DPrime

Oh sure. If nothing else, it's fun. :) Interesting... Well, I'm glad to hear this. I always thought Classic Spacemen were around BEFORE Futuron and Space Police guys, but maybe not hundreds or thousands of years before. They're all similar enough to each other that I think of them as more or less contemporary - CS being the more science-oriented guys, Futuron, maybe more about colonies, and Space Police being, well, police. :) The fact that there was at least one year where both Classic Space and Futuron sets were sold together (and presuming several years after that where both themes were still on shelves) helps, I think. Though I'm sure that's not the best source for a "canon", the styles definitely overlapped! PDF was awesome, btw - thanks! Love seeing that big base, and the little modular ones the Lego people came up with back then.

Really diggin' the backhoe! Excellent work! ... Yes, pun intended. :)

Beautiful. The castle has a real neo-Black Falcon look to it, to my eyes. :) Love the waves effect, too.

Interesting stuff here, but I'm a bit skeptical of any real "canon" when it comes to this stuff. When a property is based on a preexisting story, sure (e.g. Star Wars), but it seems like Lego played loose and fast with any kind of storyline. Classic Space set in the 4000s??? Nah... Personally, I like to think it's more of a "what if" contemporary (or near future) scenario. I mean, CS was pretty much relegated to the Moon, after all, and putting rockets into orbit and what not. I like to think of it being a sort of jumping off point for interplanetary exploration and colonization, which is hinted at a lot more heavily in stuff like Futuron and Space Police, but I think most of these can all co-exist within the same period, except when you get into the "sequels" like Space Police III, etc. But that's just me. Good conversation going on here, though. I like hearing everyone's ideas. :)

I LOVE the lab - and would be interested in seeing other colour schemes - personally I'd love to see it adapted to Classic Space or Futuron colours, but that's just where I'm at right now. ;) The fighter is a neat little design, but I think a more utilitarian-type craft would be of more use to these guys. I really like the shiny, bubbly black goo effect, too.

Quick question - was this variation even in the same kind of plates and brick? Just thinking about what Historian said about his yellow castle...

Is WWII too recent? A WWI "doughboy" might be old/charming enough... I'd like to see a classic spaceman in a new colour, too.

True, but its still worth knowing broad "eras" of parts, I think. Partly the reason why I'm interested in knowing when sets were discontinued as well as the year they were released.

Oh, so glad to see I'm not the only one with this problem! I actually posted this question in the Classic Space Restoration Project thread, but I guess I should have done a search first. :) First off, I think I'm on the same page as you, naf, regarding the desire to have "original" bricks. I don't plan on selling mine either, but the collector/purist in me wants these to be as original as possible. Just how I am, I guess. :) I've gotten a number of Classic Space sets recently and have started noticing the differences. Some of them are pretty well-known and easy to learn (solid stud cones, 4x4x2 cones without axle holes, etc.) but I've noticed some very slight differences (especially on 1x1 bricks) regarding the Lego logo, and different variations on the cross supports on old 1x6 bricks.Anyone know the time period/CS sets these variations belong to?Also, anyone know how to tell the difference between old 1x1 trans-red/green/yellow round bricks, and new ones? The trans-green ones seem particular prone to shattering and I need a number of replacements (actually, I might end up just using new ones for the sets but keeping a number of originals just for completion's sake).And one other thing... I think I may have a couple really old (for me that means pre-Classic Space, lol) 1x1 bricks. I'm not really sure how to describe it best, and unfortunately I don't have a camera on me currently, but it's almost a "cuter" Logo... Am I right thinking these are earlier? GREAT info here! Thanks!!!I use oxy to clean it as well, but I've never had a problem with even the gold parts... mind you, anything printed I usually just give a quick dip and rinse, so it doesn't have a chance to wear off. ;) The rest I soak for anywhere from a few hours to a full day/night. Never had any problems... so far.

Good to know, thanks! I was wondering if someone could point me in the direction of a tutorial on vintage parts? I'm restoring a number of CS sets myself and am learning a lot about the small differences... But it can still be quite confusing! :) Also, anywhere I can find out how long sets were in production and in stores? Years they were released are easy, but I'm interested in how waves overlapped, as well.

Thanks for the science lesson, Caperberry! Interesting stuff. I await your results with great interest! Hmmm... Where do you get this stuff? Drug store?

And this is a permanent fix? I'm curious as to the chemistry behind it... even though I'm not exactly well versed in chemistry! :)

I really don't see how that's any more childish than any other cockpit pieces... Seems okay to me. Personally I'd love to have a few in trans-yellow. :)

Must have been the fourth of fifth time I've read through this thread - really looking forward to more info! :) Was there any additional info to this? Sounds interesting... Yikes... putting vintage plastic in the sun for any length of time seems like an anathema to me!!! Couldn't you just let the pieces sit in a solution of bleach and water indoors? Or does that not work?

I don't know if Shapeways is the best way to do it, but someone should make some custom baseplates... especially new crater plates to vary the terrain a little bit in our Classic Space displays! ;)

I'm not much of an M-Tron fan but this little set is really appealing! Thanks for the review.

Heh, everyone's noticed that it's assymetric, but the overall shape is also very BALANCED. Great job. Love the lines.

Pretty sure he meant a new BUILDING technique, for him. I don't think he was being too defensive. Chill man, everyone's happy here. :)

I both agree and disagree. The Lego Group might not have made the decision, or even been aware of it (but they should have been) - regardless, I look at things from a chain-of-command perspective. Lego delegated responsibility for running their parks - but that doesn't meant they're absolved of any responsiblity for decisions made by said delegated persons. I do agree that boycotting Lego - especially for your kids - is a bit of a harsh response, to say the least. The article did say he tried bringing it up with the manager, but was essentially brushed off. He brought it to the media, and why not? As if a letter to the CEO of either company would have even been read by anyone outside the mailroom. ;) Also, the "no childless adults" rule is hardly widely advertised, at least at Canada's Discovery Center. I think he can be forgiven for not knowing about it - I didn't see it plastered anywhere on their brochure. And maybe AFOL nights aren't really ideal for someone who has to drive three hours on the 401 through Toronto traffic both ways on an evening, especially for an older guy... Bottom line, I don't think it's a just policy. Lego might not be directly responsible for the policy, but it's in their interest to try and resolve it, I think.

Heh, I thought you meant ACTUAL Lego sets. I love seeing vintage toys in movies and TV shows, like Kenner Star Wars figures in Freaks and Geeks or '80s GI Joes in Fringe. I imagine there must be actual Lego sets in tons of movies, but I can't think of any offhand... :)

Wow, very cool! Would love to see more mecha ideas. I love that Pegasus Knight!

Are there any price guides available for this stuff, or is this part of your project? Fascinating bits of history, here. :)

I read this in the news this morning as well, and I did not like it one bit. I had no idea this was their policy either, and I honestly don't think it's any different than, say, barring people of certain races or ethnic groups because a very small minority are members of gangs or terrorist groups. This is me speaking as a parent, mind you - I'm all for protecting our kids but assuming every adult out there is a potential child molester or worse is not the way to do it. Some well deserved bad press, I'm afraid. :(

I love the bug too - I think it's good/big enough to adapt to minifig-scale, too. Add a little Blacktron colour, maybe. ;)

I just discovered your posts, Historian - LOVING them. :)