Spacechampions17

Not hating on LEGO for doing a Pharrell movie themed set, only disappointed like most others, that there is currently no indication of a Classic Space follow up to the 10497 Galaxy Explorer and Blacktron GWP as of now, for 2024.

It may be frustrating but makes sense from a commercial standpoint I guess, with at least 6 City Space sets currently being released almost simultaneously.

I got a 3rd 10497 set, and built a 4th craft (with some of my own MODs), based on these purchasable instructions on Rebrickable: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-130651/BrentWaller/10497-planetary-explorer-galaxy-explorer-alternate-build/#details. This is a 1000 piece heavy lift craft with detachable modular lab (for which an elevated base can also be built), a very inventive design with very menacing proportions, and challenging building techniques, much more so than all 3 of the official LEGO builds. Highly recommended now that the 10497 set can be had new for around 65$, if one shops wisely.

Update: It took a while to decide what to do with the leftover parts after completing the 924-sized alternate build, and I chose this excellent retro WWII style MOC with free instructions as a starting point: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-124992/piotrusb/twin-engine-space-scamper-alternative-with-galaxy-cruiser-from-10497-galaxy-explorer/#details I modified it quite a bit (with non 10497 parts) for a thinner, simpler and sleeker overall shape, a nicer cockpit, better seating position, a vertical thruster like the bigger ships, and I added detachable armament pods under the wings, allowing this little fighter to carry the large cannons of the 928 and 924. I also made it dockable on the 928, to hitch a piggyback ride to far destinations (think Dornier and Short WWII piggybacked seaplanes), with 2 simple 1x1 round studs that attach it easily to the nose of the bigger ship, and in such a way that the combo is still mildly swooshable.

I built the medium 924 sized alternate as well, smoothed out the nose, underside and some of the greebling with exposed clips. This alternate build lacks the vertical thrusters of the larger model (and of the originals); I added 3 smaller ones. Here together with its modded big brother: Finally: Some may have noticed that the landing skids don't sit perfectly flush on this alternate build, this is because the instructions omitted the pin stops needed for a flush fit as on the regular 10497, note the added black pins in each well:

Thank you!

Hi everyone, Does anyone happen to have a list of leftover parts of the medium and small alternate 10497 builds? It seems there was a list on rebrickable but that has been removed...

Thanks Lowlead, done! Edited my original post to include thumbnails I forgot to point out the lengthening of the fuselage with inverted slopes at the rear, more in keeping with the original 928 and 924, and a more flush, pointier nose.

Excellent set, but the hump in front of the vertical stabilizers looked a bit heavy handed to me......The medium sized alternate build offers a much flatter and more streamlined solution to locking the two rear halves together. I added a sink, toilet and shower at the request of my son also.....

My son and I indeed thought the ship lacked a sink, toilet and a shower, and we added all three while maintaining enough room for the buggy....