Grohl's Space Alternate Builds

[grohl]

Hello everybody,

the magnificent Galaxy Explorer 10497 reignited my passion for old LEGO Space sets. Even though my heart beats for Technic, my very first Lego set was the M:Tron Vector Detector 6877. Since August I enlarged my collection of space sets and in most cases managed to get my hands on some of the sets I only dreamt about when I was a child. Back then I had only 6877, 6878 and 6811.

I would like to use this thread for presenting my alternate builds of the LEGO space sets that I acquired in the last months. When I was a kid, I did not have a big collection but I always (to an extent) managed to build what I wanted. Creating alternate builds is one of my big passions and I love working with limited inventories and coming up with new ways and ideas from the same brick.

Here is the first of many alternates to come:

6877 Tensor Deflector

The model utilises 100% of the parts and features opening cokpit and detachable storage container at the back. The building instructions are part of the video. Happy Building!

 

Edited February 3, 2023 by grohl

[grohl]

6895 Justice Interceptor

is my first alternate model of the 6895 Space Police Spy Trak. The model features two openable cockpit sections, each fitting a minifigure. The model has forward swept wings, 4 laser cannons and can spin easily on your table.

 

[grohl]

Allow me to introduce my first alternate build of the Rebel Hunter 6897 from 1992.
The Hunter Chopper is a twin rotor helicopter with opening canopy section, spinning rotors and a control tower. The model utilizes 100% of the set's parts. Happy Building!

https://youtu.be/ikeRqybsDMk

 

[danth]

That Spy Track alt is a pretty convincing space ship! Probably better than any alt builds on the box.

Cool Rebel Hunter alt build as well. Space needs more helicopters. The little control tower is great.

[grohl]

Thank you very much for the praise. I can promise there will be many more coming.

6887 Blacktron II Harrier

is an alternate model of the Blacktron II 6887 Allied Avenger and uses 100% of its parts. The model is 22 cm long and 23 cm wide and features opening canopy, opening wing sections, moving wings and detachable rear module.

Video with instructions: https://youtu.be/mN-wDWAbBYo

More images: https://bricksafe.com/pages/grohl/system-alternates/6887-harrier

[JulianH]

Thanks for sharing these great alternate builds! It’s much appreciated. I really like all those classic space themes… can’t have them all, but in case I pick one of these up, I’ll sure give these builds a try. Looking forward to see more.

[grohl]

You are more than welcome :)

 

Mrija

is my first alternate build of the 6923 Particle Ionizer. It is named after the world's biggest and only AN-225 cargo plane that was destroyed a year ago. The model features opening cockpit, storage space under the wings, 6 engines, elevators that can be angled up or down, moving rear gun, hinged cargo section held in place by magnets, foldable robot, opening cargo door revealing a storage container with precious trans neon green cargo. Free instructions available through here: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-140059

[grohl]

The Freezing Phoenix is my very first alternate of Ice Planet 2002 set. This time I took the Blizzard Baron 6879 and turned it into this bird-like spaceship using 100% of the parts. The Phoenix can move its head and neck, the cockpit can be opened and the tail swivels from side to side. From the build I am most proud of the head that utilizes some of the trans neon orange parts icluding skis and a chainsaw blade. Instructions are available in the video.

 

Edited October 5, 2023 by grohl

[Moriboe]

That's a really cool alternate! Reminds of the back of the box "dragon" alternate for the Cosmic Fleet Voyager. Keep them coming :) 

[danth]

Yeah that's about as good as an alt build gets. Great looking mech bird with room for a pilot? And uses all of the parts? Superb!

[grohl]

Thank you very much!

[Stepwise]

These are fun. The M:Tron one is my favorite - thanks for posting the Rebrickable link for that one.

[CP5670]

These look really nice. The Particle Ionizer build is my favorite one, I'll have try building that.

[grohl]

Thank you very much :)

M:Tron Stellar Hauler
This alternate build was a tough challenge but I am more or less happy with turning an articulated space tow truck (Celestial Forager 6896) into a cargo ship with working crane and two moving side cannons. The model uses all the parts of the set except for one wheel.

Blacktron Destroyer
Turning the Battrax 6941 into a modular dropship with a rover was not easy. This ship utilizes all the parts of the donor set. The front part detaches from the cargo hold and works as a small ship on its own, but you can detach the rearmost section with poseable rudders and add it to the front. The main wings swivel from flying to parking position and the rover with articulated steering can detach easily from the cargo hold and can be driven around by the pilot. Happy Building!

[vectorcustoms]

My rework of 918 using set 70821

with some additional peices

 

wont let me add pics :(

 

[grohl]

Hello there, here is another submersible from the Space Police set. I took the Galactic Peace Keeper 6886 and turned it into this Anglerfish using most of its parts. It can open its big mouth, move the pectoral and tail fins. The opening cockpit can fit comfortably both the minifigures.

 

[danth]

Ok, that is amazing! Creative and ingenious.

[grohl]

Thank you very much. More are on the way.

[grohl]

Happy New Year, allow me to introduce you

THE INVESTIGATOR
This alternate build of the SP2 6957 Solar Snooper contains 3 separate vehicles. The main dropship carries a 6-wheeled rover and a small flyer, features changing wing geomentry and opening cockpits, The rover has an opening cockpit with a space for one minifigure and so does the small flyer with foldable wings. Have fun building!

Edited January 5 by grohl

[elfprince13]

Just want to say "Tensor Deflector" is a great riff on "Vector Detector"! Your models are great too!

[danth]

Wow. Great alt build! I love the shape, and that you reused the mechanism from the original to attach the space ship to the rover.

Also, I forgot how spectacular the back-of-the-box alt builds were for the Solar Snooper. I like all of them and they're so different. And the Solar Snooper itself is such a great design. It's my favorite SP2 set. It's more fun than the Galactic Mediator in my opinion.

[SpacePolice89]

They are all super cool! This is the style of builds I love to see. They are perfect in every aspect!!!!

[grohl]

Thank you all very much for your kind words!

SPECTRE

is my first alternate build of the amazing LEGO 60430 Interstellar spaceship. The magical function got a rebuild to have a bigger nozzle and I added the wing sections to the mechanism to create even more dramatic effect. By pressing the battery pack, the ship not only spreads the thruster sections, but changes the geometry of the wings as well. The cockpit section stayed very similar to the original model. The engine flaps and the battery pack function as in the official model. Happy Building!

 

Edited January 15 by grohl

[grohl]

Starbug 

is my first alternate build of the 6981 Aerial Intruder. The ship features detachable front section that works as a small scout ship. Both the front and the main cockpit open, the rear section has a deployable 8-wheeled rover that can drive up and down the lowering ramp. The ship has a spinning radar and a storage space for the jetpack.

Happy Building!

Edited March 11 by grohl

[grohl]

Allow me to introduce my first alternate build of the LEGO Spyrius Robo-Guardian 6949. 
SPY TRUCK

features: 
opening canopy of the truck 
detachable trailer
360° rotating crane 
adjustable position of the crane boom controlled by a lever in front of the operator 
climbing ladder for the crane operator 
swappable magnetic or claw crane attachment 
two droids 
sample container storage
explorer spaceship with changing wing geometry that allows it to carry the container
asteroid to explore