The Cobra

Here in Italy, the first wave of 8 sets sold good; the Knight was the best seller, but most every set including that one was available until November. The second wave of 4 sets was never sold in Italian shops. In late November, with Christmas offers, all little set disappeared from the shelves. But I have to say, I've been to a toy store chain shop and to 2 local malls; there is really few Lego left, and that mostly means Bionicle. Everything els, large, medium or small, is gone. Yet, I can hardly imagine those little sets usually priced 3 Euros not selling (fewest price I've seen was 2,75; highest was 3,50).

I would have said "black", but now I'm not so sure. If you look at the pdf, page 23, the female hair piece isn't listed with black or brown pieces. It's the only one in its color, whatever color it is. Sort of "Dark brown". And if you search for replacement parts on the Lego customer service page, the set is there, but that piece isn't.

Now that's a terrific theme review! I also have the secret of the tomb, nice little set, and am 99% willing to buy the Passage of Jun-chi. I'll also keep my eyes open for small/medium sets (large sets are great too, but I'm lacking space to put them).

I usually don't like saying "I told you so"... but I told you so! (yet I tought those where ice cream tops, not just round plates)

Let's face it, Lego bricks can build most anything. Yes, even an hot-air balloon! Set data: 7415: Aero nomad Year: 2003 Theme: Adventurers Subtheme: Orient expedition Pieces: 118 (including extra pieces and 5 game cards) Price: 20 USD / ?? EUR / ?? UKP Building time: about 30 minutes MISB on review: Yes More info: Brickset - Peeron Box front: Maps in foreground and background. Box back: Two odd alternate models. Box content: Two bags with pieces, one bag with boat riggings and a boxed string, one bag with game cards, two loose balloon pieces, promo poster and instructions sheet. No stickers. Promo poster: with a good look on the Orient Expedition theme (larger sets included gameboards for the card game) and a snapshot on some Lego sets and videogames. Please click on thumbnails for a larger pic. Game cards: set includes 5 cards (pics features card back too); every set has its own cards, they are not randomly inserted. Random instructions page: setting up the hose reel; the string end knot took me 10 full minutes to make! Comic page: Orient expeditions is one of those theme to host comics in the instructions sheet. Loose pieces: Lots of unusual bits in here. Minifigs: Meet Doctor Kilroy and Johnny Winter... I mean, Johnny Thunder in his winter outfit. Building the Aero Nomad: Here is your base; three more round corner plates will be added. Building the Aero Nomad: On each of these plates lies a round fence. Building the Aero Nomad: Adding plates to keep pieces assembled! Building the Aero Nomad: Here are the fuel tank (filled with propane) and some weights (plain minifig heads!) Building the Aero Nomad: Placing gas tank and weights. Building the Aero Nomad: And here is the hose reel, with an hook at the end of the string. Building the Aero Nomad: The hose reel is placed on the only fence that has no balancing weight. Building the Aero Nomad: You need four of these pairings (bar + boat rigging)... Building the Aero Nomad: ...one for each of the four sides (yes, this round thing has four sides!) Building the Aero Nomad: Here is the "balloon" itself; two pieces connected by hinges. Those pieces inside are "fillers" to add stability and help the side pieces not to move. Building the Aero Nomad: Let's put it this way: the "balloon" is not air-tight... Building the Aero Nomad: ...but a net and four rubbers will come to aid. Building the Aero Nomad: Who wants a giant lollipop? Building the Aero Nomad: Here are the burners and the blast valve. Building the Aero Nomad: Building is nearly complete Building the Aero Nomad: And here is a big propellor (quite unrealistic to me, but I might be wrong...) Accessories: Now, this is something: a sextant and a pair of snowshoes. And them some more common pieces. It's hard to fit all of them in the container box! Leftovers: Small pieces and a rubber band holder. The Aero Nomad: The propeller has been put into place, and we're now ready to fly! The Aero Nomad: Front view. Is the Nomad too tall? Fear not... The Aero Nomad: ...you can adjust its shape if you're lacking vertical space. Review: I've never been a fan of hot air balloon in real life, but this one is definitily eye-catching! It's a bit pricey to me, but we shall consider how many unusual pieces are in there. There's much more than ordinary plates and bricks. I was surprised when I spotted this set in a local shopping mall, and would have instantly bought it, but 25 Euros was waaaaaay too much. Imagine my surprise when last December they sold it for 13 Euros only; I was lucky to grab the next-to-last! If your sets lie in a closed space (like mine), keep in mind that this thing is a bit more than 7" / 18 cm. tall with modified shape and 9" / 23 cm. in full height Rating: Color scheme: 5/5. a good selection of bright and dark colours. Minifigs and accessories: 5/5. Lego surely didn't go short of accessories this time. Having two minifigs is OK (still, the basket could host two more figs). Pieces: 4,5/5. Looking for something unusual? This set is! Yet, piece ratio is 0,55 (leaving cards aside) Playability: 4/5. I guess kids will like somthing like this. They just have to be a bit carful and patient while building. Design: 5/5. MOCers will probably make balloons more colorful; as a standard set, this is fair. Overall rating: 4/5. I know, that's not what math tells. But you should consider that 20$ is the 7092 Skeletons' prison carriage RRP. So you might think twice about buying this set for full price. The final words: If you find it, consider buying it. If you find it on sale, don't consider. Just buy it!

There, surrounded by eternal snow, lies a small treasure. Protected by a HUGE guardian! Set data: 7412: Yeti's hideout Year: 2003 Theme: Adventurers Subtheme: Orient expedition Pieces: 114 (including extra pieces and 3 game cards) Price: 10 USD / ?? EUR / ?? UKP Building time: about 20 minutes MISB on review: Yes More info: Brickset - Peeron Box front: Hands holding map are a trademark in this subtheme. Box back: Alternate models; please note the percussionist Yeti on the left Box sides: Focus on figs and game cards. Box content: Two bags with pieces, one bag with cards, a slim baseplate, a BURP, a promo poster and the instructions sheet. No stickers. Game cards: They are not randomly inserted; these are the cards you will get every time you buy this very set. Comic: A few pages of the inscructions sheet feature an OE comic. Random instructions page: Adding details to the scenario on the left and raising the temple on the right. Promo poster: with a good look on the Orient Expedition theme (larger sets included gameboards for the card game) and a snapshot on some Lego sets and videogames. Please click on thumbnails for a larger pic. Minifigure: meet Miss Pippin Reed and her quite rare Mongolian hat. Maxifigure: what is a Yeti made of? It's not flesh and fur... Figure comparison: Yeti is nearly twice as tall as an ordinary minifig. Cheese: Yeti hands can hold minifig accessories. Building the hideout: Jumpers on the left will host Yeti's feet. Plates on the right will host... we'll find out soon Building the hideout: The BURP has been placed. Building the hideout: Here is your treasure: 1 (one) diamond! The "drawer" lies on a string. Building the hideout: The other end of the string is connected to the rock... Building the hideout: ...so that if you pull the drawer, you will a find treasure and danger at the same time! Building the hideout: Next to the Yeti's cave, there is a little shrine. Building the hideout: Adding stalactites to the big rock. The hideout: Building is now complete. Did those who raise a flag ever meet the big monster? Yeti's day out: Something freeze-head this way comes. Yeti's day out: The beauty meets the beast. Leftovers: The usual small pieces, but an ice axe too. Review: Many OE sets feature an animal; smetimes real (gators, elephants) and sometime legendary / fictional. That's unusual and mostly a plus. The down point is that we lack an "extra" human minifig and some accessories. Still I wonder why are there two "maces" on the big rock. On the other hande, some might sya that the set is not much more than "a cave, a yeti, a place to hide the diamond and a female minifig". Price is ok, I even bought it in 2008 for less than the old price. That's why you should always keep an open eye en the net, especially if you've been through a lot of dark years. Rating: Color scheme: 5/5. The hideout looks great thanks to those trans light blue pieces; the shrine is ok. Minifigs and accessories: 3,5/5. this is an average between 4,5 (minifigs) and 2 (accessories). Pieces: 4/5. Leaving the Yeti aside, there is only one rare piece. Whit BURPS are unusual, but some colors are rarer. But we're slightly above the 10/1 ratio. Playability: 5/5. Younger builders will enjoy the opening mechanism; older builders might have fun too. Design: 5/5. The hideout alone would have been too few for a set, so having that sort of small shrine adds some value.. Overall rating: 4/5. A good medium/small set; a good starter if you're not into this theme yet. The final words: If you want something a bit different from the usual, here it is. Now a 6 year old set, but can easily be found on the net. Just check the price and compare it to RRP.

The 2008 NWOLPS (New Wave Of Lego Police Sets) featuring blue stickers for both English and German writings brought some "renewed" 2005 sets, though the only change being the sticker sheet. Set data: 7245: Prisoner transport Year: 2005 Theme: City Subtheme: Police Pieces: 98 (including extras) Price: 13 USD / 13 EUR / 8 UKP (sources: Peeron, German S@H Catalogue) Building time: 20/30 minutes MISB on review: Yes More info: Brickset - Peeron Box front: European "plain" version; no set name or piece count; just the van and the minifigs Box back: we no longer have the 2005 alternate German version (see pic); here are some action scenes. Box content: two bags, the big car base, sticker sheet and instructions (featuring old black stickers) Loose pieces: see those 1x4 blue plates? they use to be blue in the older version too; and you can't see them once building is complete! Random instructions page: Now, that's something! Try putting that loudhailer in balance on its handle. The big one: Building on a solid base? I seriously doubt it. Building start: Those 6x1 slope bricks were first used in 2005, so did the mudguards. Building on: See the driver's seat and two of those plates I told you about. Building on: No car doors, two 1x12 bricks on the sides and a SNOT front. Building on: Fences on the sides, steel doors on the rear, a glass piece to keep an eye on the prisoner(s). Building on: You don't want the prisoners to get injured while getting out of the van, do you? Building on: Adding cupboards to the sides; and one will stay empty. That's a minus! Plates on rear top will help to easily remove the roof for faster prisoner placing. Building complete: Here's what the van looks like without stickers. Flaws: Why are there all those empty spaces? Would it have costed too much to add a couple of pieces to the back? It's hard to believe that doors wouldn't have opened. Stickers time: Here's the 2008 Van. Blue stickers look great with trans blue light on a white base. Minifigs and extrapieces: Nothing special, figs are OK and we have one spare of each 1x1 piece. Spacing: The van can host three prisoners, whether sitting (anywhere) or standing up (in the "recessed center" of the car base) Complete set: It's time to serve your time! Review: Back then, this set looked average to me; blue stickers made quite a difference. The van is ok, except for the flaws I pointed out. It can be easily modded to become a civillian vehicle too. It looks obviuosly big compared to old 4-wide trucks, but it's regular in a 6-wide world. But, if the policeman should find himself with his hands full, that's surely won't be because of accessories. One loudhailer and nothing else? That's a big downpoint. Please note that this set is more expensive than 7091 and no cheaper than (Licensed) sets that have lots of special pieces (7624) Rating: Color scheme: 5/5. I only would have rated it 3 with the old sticker sheet. I'm really pleased with this change. Minifigs and accessories: 3/5. That's an average. 5 for the figs, 1 for the accessories (basically because you only have ONE accessory!). Handcuffs did not exist (in Lego) in 2005, but the designers could have picked something (that fitted in the cupboard) like binoculars or a torch. Pieces: 3/5. Nothing special, nothing rare, nothing much (to say it all). This set is about the final product, not the pieces. Playability: 5/5. With easy-to-remove roofs and big rear doors, kids should have a lot of fun; plus, its police vs. thief! Design: 3/5. I've pointed out some flaws; Add the lack of accessories and here's why I rated it so low (compared to my standards). Still, this is the smallest set amongst those featuring a prisoner (currently available). Overall rating: 3,5/5. The final words: A bit pricey, but if you can find it for less than RRP (and you didn't buy it in the 2005-2007 era) this set will look good in your town/collection. I bought it for 10 Euros and I'm happy about it.

A couple of days ago, I filled an online request for replacements. They auto-replied they're sorry and they're sending me my parts.

"...and then the sky turned red... Hey! They're throwing trans orange propellors!" Set data: 8873: Fireball catapult Year: 2005 Theme: Castle Subtheme: Knight's Kingdom Pieces: 47 (including extras and "Rubber band holder" ) Price: 8 USD / 9 EUR / ?? UKP (sources: Peeron, German S@H Catalogue) Building time: less than 15 minutes MISB on review: Yes More info: Brickset - Peeron Box front: European version, no set name and no details. Box back: Showing how the catapult works, and a mediocre alternate model Box content: Two bags and a one instructions sheet. Pieces inventory: Main colours are Red Brown and Dark red. We'll find a few differences in extra pieces compared to Peeron listing. Random instructions page: How to set up your horse; by the way, this set has no extra 1x2 plate and 1x2 brick as an alternative to horse saddle. Random instructions page: Building the catapult. Shadow knight: The villain has no armor but a printed torso with the Scorpion emblem. Sir Santis: The good minifig has a name (he's not a mass product like his foe), and the bear pattern on armor and shield. When color choice becomes a problem : I can hardly understand how Peeron can claim the bar being white; But my main question is: do we need all these kinds of grays (and bleys)? Ready to face the fire: The "knight" has no horse. The "Sir" has. Oh, well, whatever... The catapult: Front has two wheels and two teeth (for short-range killing). The catapult: Shooting is based on a rubber band; shooting range = approx. 1 yard / 90 cm. The "bullet": I like the idea of using a transparent piece (as much as I like TrOrange round 2x2 bricks). Armed and ready: The catapult is ready to shoot Leftovers: How many of you wondered "where do I have to use the rubber band holder in this set?" the first time you found one? Complete set: let the battle begin. Review: For a small battle set / army builder, this one is O.K. On one side we have one of the usual KKII colorful knights with his own attire and emblem, a "triangular" sword, his "custom" shield and a horse with head armor. On the others side, one Shadow knight wearing red and black like his master (Lord Vladek) and most everyone in their army, plus a small (but effective) battle machine. Kids should have enjoied themselves withe the shooting; I practiced a little and found out I shouldn't have pulled too much, otherwise the "fireball" would have fallen backwards! So much for target practicing. Rating: Color scheme: 4,5/5: nothing bad to say about the SK and the catapult; Santis looks better than some of his colorful buddies. Minifigs and accessories: 4/5: both guys have their hands full; having another SK included would have been great, but 1 vs. 1 is Ok. Pieces: 3/5: You surely won't buy this set for the pieces it's made of. There's nothing rare or special in here, and we're far under the 10/1 ratio. Playability: 4/5. As I said, it takes a while to find how to use your hands on the catapult. But I strongly hope that's not something that can discourage kids from playing with Lego! Design: 4/5. See above. Overall rating: 4/5. The final words: To the few people that don't dislike KKII: If you can grab it for 8 Euros or less (like I did), you should consider buying this set; I own two of them, and they look great in the sort of "siege" of the Mistlands tower I have made. Please keep in mind that 8 bucks was the standard price for the Final joust, which -as good as it is- looks now a bit overpriced.

You've got to love small sets. Beacuse they're obviously cheap, thus an easy way to own at least a set per every theme. Especially those themes that come and go within one year. And you can hardly tell why. Set data: 7770: Deep sea treasure hunter Year: 2007 Theme: Aqua Raiders Subtheme: N/A Pieces: 75 (no extras) Price: 5 USD / 5 EUR / 4 UKP Building time: less than 10 minutes MISB on review: Yes More info: Brickset - Peeron Box front: A good look at what you get. Box back: Alternate view; now, it ain't gonna be easy to hit a snake with a speargun! Box side: Snaaaaaaaaaaaaakes! Box content: Two bags and one instructions booklet. No stickers! Pieces inventory: The printed tail must be the rarest piece in here. Random instructions page: Building engines. Ready to build: Pieces are out of the bags. Interesting pieces: A printed helmet, a printed tail, a printed tile, and the return of the Rock raiders "Cross with dome". The one and only minifig: "Classic" Aqua Raiders torso. Plant pieces: Plant only exist in solid green and transparent green. Not a big surprise, I guess. Plant complete: To add a little scenario. This is smaller and simpler compared to what you can find in 7771. Building the DSTH: We already have some Technic pieces. Building the DSTH: Here is the base of your vehicle. Building the DSTH: Building the side engines. Building the DSTH: Engines added. Propellors can obviously spin, while the "arms" of the engines are fixed. Building the DSTH: Here are some wings and a rudder. Building the DSTH: Wings added. The "Cross with dome" wouldn't allow engine arms to rotate. Building the DSTH: Look at this: it looks quite unstable. That's the major flaw of this set. Building the DSTH: Enter spearguns and flippers... Building the DSTH: ...that lie on the Hunter. Our minifig will have free hands and free feet while piloting. Building the DSTH: Adding tail and robot arms. The DSTH: Front view. The DSTH: Rear view. The DSTH: Minifig can seat confortambly, space has been provided for his airtank too. Treasure chest: Looking for gold and diamonds, you'll find some snakes too. Treasure chest: It looks full! That's good, so you don't have to spread pieces around and risk losing'em. Complete set: Finished and ready to (dis)play. Comparison shot: DSTH vs. the 7771 Angler ambush vehicle. Comparison shot: DSTH vs. the Angler. Compared to this foe, the Hunter looks like a little big set. Review: So here's another theme based on "humans vs. some other kind of creatures". But with such a small set, there could only be small creatures to fight. Yep, snakes. At least we have a quite full treasure chest. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I don't like this set. I really wanted to buy it (and couldn't beacuse TLC thought that Italy didn't deserve to have Aqua Raiders in shops; thank you internet!) and I'm happy I did. There might not be anything special (pieces, figs, accessories), but it really looks good to me. A 1,5 pieces ratio is quite uncommon, and a plus. If you can still put your hands on one of these, I'd suggest you do. Ratings: Color scheme: 5/5. Yellow and black look great (trans blue is a nice touch). Minifigs and accessories: 5/5. With the exception of 7090, you'll hardly get so much in a 5 bucks set. Pieces: 4/5. Good pieces/price ratio, nothing rare or unique. Playability: 5/5. I think kids can have quite some fun. Design: 5/5. It really looks great, good detailing for a small set. Overall rating: 4,5/5. One of the best amongst small sets of this decade.

Oops... I edited that post. Or just do click here.

I don't know if this has beeen posted yet: 2009 January-June (?) Spanish Catalogue in PDF format. No impulse Pirate sets, no longer Mail van, CG Truck w/Speed boat, Castle sets!

Kiddiwinks brings us some interesting news: 5979-1 ,Max Security Transport (Release date September 2009) 5980-1 ,Squidman's Pitstop (Release date September 2009) 8399-1 ,K9-Bot (Impulse) (Release date June 2009) 8400-1 ,Space Speeder (Impulse) (Release date June 2009) Approximate Euro price = Kiddiwindks sale price / 12 (small sets) or 11 (large sets)

I don't want to open a new topic, so I'm replying to the newest I found. Over the last two days, I built my 7743 Police mobile command center. Two big quality problems: 1) the 1x1 yellow plate with clip looks a lot different than the other yellow pieces (lighter and greener), but that's not a big deal. 2) Plate 2 x 2 with Wheel Holder: there are 6 of them on the truck; two just don't work! Wheels don't spin! I tried switching wides but nothing changed. Do you think I can ask for a replacement?

I bought two of this on the ebay. This set is very cool and I believe it would have sold big digits if available to all the world. And I think the face of the sick guy looks... really sick! Edit: I voted "above average"; if htey made this set available to all the world, my rating would have been "outstanding".

That's the spirit! Come on, we don't have to buy everything at once. It's good to know they are there (and better if they hit the Italian shops soon).

...and Europe S@H too! (ok, not everything... Power Miners, Pirates and City - Construction sets)

Sure, but I hope PAC will have a better availability than 2008 Calendars did!

Kimi's and Felipe's torsos have stickers too. But that's no news with Ferrari sets, is it? (well, someone on brickset didn't know). By the way, is this the first set to have both fleshy and yellow heads?

That's one of the two downpoints (having another policeman). The other one, to me, is that they could have used 2 male heads and two female; one could have bought two sets and have different minifigs swapping heads. (and the policeman head is one the worst available, along with the 7009 knight's.) I'd rate this sate 3,5/5, and will only probably buy it on sale.

My price came in today. Thank you all very much!

My votes: Best new theme: Indy. SR was good, but come and gone, andI don't think I like Agents taht much yet. Best overall: City. Post was back (what about a post office?), Police looks cool with blue stickers and Coast Guard has a terrific color scheme.

Free Lego? Why not! The booklet looks good, and combo models are back once again. I'm not a big PM fan either, and yet I have to ask myself "will they be sold in Italian shops?" You can NEVER take it for granted!

Could the yellow thing be some sort of Ice cream stand? On the left, it looks like a goblet with an ice cream; on the right, two ice cream "dispensers"

Why does such a cool set have to be a promo???