Review: 44018 Furno Jet Machine

[VBBN]

Set name: Furno Jet Machine

Set number: 44018

Piece Count: 79

Year Released: 2014

Price: $14.99 USD, 14,99 EUR (?)

Useful Links:

Jet machine is an interesting set. At first, people had compared him to the Breakout version of furno, primarily due to the turbines on his back. As we have come to realize this is not the case; Furno jet Machine has an extremely inspiring torso build, and has actually become my favorite of the mechs for this wave.

Before we begin I'd like to once again thank The Lego Company and the Eurobricks Staff who made it possible for me to bring these reviews to you today. I'd also like to stress that the release dates for these sets is January 1st for the majority of the world, and March 1st for the U.S.

Packaging

Bag Front

Furno here is shown in a standard flying pose, attacking a miniature kaiju/crawler/spider/visorak/thing who is somehow elevated to a high altitude. One could say this is a result of the "jumping" feature, though in real life that motion is...not so graceful. Please note that this, like all of my other set reviews today, is the European packaging, and as a result there is substantially less facts on the bag in terms of price, age range, etc.

Bag Back

The back of the bag mainly just shows off the two basic features of the set, being the jumping kaiju and the containment pod. It also makes mention that the turbines can turn. That's an action feature now? If it gets to the point where bending knees is an action feature then I believe the term Action Figure may be being taken too literally.

Contents

Instructions

Oh hooray, the exact same image as on the bag! All things aside there isn't much to say here, though I really do like the pictures this time around, with the lovely city in the background.

Random Instruction Image

Okay this actually wasn't very random, as I wanted to show just how they demonstrate these connections for the figure. At first I didn't see that you had to add a second set of joints on (note the part inventories for each step: I though the second step was just how to fold it) So after a minute or two of mass confusion I slapped myself and realized what I was missing.

Oh boy. VBBN needs some sleep

Sticker Sheet

Here we have the sheet of stickers included with the set, which decal the canopy and the containment pod. For personal purposes I have not chosen to apply them to the set, however you can get a general idea for the purpose of them.

New parts

Containment pod in a trans neon orange, orange sea, the printed piece, and the new canopy in a tinted clear. Also the minifigure components, which we shall get to individually.

Minifigures

Build

I was really excited for this figure; Furno. Sure, he used to be a bit of a poster character that people got tired of seeing, but at this point I'd also like to knock Rocka or Evo out of the game in lieu of new characters. Ignoring his useless XL form we had last year, he has usually had some pretty cool incarnations. Despite popular opinion I really liked his 3.0 form, and his Breakout form was one of the best. Now we have him as a minifig. As you can see, the build begins with a black skeleton torso and the limbs, giving them a hinge at the hips and shoulders.

Moving forward, we see the minifigure head, which is neither translucent nor printed, added on. A word about the armor; It is compatible with regular minifig torsos, and the helmet is as well. (The eye holes on all of the helmets line up with minifigure head prints)

Front

Furno might actually take the cake as my top minifig of the first wave. Something about his helmet just seems really cool, and this form of Furno shows off that more matured look I have been hoping to see in his characterization. Now he does have sort of a sad face going on there, but it's not so noticeable in hand.

Side

From a side view, you can see the one issue with these builds: That skeleton torso. Because the armor is compatible with standard minifig torsos, it creates a huge gap when used with the skelly torso. You can also see the bars on his wrists and back of his legs for clips to attach on to.

Back

Accessories

One thing I enjoy about this Furno is that his accessories in this set are different than the ones with his Splitter Beast variant, so he has a nice selection to choose from. In this set, he is given the standard space pistol that Rocka, Stormer, and Evo have, as well as a fire extinguisher. That's a rather odd choice of accessory, as it implies that Furno's mech catches fire quite often. Or perhaps it is to put out the burning corpses he leaves behind? Maybe he just really like covering himself in fire extinguisher foam, who knows.

Miniature Kaiju

And here we have the miniature kaiju/spider/visorak whatever thing. I like that they threw these guys into the mix, and it's a cool homage to 2005. They are pretty basic, no articulation or anything. The colored piece is a soft rubber, whereas the black shell on top is hard plastic. This gives them a nice color scheme, however the pieces by themselves are quite strange bits. I look forward to seeing how these are incorporated into MOCs.

Jet Machine

Build Photos

We start the build off with some simple connections. The 3x3 cross beam is really common place in these sets, usually used as a means of giving extra ports onto the skeleton to attach the containment pod.

And here we have more limbs added on. All jokes about the set aside, this is a really great design. It's sturdy, innovative, and creates a shape like nothing we have seen in Hero Factory before. This shot is just to show how it is built. The following photo....

Shows the parts bent into shape. I have to say, after building this mech, Stormer and Rocka's mechs felt like letdowns, as they do not have the same innovation as shown here. (Evo walker by comparison is a new and fresh build, and Evo XL...well he gets points for originality)

That creativity is immediately shot down once we reach the legs. Nothing new to see here, move on.

As we add on some more armor, including the shoulder constructs, a crotch piece, and the containment pod, things begin to take shape. Exo force hands are used to hold on the weapons to the thighs, which doesn't look too bad (at least we have storage for them) Though if you really wanted to you could also store them in the containment pod. It is like a backpack after all.

Now we add in the cockpit which begins to shape up the from of the Mech. Something I'd like to mention, is the armor that gets added to the sides. Due to the construction of this torso, they are angled and on balljoints, and create a very nice shape to the main body. While evo uses a similar aesthetic method, the armor pieces are flat and static on that set, which results in a less than stellar result in comparison to this.

Finished

Here we have the completed mech. I have to say, out of all 4 mechs (Walker excluded) this one has to be my favorite. It has the most original design, a decent overall look, a more unified color scheme than some of the previous incarnations of furno, and let's be thankful he didn't stick a cape on his mech. At first glance, I hated these arms, In hand however they really aren't too bad, thanks to the blades which offer some nice pose-ability I'm also intrigued by the placement of his shoulders, as due to the construction of the torso, the balljoints are pointed backward. In the instructions, you actually are given a back view of the set while being instructed as to how to place the arms on. .

Front

So, does the set pose well? Absolutely. The legs are a standard design, and without a head to give a sense of direction, posing these mechs is a challenge. However Furno looks good standing tall and proud-really good

Side

The gaps on the cockpit are least noticeable on this set thanks to the armor and shaping.

Capture Pod

The pod is sideways, which is actually the only one that points in the direction for the jumper to properly "fall" out.

Action Shot 1

His posing is unique, but also something I love.

Action Shot 2

Complete Set

Overall, Furno Jet Machine is one of the best mechs of this wave. His torso design is new, creative, and results in a fantastic look. The legs are not entirely exciting, but they are effective. At first I didn't like the arms, but they have grown on me. This is a mech afterall, it doesn't have to follow humanoid proportions; They aren't outrageously short or anything. Furno himself is also a nice minifigure, and overall this set is one of the Mechs that you should make sure to grab out of this wave.

[Brickus]

Furno, looks great, maybe my favourite figure of the wave, thank you for review.

[Aethersprite]

Furno is hands down my favourite set of the wave. Can't wait to get him! Thanks for the review!

[Mesonak]

Definitely my favorite of the mechs. The first picture of the completed figure really drove it home for me. They did very well with this one.

Between the custom torso, the unique poses he can get into as a result of the arms and turbines, as well as the general stance of the figure, this guy seems like a winner.

I also must question the colors of the chairs in this wave (as has been stated before but it still gets me and I have to repeat it). Of ALL THE COLORS, they choose lime green and orange?

Very good review. Liked the line about the burning corpses. :P

[MakutaNocturn]

That looks like a Fire Slizer mixed with Exo Force. Nice review. Thank you for that.

[Shakar]

Unless Stormer's mech looks absolutely amazing from your photos I'm going to agree this is the best Machine so far. I still think the arms are the weak point. But with such an high piece number, I can forgive them.

Looks like Aanchir's LDD representation of the torso was spot on. I remade it IRL and used it on a MOC, and it is great. It really shows what you can do with the 2.0 building system, I can only hope the designers will keep coming up with stuff like this (on a bulkier Beast in summer maybe?). 2011 and 2012 were rife with things like this, but 2013 brought a sudden and tragic halt to that.

On the pieces, I hoped for more silver boot/shoulder armour pieces (introduced in BA Bulk), as they're very rare and potentially quite useful.. I'm disappointed to see t. metallic again. I get silver was overused in Bionicle, but t. metallic is rapidly becoming the new silver! Silver itself is so rare these days. Very good figure, but not my top choice as a parts pack. I love the printed shell however- those flames! Their design is nearly identical to Breakout Furno's torso- I love when things are cohesive like this.

You mentioned Furno's helmet eye holes line with minifig eyes- I guess his helmet is the only one that does this?

Thanks for the review!

[DraikNova]

Of the mechs, I'd say this is my third-favorite, just after Evo's XL-mech and Rocka's Stealth Machine. Nice review, by the way.

[Taaron]

Wow! Gotta get my disappointment out of the way first. They're not coming to the US till March 1st? :/ (I won't have a TRU discount by then. )

Okay, now onto the figure. I'm really glad for this review as I was most excited for Stormer's mech, but unsure on this one.

This review has totally sold me on it. I love the little Grumpy Furno, and the entire design of the set.

The only thing I think I'd maybe change is, if the parts are the same size, swap the printed piece with the foot rest piece.

Though, the only thing the review didn't clear up is what the flame pieces are supposed to be. I hadn't given much thought to them, until the review drew attention to their curious nature. (the instruction image that's referenced isn't loading, but that might be an issue with my cellular connection.)

[Aanchir]

I don't see a problem with listing the rotating turbines as an action feature. To be honest, when I saw this set I thought it was ridiculous that the flames were pointed forward like flamethrowers rather than backward like jets... after all, it is Furno Jet Machine. I considered modding this... and I guess I was not paying enough attention to realize the ability to convert the flamethrowers into jets and vice-versa was an action feature and a deliberate part of the design.

Great to hear that the Hero helmets are fully compatible with minifigures, and that the eyes even line up! I look forward to trying them out on my sigfig!

The torso build here is quite beautiful and is one reason that this is probably my favorite of the new sets. Of course, since these won't be out until March here in the United States, I guess we'll have summer set pics from Toy Fair to compare it to when it comes time for me to make my first purchase. I doubt that'll affect my decision much, though!

[VBBN]

Sorry about that I do believe I forgot to add a photo to this review, the flames are cleared up via the instructions:

I will amend that in shortly. He can flip them to become a weapon of sorts (and most likely to slow him down)

And Shakar, All of the minifig helmets line up with minifig eyes.

[Infernum]

Wow! Love the Furno Fig! The helmet was pulled off nicely. Too bad about the gap in the armor, but the more compatibility to minifigs the better. The mech is a great build!

[vexorian]

I am in love.

[Shakar]

Sorry about that I do believe I forgot to add a photo to this review, the flames are cleared up via the instructions:

I will amend that in shortly. He can flip them to become a weapon of sorts (and most likely to slow him down)

And Shakar, All of the minifig helmets line up with minifig eyes.

Yeah, I saw your posts in the HF 2014 topic and the other review threads showing the helmets on minifigs. Thanks.

And is that the Dropship from 2010 dropping the J Machine? If so, that's a cute homage!

[Aanchir]

Yeah, I saw your posts in the HF 2014 topic and the other review threads showing the helmets on minifigs. Thanks.

And is that the Dropship from 2010 dropping the J Machine? If so, that's a cute homage!

I was thinking recently about the possibility of making down-scaled versions of some previous large Hero Factory sets, like vehicle sets. The Drop Ship is one that you would not necessarily have to scale down, since in the show they come in so many different sizes. However, if you wanted to re-enact this comic, you might end up actually having to scale it UP — I struggle to believe that there's any way Furno Jet Machine could fit in one of those canisters! Even partially disassembled it could potentially pose a challenge.

[Im a brickmaster.]

Wow, nice review. Has anyone thought of just rebuilding the other mechs but with this general design? Mind blow No.2!

[VBBN]

Wow, nice review. Has anyone thought of just rebuilding the other mechs but with this general design? Mind blow No.2!

Well a few days ago I did this;

Just testing out the building system with a few new parts, I think breez's true mech would/will be more streamlined, but still.

[Shakar]

I was thinking recently about the possibility of making down-scaled versions of some previous large Hero Factory sets, like vehicle sets. The Drop Ship is one that you would not necessarily have to scale down, since in the show they come in so many different sizes. However, if you wanted to re-enact this comic, you might end up actually having to scale it UP — I struggle to believe that there's any way Furno Jet Machine could fit in one of those canisters! Even partially disassembled it could potentially pose a challenge.

Indeed, a Drop Ship that could carry FJM would have to be gigantic- bigger than Witch Doctor perhaps.

I still think a minifig scale battle ship can be done, and i think we'll see one in Summer. It would be great to see a vehicle with as little Technic as possible, though I doubt they'd do it.

And VBBN, that mech looks good! I'd remove the white though- the Machines don't seem to use secondary colours, though Rocka's mech has a slightly different colour scheme. Just lime, silver and red should be enough.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Shakar

[Aanchir]

Indeed, a Drop Ship that could carry FJM would have to be gigantic- bigger than Witch Doctor perhaps.

Well, in terms of price point and piece count, Drop Ship was already bigger than Witch Doctor (by five dollars and fifty-eight pieces, counting the sticker sheet) But I get your point.

Last year I actually tried building a larger Hero Pod that could fit a small or medium-sized hero from the Breakout series without disassembly. I didn't get especially far, though, and it didn't have nearly enough accuracy to the show model to make its large size worthwhile. And even if I had succeeded, it would have had only the height and width to accommodate Furno Jet Machine — certainly not the thickness.

[Cirkit]

I just LOVE Furno's new ride. Wish he had a bike again, but if it means giving up a set of wheels for dual-action rockets/ flamethrowers and his trademark blades mounted to a bulky, strong-looking machine.. I'm gold. It's red. No, I'm not Rocka. Or.. am I?

DUN DUN DUNNNN

Anyway, I like it. The build is original, far more than Stormer's or Rocka's machines, and it looks like it can take some damage. Wish it had a little more leg bulk, but if it's meant to be taking of into the sky to fight tiny flying kaiju, then less is more.

Shame there's only one kaiju spider there.. seems like an unfair fight!

And I like the new mini.. you know what? I'm calling them MiniHeroes. They're taller than the average 'fig, despite being able to share the same torso and head parts.. and they look great. Shame there isn't printing on the head but it looks cool nonetheless. The clips on the arms and legs are great, but I do wish the wrists could move. Maybe if they do these again in the future, they can improve upon the design?

Overall.. I think it's a great mech, and I look forward to picking one up when they hit the shelves in.. March?

WHY MUST YOU TEMPT US SO!??

Oh, and I really like that Breez mech you did. Shame she didn't get one of her own. Maybe she does in the next wave? Who knows.

[Aanchir]

And I like the new mini.. you know what? I'm calling them MiniHeroes. They're taller than the average 'fig, despite being able to share the same torso and head parts.. and they look great. Shame there isn't printing on the head but it looks cool nonetheless. The clips on the arms and legs are great, but I do wish the wrists could move. Maybe if they do these again in the future, they can improve upon the design?

The product descriptions we saw on Walmart.ca actually called them Mini-Robots. I like that a bit better than Mini-Heroes because it's more generic and could also be used to describe villain or civilian figures at this same scale.

Edited December 6, 2013 by Aanchir

[Cirkit]

The product descriptions we saw on Walmart.ca actually called them Mini-Robots. I like that a bit better than Mini-Heroes because it's more generic and could also be used to describe villain or civilian figures at this same scale.

While that does work, for the time being I'm only seeing Heroes used.

When the time comes that villains, civillians, or Mr Makuro (come on, that would be pretty cool)also get released as mini-Robots.. then I'll call 'em that :p

[ShadowWolfHount]

Furno looks awesome, i like of the body is build as different then a normal Hero Factory build and i also like that the arm are short reminds me of a old mech game i played along time ago. The new parts look great and i can't wait to see how they are use in future MOCs plus i love the printed armor looks a lot better then the 2.0 and maybe when i get it, i'll give my 2.0 MOCs those. I do love that all (but that one printed armor) are stickers and the set having something to storage the minifigure weapons is really good and not have the weapons coming out of no where.The big thing i love the most about the Mech is that it have a lot of things that remind me of the other Furno Sets, like the jetpack parts remind me of Furno Aquajet Pack from the 4.0 Breakout (but instead of using white, they used red) and the 1.0 weapons (sadly they didn't change the silver to fit with the set colors).

The Minifigure look great but i wish that the head was translucent and have a printing that look like the Glatorian Heads. The kaiju/spider/visorak thing looks good and i like that they remind me of the miniature visorak. The thing i don't like about the set is that there are a lot of gaps and that the minifigure have a skeleton body to make it have a big gap in it.

I maybe going to get this when it comes out and i do recommend the set to people

[ToaJaller78]

Well a few days ago I did this;

Just testing out the building system with a few new parts, I think breez's true mech would/will be more streamlined, but still.

You sir: have won an award. Edited December 11, 2013 by Ecclesiastes
cut quoted picture

[nuparu51]

Nice review. This is definitely my favorite set of this wave.

[ZORK64]

I'm on the fence about Furno's Jet Machine. I like the dynamic of its design, and the new built is also something that I want to build myself, but his arms... it's not only because they look awfully thin with nothing but the Furno blades, it's also by just looking at this guy I get Furno XL/Frost Beast flashbacks and the awkward placement of their shoulders.