Tag Archives: Blacktron

Blacktron returns with the Lucky Wolf

When it comes to collecting vintage LEGO Space subthemes, Blacktron I has a strong following. LEGO’s first intergalactic villain faction has been reborn in the form of Spaceruner’s Lucky Wolf, clad in the classic Blacktron I colors of black, yellow, and trans red. One source of inspiration was set 6894 Invader, released in 1987. They have even gone so far as to create their own robot. By utilizing both vintage and modern parts, the end-result is a model that’s out of this world.

If you love Blacktron I, you might also enjoy this Blacktronesque laser mining vehicle we featured on April 16th.

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Could Classic Space and Blacktron ever get along?

Looking at this Tracked Laser Mining Vehicle by Jon & Catherine Stead, the first thing that springs to mind is classic Blacktron. A few details seem out of place in this assumption and the description reveals no villainous intentions.

The yellow spacemen suggest this is in fact very much a peaceful vehicle. I particularly like the laser array, supported by strings going between pillars of translucent red 1×1 round plates. The ground is quite interesting as well, using an established technique and carrying us to a faraway moon or planet with its colours.

Blacktron dropship is seriously loaded

A long time ago, in a toy box far, far away…there were Classic Space LEGO sets. Blacktron followed in 1987 and was characterized by its black, yellow, and transparent yellow color scheme. They were a thriving intergalactic crime syndicate until the Space Police tracked them down in 1989. Many LEGO fans have created custom Blacktron-themed models over the years, including Jme Wheeler, who built this imposing dropship as a tribute. The model does a great job of capturing Blacktron’s distinctive aesthetic.

The dropship features retractable landing gear, a bomb bay in the belly that drops, and a substantial missile rack that unfolds from the tail. I think it might even be packing more firepower than the U.S.S. Sulaco’s dropship from Aliens.

Blacktron-inspired Angulus Armored Transport is ready for its next mission

Model-builder Spaceruner has been around the online LEGO world for years putting out updated or re-imagined versions of classic sets. His latest model is the Angulus, a unique twist on the old Blacktron II LEGO theme (and is in a lot of ways an evolution of his older Piranha model).

Many of the usual Blacktron II staples are here: the contrasting black and white color scheme and octagonal trans-neon-green cockpits foremost. What I appreciate most about this model is how modern it feels without feeling obligated to shove a bunch of newer parts into the build: most old-school LEGO fans of the 80s and 90s could probably duplicate the majority of this creation if they still have their childhood buckets of bricks.

We previously featured Spaceruner’s gigantic RX1 Behemoth, a truly massive tribute to the old Spyrius line.

Blacktron design takes a giant step forward

Following on from the Blacktron Ravenwing Fighter that TBB has featured last month, builder CK-MCMLXXXI continues the theme with this ferocious looking LEGO Blacktron mech. This digital creation brings to life a brutal looking machine, armed to the teeth with a rail gun and what looks like a trans-yellow plasma rifle. I particularly like the way the printed Blacktron element is set at an angle so as to suggest a beak like maw. Another clever technique uses clipped tiles attached to Technic flex tube to create a realistic ammo belt. The result is an intimidating monster of a vehicle, worthy of the Blacktron moniker.

Designed the Blacktron way

When revisiting a classic LEGO theme such as the first wave of Blacktron sets, as CK-MCMLXXXI does here with his Ravenwing Fighter, you have to really get your head around the original design principles. It seems obvious when pointed out, but the black- and yellow-accented Blacktron fleet references the danger markings of the animal kingdom. The insect quality of this nifty spacecraft draws on this, bringing to mind an angry hornet. Best of all, it takes the triangular Blacktron insignia and uses its angles to form a distinctive bug-wing shape. Marrying this with an abdomen-like cylindrical body completes a near perfect Blacktron vehicle.

Twenty-first century Blacktron engineering

For many of us, the original Blacktron sets hold a nostalgic place in our hearts. However, when viewed with today’s building standards in mind, some might say they are lacking a certain modern touch. Andrea Lattanzio has built our black-suited friends a state-of- the-art armored personnel carrier that looks straight out of a 21st century Blacktron remake. The color scheme is spot on: black with yellow accents, and the use of uncommon old door pieces, among others, adds interesting details to the sides of the vehicle.

The builder has also made a cool video showcasing the features of the build, including a complete interior with seating for five troopers, opening hatches, and a removable turret.

Yeah, uh huh, you know what it is... Black and yellow, black and yellow

Serbian builder Milan Sekiz recently unveiled this amazing collection of vehicles inspired by the classic range of LEGO space sets known as Blacktron. Each one is a stylish example of stud-free “neo classic” design, wrapped in that gorgeous Blacktron color palette that just screams “I’m more dangerous than a wasp with a migraine!”.

Click here for more Blacktron porn

Mladen Pejic’s Blacktron rovers

Mecha legend Mladen Pejic has built an interesting pair of quad-legged rovers in Blactron I & II livery, using an ingenious technique to create spherical rollers as opposed to wheels. The resulting ‘legs’ give the rovers a wonderful sense of character and allow all manners of dynamic posing.

Of the two, my favourite has to be the Trespasser shown above…mainly because of the surprising cockpit.

See more LEGO mecha from this legendary builder

Green is the new black

Blacktron is definitely not the most popular space subtheme, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t look as awesome as the others. Stephan Niehoff grabs a ton of transparent green bricks and creates a splendid diorama of a futuristic quay.

The boat itself isn’t that sophisticated, but, no doubt, looks like a top-class stealth vessel. Bonus points are for a couple of huge engines in the back of the boat. I’m especially happy to see some of the close-up shots — go and have a look yourself in the builder’s album! There are many more eye-catching details, including a couple of soldiers by the boat and a brilliant crane.

Neo-Classic Blacktron from Cole Blaq? Why yes please!

We’ve featured our share of mashups here at The Brothers Brick, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a convergence of Neo-Classic Space with Blacktron livery. Cole Blaq nails the NCS aesthetic with this “High Jack” fighter, featuring the expected blue and gray color-blocking and great parts choices for greebles. But in place of the yellow-black-yellow striping, Cole has included a complex, brick-built version of the Blacktron logo. What does it mean? Is this an NCS ship captured and pressed into service by the Blacktron villains? Why not just paint the whole thing black? It’s all rather mysterious…

You can read more about the build over on cole-blaq.com.

Big, black and beautiful: The Blacktron Behemoth

This huge Blacktron-themed tank by Adrian Drake measures a whopping 104 x 48 studs. Complete with a rotating turret and articulated corner treads, this LEGO tank is an absolute necessity for any Blacktron fleet worth its salt.

Adrian explained that his build was inspired by the artwork of DeviantArt user Duskie-06, but of course modified for LEGO building and tricked out in black with yellow trim and red transparent pieces in order to be a true Blacktron vehicle. According to Adrian, “The entire thing is basically a giant technic framework that, when I take the treads off, I can pick up and swoosh quite easily. It is, in reality, a SHIP with tank treads.”

If you’re looking to build a Blacktron Behemoth of your very own, be forewarned, to complete a tank like this you will need to spend countless man-hours in R&D and manufacturing. It took Adrian nearly two months to complete this build and that was even with the assistance of child labor: Adrian’s 9-year-old son designed the gun on the top of the turret and his 12-year-old son tirelessly mass-produced the tank’s treads. Without minions of your own, you’re looking at a much longer timeline before your tank rolls off the assembly line.

To see the up-close details of this build, be sure to check out more photos of Adrian’s massive Blacktron tank on Flickr. You can also see this tank in person at Brickworld Chicago or BrickFair DC.