Alternative building instructions for 10497 Galaxy Explorer now available
Posted by CapnRex101,
LEGO has published the alternative instructions for 10497 Galaxy Explorer on LEGO customer service, meaning they are available under the instructions tab on Brickset too.
The alternative craft take inspiration from 918 One Man Space Ship and 924 Space Cruiser, scaled up to match the new Galaxy Explorer.
We hope to publish reviews of these models shortly.
You can find our prior coverage of 10497 Galaxy Explorer here:
- Review: 10497 Galaxy Explorer
- Throwback Thursday: 497 Galaxy Explorer
- Interview with Mike Psiaki, designer of 10497 Galaxy Explorer
Are you planning to build the alternative models? Let us know in the comments.
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44 comments on this article
Some reviews of the alt builds:
https://jaysbrickblog.com/news/lego-10497-galaxy-explorer-2022-alternate-builds/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wuLpQoGbWU
Ordered mine yesterday, looking forward for delivery! I will build it at once, admire it for some time and then check the alternative builds!
Does anyone know, can both alternate models be built from one set at the same time? Buy two kits and build all three at the same time?
OR
Or only one of each at a time? (requiring three kits to build all?)
@jedivalkyrie said:
"Does anyone know, can both alternate models be built from one set at the same time? Buy two kits and build all three at the same time?
OR
Or only one of each at a time? (requiring three kits to build all?)"
Unfortunately it’s the latter. But still, I’m very pleased the option exists! I’ll definitely poke around and build the alternatives when I have time.
Walked outside my door a few minutes ago to see that it had been delivered!
It’s so beautiful! I never pre-ordered LEGO before this. But I couldn’t wait! Building it right now.
@christopher94 said:
"Unfortunately it’s the latter. But still, I’m very pleased the option exists! I’ll definitely poke around and build the alternatives when I have time. "
Not unexpected, but that's probably the only thing I don't like about this set. I wonder how many additional parts you'd need to build both. If you could have built both at the same time I certainly would have ordered 2 sets immediately.....
I've just looked at both instructions and the medium model is too much like the original - it's almost a carbon copy (as far as style and method/techniques of construction are concerned). The smaller one is quite different from the original and thus more interesting (IMO).
Just for the positioning thrusters, you already know you need 3 sets to do the 3 models. But I'm sure I won't take long before someone figure out if it is better to (A) buy 2 and pick-a-brick the rest of the missing parts or (B) simply buy 3.
Note: the smaller one does not have legs - so this will have to be fixed somehow eventually (i.e. pick-a-brick or your own parts)
According to the delivery company, I should receive my copy today.
@christopher94 said:
" @jedivalkyrie said:
"Does anyone know, can both alternate models be built from one set at the same time? Buy two kits and build all three at the same time?
OR
Or only one of each at a time? (requiring three kits to build all?)"
Unfortunately it’s the latter. But still, I’m very pleased the option exists! I’ll definitely poke around and build the alternatives when I have time.
"
It kind of stinks, because you can only purchase 2 per household from Lego shop @home right now. Someone suggested in a previous article to my quedtion I had about this, that most of the pieces for each alternative build should be in one set, then you could Bricklink the remaining pieces required to finish. May be a more cost effective way.
The smallest of the three has an Easter Egg. There’s a space accessed from above that’s behind the cockpit that perfectly fits the robot. It’s exactly where an astromech droid would go if this were a Star Wars ship.
@HOBBES said:
"I've just looked at both instructions and the medium model is too much like the original - it's almost a carbon copy (as far as style and method/techniques of construction are concerned). The smaller one is quite different from the original and thus more interesting (IMO).
Just for the positioning thrusters, you already know you need 3 sets to do the 3 models. But I'm sure I won't take long before someone figure out if it is better to (A) buy 2 and pick-a-brick the rest of the missing parts or (B) simply buy 3.
Note: the smaller one does not have legs - so this will have to be fixed somehow eventually (i.e. pick-a-brick or your own parts)
According to the delivery company, I should receive my copy today."
I think the similarity is par for the course given the sets that it's based on. Personally (having built all three digitally after New Elementary shared the alt build instructions a few days ago), I'm pretty happy with the little ways they've differentiated the three models—while they clearly share design DNA like the models that inspired them, the way details are constructed and arranged varies between all three. On the mid-sized model, I particularly like the cargo bay (with some sort of vague sci-fi cargo and a unique latch mechanism compared to the base model) as well as the dense array of computers and controls in the cockpit (making the most of the extra space afforded by reducing the crew capacity from four to two). On the smallest build, the non-angled windscreen makes the whole thing look sleeker and the build takes advantage of that with a reclined seating arrangement and angled yoke for the pilot (plus the interchangeable computer core/droid mentioned by @Zander)
I walked into a store today (which was previously TRU) and got one of them - I will be waiting for a discount for the second set.
I only built the 918 lookalike yet (because 918 > 928 > 924, all my private car license plates so far include 918 (first one: https://brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1856344)). Unfortunately, you cannot build 918 and 924 at the same time. There are a lot of leftover pieces, but I am somewhat disappointed that 918 does not even include a landing gear.
I will eventually build all three of them at the same time.
If only they'd included additional printed LL918 and LL924 bricks in the main set, then this would've been perfect...
I'm not sure I would have recognized that as 918 if I would not have been told so. It sure has the same basic concept, but so do all 1978/1979 Lego space ships.
I'm still not sure if I prefer this or the original version of 918... However I definitely prefer the improved front 'guns' on 924 - the original one's did look a bit unfinished.
Oh, and did I already mention that 6809 robot they included in these builds was originally called 'Zyr the Opthal-Robot'? (http://www.peeron.com/catalogs/1987/medium/18/)
When I build the trio I definitely plan to swap out the LL928 1x6 brick on both alternate builds with original LL918 and LL924 1x4 bricks and to fill the gaps with blue 1x2 bricks.
Then again, third party suppliers offer printed replacement bricks with any number you desire, so for example you could have an LL914 or LL927 or whatever. Might be worth a try.
Somehow (by somehow I mean I don't know who will eventually produce it - most likely a third party) we need a kit which will contain six 1 x 6 bricks. Two of them will have LL918, two with LL924 and finally two with LL1392.
Why 1392? because the set has been scaled up 1.5 times so 928 * 1.5 = 1392.
There would also be an argument to have the LL918, LL924 and LL928 with an extra letter: LL918A, LL924-A, LL928/A (pick your style). That would be useful for those who have the originals and want to have all of them on the same display (obviously they cannot have the same number if they are not the same, right?)
@HOBBES said:
"Somehow (by somehow I mean I don't know who will eventually produce it - most likely a third party) we need a kit which will contain six 1 x 6 bricks. Two of them will have LL918, two with LL924 and finally two with LL1392.
Why 1392? because the set has been scaled up 1.5 times so 928 * 1.5 = 1392.
There would also be an argument to have the LL918, LL924 and LL928 with an extra letter: LL918A, LL924-A, LL928/A (pick your style). That would be useful for those who have the originals and want to have all of them on the same display (obviously they cannot have the same number if they are not the same, right?)
"
Excellent suggestion, I love the idea of the "A" suffix. Very TNG! Let's hope someone makes it so... :-)
@8lackmagic said:
" @HOBBES said:
"Somehow (by somehow I mean I don't know who will eventually produce it - most likely a third party) we need a kit which will contain six 1 x 6 bricks. Two of them will have LL918, two with LL924 and finally two with LL1392.
Why 1392? because the set has been scaled up 1.5 times so 928 * 1.5 = 1392.
There would also be an argument to have the LL918, LL924 and LL928 with an extra letter: LL918A, LL924-A, LL928/A (pick your style). That would be useful for those who have the originals and want to have all of them on the same display (obviously they cannot have the same number if they are not the same, right?)
"
Excellent suggestion, I love the idea of the "A" suffix. Very TNG! :-)"
I had to Google it.
For those, like me, who might not know what TNG means: The Next Generation (specifically from Star Trek).
Hm.
918 Space Transport
924 Space Transporter
928 Space Transportest?
Mine just got delivered, very excited to start the build!
Mine arrived hours ago, too--can't wait! Such a great set! Not to mention an excellent way to back fill those red and white CS figs so long as you're not a purist. I expect we'll see a list shortly of parts you'd need to have on hand to build both.
Oops, these alternate digital instructions fail to list the part inventories for the specific builds at the end of the instructions. Guess we'll have to build them then disassemble again to more easily get the part count.
Tried checking rebrickable.com in case they have parts lists yet, but getting a connection timeout on their site atm...
[edit] Ok was able to connect again, but it appears that there are no separate part listings submitted yet for the alternate builds at rebrickable.com.
@rgeiger said:
"I walked into a store today (which was previously TRU) and got one of them - I will be waiting for a discount for the second set.
I only built the 918 lookalike yet (because 918 > 928 > 924, all my private car license plates so far include 918 (first one: https://brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1856344)). Unfortunately, you cannot build 918 and 924 at the same time. There are a lot of leftover pieces, but I am somewhat disappointed that 918 does not even include a landing gear.
I will eventually build all three of them at the same time."
Nice plates!
@8lackmagic said:
" @HOBBES said:
"Somehow (by somehow I mean I don't know who will eventually produce it - most likely a third party) we need a kit which will contain six 1 x 6 bricks. Two of them will have LL918, two with LL924 and finally two with LL1392.
Why 1392? because the set has been scaled up 1.5 times so 928 * 1.5 = 1392.
There would also be an argument to have the LL918, LL924 and LL928 with an extra letter: LL918A, LL924-A, LL928/A (pick your style). That would be useful for those who have the originals and want to have all of them on the same display (obviously they cannot have the same number if they are not the same, right?)
"
Excellent suggestion, I love the idea of the "A" suffix. Very TNG! Let's hope someone makes it so... :-)"
Great idea regarding 1392! Wonder where I’ve read that one before?! ;)
I want to display all three build together as a set. So I will just buy three sets.
Can’t wait!
@HOBBES said:
"Somehow (by somehow I mean I don't know who will eventually produce it - most likely a third party) we need a kit which will contain six 1 x 6 bricks. Two of them will have LL918, two with LL924 "
I'm surprised none of the custom printers have something like this available yet. Maybe they were waiting to get the real thing to make sure they match the font? It seems like a really obvious and easy way to get some attention and sales.
@ForestMenOfEndor said:
" @8lackmagic said:
" @HOBBES said:
"Somehow (by somehow I mean I don't know who will eventually produce it - most likely a third party) we need a kit which will contain six 1 x 6 bricks. Two of them will have LL918, two with LL924 and finally two with LL1392.
Why 1392? because the set has been scaled up 1.5 times so 928 * 1.5 = 1392.
There would also be an argument to have the LL918, LL924 and LL928 with an extra letter: LL918A, LL924-A, LL928/A (pick your style). That would be useful for those who have the originals and want to have all of them on the same display (obviously they cannot have the same number if they are not the same, right?)
"
Excellent suggestion, I love the idea of the "A" suffix. Very TNG! Let's hope someone makes it so... :-)"
Great idea regarding 1392! Wonder where I’ve read that one before?! ;)"
That was not my idea - might have been from you; I know I read this on Brickset but I can't remember which article - I think it is just a great idea and it should definitely be done. The additional A (or any letter) was not my idea either (the styling is but you don't need to be a genius to come up with that). I am just aggregating here!
I'd be satisfied with stickers (on transparent plastic) for 918 and 924.
There's no way I'll be able to afford three copies of this set for the alts... but sometime I may look at parting the smaller ones out.
In one review it said only one spaceship can be built due to some key parts. I wish we could build the two smaller ones. I hope I have enough spare to do so.
These feel pretty similar to the Original model in a way and don’t justify buying a whole new set or destroying your current one.
I've got two of this set on-hand. First one built the main model, which I'm not taking apart, as it's just stupendous IMHO.
With the 2nd set I built the updated mid-size 924 ship. Except for a couple of parts that are different colors than they would be if this were the main model this alt. build is just as faithful to the original 924/487 as the main build is to the original 928/497. It looks very similar of course, but that was true of the original 924 vs 928, and this new version has some cool differences in construction and features that subtly but noticeably differentiate it from the main model.
RE how to build BOTH alt. models, there's one factor to keep in mind: this set contains four Classic Space minifies. To buy those figs on the used market in near-new condition would cost at least $40-$50. So if you factor in the likely Bricklink/PAB cost of the pieces necessary to be able to build the 2nd alt. model, plus the cost of the minifigs, you're probably better off just buying another copy of the set.
But if you don't care about getting another four minifigs, then I think the 2nd alt. model will be able to be assembled (again, if you are not too fussy about the printed bits) for not a lot of extra money, maybe $30 or less if you are willing to spend the time to really comb through the 918 instructions to find every single piece that you can grab from your inventory and/or subsittute with a different color or mold variation because it's not visible in the completed build.
I really like the Space Cruiser version, it could have been easily sold as a separate set at a lower price.
It's nice this is provided, and clearly seems to boosts sales for LEGO with people wanting 2-3 sets for those alt models.
Personally I'd build something custom and different from a second set.
As there are plenty of pieces left over, I would expand and built a double side by side cockpit version of 924 which would also allow more space at the back for cargo.
The back of the box should have had photos exploring all these alternatives.
A rough calculation has Alt 924 using 789 pieces and Alt 918 using 535 pieces.
To build both alternates from a single 10497 set requires an additional 335 pieces.
Many are reasonably common so may be available from other sets, or are hidden inside the build so can be substituted for alternate colours.
The obvious exceptions are the printed pieces P6302718 and P6323429, and the unique to this set P6408629.
Despite the size differences, all 3 spaceships use the full complement of 11 each of Wing Plate 3x6, Left and Right!
@HOBBES said:
" @ForestMenOfEndor said:
" @8lackmagic said:
" @HOBBES said:
"Somehow (by somehow I mean I don't know who will eventually produce it - most likely a third party) we need a kit which will contain six 1 x 6 bricks. Two of them will have LL918, two with LL924 and finally two with LL1392.
Why 1392? because the set has been scaled up 1.5 times so 928 * 1.5 = 1392.
There would also be an argument to have the LL918, LL924 and LL928 with an extra letter: LL918A, LL924-A, LL928/A (pick your style). That would be useful for those who have the originals and want to have all of them on the same display (obviously they cannot have the same number if they are not the same, right?)
"
Excellent suggestion, I love the idea of the "A" suffix. Very TNG! Let's hope someone makes it so... :-)"
Great idea regarding 1392! Wonder where I’ve read that one before?! ;)"
That was not my idea - might have been from you; I know I read this on Brickset but I can't remember which article - I think it is just a great idea and it should definitely be done. The additional A (or any letter) was not my idea either (the styling is but you don't need to be a genius to come up with that). I am just aggregating here!"
I was just being cheeky! Can't imagine that I was the first person to think of the 1.5x connection. Your aggregation of ideas is superior all around.
For those who build in hard mode the alt LL924 Alt will suit you, I haven’t swooshed so much Lego around in sorting trays for probably 25 years and haven’t happily cursed so much since I was a kid (I have some much better words to use now) , nearly every bag was used in some degree I’m hopeful combining the spares from this and eventually another set for the Alt LL918 may give my rusty moc skills opportunity to build a moonbase, or a Pisaki style space scooter at the very least,
My set finally arrived via FedEx today. Started building tonight. It has been 36 years since I last had this problem, but my bag 2 was short 1 piece, and instead the bag contained a piece not even needed for the model (after checking the parts inventory). I guess LEGO is getting an email form me at some point. I hope no other pieces are missing. That'll dampen my excitement to do this build.
I have to think buying 1 extra set, building the medium model, and using leftover parts + pick a brick parts to scrounge together the small model will be the way to go. It'll take a few hundred PAB parts for sure, but there's no way it'd cost an extra $100 that buying a 3rd set would cost you.
Also, all the parts that are hidden can be swapped to other colors, so you can use more of your existing parts.
My Galaxy Explorer got delivered yesterday, but I haven't been able to bring myself to open the box yet. It's just too beautiful! I work in my home office and it's across the room on a table to my right. I like seeing it there.
@jedivalkyrie said:
"Does anyone know, can both alternate models be built from one set at the same time? Buy two kits and build all three at the same time?
OR
Or only one of each at a time? (requiring three kits to build all?)"
There is a MOC on Rebrickable with a list of 340 parts one needs to buy additionally to one set for building the two alternate models out of one set.
@Anonym said:
" @jedivalkyrie said:
"Does anyone know, can both alternate models be built from one set at the same time? Buy two kits and build all three at the same time?
OR
Or only one of each at a time? (requiring three kits to build all?)"
There is a MOC on Rebrickable with a list of 340 parts one needs to buy additionally to one set for building the two alternate models out of one set."
Link?
@legoptigan said:
" @Anonym said:
" @jedivalkyrie said:
"Does anyone know, can both alternate models be built from one set at the same time? Buy two kits and build all three at the same time?
OR
Or only one of each at a time? (requiring three kits to build all?)"
There is a MOC on Rebrickable with a list of 340 parts one needs to buy additionally to one set for building the two alternate models out of one set."
Link?"
I think I found it:
https://bricksafe.com/pages/BigJudge/small-star-wars-builds/10497-galaxy-explorer-parts-lists