dj2005

I rated this set as average. Only two minifigs and a measly 78 piece count. Just seems more of an $8 set than a $10 set.

I enjoy your reviews very much. However, I am not a fan of this set which is seemingly the shared opinion of the majority that voted. The car just doesn't look good, IMO. Still, I rated the set average as it has a pretty good piece/price ratio going.

I saw this over at CC and it's ingenious, like all of the other work I've seen done by you. You managed to get the atmosphere perfect.

I haven't seen anyone here make the claim that competition is always good. Obviously, it isn't. If TLC isn't making a large profit off of each set they sell and the company truly is in it for their consumer base, with raising profits second, then competition is likely a bad thing. However, I have yet to witness a monopolistic hold on a certain area to be beneficial to anyone other than the high executives of the corresponding company. I much rather have competition, even an oligopoly, where other companies have the ability to market to families that perhaps cannot afford high prices, or where companies can actually produce better quality items at either the same or lower price. Take a look at Intel vs AMD (back when AMD wasn't a laughing stock) and nVidia vs ATi. In both of these instances, the consumer base got much better products at very competitive prices. This isn't to say I don't agree with your post. If competition forces TLC to lower their quality control and/or forces them to layoff many of their workers then I much rather pay a bit more.

Agreed. Competition is almost always good for the consumer.

Title of Set: 6074 Black Falcon's Fortress Theme: Castle/Black Falcons Year Released: 1986 Pieces Count: 435 Minifigures: 6 Original Price: $35 (USD), Unknown (EUR), Unknown (GBP) Current Prices: BrickLink Price Guide Further Information: Brickset, Lugnet, Peeron, Photobucket Album At only six sets, the Black Falcons were never fully fleshed out by TLC. However, within this limited number of sets comes the Black Falcon's Fortress, which is perhaps the best keep within the whole Castle theme. This set was also later released within the Legends sub-theme in the year 2002 under the set number 10039. Instruction Booklet: The instruction booklet has a total of 36 steps. With each step, the new bricks that are to be placed are highlighted. This makes the building process very enjoyable and lessens the time spent studying what brick goes where. On the last page of the booklet one can see how the drawbridge works with two 1x2 black plates, string, and two 2x4 technic plates that have a total of six holes to allow the string to pass through. Minifigs: Six Black Falcon knights and two horses. Accessories: Spears, pikes, bows, quivers, shields, helms... Nothing a Black Falcon wouldn't want. Unique Pieces: This set comes with a yellow wall panel and a unique Black Falcon flag that was only available in this set. Completed without Minifigs: Overhead View: Front Open: Front Closed: Inside Fortress Front: Left Side: Right Side: Back: Unhinged: Front View When Fully Unhinged & Open: Front View When Fully Unhinged & Closed: Back View When Fully Unhinged: Closeups: Window Architecture (Chapel's Roof): Inside Chapel: Under Front Tower (Second Floor): Under Front Tower (First Floor): Left Side Back Wall: Right Side Back Wall: Completed with Minifigs: Home, sweet home. Connected to Guarded Inn: Front: Back: When connected to the Guarded Inn set. Reviewer's Score: Playability: 10/10 - Lots of knights and a very well built fortress. Hinged walls provide extra playability, as well as the working drawbridge and alternative model. Can be combined with other sets from the same decade, too. Design: 10/10 - At less than 450 pieces, this set is not meant to compete with full blown castles. While it is a bit small, it has plenty of room for the included six Black Falcons and more. The back chapel is fantastic thanks to the roof style and small details. The unique Black Falcon flag really wraps this set up nicely. Price: 10/10 - Many pieces for the original price tag, including six knights and two horses. The wall panels and gray bricks can serve many purposes in the Castle universe. Total: 30/30 - There's a reason why this is one of the highest rated castles made by LEGO. I really see no faults with this set.

I like the looks of this set very much. How I wish it was for sale like a normal LEGO set.

Thanks! I shall be watching the Academy's forum for your review(s).

Thanks for the review, Kanal-K1. Just makes me want the set more.

Yes, follow this man's wise advice. I am dying to know how good the Fort is!

Review of the Soldier Fort please.

Grossly overpriced... exactly what I expected. I suppose if people want the sets enough and cannot wait a couple months, then it's worth it.

US Only (?) Walmart.com has the King's Castle Siege for $48.88 (plus tax) with free Site to Store shipping. However, it is currently OOS but if you keep an eye on it it may come back as that is how I purchased mine. Link to product

This really took me by surprise last night and left me mumbling "wow." Absolutely stunning, Hinckley.

Title of Set: 6071 Forestmen's Crossing Theme: Castle/Forestmen Year Released: 1990 Pieces Count: 203 Minifigures: 5 Original Price: $28.50 (USD) Current Prices: BrickLink Price Guide Further Information: Brickset, Lugnet, Peeron, Photobucket Album Being one of the later Forestmen sets, Forestmen's Crossing was only released in the United States and came with a unique, and now very valuable, Forestmen maiden. This set also comes with a unique baseplate with a small river dividing the halves, creating an interesting and enjoyable set. Instruction Booklet: A full size booklet containing 23 steps, as well as an alternate build picture. The single viewing angle in the instructions can cause confusion later in the build, though. Baseplate: A unique piece to this set. It is 16x32 studs and the printings create an atmosphere fitting for Forestmen. The white dots are to help the owner along the building process. All white dots are covered up by pieces in the end. Minifigs: Five Forestmen, of all different colors and types, and a white horse. Accessories: Various plumes and weapons are what mostly make up the accessories in this set. Unique Pieces: The Forestmen maiden in all her glory. Closeup of the rare green cap that the Forestmen maiden uses. The brown ladder and bridge side by side. Side view of the bridge. Nice architectural design to it. Wall & Foliage Bonanza: One gray straight wall, four black corner walls, and two black straight walls. A total of fourteen plant leaves. Completed without Minifigs: Front Closed: Front Open: Same as before but with cave door open. Side Left: Here is the window that allows a peek into the cave. A view of the second floor room can be seen as well. Side Right: This side contains the lush, black tree. The ladder can be easily moved up and down using a creative stud technique. Back Closed: Back Open: Same as before but with cave door open. Closeups: Inside Cave Front: Entering cave from the front entrance. Inside Cave Back: Backside entrance to cave. Looking Up Ladder: Quite the long ladder. Looking Across Bridge: The journey is long and treacherous. Second Floor Room: Room on the second floor. Can be accessorized with extra pieces. Walkway Through Tree: Nice roomy passage through the tree. Looking Up: Looking up to the bridge. Completed with Minifigs: Hiding stolen loot is not an easy task. Maximum Occupancy: Can you spot them all? Reviewer's Score: Playability: 10/10 - Swing across the river, climb the tree, walk the bridge, hide stolen booty in the cave - what fun can be had! Design: 10/10 - For 203 pieces, this set is very detailed and all comes together great. Only flaw is the white dots on the baseplate, but those are hidden shortly after starting the build. Price: 10/10 - Five minifigs, including the unique maiden, with a slew of really useful parts. Some parts such as the abundance of wall panels and foliage are great for all sorts of MOCs and LEGO sets. Not to mention the rare ladder and bridge pieces. Total: 30/30 - Maybe I just love Forestmen, which I do, but this set gets a perfect score from me. I just find it absolutely amazing.

Wow, what a great set. Too bad about the teeth marked pieces, but most of the pieces look to be in very good condition.

Brickset has had those sets categorized since they were first announced, and I believe that those two sets are not coming out, at least during 2008.

I voted outstanding as there are a few things I really like about this set: Nice tires Great trailer and scooter Detailed torso Good design and color layout Only things I'm disappointed about are the wheel wells and lack of doors (of which is to be expected nowadays).

Great review. The blue background worked out really well, IMO.

Truth be told (and I mentioned this in the Reviewer's Academy forum), I also thought Black Knights were either Dragon Knights or a sub-faction of Dragon Knights. TLC must've became a bit lazy when designing the Dragon Knights' faction logo. As for your request, indeed I will, or at least try. I do not think that both connecting sections of the Fortress will connect to the Inn. I'll see what I can do without modifying the two sets. I do have two Guarded Inns so maybe I can get them to work better than one.

Great work. Very closely matches the source. I like how the Gatling guns move, too.

You could've at least capitalized the D and K. My next review will likely be on the Black Falcon's Fortress. Due to midterms, I will not be able to start it until the end of this week.

At least I don't call Black Knights "Dragon Knights."

According to the databases, they are found only in this set.

I am quite positive it was the first. I was also in my dark ages when TLC decided to start/end the Legends theme, such a shame.