Spacefan

Definitely on my to get list! Looks more like a cruiser than a tank, and would be quite easy to mod it into such, but I think it looks plenty sweet just the way it is. Although it is a bit minifig light, one or two more clones would of made the set so much better. Hopefully LEGO will make up for it with a new clone battle pack in the not too distant future. LEGO, please don't overprice this here!

I bought it and built it. It could be better, but pretty good overall. Its probably the most streamlined of the Clone Wars ships, and looks very fast. I realy like the new canopy mechanism (its WAY cool to operate!), and I hope TLC incorporates it into future set designs. I think the canopy (windscreen) itself is all new too. The Magna Droids are an improvement over the Battle Droids and General Grievous, as they now have rotatable hands and a standard minifig head will fit atop the torso (this should make for some interesting figure improvisations), but as some have said they won't easily sit inside the cockpit, especially with the cape on. But its too bad the set doesn't come with a printed control panel tile, that would easily fit on top the 1x2 handle plate with control arm. Anyway, I say 4 out of 5... (In a side note. As the prices of oil and shipping have increased, combined with a weakened U.S. dollar, a set this size would of been priced around $39.99 USD had it came out last year or early this year. So a 5 dollar jump to $44.99 USD is fair and should be expected by all, as much as it sucks.)

I hope to too eventually, but after I have the Gunship and the other SW and MM sets I want first, I don't know how much of the green stuff I'll have left over for one or more of the giant mechs. But come to think of it, I think it would be ultra-cool to see those two face off each other...

Now that is contrast! Mars Mission orange, my least favorite space color, built in with one of my all time favorites, old grey. Thats one combo that makes my eyes bulge out and head spin...

Pretty awesome! I think I'll buy this instead of the AT-TE...

Yes, I do believe Star Wars is the second biggest line LEGO sells overall, I know its the biggest in the US. Its by far the most successful license LEGO has ever marketed, nearly replacing the Space line altogether (for a while it did). I think SW will be around for a number of years to come, and will continue to be a huge seller for LEGO. In addition to Clone Wars, I hope LEGO will reissue some of the more iconic non-UCS original trilogy sets, such as the X-Wing Fighter, Imperial Tie Fighter and Millenium Falcon at least one more time. As for Space, although this year's Mars Mission sets are generally better from last year, the line can still use many improvements. Such as different colors, an alien base, and a new improved human base. Although I expect, or at least not be suprised if a new space line were to arrive by next year. Which would be what I would prefer, with new colors (hopefully no orange at all) and a whole new focus.

Yes, I do believe Star Wars is the second biggest line LEGO sells overall, I know its the biggest in the US. Its by far the most successful license LEGO has ever marketed, nearly replacing the Space line altogether (for a while it did). I think SW will be around for a number of years to come, and will continue to be a huge seller for LEGO. In addition to Clone Wars, I hope LEGO will reissue some of the more iconic non-UCS original trilogy sets, such as the X-Wing Fighter, Imperial Tie Fighter and Millenium Falcon at least one more time. As for Space, although this year's Mars Mission sets are generally better from last year, the line can still use many improvements. Such as different colors, an alien base, and a new improved human base. Although I expect, or at least not be suprised if a new space line were to arrive by next year. Which would be what I would prefer, with new colors (hopefully no orange at all) and a whole new focus.

I'd buy a Space Police 3 theme, certainly!

If Mars Mission is dropped for next year, I just hope LEGO is able to see enough rationale in continuing Lego Space in a new line. A line with different colors and a whole new premise, possibly borrowing more of what worked best from Lego Space's more distant past, but implementing it in a more up-to-date sort of way.

You have a link for this news? I wouldn't be at all suprised if Mars Mission were dropped next year. I just hope LEGO replaces it with a new space theme thats not quite so full of gimickry, and with alot less orange. Its high time Lego Space went back to the basics, but in a more up-to-date sort of way, at least in my opinion. Or is it that Billund can no longer justify a "spacey" line apart from Star Wars, simply because Mars Mission hasn't performed well enough at market? If that basically were the case, then I think LEGO should go about it differently, and try something new by trying something old.

Nice!!! 442 is the lowest set number I have seen for any Classic Space set, so it must been released with the first wave in 1978. Its remarkable that a LEGO spaceship this old and small can seat more figs than the much bigger MX-71 Recon Dropship of today. Anyway, I just want to grab it out of the screen and swoosh it all over the place, lol. TLG, please make these Classic Space sets again! I promise I'll buy many!

This is easily the Galaxy Explorer equivalent of space stations back in the day, not as advanced as what came later, but you just knew when all the pieces fit together to make the whole set work. I think Mars Mission should get a more advanced version of a base like this, the 7690 MB-01 Eagle Command Base just doesn't work in my view.

In my humble opinion... THE ABSOLUTE BEST!!! No other set in LEGO history better captures the feel of space and space exploration better than the 497/928 Galaxy Explorer. And being that LEGO Space is the reason for my being into LEGO in the first place, this set for me is the holy grail, or the mighty phoenix or albatross of them all. I have this set, but only the ship is complete, and some parts for the ground elements I don't have. If TLC ever did see a rationale for releasing this set again, I would be among the very first to pre-order. And $100 USD would for me be a bargain to have the chance to assemble with great reverence a shiny new 497/928 out of the box.

What a Classic of Classics, I have this set but without the forklift. But its one of my favs all the same. The 487/924 Space Cruiser was actually released in 1978, a year before the 497/928 Galaxy Explorer in 79. Which made it the very first substantial or enclosed spacecraft of the Lego Space universe. Although more advanced sets would come in years to follow, its interesting to see where it all started. I for one like its simplicity of design. As simple as this set was and is, I don't think Lego would be able to release this set very easily today, one reason being certain parts this set and others of that era used simply aren't made by LEGO today. Not that certain moulds couldn't be brought out of retirement.

Although I would rather see new space sub-theme introduced. But in Mars Mission I would like to see some different color(or torso pattern) astronaut minifigs, with the classic air tanks. And an improved selection of aliens, maybe even a true alien minifig. I also agree we need a better human base, something solid with enclosed air-tight areas, with a return of the classic crater plates. And an alien base. Also a medium/large size shuttle or space cruiser to replace the MX-71 Recon Dropship, that can seat at least 2 or more minifigs inside, but still be smaller(and cheaper) than the MX-81 Hypersonic Spacecraft. And having some main colors other than white, orange and trans-orange in the human sets would be a very welcome change. As well as having printed control elements(tiles, slopes etc). Make it so TLC

Sheesh! With stuff like that happening there, I can definitely understand why Lego would be put on the back burner for the time being. I hope everyone's alright...

Here's a heads up to anyone still interested in the LEGO Factory Space sets. 10191 Star Justice and 10192 Space Skulls are now $69.99 USD down from $99.99 USD respectively. I'm not sure how that converts to Pounds or Euros etc, nor am I sure which countries the price drops are effective in, but its essentially 30 percent off. Here is the link At $69.99 USD, these sets now seem priced about right to me (stickers and all), and I hope LEGO decides to hold them at this price for a good long time. But I'm now royally kicking myself for plunking down the full $99.99 for 10191 at the LEGO store just last Saturday, grrrr...

An Alien Base would be cool, especially if it had no air cannons. I simply have no room for more of those gigantic pumps, which is keeping me from buying the Alien Mothership. I bought the Eagle Command Base mainly for its shuttle (it looked quite large on the box and pictures), but was a disappointment for the most part.

Very funny comic! Its quite obvious the Alien Moon Stalker designers did watch a little Empire Strikes Back while developing that set.

Although I'm not opposed to Mars Mission continuing for another year, I think the time will be right for Lego to introduce a new human Space theme by next summer, perhaps connected with Mars Mission or seperately.

Thanks for the clarification. Its been my experience that different sites and forums have differing rules about these things, some more strict than others. So I'm very happy to know I'm not banned or anything else yet, and I'll definitely review the guidlines here as should everyone else.

Well, first and foremost like many other people I'm no fan of those dreaded unprinted minifig torsos and stickers. But also the cost to piece ratio of the set, it just seems too expensive for everything that you get, such as too many small parts and a lighter than usual piece count for the price. Though if it had included printed minifigs and other elements, I maybe would of been able to swallow its 100 USD cost a little easier. But Star Justice is still Lego SPACE in the most classic sense thats available today, and I will probably pony it up just because... Anyway, I hope were not breaking Forum protocol by not discussing the 7644 review of the original poster or that particular set in general.

I don't understand the negativity either, one man's treasure is another man's trash I suppose. That said, having grown up with Lego during the 80's this set has a certain nostalgia factor in its overall look and feel that harkens back to that earlier period in my life which I fondly remember. Aside from the Factory Star Justice set (elements of which I loathe), I expect the 7644 to be the closest thing to a Classic Space revival that we'll ever see again from the Lego Group, but I hope to be pleasantly suprised someday. Though I'm not living in the past, and do appreciate everything Lego is doing now and will do, and has done since. And, like you, I'm one who's definitely buying this set. No matter how few of us there may be.

My screen name largely sums up my interest in Lego, but is not soley limited to Space. Thanks for the warm welcome.

Thats the observation I had when I saw the first pictures of this set online a few months ago. I am a proud owner of the 6973 Deep Freeze Defender and 6980 Galaxy Commander, so I'm looking forward to see how the 7644 stacks up next to them. There is a definite lineage here, and these sets clearly demonstrate the evolution of Lego set design over the years. The MX-81 may not have the most playability out of all the new MM sets (although it has ALOT from what I can tell), but its hard to beat the look of a large sleek space cruiser sitting on your shelf or dresser, at least for myself. Anyhow, this is my first post to the forum and hope my welcome won't wear out here anytime soon.