This was most likely our first Forestmen set (even though #6066 Camouflaged Outpost came out earlier I think we received that set later) and became an immediate favourite. 30 years and one generation later the Robin Hood tree house vibe still attracts my children's attention today!

The instructions are a small booklet in the 'old style', which means lots of parts per step and no part call outs. This did seem to cause a few problems for my youngest son (seven) as he was working his way through this build. Most of the set consists of black parts, with the instructions distinguishing between already built parts (shown as dark grey) and new parts by highlighting the new parts (black, white outline). When I got this I was probably eight or nine and I was used to instructions being like this so I do not remember having problems at all. My son, however, is used to the 'new style' which are easier to follow and he had some difficulties while trying to build this so dad had to come to the rescue now and then. He's built bigger (new) sets before so I think he's just spoiled with those new instructions ;-).

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, almost three out of four parts being black does not help when it comes to legibility of the instructions. This was before brown parts were widely available so black is the best that could be done. I always wondered what it would look like in brown but frankly it already looks good in black, brown might not be an improvement. Several parts were new to us, like the 1 x 1 x 5 brick (looks cleaner than five 1 x 1 bricks stacked together but less versatile), the 3 x 3 facet (wedged brick), the 3 x 1 double inverted slope, the round archery target tile, the barrel, the green vines and leaves... There's a good collection of standard grey and black bricks, black arches and corner wall panels and a nice selection of greenery: vines, small leaves, large leaves, and two pine trees (both a small and a large one). Our only problem was that we never had enough leaves nor trees to actually have a forest in which to place this hideout :-). I just now noticed that this set only has about 20 parts less compared to #6066 while in my memory this was our small Forestmen set. Part of this feeling could come from the huge difference in minifigures though, two versus six (and one horse).

Construction goes pretty fast, and is entertaining as long as you pay a bit of attention to the instructions. One of my favourite features is the door which is shaped rather nicely thanks to some wedged and sloped bricks. You can use the included pine trees to hide the opening which is a nice touch. I also loved the arched windows which seem to be carved out of the tree, although I always wondered what those grey bricks were doing there. Was it part of the trunk where the bark had been removed? Did the Forestmen build a stone platform in the tree? Even more baffling was the blue roof, is that a blue shingle roof? A waterfall? Why on earth use a blue roof in a tree hideout? Or a red flag, for that matter? It does provide a nice touch of colour though so was probably picked for that, as I child I never minded it was blue. If we learned anything from this set and #6075 Wolfpack Tower: you have to have coloured roofs. Two shields decorate the hideout, which I both loved and hated: it looks good but I always felt this was a waste of perfectly fine shields. Unfortunately this was a bit of a recurring theme with Forestmen. Except for the grey/blue room the interior is not finished in any way but I could live with this, it's a tree after all...

For playability you get a tree that can be displayed opened or closed, with enough room inside for the included Forestmen and several boughs to hide behind, some vines to climb down on unsuspecting passers-by (the addition of one would not have been frowned upon but is not necessary here), an archery target (I just loved that, so simple yet effective) and a barrel with whatever your imagination wants those two yellow round plates to be. And of course two classic Forestmen minifigures, can't go wrong with those. My grandmother once even made me a costume of that green-and-red tunic, I wonder where that went? Probably worn to pieces, I would imagine...

As a smallish playset this is just about perfect, there are some details you might want to change (the roof colour, or the fact that those spears are kept outside instead of inside, some branches are less sturdy, etc.) but this does not detract anything from the fact that this hideout is probably one of the reasons Forestmen as a theme is so fondly looked back upon!

Overall 5 bricks : An example that a Lego set doesn't have to be big in number of parts to end up a great set. A good color scheme, a wonderful design, great parts, enjoyable to built and a must to own it, especially for Castle fans of course. Still available on sites like E-bay (and in the Netherlands Marktplaats) for a reasonable price, get it if you can ! It would be so nice if Lego would decide to make some new Forestmen sets in the future.

Building 5 bricks : First a remark about the instruction book. It shows different shades of black, the black of the bricks to use and "pale" black for earlier steps, very handy in this set. Building it is great fun with a mix of small parts and panels. While building it the tree stays open, only when finished you close it, The back side shows a small entrance and the front side has a camouflaged look out post. Not really a set for the youngest builders, I estimate it for 8 years and older.

Parts 5 bricks : 5 Bricks is the maximum, in this set 6 would be in place too.The 2 great minifigures with more than sufficient weapons, a lot of black arches, green branches, 2 Pine trees, a lot of normal and inverted slopes and overall useful Castle parts. The bonus brick would especially be for the Deerhead shields of course and the green whips and archery target tile.

Playability 4 bricks : Nothing to complain of course, this set has great playing possibilities. It can be used both open and closed. Still one small extra in the form of an enemy minifigure would have made it 5 bricks here too.

Value 5 bricks: The last known retail price shows some € 18,00 which would be a bargain these days. The average sold price on Bricklink shows some € 35,00 at this time which is a good price in my opinion. Be sure if you buy it is complete with the 2 shields and target tile.

For my siblings and I, this was the first Robin Hood set we saw or knew of and for us the inception of built woodland, forest or nature in Lego. Even if one of a family owned a set, it could be admired hugely by all. We considered this set to be the definitive hideout tree that the merry men all met around and the 'proper' Robin Hood for wearing a white feather which seems amusing now. Let us dispense with my shameless nostalgia.

Minifigures:

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• Stag's head shields.
• Forestmen hats.

Robin Hood has the green peasant design top, see the money pouch on belt and green hat with small white feather. Will Scarlet (I insist, it surely is!), with his red chemise and arms on a green top and trousers wears a brown hat and red feather. There's one bow which the 'Hooded Man' always got even though Will is shown wearing the quiver?

Black Oak

The novel experience of building any tree at this stage of Lego themes was engaging and once the subtheme was gone it left the desire for natural landscape based sets that has never really been fulfilled. Regardless, this double green plated base covers a small but effective woody scene, the main black trunk of slants, diagonal panels and arches connecting to form some beloved ancient growth, broadleaf tree with a hollow at the bottom. This hollow makes a good shape to slip the Forestmen in and out of. Importantly it is triple hinged by strong two stud bricks to allow the interior play and further imaginary exploration. In this way most of the Forestmen sets achieve through trees what buildings rarely did: an encased and concealable environment rather than an open backed play set with no stairs. Lower down clips are hidden within the build to hold two brown spears or the like. Outside is a fun barrel holding two circular yellow 'gold' pieces, a small and large tree filling out the tiny scene and a brilliant circular archery target tile on a hinge for shooting practice.

Our hideout takes a funny turn in the upper section, one half consistently representing a large tree while the other opens to build a grey platform and box with carved or constructed pillars. Essentially this part becomes a tree house with a view over the forest floor if you like and gets a sword clipped inside. The camouflage and stealth aspect is happily traded in for the warmth of a more homely design, this being a defendable hideout even boasting its two stag's head shields symmetrically on the front, certainly not a shrewd tactical move when 'hiding' in the woods but you get the idea of a treehouse. Arched, pillared windows back this status up and its aesthetically a terrific model. The internal flooring is only half the tree's cross section so from the ground hollow, they can feasibly scramble and climb up inside the tree which is a cool idea. The staggered edges of the upper build and top of the arched windows are then roofed... in blue plate! Never mind, this is a home after all and the hinged plate extends with another plate to house them in. Its questionable as to whether this is necessary seeing as they are housed in with easy rear access but it provides more action.

Grey seems to accompany black to look like wood as much as it does stone. The tree build overall remains solid and careful to emphasise branches, small and large foliage being added high in the tree and lower where the balcony starts to emerge. Two remarkable green vine pieces sit high up and can thread through foliage piece holes. These allow MFs to cling on and hang out of the tree which adds a new dimension to play, the theme and other subsequent sets that could use such a piece. Its not necessarily jungle either, such deciduous creepers and vine exist; Wild Honeysuckle and straggling clumps of Ivy for example. A red flag is added on top hopefully for signalling and not alerting enemy to the presence of a 'secret' hideout.

Robbing The Rich

This is a marvellous set and a very worthwhile choice for kids and collectors. The Forestmen subtheme did the whole Castle theme credit for being legendary rather than fantasy and easily inclusive. Sets leaning toward the historical seemed to fit better and fantasy sets may well have benefitted from a totally seperate theme. This might be your favourite merry men set and you can not go wrong purchasing any of them as they outshine many other Castle subthemes. May woodland sets be made again.

I have just finished an overdue and most enjoyable hour building and playing with this set. I have wanted one for ages to add to my castle theme and managed to get one on eBay for a good price.