6829-1: Radon Rover, 1997. Odd-looking ground vehicle driven by a blue droid. I’m not sure what’s going on with those wings over the rear wheels.
Category: LEGO
6818: Cyborg Scout
6818-1: Cyborg Scout, 1997. Space tricycle piloted by a blue droid. Not great but points for being slightly asymmetrical.
6800: Cyber Blaster
6800-1: Cyber Blaster, 1997. Small but well-armed hovercraft piloted by a blue droid (also armed). The printing on the droid (and slope and tile) is quite elaborate, probably overly so.
2847: Flyer
2847-1: Flyer, 1997. One of the smallest UFO sets, this little ship features posable wings, an alien with a transparent neon orange head … and not much else. UFO is the penultimate Space subtheme that I will cover. The cool printed helmet reminds me of the Predator.
UFO teaser
Up next: LEGO Space starts to get really weird as aliens and flying saucers are introduced in the UFO subtheme.
RoboForce minifigures
RoboForce minifigures came in either neon orange or neon green color to match their mechs.
RoboForce Roundup
RoboForce, 1997 (4 sets)
2154: Robo Master
Feast your eyes on 2154-1: Robo Master, 1997. The largest RoboForce mech features a large cockpit, scorpion-like tail, a spaceship that launches off its back, and two astronauts. A delightfully ludicrous sci-fi build.
2153: Robot Stalker
2153-1: Robot Stalker, 1997. Giant mech with a detachable spaceship head. One astronaut pilots the head while another sits inside the chest.
Space 1990
New Minfig and Color
M:Tron debuted a new minifigure design and a brand new color: transparent neon green. This bright color would be used widely across LEGO Space themes for a decade.
New Parts
- Antenna Whip 8H
- Minfigure, M:Tron
- Magnet Cylindrical
- Magnet Holder 2 x 3
- Magnet Holder Tile 2 x 2 – Short Arms
- Minifigure, Utensil Tool Chainsaw Body
- Wheel Hard Plastic Medium (35mm D. x 31mm)
New Prints
The M:Tron “M” was printed on a number of different parts. There was also a new pattern for computer tiles.
Meteor Monitor (1875)
Features: Small flyer with posable wings.
Thoughts: This small Blacktron flyer was part of a 3-set value pack. The color scheme differed from earlier Blacktron sets.
Pulsar Charger (6811)
Features: Small flyer with a retro steering wheel.
Thoughts: Uses the new whip antenna piece (securely held in place with a clip).
Beacon Tracer (6833)
Features: Small rover canted at an angle with a canopy that opens.
Thoughts: The new 1 x 2 printed computer tile serves as the controls. Again makes use of the new whip antenna.
Vector Detector (6877)
Features: Small spaceship that hauls a crate using magnets.
Thoughts: Clever locking mechanism for the canopy. Features the new magnet parts and a container with a printed door. First and smallest space set to use magnets.
Celestial Forager (6896)
Features: Space tow truck (magnetic) with a neat steering mechanism.
Thoughts: I like the way the tow arm is secured with magnets. The new medium-sized space wheels debut here. They are smaller than the wheels introduced in 1989’s Spy-Trak I (6895).
Steering mechanism
Magnetic tow arm action
Particle Ioniser (6923)
Features: Mid-sized spacehip with magnetic crane, cargo crate, storage compartments, one astronaut and a robot.
Thoughts: A space helicopter? First appearance of a slightly larger magnetic crate. Nice use of the printed hinges to form posable wings. The robot is a throwback to Futuron and Classic Space.
Stellar Recon Voyager (6956)
Features: M:Tron flagship carries three magnetic crates, a crane, a rover, and two astronauts.
Thoughts: Smaller than previous flagships such as 1989’s Mission Commander (6986). The rover is stored via a magnet at the nose of the spaceship. The larger magnetic crate with the printed hinged doors is neat.
Magnetic rover
Mega Core Magnetizer (6989)
Features: Large ground vehicle with crane that carries three crates, two rovers, a small flyer, and three astronauts.
Thoughts: Best Space ground vehicle ever! The crane can deploy and stow all items aboard. I love the use of the larger quarter dome part to form a huge windscreen.
Mega Core Magnetizer has a steering mechanism manipulated via a large radar dish.
Wrap-up
These are the 8 space sets (1 Blacktron + 7 M:Tron) from 1990.
Magnets are a great addition to LEGO Space. Even 30 years later these parts hold up well. M:Tron as a space theme centered on cargo and transport was a great addition to the LEGO Space line-up. My favorite set from 1990 is the Mega Core Magnetizer while second place goes to Celestial Forager.
Next up: Space 1991 and Blacktron gets a reboot.