483 Alpha-1 Rocket Base Review

[WesternOutlaw]

483 Alpha-1 Rocket Base

Year Released: 1979

Piece Count: 170

Minifigs: 3

Vehicles: 1 (two sections)

List Price: unknown

Despite the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968, Lego dared design a Rocket Base complete with a rocket system that may have had nuclear capability in 1979. Luckily, the rocket was defective having rather flimsy white bricks that did not stay together well during launch attempts. Lego scrapped its WMD program and the result was this classic "blue era" space set known as the Alpha-1 Rocket Base.

Instructions:

On the backside of the instructions, the set is featured with the Space Command Center, Space Cruiser, and a few vehicle sets:

The set includes three figs:

And this great rocket fuel tanker:

Here's the front section complete with computer:

And the rocket fuel section:

The set has some interesting features including the Control Section, Fuel Control, and Launch Pad:

On top of the Control Section is a nicely design radar/tracking system:

Here's the open control room:

The Launch Pad and Fuel Control:

The Fuel Control includes two sink pieces and blue steering wheels:

And Lego's WMD (Weapon of Mass Destruction), the Alpha-1 on the Launch Pad:

Here's a shot of the launching mechanism:

Unfortunately, I have lost one of the blue sink/faucet pieces as well as a black hose:

A close-up of the Alpha-1 Rocket. The white bricks never stayed together well often times coming apart within your hands:

The arming and guidance system was nicely designed:

A view of the complete set:

And another:

This is a great set. The base, fuel vehicle, and launch platform offers a great amount of playability. My only complaint is the rocket (as mentioned above). I don't think I ever played with it a sa kid because it always fell apart.

Share your comments regarding this Classic Space set.

[xenologer]

A close-up of the Alpha-1 Rocket. The white bricks never stayed together well often times coming apart within your hands:

Huh, did they not think of putting a technic axle down the center of the rocket? Come to think of it, when were technic axles invented....

Its a neat little set, makes me think I oughta make some similar kinda layout in LDD, very elegant for playability.

[Mirandir]

I always thought that that grey thing on top of the rocket was some kind of satelite...

Huh, did they not think of putting a technic axle down the center of the rocket? Come to think of it, when were technic axles invented....

I had this set as a kid and I don't think there was a technic axle inside that rocket, but if I remember correctly some of the later CS rockets did.

[Lt. Col. Thok]

I'm loving that trans-yellow plate on top of the roof. Great review!

[snefroe]

wooow! what a set!! not all that large, most defenitely not as sophisticated as the message intercept base from 10 years later, but in those, this was all a kid need to have hours of fun. soooo many great parts on this one.... technic hoses, computers, rocket parts, trans yellow parts... the perfect outpst really... it was actually my sister who got this one, but it only took an hour before i claimed it...

Edited July 14, 2008 by snefroe

[Siegfried]

Oh did I drool over this set as a kid! Since I never got it I didn't know how bad the rocket really was...

Great review.

Come to think of it, when were technic axles invented....

The white ones were.

[zero1312]

Ahh, the good old days. Thanks for the review.

[LittleBigMinifigure]

Nice rewiew The set is good too)