LuxorV Posted February 20, 2011 (edited) Set name: River Runners Set Number: 6665 Price: 7.25 $, ? £, 8.00 Euro Pieces: 74 Year of release: 1994 Links: Peeron, Bricklink and Brickset The Box Front (Photo from Brickset, as I do not own the box anymore.) The front of the box has a clean look, sporting the full set into a natural environment, representative of its purpose. A rubber ship afloat on a stream. Unfortunately, I find the quality of the background somewhat disappointing: despite the quite nice water flow effect, the rivers are too clearly flat and b-dimensional. The LEGO and SYSTEM logos cover the upper left corner, but definitely do not stand in the way or drive the attention away from the set itself. The set number, in the upper right corner looks somewhat like it’s been added as an afterthought to me for some reason. Back (Photo from Peeron, as I do not own the box anymore.) The back of the box shows some possible alternate models we can build from this set. I often wonder how many people long for the good old days when alternate/inspiration models were standard fare and not the exception on the LEGO boxes, just like I do. Contents Inside This set includes a fair number of parts in ten colours and 3 figs. Definitely not bad for its price tag. My favourite parts in the lot are the floatation vests, the curved-top bricks and the grilled plate. I remember how much I like the plate at the time, being the first of its kind I got. My only concern was that, with a bottom so full of holes, the boat looked like it was about to sink any moment. Only some time later I understood that floatation was granted by the lateral ‘air tubes’. Recoloured parts This set did not include any new molds and only a couple of recoloured parts. These are 4 Brick, Modified 2 x 4 x 1 1/3 with Curved Top in Yellow and 4 Tile, Modified 1 x 1 with Clip also in Yellow. Accessories As you can see from the photo above, there are a lot of very useful and interesting minifig accessories in this set. They include an axe, a pick-axe, a shovel, all used to build camp on the river banks; a trio of oars for manoeuvring and for when the engine won’t start; a trio of lifejackets and a torchlight; and finally, we have a backpack, supposedly full of food supplies, a tent, some blankets/sleeping bags, and more… truly a Mary Poppins styled bag! These parts alone provide indeed reason enough to want to buy this set. Instructions The front cover (remember that during these years instructions were not released in booklets, but in foldouts) shows the same shot as the front of the box, the set number, the LEGO and SYSTEM logos. The look is clean and appealing, so you may feel the urge to book a raft ride as soon as the season begins. The back cover shows our River Runners disembarking and getting ready for camping. It will be a fine night of bone fires and songs under the stars! Random ‘page’ – The instructions are simple and every step involves a very limited number of parts, which makes things easier since there are no call-outs in this kind of instructions. Minifigures None of the figures is exclusive of this set, having all appeared in previous years in the Outback sub-theme. Nonetheless, they make for great addition to any City/Town collector. The Woman’s torso is one of my favourite of all times. The hoodie is pretty nice and it was the first time we saw one in LEGO City. The recent version we saw last year (see the 3177 Small Car set) is an update of this classic part. The two men seem to either be brothers or have both bought their sunglasses in the same shop (plus they must have forgotten to shave). We’ll call them Texas Man (for the hat) and Pilot (for the jacket and the fact he actually pilots the boat/raft). Texas Man wears a nice green waistcoat over a long sleeves white Tee. Though this torso has been seen in 41 sets in LEGO history, the figure itself is less common, limited to the Outback sub-theme only (his relatives span other City/Town areas as well). He fits the man on vacation theme quite well, with the possible exception of the hat, which does not speak much of a river run to me. Pilot, on the other hand, is a very common figure and I’m sure most people own at least a copy of him. Not much to say, apart for noting he does not wear his signature blue cap in this set. As expected from old times’ minifigures, there is no printing on the back of the heads or torsos. One last shot to see how the figs look with their floatation vests on. Building Start We start with the central part of the raft. The build is simple and pretty straight forward, with some interesting solutions here and there. Thanks to the 4 round 2 x 2 with rounded bottom plates on the underside of the boat, the model is quite sturdy and swoosh-able, even if it’s not an air or space craft. Adding accessories and motor We continue by adding the accessories our Outbacks will use to make camp or face any possible situation in the wild. Next comes the motor, a nice little thing with stripped colours to make it look shiny and easy to tell from the rest of the vessel. Finally, even if we do not see any evidence of a com system aboard, the raft sports a long antenna, plus a handy floodlight. Finished set The finished set plus minifigures. We are ready to ride any river we may encounter and to set up camp when we’ll eventually get tired. What more could we ask from this neat little set? Bonus images Getting ready So, are we ready to sail? Get your backpack on board and let’s get moving! Final comments As we said, this is a small-ish set. Its building is pretty simple and it includes only a few recoloured parts an no new molds. Nonetheless, this model conveys a great sense of adventure, a deep feeling of riding in the middle of the wild, which means its aim was fully accomplished. Colors scheme - 10/10 (The rubber part of the raft looks very realistic and the strips on the motor make it stand out as different and more metallic.) Minifigures - 8/10 (None of the figure parts is new to this set, but they were all brilliantly used here and make for some great additions to any City/Town collection.) Parts - 8/10 (Not many new or recoloured parts, but everything can come in handy for MOCs. I do not see any part in this model which could be difficult to use in an average City/Town creation.) Design - 10/10 (Again, it looks very realistic and does not have any major flaw.) Quality - 10/10 (All the parts are of the good old LEGO quality.) Overall: 46/50 Excellent As always, questions, comments, and pic requests welcome! Edited February 20, 2011 by Zorbas Indexed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
prateek Posted February 20, 2011 Another great review! As I said in your other recent review, I'd love to see sets like these more, instead of what we get nowadays. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Section8 Posted February 20, 2011 Another great review. Thanks for including the box images too, I found the paddle-fight model on the back of the box quite amusing. This set fit in very well with the 6552 Rocky River Retreat because of their similar colors and theme. I remember stuffing styrofoam bits into the bottoms of the curved slopes in an effort to make my model float when I was younger, but I also did not understand the mechanics of floatation. What always baffled me was the inclusion of a large antenna without any other radio piece. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zorbas Posted February 20, 2011 Great review of a beautiful classic town set LuxorV! This was released the year I entered my dark ages and I remember looking at it in the LEGO catalogue thinking "Am I ever gonna get this?" The raft looks very nice and the minifigs (three minifigs in a set of this size - oh, what an era...) are great. I too agree that the female's torso stands out. I really miss the use of the cowboy hat in city sets, a common thing back then. The back of the box picture made me feel nostalgic btw. Thanks for the beautiful and detailed review! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Artifex Posted February 20, 2011 I love this type of set. Especially this "modern adventures" ones form the 90s. Thanks for the review! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lordofdragonss Posted February 20, 2011 Ahh Another set that bring back memories! I still have all the pieces from it... mazbe is the time to rebuild it_ Thanks for review! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fuzzylegobricks Posted February 20, 2011 Great Review! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Yellow Brick Posted February 20, 2011 Such a great set. The alternative models look almost better than the main set. Thank you for the review LuxorV Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
autobrick Posted February 20, 2011 Even though this set came out before I entered my dark ages, I have no recollection of it, so thanks for the review, LuxorV. This set, in my mind, is what a good entry-level set should be like. Cheap price, three different minifigs, nice assortment of accessories and good design (minus the grate piece used for the hull). Even the alternate builds for this set are especially good (I miss these too). I may go pick one up off Bricklink! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lightningtiger Posted February 20, 2011 Thanks 'LuxorV' for another great review, interesting brick-built boat....ah, the good old days eh ? The outboard motor looks interesting too, Russian is it ! I'm a little worried about having a pick-ax and regular ax on board....perfect to punch a hole in the boat and sink.....ah, well.....such is life ! Brick On Everyone ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zoidy Posted February 20, 2011 I have this set still fully assembled (though the female and "pilot" minifigs are missing somewhere!) at my parents' house. I loved it, one of my favourite sets :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aanchir Posted February 20, 2011 This was my first LEGO set... Of course, I don't feel the same nostalgia as you do about alternate models on the backs of boxes. Nowadays, when we get alternate models, they're usually in LEGO magazines and other publications, and having fewer alternate models seems to lead to much higher quality for each one. When the alternate models on the backs of boxes were any good, then it was almost like a punch in the face because without instructions I couldn't possibly replicate said models! I've actually heard this is part of the reason they don't have these any more-- they'd get a lot of flak from parents over providing pictures of these models and then not providing instructions. Those alternate models look kinda cute-- not particularly attractive execution, but the ideas themselves are hilarious. The set was indeed fun, but in retrospect I kind of prefer the set my twin brother got at the same time: 6537 Hydro Racer. Hard to say which of the sets was cooler back then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LEGO Guy Bri Posted February 21, 2011 Another great review LuxorV This set I really like. I'm an avid outdoorsman and bought one of these because I love 90's sets and white water rafting! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dr_spock Posted February 21, 2011 Very good review. I like this set. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteFang Posted February 21, 2011 Nice review, LuxorV! Great to see a detailed Classic Town review! I miss this set and I bought it again from eBay last year since it was very affordable and given the amount of minifigures and accessories included, I could not want to miss it again. Furthermore, among the 3 minifigures, 1 of them is actually a female and back in those days, it is very hard to acquire a female town citizen and during that period, getting Paradisa sets is the better method. Then again, when you are a child at that era, you will not think and going in-depth to the details and what you will see is a fun river adventure! This review is now blogged in, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuxorV Posted February 21, 2011 Thanks for the feedback people I'm glad I could convey my love for this set in the review and to see so many other people like it just as much! This review is now blogged in, Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Galaxy Explorer Posted February 22, 2011 Thank you for this review! I'm currently going through a Classic Town bender, and reading your current reviews is just adding fuel to the fire! I voted outstanding- the bright yellow really stands out and three great Mini-figures. The antenna with no receiver is strange, but I think there is a 1x2 tile with a CB radio print that could be used. Although I've never officially owned this set, I recently assembled one out of my spare parts- it's interesting putting together a 17 year old set for the first time. Looking forward to more reviews-thanks again! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites