drclark

I remember a discussion from a long time ago that minifig proportions are closer to that of a small child than an adult. Hence if you scale them to an adult height, they end up too wide. I usually use 1 stud = 1 foot. Most true scale models get very large so "selective compression" usually comes into play anyways for a typical builder.

I don't like the spring launchers. Too easy to have a negligent discharge. Also, flick fire parts are useful and can built into other things whereas the spring launch parts are pretty much single purpose items...

Looks like the domain name expired on 3/27. Runing a website is more work than most think and unless it is actually making money, it becomes a burden to continue as a "hobby". The people that started the site may have moved and have other aspects of their life that are more important. I have found my own life has changed significantly over the past 12 years w.r.t. job responsibilities, family, and kids. I don't have the time to do many of the things I used to do when I was younger. I would suspect that something similar may have happened with the CSF owners. That and compared to other themes, TLG has only recently thrown a few bones to the space community... So maybe the overall popularity is not there with the younger generations that did not grow up in the 80's.

That's really cool.

Nice work! Do you have any shots of the bottom to see how the landing gear retract? I am anxiously awaiting the new canopy in the ep 7 x wing for a number of mocs. I think it might work well with this subject as well. Did you consider using this part rather than the slopes on each side of the cockpit? It might go better with the otherwise studless sides

When looking at the majority of classic-space ships/bases, I think their set designs are actually quite good considering the mostly studs-up building style. I think this is especially evident in many of the "neo-classic space" interpretations of the old sets utilizing modern building techniques and pieces. The basic set designs from a play-ability stand point were great. One thing that modern sets have trouble re-creating is the emphasis on alternate models. All classic sets seemed to be designed such that their parts selection lent well to creating MOCs. This is something where I think modern sets fall short on (with the exception of the creator line). I think there is a trade-off between primary model "coolness" vs part selection variety that enables alternate model building. Today's sets feel closer to "model kits" than a building system. The other thing that folks look fondly back on classic space was not just a "fad theme" that ran 1 or 2 years. It was a universe or world that enjoyed consistency and longevity. The theme featured a consistent color scheme over a number of years (largely driven by the limited color selection of lego sets in general in the 70s-80s) such that early sets integrated well with the later sets. Also, there were no special collectible mini-figs with a pre-determined backstory... From a kids viewpoint, we created our own stories around the sets built our own creations to fit into those stories and every christmas/birthday my space empire grew. As a kid I was able to collect a number of sets over time and I could use all of those pieces to build my own mocs that fit in with the world/system. As a parent now, one of my frustrations is that the huge variety of colors used in lego themes makes it very difficult to create a "critical mass" of basic and specialty parts for my son to start building his own MOCs without them being "rainbow warriors". For example, we loved the Galaxy Squad sets but we do not have enough of the medium blue color that was used in those sets to use them for any thing but limited trim pieces on mocs. The modern starwars sets are great sets (almost MOC quality) but they also suffer from the color dilution in trying to keep movie-accuracy. I don't know if the issues I am describing are an out growth of Lego trying to react to the wants/desires of modern children or trying to drive more collector value into their sets.... Some of it is obviously driven by their licensing strategy and trying to create accurate depictions of scenes from Harry Potter, Spiderman, Star Wars, etc Whether or not Lego decides to resurrect classic space or not, what would be nice is to see inter-theme integration where elements of previous themes are carried forward into the new themes so there is better overlap between the themes. For example, it would have been nice to see some level of color and character integration between Alien conquest and galaxy squad. I think expecting a full on classic space reboot is a bit much to expect. I am thrilled with Benny's ship in the lego movie and will buy at least two copies (one for me and one for my son). I was hoping we would see the little ship that was seen in one of the Lego Movie posters as a set as well. As I stated in an earlier post, I would be happy with a "classic-space tribute" creator set that featured the classic blue/gray/trans-yellow color scheme and came with a selection of parts to build a spaceship (487 sized) or a land vehicle or a space base. A selection of modern parts and canopies, and PRINTED parts with classic-space emblems and other decorated elements would make me a happy camper as a MOC builder.

I'd be happy with a Classic-space themed creator set. Something with enough parts to build a spaceship, space base and ground vehicle that included a number of newer trans-yellow, trans-dark blue canopies, newer slopes & wedges with PRINTED classic space logos and other theme decorative parts, etc. Throw in a classic space style landing plate and/or crater plate and that would be great. Just give me the parts to create some cool new MOCs without having to scour bricklink.... One of the things I miss about CS is the fact that alternate models built with just the pieces in the box were prominently featured on the set packaging. Alternate models seems to be a lost concept except with the creator line (and the new movie sets).

Been a long time lurker - finally decided to post. Realized many of my old mocs sort of fit the vic viper category... at least two pointy things up front. Some of these are old mocs that have been posted for quite awhile. Thus they exhibit "old school" building techniques and parts for the most part. enjoy... Interceptor Vampire Galaxy Defender Lastly my Cosmic Sentry. A more modern moc but unfortunately it remains in the realm of virtual lego for the time being.

Wow! This movie poster inspired me to finally register an post. I love the throw back to the classic space theme and hope to see the little ship available as a set! Would love to buy a couple so me and my 3 year old could swoosh them around the house!