Futuron Moonbase

[Lord Of Pies]

Hello one and all!

I am on a bit of a roll at the moment when it comes to space MOCS, and I have finally gone to the effort of photographing my Futuron Moonbase, with space ships and crane.

Well, without further ado, here it is:

As you can see, it almost fits in with the moonbase standard module, not quite though it is slightly wider:

The base serves primarily as a service station and as a communications array, as you can see in this photo:

Two power generates keep the base going:

The robot drones are often seen working away:

..Although their lack of legs limits their ability! X-D

A large industrial crane is used to lift heavy objects such as engines or space ships

A futuristic criss cross design! :-D

The crane requires a huge counter weight to lift things like the CHUB-E fighter:

The Pie flag flies proudly over the lunar surface:

It looks like one of Dr. Sinister's Grunt is in the building!

Here is the CHUB-E fighter mentioned earlier, I made to go with the base in true Futuron colours:

It even has leather upholstery:

And a single huge engine!

Another space ship, this time not quite in the Futuron colours, but close:

A moonbase fuel pump!

Here is a small transportation vehicle used to move light objects or humans around the base:

Empty:

From the back:

Did I mention the radar spins too?

Their is a small 9v, yet rather noisy, motor situated in the interior of the building.

Comments welcome! *y*

Edited August 13, 2008 by Sinner

[Lt. Veers]

Looks like a nice little moonbase. But I must demand a backstory.

[Lord Of Pies]

Okay fine! 8-|

"In the future, the evil forces of Blacktron face off against the peaceful, yet brightly coloured faction of Futuron, only one side can win. Well two if you count Space police, anyway, victory after victory for the Blacktrons forced the Futuron forces to relocate to small moons unknown to the Blacktron war machine and virtually go into hiding. Spread thinly over the galaxy, hidden yet advanced communication systems were vital in order to re-group as was the ability to repair damaged crafts and vessels as opposed to scrapping them.

After a few years of hiding and re-arming, the Blacktrons located several Futuron hide-outs....only one side can win; but who will it be?" 8-

[Asuka]

Daisy chains...? I don

[Lasse D]

What a coincidence! I'm also building a Futuron Moonbase-module right now. I can see you might have taken inspiration from the Dacta set regarding the colors and I really like the classic feel of it all with the small space ships, robots and way you have styled the building.

I thought Futuron was restricted to white with black trimming, so my module will be zebra-colored :-P once it is finished. Thanks for the inspiration ;-)

[Lord Of Pies]

Thanks for the comments chaps!

I look forward to seeing your Moon base, Lasse D, perhaps we could team up? >:-) :-D

...It seems you have found out where I got my colour scheme inspiration, I always liked that Dacta set's colour scheme. *wub*

[Lasse D]

Well. The point of the Moonbase standard is pretty much to team up as far as I know. I think it would be fun, but with the speed of my building at the moment, you would have to be very, very patient if you want to wait for me to get finished - it took me a whole day just to build a single wheel for one of the vehicles and right now I'm only finished with the bottom of the module :-P

To make matters worse, I will have to wait until Easter until I can resume building! :-|

It is the plan that I'm going to join a display at an event in late April, so I sure hope to be finished by then. BTW. You mentioned a 9V-motor. What does it do? I think I see a small red one beneath the radar/laser?, but I'm not sure.

[Lord Of Pies]

Well. The point of the Moonbase standard is pretty much to team up as far as I know. I think it would be fun, but with the speed of my building at the moment, you would have to be very, very patient if you want to wait for me to get finished - it took me a whole day just to build a single wheel for one of the vehicles and right now I'm only finished with the bottom of the module :-P

To make matters worse, I will have to wait until Easter until I can resume building! :-|

It is the plan that I'm going to join a display at an event in late April, so I sure hope to be finished by then. BTW. You mentioned a 9V-motor. What does it do? I think I see a small red one beneath the radar/laser?, but I'm not sure.

Clicky!

Hmm, if it took you one day to build a single wheel, than yours is likely to overshadow my lil' base! I am unable to attend any events soon, so perhaps teaming up is a bit of a pipe dream! :-D

[KDog]

Clicky!

Hmm, if it took you one day to build a single wheel, than yours is likely to overshadow my lil' base! I am unable to attend any events soon, so perhaps teaming up is a bit of a pipe dream! :-D

That "not quite in Futuron colors" spaceship is an excellent design.

One question: Why don't the astronauts have their airtanks on?

[natelite]

i spotted lots of chewed and yellowed bricks. :-P

other than that, nice moc.

[Lord Of Pies]

Ach, yes, sad reminders of my carelessness towards my precious Lego when I was younger. :-$ I sort of depleted my supply of blue bricks on that MOC and I always have white bricks in an abundance, even of half of them are chewed/yellowed! :-/

As for the lack of airtanks, that is due to the fact that I bought them on Ebay, and they came glued together, same for my Blacktron chaps as well.

Edited February 21, 2008 by Lord Of Pies

[KDog]

As for the lack of airtanks, that is due to the fact that I bought them on Ebay, and they came glued together, same for my Blacktron chaps as well.

Oh, yeah. I remember those lots of glued-together Space minifigs on eBay a few years ago. You'd get like 20 of each figure or something; I think it was explained that they were originally for some sort of promotional use. Weird. I'm glad I didn't buy any at the time (thought about it), though, 'cos I would have been miffed about the lack of airtanks!

[Lord Of Pies]

The minifigs are usually asked to just hold their breaths whilst they are out on the moon for a while. :-D

I got them cheap however so I cannot complain,

[natelite]

if you applied enough force, you can pull the glue apart. i did this with my viking chess set and most pieces are now "unglued". :-D

the trick is to do this gradually. if you did it too quickly/rapidly, sometimes you tear the surface.

first of all, you should use an exacto knife and score along the joints, for eg, between the torso and hips. this is to form a weak line that will break when pulled apart. without a designed weak line, it may cause tearing of the surface.

then gradually apply slow even pressure on the two parts. do this for a few mins and eventually they will come loose. :-P

if the glue was heavily applied to the studs, the studs will be deformed when separated. but anything hidden isn't really a concern, right? ;-) X-D

[KDog]

Why were the figures glued together in the first place? Were these the toys that were used in store displays? Was it the fault of more fathers who liked to glue together their kids' Legos?

When did Bricklink come to be, anyway?

[Lord Of Pies]

if you applied enough force, you can pull the glue apart. i did this with my viking chess set and most pieces are now "unglued". :-D

the trick is to do this gradually. if you did it too quickly/rapidly, sometimes you tear the surface.

first of all, you should use an exacto knife and score along the joints, for eg, between the torso and hips. this is to form a weak line that will break when pulled apart. without a designed weak line, it may cause tearing of the surface.

then gradually apply slow even pressure on the two parts. do this for a few mins and eventually they will come loose. :-P

if the glue was heavily applied to the studs, the studs will be deformed when separated. but anything hidden isn't really a concern, right? ;-) X-D

Thanks very much for the advise, Natelite! The figs annoy me as the visors are glued so they are open, and I prefer them closed. And they are forced to look forwards only, unable to turn their heads! I will experiment now and try to "un-glue" one minifig, however if it it ruins the minifig, I am afraid I hold you responsible. X-D

Why were the figures glued together in the first place? Were these the toys that were used in store displays? Was it the fault of more fathers who liked to glue together their kids' Legos?

When did Bricklink come to be, anyway?

I am not sure how these figs came to be glued, I did not ask and the seller did not say why, though I think they are promo's, not that i could find much info on Google, I will sniff around a bit more and see what I can find.

Bricklink was founded in 2001 BTW

[KDog]

Thanks very much for the advise, Natelite! The figs annoy me as the visors are glued so they are open, and I prefer them closed. And they are forced to look forwards only, unable to turn their heads! I will experiment now and try to "un-glue" one minifig, however if it it ruins the minifig, I am afraid I hold you responsible. X-D

I am not sure how these figs came to be glued, I did not ask and the seller did not say why, though I think they are promo's, not that i could find much info on Google, I will sniff around a bit more and see what I can find.

Bricklink was founded in 2001 BTW

I'll admit that when I saw so many Futuron and Blacktron figures in bulk up for sale, I suspected something fishy, like they were somehow bootlegs. But being glued like that, I suspect it leans more toward promotional items. But why there would be so many and this seller would have them, I have no idea. Be curious to see what you find out.

I didn't realize Bricklink was that old. I only came across it recently.

You know what I wish existed? A site that had extensive pictures, reviews and facts about all Lego (especially Space) sets. There are some good sites that come close, like the reviews on Brickset and the set details on Peeron. I really like that Adequate site, but unfortunately it has only a small number of reviews and does not appear to be updated anymore.

[Lord Of Pies]

Success!!

I managed to make it finally so the visors on the Blacktron minifigs are able to move up and down, using Natelite's advise, they look much better now, more evil and more like the normal Blacktron minifigs!

Thanks again! *wub*

One Bricklink seller has a ridiculous number of glued Blacktron minifigs, something like 350 of them! *wacko* I'll look into it tomorrow, I can not be bothered today! :-P

[ExoBuilder]

Ooh 8-| And I thought you liked Pirates :-| :-P

You've yet to dissapoint me Lord o' Pies, this looks as official as your last MOC.

You should keep building these.

*y* *y* *wub*

[Lord Of Pies]

Ooh 8-| And I thought you liked Pirates :-| :-P

You've yet to dissapoint me Lord o' Pies, this looks as official as your last MOC.

You should keep building these.

*y* *y* *wub*

Thanks, and you must realize that these are...umm...er..space pirates! Yes that is a lame enough excuse!

[ExoBuilder]

Thanks, and you must realize that these are...umm...er..space pirates! Yes that is a lame enough excuse!

Oh really? Space Pirates my butt! :-P

Yes, that is a lame excuse :-D

[KDog]

Blacktron is kinda like Space Pirates. But Futuron? Nah, there's no mistaking those goody-two-shoes.

[Lasse D]

Blacktron is kinda like Space Pirates. But Futuron? Nah, there's no mistaking those goody-two-shoes.

Futuron good? I see them more like "the company" (Aliens) or the Alliance (Firefly). You never know who are the real good guys, although LEGO might want you to think different X-D

Regarding my module, I don't think you should make the connection "slow building = good". It is more like "a lack of Space parts + 6 years of building other themes + don't really know what to build => slow building".

I think the secret of making a good combined layout (with many themes) is to keep the same style and try to work together instead of having a "I have to beat his module with even more greeble and SNOT!"-competition going on.

Caf

[Lord Of Pies]

Caf

[mutley777]

Really nice MOC! The main contol room looks great and i love the motorised radar X-O , a very nice touch. The crane is great although i wonder if it would really be neaded in a low gravity enviroment :-D . Keep up the great space MOCs *y*