497 Galaxy Explorer Review

[WesternOutlaw]

Galaxy Explorer #497

Year Released: 1979

Piece Count: 325

Minifigs: 4

Vehicles: 1

List Price: $32

In my opinion, the Galaxy Explorer is by far the best "blue-era" Classic Space set produced. But what makes it so great, you ask? The set includes two Classic Space plates, one crater, and the other a landing plate; a small control tower, an awesome ship that has room for a moon buggie, a moon buggie, and 4 classic figs. The overall design of the ship is awesome with a high degree of play value. On to the review, which is my last of the Classic Space collection.

The instructions:

The backside of the instructions, with the Space Command Center and Alpha-1 Rocket Base:

The set includes four figs, two red and two white:

The accessories include two walkie talkies, a wrench, and a single grey gun:

I've always liked the small two-computer control room:

On top is a large radar dish:

The landing plate includes round 1x1 trans red pieces that serve as lights:

The best part of the set is the ship itself, the legendary Galaxy Explorer restored to its original state, all pieces included:

The cockpit is about the same as that of the Space Cruiser:

However, the trans. yellow plate only goes up this high:

On each side of the ship is a rocket/jet engine with signature yellow/black stripes:

The rear section includes another large trans. yellow slope:

On the rear sides are also printed black-lined 1x4s and small 1x3 grey door pieces:

Here's a shot of the back section:

Each of the rear sections swivel open on two hinges allowing access to the cargo hold:

Opening the other section reveals the moon buggie with ramp to drive down from the ship:

Here's a shot of the bottom of the ship with three large engines and five landing pieces:

Another shot of the entire ship:

And the space crew as they prepare for launch:

Lastly, the complete Galaxy Explorer set:

This concludes my reviews of ten Classic Space sets, my entire collection of Classic "Blue-Era" Space. I hope you enjoyed these reviews.

A complete INDEX can be found here: Classic Space Index.

TheBrickster, Classic Lego Space Fan

[Mrs Pegleg Blockbeard]

That set is so cool! I like the simplicity of the mini figs.

My dad used to have space sets when he was younger.

Must digg around my grandparents house and see if there is any still floating around hey?

Edited July 12, 2008 by Mrs Pegleg Blockbeard

[I Scream Clone]

Ahhhh thats cool! another set i remember from my childhood! sooooo jealous

[snefroe]

[Shoc]

While I don't own it, I think this is definately one of the best Space sets TLC has ever produced! Thanks for the all round review, TheBrickster!

:skull:

[MoWo]

I'm not a great space fan but i this!!

Undersigned MoWo

[Spacefan]

In my humble opinion...

THE ABSOLUTE BEST!!!

No other set in LEGO history better captures the feel of space and space exploration better than the 497/928 Galaxy Explorer. And being that LEGO Space is the reason for my being into LEGO in the first place, this set for me is the holy grail, or the mighty phoenix or albatross of them all.

I have this set, but only the ship is complete, and some parts for the ground elements I don't have.

If TLC ever did see a rationale for releasing this set again, I would be among the very first to pre-order. And $100 USD would for me be a bargain to have the chance to assemble with great reverence a shiny new 497/928 out of the box.

[WesternOutlaw]

THE ABSOLUTE BEST!!!

No other set in LEGO history better captures the feel of space and space exploration better than the 497/928 Galaxy Explorer. And being that LEGO Space is the reason for my being into LEGO in the first place, this set for me is the holy grail, or the mighty phoenix or albatross of them all.

Well said Spacefan. She is a beauty!

[KDog]

You really saved the best for last, TheBrickster! I loved your reviews and thank you for giving us detailed looks at these sets. I don't have the Galaxy Explorer and have never seen it this "up close." You said you have ten of the Blue Era Classic sets. Do you have Space sets from eras that you will review?

[tnickolaus]

What a fantastic set! Thanks, TheBrickster, for the review. I absolutely love the Galaxy Explorer. It was the pride of my collection before my dark ages...

[WhiteFang]

This Classic Space review, is the best set ever, I had seen, from your Classic Space review.

Your reviews are still ever so great. It is the set that gotten me so excited.

Galaxy Explorer is a superb fun-playing set, that comes with instant 4 classic space figures, Galaxy Explorer ship which is much nicer and bigger than Space Explorer ship, two space baseplates and a great control room, adds up to a superb legendary classic space set.

The Galaxy Explorer ship is indeed very lovely and nice. As usual, the typical blue and grey scheme, with the size of the usual cockpit for its pilot. The amount of engines simply illustrate the capability of the ship's power. What amaze me the most, is the cargo compartment. It is able to store a full-size buggy at the back of the ship inclusive a ramp as well.

Thanks for your great contribution to Classic Space reviews.

[snefroe]

i'd say the galaxy explorer is one of the only sets that made legendary status, next to yellow castle, the first big pirate ship and the red monorail... it's difficult to explain what's so great about it. is it the color combination? the roomy cockpit? the playability? ... I don't really know... you just look at it and see that it all fits... every piece of the puzzle is exactly where it's supposed to be... You don't just design this, at some point you recognice it's there, at some point, you realise you've created a legend...

Sure, Lego could easily produce models that are far better detailed, not as heavy, in a larger variaty of colors and they'd probably add a bunch of technic bricks in there too. And it's even not the most popular set of all time, according to the popularity charts on the internet. but still, there's something that makes this set timeless, not only through the eyes of space fans but to the entire community of fans. The Galaxy Explorer has reached cult status... Often people build this set in other colors, with other techniques or different sizes, but the essence remains the same, everybody still recognices the classic lines of the Galaxy Explorer.

It's not a coincidence that this model is part of Lego's own museum in Billund, it's more than a classic, it was the first star of Lego's Space line back in 1978, it turned the entire line into a huge success. The impact of the set not only on the fans, but also on Lego and her products cannot be overestimated... In fact, since then, every space ship has been compared to this spaceship and none came close. If there's one thing I wish for Lego and the space fans, let's just pretend it's New Year, i wish for a talented designer who can create a set like this for all of us to be releaseed next year...

The Galaxy Explorer has become a cult model, it's no longer seen through the eyes of critical fans, it's a model you don't question anymore. it's an icon.

[Siegfried]

Ahhh. This is the perfect way to end your reviews. The vast cargo area in this set always impressed me.

The Galaxy Explorer has become a cult model, it's no longer seen through the eyes of critical fans, it's a model you don't question anymore. it's an icon.

You're right. If this set was released today I might insult it's squareness, but all I can see is perfection.

[Tohst]

Once again thanks for the review,

And yes, I would be lining up with the rest to buy a rerelease at 100 bucks.

But could they rerelease it?

And not just the color change or the helmet change which I'd be okay with.

The wing plates (wedge plates, 4x4 and 8x4) have all been replaced with ones without notches (wedge 8 x3). That also have a slightly different angle to them.

So, if they don't have the mold for the old wings, would we want a Galaxy Explorer with the new ones?

Having done it with my own pieces, it just looks slightly off. Maybe I'm just overly nostalgic and nit picky.

-Tohst - now get off my lawn

[snefroe]

well it looks as if it's a fairly easy job, because all these parts on the Galaxy Explorer are well known and used to be mass produced by Lego. But most have gone now, like the support bricks for the spoilers, the wing parts... then there are the printed parts: the old computers, the white arrow,... the molds are still there, no doubt, but putting those back into the system would cost a lot too I think, if they're still compatible with the current production line. Other parts have changed, like the windscreen and the 2x2x3 cone...

then there's the color... there's no old grey anymore... that makes it practically impossible to reproduce a copy of the Galaxy Explorer. I think most space fans would feel it's blasphemy to build a galaxy explorer in new grey... and i agree...

honestly, I think Lego can only burn her fingers by reproducing this.

Edited July 17, 2008 by snefroe

[WesternOutlaw]

The Galaxy Explorer has become a cult model, it's no longer seen through the eyes of critical fans, it's a model you don't question anymore. it's an icon.

Yes. I completely agree with you. I'm really glad I held on to this set over the years. One of the things that did help is during the early 80s when I destroyed all my Classic Lego sets (town & space), I placed most of the space pieces in a separate box. Although the pieces were mixed up, they were at least together and out of the "mass collection". In addition, the instructions were kept separate as well. I only lost a section of the Space Shuttle instructions.

I have built the Galaxy Explorer a few times over the past 20 years always having to search for the pieces. This time, I've bagged all the pieces separately and will keep them together. I'd like to hold on to these classics (esp. the Galaxy Explorer) for years to come.

[Piranha]

Great review!

I noticed something new about the Galaxy Explorer, the yellow and black stripes on the wings, seems I have not noticed those before, as I do not own this set but would like to

This is awesome for so many reasons

If it was released as a legend I am not sure it would be practical because of all the newer sets and being so different and so advanced

This along with the Beta command base and smaller ships would be the only classic space sets I would buy today because of their collective aspects as they are legendary

If compared with the price point to parts it is crazy, with that same amount of money you look as what modern sets you can buy

That is why I would only buy this because of it is like an artifact not because of new parts and detailed figs

Classic Space Forever

Edited August 31, 2009 by Macoco

[charlieboy]

What a great looking ship,i never had it as a kid but remember lusting after it!Ive bought a few classic space sets recently- 493 Space Command Center and 6971 Inter-Galactic Command Base but this ship always slips through my fingers on ebay

Great review though,im off to search for your others

[vexorian]

Holy shit! This is the set that got me into LEGO! (and I am 25 years old). Thanks to the detailed pics I finally found out. What happens is that there was this kid in school (when I was 9) that always brought this set to school (I have no idea why would anyone do that) and I loved everything related to it. Before it, I was familiar with other building toy brands that were generic and not nearly as cool than this one and its trans-yellow parts... The figs were also cute, but what I remember was how it used a steer wheel for controls, and I also remember the fact it had four 'wings' on the back...

I was so impressed that I ended up buying a small set from a similar brand on the street with my own money. Me and my brother used to fight for it. But that's when my dad noticed and said "but I know where there are good ones" the next day, my brother had a legoland white racing car while I got 6813. That one came with all and a spyrius advert so I was hooked for life.

This set was very fun to play with even after more than 16 years. It is a great addition to any collection and I am shocked that I was able to play with something that is pure classic gold...

Edit: I fixed some strange typos, I was actually sleeping while typing this. BTW: *Megabump*

Edited February 1, 2010 by vexorian

[WesternOutlaw]

It's always great to think about all the fun we had as kids with sets like this. To give you an idea of some memorable fun a friend and I had with this set (and his Space Cruiser): we would run through my house literally throwing the ships through the air. Once they crashed (and I did break a few pieces doing this), the red and white space figs would have to scout the terrain with the moon buggy to find the pieces that flew off the ship. Once back together again, they would fly back to Legoland:

That was around 30 years ago for me. It's nice to reminisce.

[Rufus]

Aha! Since someone has bumped this thread, I feel I can comment.

This was one of my first ever sets - I seem to remember it was my 6th birthday present. I still have it today, but it's not in nearly as good condition as yours, Brickster.

Interstingly, in the UK this set was known as 928 Space Cruiser, and the smaller 924 was Space Transporter. I still have a dog-eared 1978 catalogue with this info; will post some day....

(reminiscing) Happy days.....