40715 Alien Pack Review

[Space Coyote]

I just wanted to share my thoughts about this set. We got it in the mail today, it's a wonderful little set, each alien creature used the unique pieces in creative ways. It's a perfect set for families, my wife, son and I all took turns passing the booklet with each new build.

Getting a classic white spacewoman was a nice bonus, is this the first time one of the classic style astronauts has been explicitly shown to be female? Very cool either way. Her airtanks are black, which was an odd choice but it helps her stand out. I understand the white tanks aren't in production so I'd rather get some in the "wrong" color than not at all. Her buggy is a small, simple build, which can hold one of her two accessories (a dark gray wrench and black walkie-talkie).

The terrain build is modest but effective and pairs nicely with the other terrain builds included with some of the new space sets. 

You get 181 pieces for 14.99 usd, really not a bad deal, and it feels like you're getting a lot more than you are just because there are so many builds, I was surprised by how thick the instructions were! I can't recommend this set enough!

 

Edited May 5, 2024 by Space Coyote

[SpacePolice89]

I also ordered one. I'm currently waiting for it but when I get it I'll replace the modern head with a classic smiley one. The small vehicle seems very interesting. 

[karrit]

I just built this one & the other set last night.  The white air tanks are currently available on PAB.  I prefer the Alien Planet Habitat set over this one.  The aliens are cute but the white parabolic ring doesn't really fit in my opinion.

[SpacePolice89]

I got mine yesterday. It's a very nice set. Mine has the factory code "O" which means Billund, Denmark. @Space Coyote I guess you bought yours in the US, does it have the same code? My Blacktron Cruiser also has the "O" factory code while I've seen North American Blacktron Cruiser boxes with the code "TX".

Edited May 16, 2024 by SpacePolice89

[Space Coyote]

3 hours ago, SpacePolice89 said:

I got mine yesterday. It's a very nice set. Mine has the factory code "O" which means Billund, Denmark. @Space Coyote I guess you bought yours in the US, does it have the same code? My Blacktron Cruiser also has the "O" factory code while I've seen North American Blacktron Cruiser boxes with the code "TX".

Hey I didn't even know about the factory codes, you gave me an opportunity to learn something new and for that I thank you! Lucky I actually kept the box, my code was 09TX4, I got mine only 3 or 4 days after I ordered it so I'd be surprised if mine came from overseas!

[SpacePolice89]

5 hours ago, Space Coyote said:

Hey I didn't even know about the factory codes, you gave me an opportunity to learn something new and for that I thank you! Lucky I actually kept the box, my code was 09TX4, I got mine only 3 or 4 days after I ordered it so I'd be surprised if mine came from overseas!

It seems that European Lego exclusive and GWP sets have the O code while North American sets have TX. O is Billund but I don't know what TX is. I tried to find out earlier but with no success.

Other codes are known but I haven't been able to find TX

 

[Space Coyote]

Yeah I can't find any concrete info about what country of origin TX indicates but there is a production plant in Mexico, maybe that's also where Jang's Blacktron GWP came from as he is also in the USA and I think most new USA Lego are made at the Mexican plant.

[SpacePolice89]

8 hours ago, Space Coyote said:

Yeah I can't find any concrete info about what country of origin TX indicates but there is a production plant in Mexico, maybe that's also where Jang's Blacktron GWP came from as he is also in the USA and I think most new USA Lego are made at the Mexican plant.

R is the code for Mexico. Regular European sets are packed and boxed in the Czech Republic (code S) while most GWPs and Lego exclusives for Europe are packed in Billund (code O). Maybe the situation is similar in North America with two different locations because of two different codes? Most European sold pieces are made in Billund and then shipped to Kladno (Czech Republic) for printing, packing and boxing and there they get the code S. For some reason the GWPs and exclusives are packed and boxed directly in Billund and get the codes O or M.

Edited May 17, 2024 by SpacePolice89

[Space Coyote]

1 minute ago, SpacePolice89 said:

R is the code for Mexico. Regular European sets are packed and boxed in the Czech Republic (code S) while most GWPs and Lego exclusives for Europe are packed in Billund (code O). Maybe the situation is similar in North America with two different locations because of two different codes? Most European sold pieces are made in Billund and then shipped to Kladno (Czech Republic) for printing, packing and boxing and there they get the code S. For some reason the GWPs and exclusives are packed and boxed directly in Billund and get the codes O or M. 

Thank you so much for the informative post, you answered a lot of things I wasn't sure about. I'm kinda intrigued now as to why my box says TX. Maybe I got an extra review copy that didn't get assigned to anyone by mistake? We ordered it like a few minutes after it was available on Lego's website, maybe that's why? Man you have me curious about this TX situation! I don't see it mentioned anywhere at all, so maybe someone who knows more will chime in if they know something. I think I'll hang onto the box a bit longer, I was going to throw it out but now I'm not so sure I should.

[SpacePolice89]

6 minutes ago, Space Coyote said:

Thank you so much for the informative post, you answered a lot of things I wasn't sure about. I'm kinda intrigued now as to why my box says TX. Maybe I got an extra review copy that didn't get assigned to anyone by mistake? We ordered it like a few minutes after it was available on Lego's website, maybe that's why? Man you have me curious about this TX situation! I don't see it mentioned anywhere at all, so maybe someone who knows more will chime in if they know something. I think I'll hang onto the box a bit longer, I was going to throw it out but now I'm not so sure I should.

Maybe that's the case. It would be great if someone on Eurobricks knows someone who gets sets to review. Then we could compare the codes.

[Stereo]

Checked some of the boxes I have around cause I'm in North America and curious, micro Ninjago city (VIP redeem) is TX.  Spring garden house (GWP), scary pirate island (GWP) also TX.  VIP teal brick has no code I can see. Easter basket (GWP) and 40608 VIP Hallowe'en bag are R along with the rest of my regular sets.  So I guess it's a relatively recent thing?  First one's last October.

Edited May 17, 2024 by Stereo

[Space Coyote]

13 minutes ago, Stereo said:

Checked some of the boxes I have around cause I'm in North America and curious, micro Ninjago city (VIP redeem) is TX.  Spring garden house (GWP), scary pirate island (GWP) also TX.  VIP teal brick has no code I can see. Easter basket (GWP) and 40608 VIP Hallowe'en bag are R along with the rest of my regular sets.  So I guess it's a relatively recent thing?  First one's last October.

Thank you so much for the info, that helps a lot. It may just be a new thing they are doing for the codes for .com exclusives like the GWPs and such. Seeing as how Alien Pack is a website exclusive (I forgot to mention that in my review) it makes sense that it has the TX code. That bit about the TX code showing up fairly recently was especially helpful, I appreciate your help!

[karrit]

48 minutes ago, Space Coyote said:

Thank you so much for the info, that helps a lot. It may just be a new thing they are doing for the codes for .com exclusives like the GWPs and such. Seeing as how Alien Pack is a website exclusive (I forgot to mention that in my review) it makes sense that it has the TX code. That bit about the TX code showing up fairly recently was especially helpful, I appreciate your help!

The Alien Pack & Alien Habitat aren't LEGO.com exclusives.  They are also available in Lego Retail Stores.  

[Space Coyote]

4 minutes ago, karrit said:

The Alien Pack & Alien Habitat aren't LEGO.com exclusives.  They are also available in Lego Retail Stores.  

Oh that's nice of you to clarify that, thanks! I'm still getting back into this and I'm still getting the hang of keeping all these details correct in my head. The last thing I want to do is inadvertently spread misinformation so I really appreciate your help!

[Stereo]

Just in case it matters, mine are all LEGO.com orders and they've been shipped from somewhere near Chicago.

[hrdknxbrix]

The Chesterfield complex has been packing sets for awhile now.

[SpacePolice89]

22 minutes ago, hrdknxbrix said:

The Chesterfield complex has been packing sets for awhile now.

That would be a logical explanation for the TX code. It would make sense because the TX sets have all been in North America.