mikey

I personally I am not a fan of totally studless design. The stud should be celebrated for its clutch abilities! I think you can create nice contrasts between the smooth and studded areas, a great example being landscape where I think studs add to the design. So I like studs, but sometimes I also wish to hide them. I think the official sets have a good mixture of both effects.

From what I have seen so far, I am really disappointed. Part of me thinks, yes they have 'The Mark', but maybe they fixed the ingredients so that they will be of the correct quailty. But realistically these are a short term line (with a life of around 6 months), and they are covered in printing. I really hope that they will be the correct quality, because they are not so attractive to me now. If they turn out bad quality I might buy one or two, but I certainly wont be going to extreme lengths to collect them all. Out of principle I would choose to buy other sets. I also think they might have a problem with the availibility of these, with only 'normal stockists' selling them. If by 'normal stockists' they mean independent toy shops, toys r us, and maybe a big Asda or Tesco, I dont think they will sell that well. From what I have seen of 'trading cards', they are sold everywhere, parents tend to buy them for thier kids on the way home from school etc., to shut the child up. They are unlikely to travel to a specific shop for this function. I think it is possibly unlikely that parents would go to a specific toy shop and buy several packets of these for their children, they are more likely to spend on a set (which I presume they would think is better value for money). If they are sold in the bigger supermarkets then it is likely that parents will buy a packet, for peace and quiet, but this is quite limited when compared to 'trading cards' which are in every location a child might be with money in there pocket. My point being that possibly 'normal stockists' are not so widely distributed to make them a success.

This looks like a great set. I really like the tractor design, and I love the colour. The trailer looks a bit thrown togethor, but im not buying the set for the trailer, so i really dont care. The new blue overall torso is great, and 4 pigs will be very welcome! Where did you buy it?

This is great, outstanding intricate details, I really like the pirate vibe the MOC gives off. If you have this much skill with Lego, I would not worry about mere language!

+1 for WhiteFang, a pleasant transaction

At 3.5m long (427 studs), I don't think there is a cheap option (unless you already have a vast collection, and a very big room!). I admire your ambition, but I think realistically you need to downsize your plans a bit (and forget the MiniFigs). You could perhaps try some mini scale, that would be an achievable and intresting project I think.

I remember seeing the first version of this and thinking that this is such a cool idea. Its looking even better now, will be good to see it placed in the park setting again.

Thanks for all the comments. I think your right! I tried not to look at the back of the box for too long because... I totally agree, the truck designs are getting better, this Tractor Unit would be perfect if it did not use the standard city wheels, it has great details, and car doors! Of course the doors are out of proportion, but I don't mind that. I presume the new cap mold is a replacement for the old one, and it is a good replacement, it looks so much better than the original. This piece is the star of the show. As a long term plan I will be refitting all my built trucks with this piece as soon as it is possible. It is the missing link that allows a secure connection between the car doors and the stylish flat front for trucks. Maybe it might be possible (with complicated AFOL techniques) to use smooth slopes to create the tanker, but it would be very parts intensive, and not exactly realistic for a

This is something I have been thinking about recently. I would go as far as saying that you can't really compare Classic to Modern. I grew up in the 80's, and I loved Town, it was amazing, the best toy you could play ever possess. Now when I see the sets from my childhood I smile, I feel nostalgic and I feel happy. But I do not want to possess them anymore, they are cute, but I dont think you can compare them to the City (Town) sets of the last few years. Modern designs are more detailed and more realistic. I would agree that there is to much emphasis on Fire/ Police/ Construction, and we have maybe lost the civilian elements. But as an Adult I could decide to make these civilian elements if I wished. When I made the recent review of 3180, at the back of my mind was comparing it to my childhood version of this set (6695), and I thought that I would luv to be an kid building this, that it is so much better from the set released 25! years ago. I thought the same with other remakes such as Cement Mixer and Recycle Truck. That does not mean the Classic designs are 'bad', what it means is Classic was long ago, so it is unfair to compare the two ages.

INDEXED I had been looking forward to this set since I first heard about it. As a child of the 80's, I had the Shell Tanker, this was a much loved set. I looked forward to this set as a suitable remake of a much loved childhood model, and as my first Octan set. I was well aware of the limitations of the trailor before I purchased, which I found to consist of 10 pieces to make the main part. And this is why it is a review of two halves, an outstanding tractor unit, and a medicore trailer unit which will require much modification (if it survives at all). This retails at £14.99 in the UK, and consists of many parts (I had assumed the inventory would on BrickLink by now, im sure it will be soon!. It comes in a box, the front looks like this: If you decide to look at the back of the box, you will see this: Turning the box to the side, you will see this: Inside the box you would find two numbered bags, three green half cylinder pieces, and the hose and nozzle: I am sure BrickLink we soon have the full inventory..., but for me an interesting part is this, which will prove very usefull soon. Obviously with Lego, assembly is required, so instructions are provided: The key is to add the pieces in the right place, in the correct order: We have one MiniFig. I am quite happy with the MiniFig, as I did not have this torso before, he also has an acceptable face, but best of all he wears the new design of baseball cap (which I did not have before). The MiniFig is not exactly WOW, but there are no problems. Stickers are included, which I choose not to apply: The first element to be built is this little fuel pump: This is a nice extra to provide some playability straight from the box. The second element to be built is the tractor unit. There are minor flaws with the tractor unit, mainly some really unusual coloured pieces in the base... Thats no problem because they are soon hidden. Although I will be swapping the red, yellow and green of the base to blacks and blays I think... I am really impressed with the tractor unit, it seems so much more better than the one in 7633 Construction Site. I really liked the way the Fifth Wheel, has been designed. Even better are the red and yellow connections for the brakes and lights: At this point the interesting part comes into play, and allows old school car doors to be integrated into a 6 wide 21st century design of Lego truck: The third element to be built is the Tank Trailer. This starts well: And continues well: At this point some interesting yellow things are built, and are placed in the cupboard: I am not sure what purpose they have (apart from being a source of 1 x 2 yellow cheese?). Now things take a turn for the worse... I was well aware that the main part of the tanker was constructed of few pieces, but this decsion really lets the set down... Why? Thats really not nice is it? I mean its not to bad on the back, a ladder hides the worst: The finished trailer: The set looks like this (you will find better pictures of the full set anywhere apart from here!) And you are left with some spare parts: An extra Trans Clear Cheese Slope is always nice. I have two problems with the Trailer, firstly the ends, and secondly I think it is to long. I am quite sure the holes at the ends can be covered easily, but i'm not happy about the length. If 2 cylinder sections had been used it would be to short, but 3 make it too long... Maybe because I was so impressed with the Tractor Unit, that I found fault with the Trailer. I think the tractor unit is a really nice model. Obviously it uses standard city wheels which are too small, and contains some unusual coloured parts (these are hidden, but I can not leave them in place), but these are minor complaints. I don't think the trailor will survive long as it is. I will still have an Octan Tank Truck, but not in this form... Even though I am not overly impressed with the Trailer Unit, I would still highly recomend this set. As the Tractor Unit is excellent, and you are left with the challenge of making the Trailer better!

My first directive would be targeted at the manufacturing department, it would read something like: Quality, Quality, Quality. We are renowned for our commitment to quality control, this is an issue which has possibly begun to slip in recent years. We began to release inferior packs of MiniFigs and our colours began to assume various shades. There is no need to produce bad product. Our customers are used to paying a premium for a top quailty product, and we can produce that product for them. After I had dictated that message, I would tell the design department to keep on going in the direction they have, but to think 2011 Pirate Range! Then I would explain that I have some very serious business to attend to in the famed Lego Vault, and that I should not be disturbed for at least 2 years!

I think i am entitled to post if a comment is made about me. I had perfectly valid reasons for the original post, which Joey got so upset about, and then started to argue about through private messages.

Don't get all moody because I rightly challenged your pointless post regarding this question. The question was clearly posted Jan 7 2010, 11:28 PM, or do you not remember? Perhaps you were to busy searching the net for irrelevant Nazi insignia?

Im sorry, but that does not make any sense. It is well known that Lego is cheaper in America, than Europe. This is not the issue here, I presume Lego bought in Finland or Republic of Ireland gets shipped from the same central European warehouse, that Lego bought in Germany or UK does, so inflated prices are not fair for these countries. Been at the periphery of Europe, perhaps an increased delivery cost could be argued to be fair, but it would be not near the increases in prices these consumers pay.

Im really excited about this theme, at first I thought a usefull source of interesting parts (which the smaller sets are). But now when I look at the Battle of Alamut, I am wondering if I might have difficulty taking that apart. It looks like an excellent set to display. I think these sets really soften the blow that there will be no more Indiana Jones.

I do not have much space either, and the space I started out with last year has got smaller, as it got filled with boxes of Lego. I use one of these: on a small table. The advantages are that it has a bigger area than my table, you can then store it somewhere, the cork surface stops pieces bouncing away, and the lip around the edge, stops them rolling away. Im not sure how it would stand the test of a modular building, as it was getting unusable when I built medieval market village. But it is quite a good area if you are doing small to medium MOC's.

The city construction series of 2009. It would have been about this time last year, I saw the Dumper first, it reminded me of 6652, a great favourate as a child. The temptation grew and: It's difficult to stop with just one isn't it?

I totally agree, it would be a shame to see Lego sacrifice quailty for profit in this way. Considering they are an expensive product (i am more than happy to pay for quality), which sells very well (i think they had a good 2009), to attempt to cut costs in this way is beyond belief. Surely the Lego Ambassadors should be able to take up this issue with the company?

I did not miss out an S. You comment was inane, meaning it was empty and had no relevance. I have not insulted you, or have been aggressive. I merely pointed out that you had posted images that had no relevance to the question. You obviously did not read the original question because it was regarding the lack of decals, and the presence of a stamped steel insignia.

Joey, the reason people might be offended by the swastika is because it is a very potent symbol of a particulary sad episode in european history. You are right in that the Nazi regime was real, and the ideology still exerts an influence today, so therefore the subject is a valid topic for historical discussion. But all you have contributed to the discussion is an inane comment, and some fetishic images of Nazi symbolism. Your empty remark, or the generic images you posted, have no relevance to the question.

I am the youngest amongst my brothers and sisters, and once they had spawned their offspring(!), and I was well into my dark age, I always looked forward to helping my nephews and niece with the christmas Lego! It was great playing and building with Lego again, it was mainly Star Wars sets at the beginning, I was amazed at Star Wars Lego when I first encountered it through my nephew, I suppose I shared in my nephews amazement when he showed me his sets, last year it was Indiana Jones that astonished me. As I mentioned here, Lego under the christmas tree was for them (although in the last 24 hours I have made up for this). This year I got greater enjoyment from my gifts than previously, it was great building (i always enjoyed that even as a non- AFOL), but even better was sharing in that excitement as a set comes together. Kids have different roles for an Adult, sometimes it is the parts monkey, this can be taken to extremes with my niece, who would be suspicious of an adult male tackling the responsibility of a sub-assembly unassisted. Or you may be allocated greater responsibility for the build, as their attention is diverted with a WOW! minifig! And it gets better, because I get to have more fun with Lego (even better because they are sets I have not built yet), after I have taken my nephew to spend christmas money buying Atlantis sets later today. I have been teasing him that I knew what the latest Lego theme will be since I found out about Atlantis (much earlier than him, through my new hobby!), and it will be great to build them first with that magical excitement that Lego creates for children. I suppose this post might be aimed for our older members here, it's certainly influenced by christmas spirits(!), and I think what im trying to say is Lego is great at Christmas, and its even better when kids are playing with it!

Argos have some reductions, I bought: Indiana Jones Ambush in Cairo £6.99 Star Wars Assasin Droids £4.59 (im sure the droid parts will be usefull for something?) City Minifigures £4.99 Single Drum Roller £13.32 (i luv this set, am keeping this one MISB) They have also got some of Atlantis and Toy Story in stock (full price obviously!), but not in the catalogue, you have to search the website to get the numbers.

More great preview images from Rick! I really like the Red and White colour scheme of one faction, almost has a kind of St. George feeling to it, the other faction look sinister, but great aswell! A black horse in 7949, I will be looking forward to these sets.

One of my favourate sets as a child was 6692, and this looks like a suitable remake. Im not over impressed by the design of the Tractor Unit at the moment, it might grow on me, or will require some modification, but for me this looks like a great set, but perhaps not 'straight out of the box'.

Me to, but im quite happy to buy for myself! I have a 1383 Lego Studios Curse of the Pharaoh, and 7413 Passage of Jun-Chi, for me to open so far. To be honest I am thinking that I might pick Lego up in sales after christmas for myself, so I might leave it at that. But... Lego (i dont bother with a tree), wrapped up for my neice and nephews: Darth Vader's TIE Fighter (9 year old nephew- Star Wars obsessed, and to be fair he likes the original star wars more than clone wars!) Power Miners Cave Crusher (10 year old nephew, not the worlds biggest kid fan of Lego but he does play with it) Indiana Jones Venice Canal Chase (my 9 year old neice who loves Indy Lego!) And of course at christmas and birthdays every child wants an adult 'helper' to share the build with. I'm really looking forward to the Tie Fighter, I know from expierence that Venice Canal Chase is a nice set, and i'm thinking the Power Miners might have an interesting function maybe! So even though they are not for me, i still get a lot of the fun!