Ahoy Classic Pirate Lovers!  I have loved seeing everyone's fantastic entries and I've finally finished mine.  I decided to remake this set because of it's brilliant design and playability and I think it has so much scope for modernisation.  I've used the same baseplate and footprint whilst also trying to enhance some of the playable surface area (with decked pontoon, larger beach, balcony etc..) along with upgrading some of the key features of this great set.  The top section is removable to make it easier to interact with the lowest areas whilst also hiding a secret stash in the roof space of the prison cell.  

The scene is set a decade on with the Imperial guard looking a little more grizzled and including 1 extra mini figure representing a sailor 'allegedly' under the employ of the Admiral...  I hope you enjoy and welcome your feedback.

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

Now with the top section removed:

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

Some useful items buried under the palm tree for a great escape:

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

The Imperial's hidden stash:

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

A few more general shots:

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

Finally a special credit to my 3 year old daughter for the tea bag stained sail.

http://Imperial Outpost by Harry Turner, on Flickr

Hope you all enjoy!

PirateHaz

The red awnings look really sharp with those rounded corner tiles. I like the curved top as it provides an opposite to the curved arches below. All the hidden treasures are also really nice. I might suggest adding some wheels to the cannon so that it can be turned about. Looks great!

A nice remake only let down by the mix of old a new parts, as seen in the new Lego Pirates sets the sand is only one color, tan with azure plates for the water under them, perhaps you could represent this? Other than this the build could use a new tree and some new minifigures, the treasure is a nice call but I think you could hide that figure a bit more, maybe make some removable rock work, other than this you aced the building, it looks great, the only thing I would change in the dock, maybe you could make it black like the new Eldorado. Anyway, I love all the pictures and happy building :)

9 hours ago, durazno33 said:

The red awnings look really sharp with those rounded corner tiles. I like the curved top as it provides an opposite to the curved arches below. All the hidden treasures are also really nice. I might suggest adding some wheels to the cannon so that it can be turned about. Looks great!

Thank you so much for you kind words.  It’s not clear from the pics but the canon sits on a 2x2 rotating plate so those tiny black cylinders can be sprayed in all directions!  Really appreciate your feedback

7 hours ago, Rogue Redcoat said:

A nice remake only let down by the mix of old a new parts, as seen in the new Lego Pirates sets the sand is only one color, tan with azure plates for the water under them, perhaps you could represent this? Other than this the build could use a new tree and some new minifigures, the treasure is a nice call but I think you could hide that figure a bit more, maybe make some removable rock work, other than this you aced the building, it looks great, the only thing I would change in the dock, maybe you could make it black like the new Eldorado. Anyway, I love all the pictures and happy building :)

Thank you so much for this feedback.  You are totally correct about the colours and it is purely down to stubborn nostalgia… same with the palm tree, really loved those old style trees!  Really not a fan of the azure plates and fancied a crack at doing it with the transparent plates but get what you’re saying.  I did that also for playability as the boat is easy to dock and move on the smooth surface.  Really grateful for your feedback and if I had the time I would tan that beach right up! Thank you

Very nice moc! I like that! There is a nice brown dock (not black!) and with the printed tiles it becomes even more detailed. I also like the roof with the rounded corner tiles as was mentioned by @durazno33 I also like the brickbuild jail and the balcony. And there is even a hiding place for treasures and stuff like that. Also a nice detail with that spilled bottle and the 1x1 trans round plate. That classic door is one of the old parts that are superior to everything we have nowadays. I wish Lego would bring those back.

A nice remake but a bit too much on the MOC side to be an official set, even if just for the tiled water plate. The build has many nice details I particularly like the small pole build with the chain.

The yellow arches look a bit out of place, since I'm more used to seeing the imperial buildings going from yellow at the bottom to white at the top. Yellow should be at the bottom even if it then continues a bit higher like around the wooden doors. Also mixing tan with yellow for the sand does not work well in my eyes. And using bricks for shore makes the sand go up too vertically.

1 hour ago, Yperio_Bricks said:

Very nice moc! I like that! There is a nice brown dock (not black!) and with the printed tiles it becomes even more detailed. I also like the roof with the rounded corner tiles as was mentioned by @durazno33 I also like the brickbuild jail and the balcony. And there is even a hiding place for treasures and stuff like that. Also a nice detail with that spilled bottle and the 1x1 trans round plate. That classic door is one of the old parts that are superior to everything we have nowadays. I wish Lego would bring those back.

Thank you so much for the lovely feedback.  I really prefer brown for docks etc.. as I think with the parts available gives a little more artistic license.  Not sure why Lego decided to stick with the black.  I’ve seen the spilled bottle thing before with red wine (although a larger spill) and just loved it!  

1 hour ago, MstrOfPppts said:

A nice remake but a bit too much on the MOC side to be an official set, even if just for the tiled water plate. The build has many nice details I particularly like the small pole build with the chain.

The yellow arches look a bit out of place, since I'm more used to seeing the imperial buildings going from yellow at the bottom to white at the top. Yellow should be at the bottom even if it then continues a bit higher like around the wooden doors. Also mixing tan with yellow for the sand does not work well in my eyes. And using bricks for shore makes the sand go up too vertically.

Thank you so much for the feedback.  In hindsight I’m kicking myself for not investing in some sloped tan bricks for the sand…. Really interesting point about the layering of colour.  I just used the same yellow arches as the original had but would be really interested to see it in white.  I may have to invest in some more parts and this may well make a reappearance in the future as a MOC.  Thank you

6 hours ago, PirateHaz said:

Thank you so much for this feedback.  You are totally correct about the colours and it is purely down to stubborn nostalgia… same with the palm tree, really loved those old style trees!  Really not a fan of the azure plates and fancied a crack at doing it with the transparent plates but get what you’re saying.  I did that also for playability as the boat is easy to dock and move on the smooth surface.  Really grateful for your feedback and if I had the time I would tan that beach right up! Thank you

Aye, it seems there are many who love the good old days, but I think it should just be shown in the building and not in the water or sand, it's a shame that there is not enough time in the contest for you to finish, perhaps after you could finish it as a Moc :)

Yes, trans-blue tiling maybe does not look like a official set but it looks so much better than the azure plates! And it's not like Lego has never done such tiling. The first sets that come to my mind are the big Ninjago City sets.

2 hours ago, PirateHaz said:

Thank you so much for the lovely feedback.  I really prefer brown for docks etc.. as I think with the parts available gives a little more artistic license.  Not sure why Lego decided to stick with the black.

I agree with you that the brown docks are superior.  But it's very minor either way -- IRL docks can be black, brown, tan, or gray.  I find it kind of funny how divided the community is on this point.

Others have mentioned the sand already.  That is really the biggest downside to this build.  The plants are wonderfully detailed and add great color.  The old palm tree trunk is so much better than the new ones that I don't mind it at all.  The colors for the barrels/lids are really great, too.  And I love the details like the spilled bottle of rum, the tiled floor, the coins/map/key under the floor.

So, what could be better here?  The mix of old and new bricks and techniques is (again) really the only area for improvement in this build.  The brick-thick sand is awkward when contrasted against the tan sand right below it.  The castle wall panels are awkwardly blocky when contrasted against the nice tiled floor.

But regardless, this is very well designed.  The tiled water doesn't bother me in the slightest, actually I quite like it.  Keep up the good work, I'd love to see more creations from you!

36 minutes ago, iragm said:

I agree with you that the brown docks are superior.  But it's very minor either way -- IRL docks can be black, brown, tan, or gray.  I find it kind of funny how divided the community is on this point.

Lol, someone should post a poll to see how much we are divided 

I think You did a fine job with lots of elements here, it lacks good presentation tho. I mean, as You've probably seen in other entries, many builds are enchanced by great photography and/or backgrounds, fake packaing etc, Yours is a quite impressive design, but those photos are not inviting. And it;s not about using a good camera or bad camera it's just that it could use better angles.

But anyway, let's get to the Outpost. I absolutely love that white finish over the balcony, i think it;s great, it's simple, but decorative, and very distinctive, clear sign of who runs this place, great tribute to colonial era and the spanish main :)

Goind down, i can;t find anything wrong with it. Other than all that water, which i think is not realy needed it's an outstanding remake, nice door, very interesting way to do those bars, good jetty with smart idea to show it's deteriotation with different bricks and lots of others... Secret stash full of riches - checked, balcony with a view - checked, vegetation on the building - checked, rocky landsape - checked, interesting characters - checked, Jack Sparrow's stunt man - checked, boat with a lantern - checked. Boat with a lantern! How cool is that?

So i think it does look good for a remake, not sure if it;s the kind of remake people want tho as many opt for modernizing all of them, making bigger, bringing more playfeatures, more female minifigs, more more and more modern parts. And i like it how it is. Even to the point where i don;t that removable floor is neccesary. You already have a good acces to all those areas so there's realy no need for it. And You must have invested a lot of work to build all that. If the only excuse is to hide some stuff in there, then it's not realy worth it. You've got plenty of rocks right there, so that's the place for stashes, and there even is a golden idol ( or maybe it's an Oscar for best production design? ), so You already kinda now that. And You've hiden something else under the palm tree, so You definitely know about other way. I'm not sure about cutting the whole tree to get to a hidden stash tho. It would work if it was some secluded place, or if the outpost was abandoned, but getting under that palm right under soldiers' noses? Naaah, too dangerous. Tho i see that there's plenty of barrels on Your boat. So perhaps they are brought specifically to make the entire garrison drunk ;)

They must have been drunk when they layed down that chequerboard floor in Governor's quarters tho, look, it's broken. Pretty nice detail. Just like that drop of rum dripping from an empty bottle. Cool.

I don't like how the position for the gun is done tho. I think it;s rotating, not sute, but it definitely could use a nicer base. And those shiny bricks there are not my type, if You could add some "wooden" elements like You did in the jetty, it would create a much better effect. But battlements are fine. 

Any other ways to upgrade it? Can't think of anything. It is a proper remake. A bit of new stuff, few more elements, but it still looks the same. Only prettier. Perhaps that bearded sailor could use an upgrade tho, him being so lonely i'd give him a seagul as a companion for his trips. Seagulls seem to be popular right now with Pirate sets, and that lantern looks just like a place such bird could sit :) 

14 hours ago, iragm said:

I agree with you that the brown docks are superior.  But it's very minor either way -- IRL docks can be black, brown, tan, or gray.  I find it kind of funny how divided the community is on this point.

Others have mentioned the sand already.  That is really the biggest downside to this build.  The plants are wonderfully detailed and add great color.  The old palm tree trunk is so much better than the new ones that I don't mind it at all.  The colors for the barrels/lids are really great, too.  And I love the details like the spilled bottle of rum, the tiled floor, the coins/map/key under the floor.

So, what could be better here?  The mix of old and new bricks and techniques is (again) really the only area for improvement in this build.  The brick-thick sand is awkward when contrasted against the tan sand right below it.  The castle wall panels are awkwardly blocky when contrasted against the nice tiled floor.

But regardless, this is very well designed.  The tiled water doesn't bother me in the slightest, actually I quite like it.  Keep up the good work, I'd love to see more creations from you!

Thank you so much, really appreciate the feedback.  You are right about the castle wall elements and in hindsight they did limit my ability to add detail in certain spaces.  Everyone's feedback has really inspired me to tweak some elements of this and reproduce as a MOC in the foreseeable.  Thank you so much!

10 hours ago, Mazin said:

I think You did a fine job with lots of elements here, it lacks good presentation tho. I mean, as You've probably seen in other entries, many builds are enchanced by great photography and/or backgrounds, fake packaing etc, Yours is a quite impressive design, but those photos are not inviting. And it;s not about using a good camera or bad camera it's just that it could use better angles.

But anyway, let's get to the Outpost. I absolutely love that white finish over the balcony, i think it;s great, it's simple, but decorative, and very distinctive, clear sign of who runs this place, great tribute to colonial era and the spanish main :)

Goind down, i can;t find anything wrong with it. Other than all that water, which i think is not realy needed it's an outstanding remake, nice door, very interesting way to do those bars, good jetty with smart idea to show it's deteriotation with different bricks and lots of others... Secret stash full of riches - checked, balcony with a view - checked, vegetation on the building - checked, rocky landsape - checked, interesting characters - checked, Jack Sparrow's stunt man - checked, boat with a lantern - checked. Boat with a lantern! How cool is that?

So i think it does look good for a remake, not sure if it;s the kind of remake people want tho as many opt for modernizing all of them, making bigger, bringing more playfeatures, more female minifigs, more more and more modern parts. And i like it how it is. Even to the point where i don;t that removable floor is neccesary. You already have a good acces to all those areas so there's realy no need for it. And You must have invested a lot of work to build all that. If the only excuse is to hide some stuff in there, then it's not realy worth it. You've got plenty of rocks right there, so that's the place for stashes, and there even is a golden idol ( or maybe it's an Oscar for best production design? ), so You already kinda now that. And You've hiden something else under the palm tree, so You definitely know about other way. I'm not sure about cutting the whole tree to get to a hidden stash tho. It would work if it was some secluded place, or if the outpost was abandoned, but getting under that palm right under soldiers' noses? Naaah, too dangerous. Tho i see that there's plenty of barrels on Your boat. So perhaps they are brought specifically to make the entire garrison drunk ;)

They must have been drunk when they layed down that chequerboard floor in Governor's quarters tho, look, it's broken. Pretty nice detail. Just like that drop of rum dripping from an empty bottle. Cool.

I don't like how the position for the gun is done tho. I think it;s rotating, not sute, but it definitely could use a nicer base. And those shiny bricks there are not my type, if You could add some "wooden" elements like You did in the jetty, it would create a much better effect. But battlements are fine. 

Any other ways to upgrade it? Can't think of anything. It is a proper remake. A bit of new stuff, few more elements, but it still looks the same. Only prettier. Perhaps that bearded sailor could use an upgrade tho, him being so lonely i'd give him a seagul as a companion for his trips. Seagulls seem to be popular right now with Pirate sets, and that lantern looks just like a place such bird could sit :) 

Thank you so much for such a detailed review, really useful.  I've enjoyed all the critique as you get a bit lost in you're own style and nostalgia and don't realise where some elements miss the mark with the brief... this is the first time I've photographed Lego and as I 'left my homework to the last minute' I didn't really give myself the time I needed to experiment a bit... 

Thanks again for all your kind words and a seagull will definitely be the next item in my bricklink basket! ;) 

1 hour ago, PirateHaz said:

Thank you so much for such a detailed review, really useful.  I've enjoyed all the critique as you get a bit lost in you're own style and nostalgia and don't realise where some elements miss the mark with the brief... this is the first time I've photographed Lego and as I 'left my homework to the last minute' I didn't really give myself the time I needed to experiment a bit... 

Thanks again for all your kind words and a seagull will definitely be the next item in my bricklink basket! ;) 

Perfectly understandable :) I didn't even find time and room to build entries i've planned, so You did beat be on that field, as You've at least succeded in entering Your own :) And i guess a design should be more important than the presentation, if it was to be completely fair then we would probably have to hite a profesional photographer and artist who would use same rechniques for all of the contestants... but then again even at that point some people would proably complain that someone's pics didn;t get proper angles etc ;) 

Anyway, glad You'e like my thoughts, and i hope to see You other mocs soon... with a seagull or without ;) )