The Middleman

AMBULANCE 7890 Ambulance surpasses the price-to-piece ratio at 112 pieces for $7.99. The Fig I like the medic outfit, but that face is starting to annoy me. Also, while I realize this is perfectly level for an $8 set, I feel that it could use a patient figure as well. Still, as I said, no complaining; it's on par for the price. His 'electric thingy'. I'm not entirely sure what this is. Anyone? The Ambulance Oh, 1x1x2/3 slope; how I love thee. Pardon my bad stickerage. I like the design of the side, but it feels a bit squished to me in general. Accurate, but a bit offsetting for me. I love those doors. The top. More 1x1x2/3 sweetness. Front seat. Standard. The inside. Stretcher fits snugly in, smooth roof removal. Stretcher. Interesting, simple design. FINAL VERDICT: 8.3/10 Figs: 7/10 Pieces: 9/10 Set: 8/10 Playability: 8/10 I really like this little set, and it's very good for the price. A great compliment to the other CITY sets, and a useful addition to any collection. This has my stamp of approval! Until next time, Bloody Jay

Just so everyone knows, I got in Rescue Chopper and Ambulance, and just built them - fantastic sets, especially Rescue Chopper! Reviews tomorrow afternoon.

Happy birthday dude! Hope it's a great one!

I haven't seen it, and to my knowledge, nobody has. It's not on Amazon, either. But rest assured, it is on my Christmas list, so we'll have a review around then at the latest. ;) Same goes for Ferrari Finish Line and Hospital (although I won't review that).

That and the Ambulance should arrive on Monday, and I'll try to get reviews up the same night. I'm also very interested to see how the copter will turn out. @ Yoda - yes, only three stickers.

AIRPORT FIRE TRUCK 7891 weighs in at 148 pieces and carries an MSRP of $14.99. I found my copy at the local Toys R Us. The Fig I opted to take the picture without the oxygen tanks and mask, but know that they are there. They have a rather nifty holding spot you'll see later on. The Truck The compartment on this side has a red fire extinguisher in it. The compartment on this side has a hatchet (small version) in it, which doesn't quite fit. You can see how the door doesn't close completely in this pic. The Front I like the front, it looks different from the other CITY vehicles. The Back I'm split on the back, mostly because of that 1x6 yellow plate up top that sits on top of those two trans-red 1x1 slopes on the sides. It just looks weird. The Hatch Opens up, and out slides... The Equipment ... a nifty little equipment holder. The clip holding on the mask is pretty cool. The Front Seat Totally standard. The Water Gun I really like this thing. The only thing I'm not fond of is the way the axle half-sticks out. Still, it's versatile, and turns smoothly. The Water Gun (down) ... and it collapses VERY nicely back into the truck. FINAL VERDICT: 8.3/10 Figs: 8/10 (could have used another for the price) Pieces: 8/10 (I don't like yellow that much. If you do, make this a 9 for all intents and purposes) Set: 9/10 (good build, detailed model, compliments the airplane nicely) Playability: 9/10 I really like this set. It's a fun, easy build, it's not <insert that tiresome argument>, it's at piece-to-price, etc. I tilted it down a bit because of the price tag: I did feel like $15 was a bit too much for this set. If you're just in it for a good set and don't mind spending maybe a few bucks more than you normally would on a set of this size, this is definitely for you. It compliments 7893 Passenger Plane very well, though it remains to see how it compares to Airport. Until next time, Bloody Jay

In past years, this has happened, and I'm counting on it happening this year as well. For example, the AT-TE/TIE Bomber, the Cantina, etc. January lines ALWAYS show up before Christmas. I'd say this chances are pretty good this year too. Lucas only watches the releases of sets for new movies.

It worked just fine for me. Yeah, that's all bley.

Thanks for the review, dude! I'll pick this up anyway; the pieces look intriguing.

My model of Broughton was originally planned 112x64. I figured out I had to expand it to 144x64. When I figured that out, I had already built the substructure of the landscape, which interlocked the baseplates extremely firmly so it could be transported without breaking. For some inconceivable reason, I decided to just add in another pair of interconnected baseplates to the middle without connecting that substructure to the other middle one. Over time, I forgot about this error, and built the building in one piece on top of the two SEPARATE sections. Then we tried to transport it. The moment we picked it up, the baseplates started to upheave depending on how it was being held. The building was nearly falling over. Somehow we managed to get it downstairs and to the car door... and we almost had it in the seat, when the top of the tower hit the frame of the car door, and the whole thing toppled into the car. Ouch. Once it was at the NCLUG meeting, I was able to reassemble it within 20 minutes. Needless to say, various improvements were made to the model and to the transportation technique, and it arrived at the actual Broughton entirely intact. Scary, though.

I'm talking about stuff we've already seen... and the stuff we haven't, I put notes by or put in the 'unsure' category. How is it 'way too early?'

2006 Negative: - Spongebob, probably (although it'll be a success with the kids) - Exo-Force (for me at least) Unsure: - Batman - Avatar the Last Airbender Positive: - Vikings 2 (it should be good) - Ferrari - CITY - Creator - X-Pods So I'm thinking 2K6 looks overall good as well.

Glad you guys are enjoying the review. I just placed an order for the Rescue Copter and the Ambulance, so expect reviews of those soon as well. Also, I have an Airport Fire Truck coming sometime in the near future. Airport, I'll try to get a hold on ASAP, so stay tuned.

The sections are non-separable, but can certainly be modified that way.

Not for those. I'd appraise all those figs at USD $20. Maybe.

Please fasten your seatbelts and put all trays in the upright and locked position. Passenger Plane is without a doubt a very, very odd set. On one hand, some pieces are immensely <insert that tiresome argument>. On the other hand, it offers a selection of new and old pieces that look extremely promising. 7893 weights in at 401 pieces and $40, barely breaking the price-per-piece standard. Now on to the review. PASSENGER PLANE The Figs The Pilot I really like this new fig. It keeps in the stylized feel of the new CITY workers. Passenger One I love the Jonah torso, and I'm glad to see them reuse it. The Flagger Under the orange vest is the torso from Airplane Mechanic. I also think that's a new head. Another great figure. Passenger Two The only medicore figure of the lot; I think I have a bias against that head though, so don't mind me. Great fig. The Stairs This thing is so NIFTY it deserves its own category. Maniacally simple! The Plane Let's get right to the meat - the door. I have quite a few thoughts on the door. As you can see from the photo, the mechanism used to hold it in place is very, very clever. However, the door - from what I've seen so far - has some issues closing. Not that it won't, it's just a bit of a hassle. It detracts just a little from my opinion of the set. However, it DOES offer amazing potential; let me be the first to say this will be used as armor plating on a mecha very fast. Not to mention, this plane could add another dimension to moonbase (can you say 'airlocks?'). The Engines Now, I have something very, very sad to tell all of you, and it's best to get it over with now. The wings are one piece. No, I do not mean that each one is a single piece. I mean that the main sections of BOTH wings are formed by ONE piece that crosses over the middle as well. I can see it being used in large space MOCs - but don't expect to be getting a million little wing pieces with this set. The Cockpit As you can see, it's made up of two pieces... not entirely unusable, but coming fairly close to it. The Controls I'm fairly certain that's a new computer slope, and I love it. First Class With deluxe swivelly chairs (one side only). Doorway First class gets a nice TV! I also like the doorway between first class and the cockpit; sure, a fig can't fit through it, but honestly, who was going to try anyway? It's like the trains. Second Class Pretty standard. Red chair stockpile! The Rear My favorite part. Note the two suitcases, as well as the refreshment cart, which pulls out (it has, rather than wheels, the upper parts of two 1x2 hinges underneath). Also note the clear glasses, and most importantly; the RETURN OF THE OLD FAUCET. Hooray for LEGO! Oh, and if you haven't noticed, there's a second exit door in the back. The Tailfin I know someone'll find a creative use for this. Since I somehow didn't manage to get a good photo of the back of the plane, I'll fill you in - it's all one piece. Pretty boring. There are two large white wings on the sides. That's about it for that. Aerial View Underbelly FINAL VERDICT: n/a Figs: 9/10 (could have used another) Pieces: 7/10 (for juniorization) Set: 8/10 (fun build! Impressive model) Playability: 9/10 While it scores fairly well in all the categories, I refuse to give this set a final rating. It's a hit-or-miss set; I don't regret buying it, I think it's a lot of fun, and perfectly usable and inventive. However, I know that a lot of people out there will dislike this set, and they'd probably have valid reasons, whether or not I agree with them. So I'll leave this one up to you all; but if you see it lying around and feel like a breath of fresh air, I'd say, what the heck - go for it. Until next time, Bloody Jay

Just got the Passenger Plane. A disappointment in a lot of ways, but a real surprise in quite a few as well. Stay tuned for a photo review.

Using plate construction, I think even with the pit it'll be good-sized.

I'm getting the Hospital for Christmas. ;) No, I ordered a plane in lieu of it. I'll leave the Hospital up to you. :-D I'll be going to DC on the 26th, though, and probably picking up at least the Airport... so the rest are all mine. :^D

Definitely! I'll be putting up a photo review of the plane on the same day.

Ask the seller for a discount if you're buying truly huge amounts. It's worked surprisingly often for me, and has saved me probably about $70 to date, mostly in free/discounted shipping costs.

That rig would be a nice set idea... Give them a chance to do a decent metal-style barrel. Great idea Hobbes.

Old news (it was posted in the City 2006 topic), but I'll let it live for the people that hunt the BSTF forum.

Now look at that and think about which one looks MORE gray-like/realistic... ;)

Oh, and I think the bricks are the symbol for 'plastics,' not 'robotics,' as well. Might be mistaken, but I don't think I am.