U.S.S. Constellation Question?

[WesternOutlaw]

Do any of you own set # 10021: USS Constellation?

I've been thinking about buying this classic Legend and was curious if any of you have this set and built it.

This set is truly reminiscent of the late '70s and would not look bad displayed on a book shelf.

One review in Brickset says that the instructions aren't well done (lacking detail). Piece count is at 973 which seems a good value for the price ($60 USD).

Any thoughts on this set?

[Mr. Lego-builder]

**EDIT: Ignore this post, my written reveiw is just below!**

I have it. But I bought it for quite a long time (for a year or so, maybe). I'll see what I can dig up...

[Mr. Lego-builder]

Like you asked, here are my thoughts:

1. INSTRUCTIONS: The instuctions aren't that hard to follow. But it might be harder for younger fans if they are used to the modern way of the LEGO instuctions. In such big set, there are only 16 steps to building the whole thing. Therefore, there are many bricks involved in 1 step. Some of the bricks in one step go as high as 20 bricks! Compared to the average 5 to 10 bricks for each step of modern times, this is alot of bricks!

2. DESIGN: The design is extremely well done. Some of the features include:

~alot of SNOT design (the cannons, the sails, the details)

~rotatable ship's wheel

~rotatable rudder turner thing (what's it called?), even though there is no real rudder

~turnable and adjustable sails (3 posts with 4 "sails" on each)

~a nice impression of a ship's hull, even though it is a bit blocky. (But it gives the set more of a "classic LEGO" look)

~very nice stand for the ship

3. PRICE: As for the price, very good. It is so low because of the amount of classic pieces it features.

------&------

4. PIECES: Speaking of pieces, there are such an abundance of nice pieces:

~26 low black fence pieces

~26 black and (old) grey 1x1 pieces

~39 black 1x1 black smooth tiles

~52 1x1 round (old) grey bricks

~16 yellow headlight bricks

~lot and lots of plates (especially 1x2 and 2x8)

~a good selection of old hinge plates

5. APPEARANCE: As for the amount of realism this set carries: here's the real one, docked in Baltimore, Maryland:the real U.S.S. Constellation.* It has now turned into a museum.

6. OVERALL: In conclusion, this set is much like a bunch of bulk sets throw together to make such a nice war-ship; the famous U.S.S. Constellation! If you're into war-ships, this set can look good anywhere you put it! Even though I'm not such a big fan of ships, I still give it a rating of 9.9/10. Only -0.1 for the confusing(ish) instructions.

**EDIT:**

*= To see the images, click on the first text link ("The Little Reveiw Photos"). After reaching the page, scroll down to "Ships" and click on the links to the U.S.S. Constellation.

It seem like the owner doesn't want us to directly link to the images. Sorry for any inconvenience.

[WesternOutlaw]

Thanks for the great summary. I may just order it. I went to the website as well to check the history earlier this morning. Pretty neat history as well not knowing much about US Naval history.

Unfortunate that the instructions seem pretty limited but I guess this is how the classic set instructions were drawn.

Looks like a great selection of black pieces and may be challenging to build - not to mention a nice "classic" display piece.

I want to buy one before it's no longer available from SAH.

Thanks.

[snefroe]

it's also available in shops in London: 44 pounds, i believe...

i think it's not important if this set is detailed to the last canon, or if they're using black bulk or not... you should buy this just because it's from a different era in Lego world... out of nostalgia... you should build it and never touch it again (except for cleaning, that is, and only very carefully... :P )

[Mr. Lego-builder]

Is 44 pounds the weight? Or it is the store name? *wacko*

The weight of the set is more like 10 to 15 pounds.

[WesternOutlaw]

I believe he's referring to price. 44 pounds is about $80 US dollars. US price is $60, so better yet.

I agree with you Snefroe, I would buy this set more for display than to use it for pieces. I do this with many of my sets (may take the fun out of it), but I enjoy building for display and leaving it up for a while - but I like the standard bricks as well.

[Mr. Lego-builder]

Oh, yes. In England, their currency is pounds, not dollars.

[WesternOutlaw]

Interesting enough, appears that the ship has 38 cannons which is just like the real one.

[Mr. Lego-builder]

Interesting enough, appears that the ship has 38 cannons which is just like the real one.

Having the set, I confirm that Brickster is absoulutely correct. There is the same accracy with the sails. Also, the scale is also very accurate for most of the ship, at about 1:250 scale.