Tag Archives: Neo-Classic Space

Classic Space redux: Set the controls for 1986

I find it fascinating when LEGO builders tickle the nostalgic feels but use modern bricks and techniques. Take this new creation by LEGO Design Director Frédéric Roland Andre (Shamisenfred) for example.

This “ARAPAIMA” Cosmic fleet voyager MK4 looks like something right out of the 1986 catalog. Remember LEGO catalogs? In fact, it was in the 1986 catalog in a way; it takes inspiration from the 6985 Cosmic Fleet Voyager from that year (which the builder once said was his very first set!). While it maintains that nostalgic feel, it uses modern pieces not even dreamed up in 1986. Frédéric tells us the ship resembles the arapaima fish and, after a quick Google search, I’m inclined to agree.

Frédéric keeps thr nostalgia streak going with a Blacktron blast from the past called the “HAGEWASHI” Dropship, which, to us laymen means vulture.

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This gaggle of greebles gives me a great grin

If the word is new to you, “greebles” are all those little details that give texture to a model. Whether it’s LEGO, or some big budget movie’s production design, they’re the details that make the fantastic feel real. Even though we don’t really see them in the real world all too often. And this Neo-Classic Space masterpiece by Scott Wilhelm has got enough greebles for a dozen spaceships. While the blue portions of the ship maintain a traditional smooth surface, Scott has made sure the gray portion is absolutely exploding with clips and bars and odd pieces at strange angles. The combined effect of which is a craft that feels like the most technologically advanced ship in the fleet.

Get up-close and personal with this these Blacktron bruisers

Conventional wisdom would suggest that when you’re engaged in a dog fight in space, you want to keep your distance and let your laser guns do your enemy in. But Steve Marsh isn’t worried about convention. He’s begun a series of Blacktron ships that are built for combat, without using guns. The first is the SnubBuzzard, a brutal-looking battering ram of a ship that busts through its targets with ease.

The second is the Buzzsaw and, well, I probably don’t need to tell you how it attacks. It can be a challenge to bring new life to old concepts, and the idea of weaponless combat ships is an inspired approach. The resulting ships look swooshable and exactly like something I would have eaten up as a child. And, the best part is, when Blacktron reduces a Space Police cruiser to bits, you get to rebuilt it!

Are you a fan of Seve “Rubblemaker” Marsh’s distinctive spaceship designs? We’ll be back in a few days with an in-depth interview with this LEGO Space legend.

As Febrovery rolls to a close, it’s time for a final rover roundup! [Feature]

Alas, Febrovery has reached the end of the road. If only February were a few days longer, then we would get more amazing LEGO rovers rolling across distant moons. On the other hand, more days might burn out those hard-working builders creating a new build each day. Let’s celebrate our favorite rovers from the second half of the month. In case you missed it, here is is our mid-month roundup. Tell us in the comments which rover you’d most like to take for a spin!

Two-seater Monowheel Rover by Wynd

We lead with greebles courtesy of this delightful monowheel from builder Wynd. It’s a fresh spin on her rover from last year, maintaining the neo-classic space vibes, but expanding for an extra passenger and bringing in a rubber tire.

Our Febrovery roundup continues with many more amazing space builds

Go beyond the edge of Classic Space box art with the MBL-34

I thought today would be the day I buckle down and get stuff done. But I took one of those what kind of dog are you? online quizzes and they determined I’m a basset hound when I fancy myself as a boxer and now I have that to deal with. While I’m wasting time online, I’m compelled to show you this LEGO rover built by The Neighborhood Merchant. Merch begs the question; Have you ever wondered what lies beyond the horizon of all those treacherous dunes on Classic Space box art? And I’m like; no, I haven’t, but now I’m willing to take a deep dive into the subject. They go on to say that research beyond the dunes involved some beefy monster tires and now my interest is really piqued.

That massive mobile lab has a well-detailed interior and what looks to be enough playability to forego doing any important tasks for hours to come. In fact, everything I wanted to get done today are now all monster tire and Classic Space rover related. Thanks, Merch! If you’d like to join me down a couple of good rabbit holes, I can suggest our Febrovery archive as well as a deep dive into Classic Space.

Rocket, yeah, satellite of LEGO

For Classic Space fans, 6950 Mobile Rocket Transport is up there with 497 Galaxy Explorer as one of the all time great LEGO sets. It packed in rockets, radar, chonky wheels, a unique trans yellow cockpit, and loads of play potential for aspiring astronauts. Jan Schönherr-Wacker (with the amazing handle Fiftyshadesofbley) makes their debut with a stellar reimagining of the classic set, putting as much care into preserving the set’s character as LEGO did with the Galaxy Explorer update.

Like the best Neo-Classic Space builds, Jan sticks to classic colors while drawing on a much deeper bench of parts and adding plenty of greebles. The upgraded wheels come from Chima/Ninjago sets. The radar dish is replaced with a trio of hexagonal flags that can bloom into place. The simple hinge lift of the original is redesigned using Technic parts to support the much heavier rocket. Jan tops off the build with a custom-printed 6950 brick to pay tribute to the original’s serial number. It’s a great debut and we’re excited to see what Jan builds next!

Botanical Cruiser carries Earth’s plastic plants across the cosmos

While back-to-school sales, falling leaves, and pumpkin spice lattes might be the more recognized signs of autumn’s arrival, among LEGO fans, it’s the sudden appearance of massive spaceships in our feeds that we look for. SHIPtember is when builders race to complete a spaceship of at least 100 studs in length, aka a SHIP (Seriously Huge Investment of Parts). Space Kook is no stranger to the tradition, having participated for at least four years, even creating five SHIPs in a single month. This year, Space Kook presents the LSS Kew, a Botanical Cruiser adorned with domes to transport Earth biomes to distant colonies.

Click to explore Space Kook’s impressive cruiser from other angles!

Monorail Station celebrates Classic Space evolution

What could stir the heartstrings of LEGO Classic Space fans more than a motorized monorail? How about TWO monorails and an epic station bustling with intergalactic travelers? That’s just what Martin.with.bricks delivers in this stunning diorama that combines Classic Space with modern techniques and minifigs at a truly epic scale.

All aboard the monorail for more pics of this epic space diorama!

A spry manipulator of alien orbs

Cody Avery is no stranger to mechs that blend LEGO themes in surprising (and sometimes distrubing!) ways. His latest shared creation, the Hyper Manipulator, is a mech that pushes the boundaries of Neo-Classic Space. Thanks to sets like 6882 Walking Astro Grappler, Classic Space will always be synonymous with mechs wielding snaking manipulator arms. In his modern creation, Cody trades grab jaw arms for macaroni tubes that unfurl like living ropes. No Classic Space inspired build is complete without a trans-yellow windshield, and Cody takes advantage of the recent 4×4 sphere top to great effect. It’s almost punk the way Cody breaks convention with white accessories and one mismatched minifig leg. Down on the ground, the use of pearlescent balls makes for a truly otherworldly setting. It’s a great design that shows how much vitality there is to even the most venerable themes.

Will we ever stop exploring LEGO’s Galaxy Explorer?

When it first debuted in 1978, this most infamous LEGO theme was known as Space. But after a while, factions later, we started referring to it as Classic Space. And after the shade of light gray changed and more curves became available, it morphed into Neo-Classic Space. But now, after the Galaxy Explorer set has hit store shelves, I think we’ve hit the start of the Neo-Neo-Classic Space age. That’s certainly what it feels like in Alec Hole‘s stellar (and interstellar) Explorer Mk 4. Bursting with all kinds of sci-fi textures, this blue and gray starship represents yet another point in Space’s evolutionary timeline. The double cockpit, done up in the traditional trans-yellow, is a superb choice. And I quite like all the light gray gear bits worked in throughout the wings.

Check out more of this Classic Space creation below

This galactic school bus deserves an A+

And while we’re on the subject of space babies, notenoughbricks is making sure these adorable astronauts are getting the education they need to become the galactic explorers of tomorrow. This Neo-Classic rover is one part school bus and one part…well, it’s actually all school bus. But it features plenty of classic space stylings and an automatic stop sign to halt on-coming traffic. The best part is a robot-driven mini-rover that can deploy from the back and make sure all the students get inside the school safely.

A spaceship scene that is truly “in tents.”

OA KD has a real knack for taking unusual LEGO elements and working them into brilliant Classic Space homages. Last time, a Duplo windscreen did its duty on a massive cargo freighter. This time, a Belville tent frame from 5846 Desert Island forms most of the hull of a tiny fighter. While white isn’t typically part of the Classic Space color scheme, the effect works here thanks to all the dark gray provided by that beautifully-textured background.