487 Space Cruiser Review

[WesternOutlaw]

Hello fellow Space Fans. Let me first say that I've been a long-time Classic Space fan but seldom frequented theSpace and Mecha Forum. I may have made a few posts to provide feedback on some MOCs, but am not familiar with many of the topics discussed in this forum. In any case, I've been wanting to dig out the old space collection and recently did so. During the next few weeks, I'd like to review a number of these sets offering some pictures and creating discussion of some great space legends.

Starting with a very early Classic Space set, my first review will be the legendary Space Cruiser, a mid-sized space ship within the Blue Fleet, numbered LL924.

Space Cruiser #487

Year Released: 1979

Piece Count: 155

Minifigs: 2

Vehicles: 1

List Price: $10

Starting with the instructions that are dated "1979" and marked "Printed in Germany by Muhlmeister & Johier, Hamburg":

The backside pictures the Space Cruiser with two other sets:

The set includes two minifigs, one white and one red:

Accessories include a white cargo box with working 1x3 doors, a wrench, grey tool piece, and a few translucent bricks:

The set included a forklift that was unique to the Classic Space collection:

Fully intact with all pieces accounted for is the Space Cruiser:

Here's a side view that shows the "LL924" brick as well as the Classic Space emblem piece:

Here's the front section that shows the unique classic space slopes:

The back has two opening sections connected by a 1x2 tile:

I've always enjoyed opening the hatch to place the figs:

Inside is a steering wheel and two grey computer bricks:

The best part of this set is the back section that holds the cargo box:

Here's a shot of the bottom of the ship. I often times added wheels so the crusier could land runway style:

And the complete set:

FLASHBACK:

I was a Classic Lego Town fan when I was a kid and visited a friend one day who lived down the street from me. He had this set which was the first Lego space set I had seen. I thought it was so awesome. I talked my parents into taking me to the store where I ended up picking up another Classic Space set. I purchased this set later.

This set (used but complete) is priced at $71.99 - $150.00 (USD) on Bricklink.

I hope you enjoy this review and there will be more to come over the next few days/weeks.

REFERENCES:

Lugnet

Brickset

BrickLink

[Dark Sword Ragnarok]

Great review! Lools like you got a lot of bang for your ten bucks in '79! (yes Batbuggy, I'm mean you! )

Ah well, I love the set. I think Classic space is pretty awesome, and I've never had a set. mostly because I don't have a bunch of money to shell out for one.

DSR

Edited July 1, 2008 by Dark Sword Ragnarok

[SuvieD]

I do like the classic sets. Mostly for nostalgia and those nifty logos and printed parts. Sadly, I must say that classic space will never be as interesting to me as the sets that followed. Futuron, SP1, and Blacktron remain for me the golden age of space sets. I am jsut glad that this series was started and did well enough to warrant the expansion and improvement of LEGO Space. I do like the forklift a lot.

Great review. Looking forward to some of the "newer" sets.

[WhiteFang]

Terrific review! I never own any Classic Space sets before. The ship is very nice looking, and I agreed with you that the opening hatch, to store the mini-figs in it is fun. In addition, the cargo area at the back is very neat when you opened its wings behind.

Now, is the forklift supposed to be stored into the ship?

[CP5670]

Nice review. It looks like yours is in perfect condition. I love how there is so much interior room considering the size of the set, and the forklift is a nice addition as well.

I used to think that the original gray/blue/transyellow classic space color scheme was rather drab looking and lacked contrast, but after getting one set with it (the 6927 ATV's outpost), it has grown on me to some extent. This particular set and one of the bases has been on my wanted list since then, but the ones in such condition seem to be very pricey. There was one on ebay just yesterday that seemed to be in very good shape, but it sold for $160. For that kind of money I'll probably end up passing on it.

[Tacitus]

Oh dear lord. I had this set. In 1979. I remember that I spilled Coke on it, but being five or six, I didn't wash it properly. Very sticky. Got very dirty and fuzzy with dust. It was never the same again. Ah well, so it goes...

Oh! I also had that 462 set.

I have to say that I very much miss the old crater baseplates. You used to be able to buy them separately, along with landing-pads. It would be nice to have those again.

Edited July 1, 2008 by Tacitus

[WesternOutlaw]

Great review! Lools like you got a lot of bang for your ten bucks in '79! (yes Batbuggy, I'm mean you! )

Thanks DSR. Who would have ever thought this little $10 set would be worth $150?

I must say that classic space will never be as interesting to me as the sets that followed. Futuron, SP1, and Blacktron remain for me the golden age of space sets. I am jsut glad that this series was started and did well enough to warrant the expansion and improvement of LEGO Space.

Most of my space collection was early 80s. My Dark Ages hit before many of these other great space themes.

Terrific review! I never own any Classic Space sets before.

Thanks WF. I always enjoy reading your comments. Do you have any Space sets?

Now, is the forklift supposed to be stored into the ship?

No, ground vehicle only. The cargo hold is only a few bricks high.

Nice review. It looks like yours is in perfect condition.

Thanks CP. It looks good, but the bricks are pretty old. I'd love to have one in mint consition. What helped was that when I broke up all my Classic City sets in the early/mid 80s, I put the space sets in a box of their own. It helped the wear and tear factor a bit.

I used to think that the original gray/blue/transyellow classic space color scheme was rather drab looking and lacked contrast, but after getting one set with it (the 6927 ATV's outpost), it has grown on me to some extent.

The color scheme isn't too exciting now, but back in the early 80s, the use of a lot of grey plates was so different (sort of like the Star Wars sets now). The trans yellow was completely new, so it had "cool-appeal" to the kids.

Oh dear lord. I had this set. In 1979. I remember that I spilled Coke on it, but being five or six, I didn't wash it properly. Very sticky. Got very dirty and fuzzy with dust. It was never the same again. Ah well, so it goes...

Don't feel bad, my space sets suffered similar damage over the years. They also made cool submarines as a kid. I suppose that helped keep them clean.

Oh! I also had that 462 set. I have to say that I very much miss the old crater baseplates. You used to be able to buy them separately, along with landing-pads. It would be nice to have those again.

I never owned 462, but always wanted it. Cool little set!

The baseplates were awesome! - esp the ones with a crater. I'll share some images in my upcoming reviews.

[WhiteFang]

Thanks WF. I always enjoy reading your comments. Do you have any Space sets?

I do have a couple of old space sets which is as followed,

Now, the problem will be trying to locate it and restore it. Then, I will need to find time to do classic reviews!

Glad you enjoyed reading my comments.

No, ground vehicle only. The cargo hold is only a few bricks high.

Thanks for informing me about this point! Classic Space, looks real nice. I can still imagine when I am still a kid, looking at the LEGO Idea Books.

[Tacitus]

I never owned 462, but always wanted it. Cool little set!

The baseplates were awesome! - esp the ones with a crater. I'll share some images in my upcoming reviews.

That got me thinking about 462. Those old LEGO rockets- they were so flimsy. Those 4x2 rounded/drum bricks never stayed together very well. The 426 rocket was especially weak at the connection between the white rounded brick and that L-shaped plate, so the top half of the rocket would always fall off.

[tnickolaus]

Just in case you didn't see it yet: Holger Matthes created this bigger version of the Space Cruiser: http://www.holgermatthes.de/bricks/924xl.htm

Edited July 11, 2008 by tnickolaus

[zero1312]

Just in case you didn't see it yet: Holger Matthes created this bigger version of the Space Cruiser: http://www.holgermatthes.de/bricks/924xl.htm

Awesome!!!

[Spacefan]

What a Classic of Classics, I have this set but without the forklift. But its one of my favs all the same.

The 487/924 Space Cruiser was actually released in 1978, a year before the 497/928 Galaxy Explorer in 79. Which made it the very first substantial or enclosed spacecraft of the Lego Space universe.

Although more advanced sets would come in years to follow, its interesting to see where it all started. I for one like its simplicity of design.

As simple as this set was and is, I don't think Lego would be able to release this set very easily today, one reason being certain parts this set and others of that era used simply aren't made by LEGO today. Not that certain moulds couldn't be brought out of retirement.

[snefroe]

ok... so i'll just confess, ok? i don't have this one it's my personal missing link of classic space. it looks sooooo great though.... except for the front... i always had a problem with the 1 by 4 plate just infront of the wings... it just never looked like a ferrari in space because of it...

apart from that... i curse myself not having this....

[Kogyik]

This set was my first themed set and yes I have all the pieces Including the ever famous LL924. Wow those letters and numbers are etched my brain. I didn't look at the pics, honest. My actuall first set was one of generic box sets with the no armed no legged, two piece minifigs.

[Siegfried]

What a beautiful set, and in such great condition too, especially the figs. I don't have any of these... and I don't have the transparent parts to make it either.