My first LDD mockup - 442 Space Shuttle

[splattergnome]

I have recently reentered the fun world of LEGO after almost fifteen years, and I am still very inexperienced compared to everybody else here, but I decided to do a little fun experiment. I downloaded the LDD and attempt to remake the Classic Space set 442 Space Shuttle using only pieces available on LEGO Factory.

The classic original

I noticed instantly that many pieces are not available, so I decided to go for a modern reimagination rather than a direct recreation, and in the process decided to go for the Blacktron I style black-with-red-highlights color scheme - this is before Blacktron shifted over to yellow transparencies in their famous later spaceship designs. I also tried to make it an impulse set, which means I also added a minifigure and accessary, just like the original.

Here we have the Blacktron Shuttle II, which surprisingly does not have any visible thrusters at all, which means they are probably hidden within the big wings, together with the fuel (or fuel cells, as may be). I would assume that this would be a basic transport ship for ultra-low G environments, like small moons or asteroids - however, not for no zero-G transportation. It uses a standard Classic computer system terminal, which causes many more modern-minded cosmonauts a bit of stress since it is not particularly user-friendly. It fits one standard cosmonaut with a nice snotted restarea behind him for his heavy oxygen tank - which he has to wear, unless he likes imploding. To my sources, there were only two hundred Blacktron Shuttles made before the organization stopped copying earlier Classic and Futuron designs and going with their innovative ways - which is not surprising, considering how flimsy and very niche-oriented this one is.

Alas, this poor guy managed to buy a twenty year used surplus Blacktron shuttle from a Space Police impound auction but had not yet been able to get ahold of one of the venerated and highly desired Blacktron uniforms, which are much more of a collector item. But he does try at least to wear black - however, he could only find one of the colony-standard yellow oxygen tanks to wear. Right now is thinking of replacing all of the red highlights with yellow so it fits his current clothing.

The object next to him is particularly interesting, though. Unlike the shuttle, this is a real collector's item. An experimental Blacktron particle accelerator gun, it is immensely bulky yet packs a powerful punch. The half-ring is an actual tiny particle accelerator which creates highly charged radiation which is dispersed to the front through the gun. Earlier prototypes of this weapon were a complete magnetic ring which allowed particles to charge up several rotations before being shot, but the design was much too heavy, and after several untimely deaths due to "technical malfunctions", quickly forgotten. This one allows two sets of particles to be charged at a time for a double blast, or through alternating quarter-ring sections. In the end, this gun was quickly banned during the Space Police Humane Weapons Accord - supposedly for PR and political reasons, but actually for purely budget reasons, since more conventional projectile weapons were much easier to maintain - and cheaper, too.

It is just a very simply basic first attempt at LDD (which isn't very easy to use if you want to build stuff -beneath- other pieces), but I think it turned out reasonably enough, and gave me an interesting insight in the hidden history of Lego Space.

EDIT: Apparently this set would cost $5.59 on Factory, or just $3.52 without the guy or his exotic weapon.

Edited August 20, 2008 by splattergnome

[Asuka]

That´s a pretty smooth little craft, and you really presented it in a very entertaining and interesting way.

Earlier prototypes of this weapon were a complete magnetic ring which allowed particles to charge up several rotations before being shot, but the design was much too heavy, and after several untimely deaths due to "technical malfunctions", quickly forgotten.

So... the legendary Blacktron hula hoop gun that would be then... simply fascinating.

[Lt. Col. Thok]

So... the legendary Blacktron hula hoop gun that would be then... simply fascinating.

LOL.

Very nicely done, I like how you've replaced the older pieces with newer ones.

Posting from Toronto!

[DJ Force]

You could try adding some yellow details as the original Blacktron 1 line had.

Until now it´s a nice black ship, but not Blacktron yet.