. orange on one of my old Mars Mission sets and get the amazing idea to just lay it over the light to dim it! It actually works wonders, I’m having a lot more enjoyment out of my books now :D
I recognized this guy from 7143 Jedi Starfighter. Such a great set--functioning landing gear on a Star Wars set in 2002. And so swooshable, too!
I thought, when I saw this piece, that I'd had one of it in the past, but couldn't place where from off the top of my head. Turns out it was 7667, which I got second-hand with some minifigures missing from a car boot sale, right as I was starting to trail into my 'dark age'... which is probably why it didn't make a bigger impression than just 'oh I vaguely recognise this' xD
I... don't have many thoughts on it other than that. Didn't realise it was the same piece that had been used for some of the most recognisable Episode II sets, but that's kinda neat.
I remember getting this in 8111 when I was a wee lad.
@mr_Fikou said:
"You know, only a few days ago I had trouble reading my e-reader in bed because the light that comes with the folding case was just too bright and bluish. So whaddayaknow, I suddenly stumble across this piece in Tr. orange on one of my old Mars Mission sets and get the amazing idea to just lay it over the light to dim it! It actually works wonders, I’m having a lot more enjoyment out of my books now :D"
That's what they call NPU!
For myself, I like this part, but I think that's party because I'm a stunted builder--i.e. stuck with the skills and scales of '90s cars and spaceships. For things on the scale of, say, the Supernova II, it's not too bad. Kind of like an enclosed 35270.
I always liked how sturdy this particular cockpit looked. Might not be as sleek as some other versions but looks like it could take a bit of pressure…or a few hits depending on how warlike the thing you’ve built is!
@LegoDavid:
It’s not just that it’s small. It's that the size and shape make it hard to do anything besides a tiny little crate for a cockpit. If you don’t want gaps around the bottom edge like on 7143, you end up with a cockpit that’s barely got clearance to put a minifig in standing up, and forget about having a recliner cockpit design. The style they came up with for the Naboo Starfighter and the original X-Wing both gave you a decent 4x4 square to start with, plus whatever you wanted to work around for the angled tip. This has only a useable 1x4 rectangle before it immediately starts narrowing to half its width. You still sorta get a 4x4 space to work with, but now it’s nearly 25% smaller, and effectively closer to 35% smaller. I guarantee you the reason it was retired is because the set designers had trouble making it work with minifig cockpits. Notice that many times it’s just a fixed windscreen with no enclosed cockpit. Hang it it front of a minifigs? Easy. Seal all the bottom edges on a spaceship cockpit? How many oxygen tanks can you fit in there with you?