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Day 4: LL-444 Interceptor

Returning to their own universe, the Classic Space Federation are proud to present the LL-444 Interceptor from Doctor Sinister.

The LL-444 Interceptor is suited for both planetary and capital ship deployment.  Able to scramble very quickly to defend strategic resources, the LL-444 is intended as a fast attack craft – zipping into range with a hard-hitting strafe of its weapons systems against enemy targets, before breaking off out of range, ready to come in again with additional strikes, moving faster than many enemy guns can target.

 

LL-444 in Hanger

Dr Sinister says: Having once owned a large Moonbase made from early 1980's LEGO Space sets as a child, I wanted to recreate the wonder and joy of being able to swoosh a LEGO spaceship in the classic livery around my living room.

The brief I gave myself was to create a small one-man fighter craft that would pay homage to both LL 918 (my favourite set as a child) and the larger LL 928.  There's a small resemblance to LL 928 in the general shape of the craft and the upright winglets on either side of the cockpit.

Day 3: Universe of the floating Rocks

Note: If you haven't seen it yet, check out yesterday's bonus post.

Before long, science and exploration teams are transmitting through the alien machine and arriving on the gateway rock. No one is quite sure where they are going, but it appears to be outside our physical universe. Controls on the gateway rock transmit the spacemen on to other rocks where they find alien machines, which seem oddly familiar yet function in completely different ways to Federation technology. No trace is ever found of the civilisation that built the Universe of the Floating Rocks, as it comes to be known.

We continue our brief voyage in the Thomas Öchsner's imagination...

Gateway Rock: After the transportation via the Secret Transmitter, the Spacemen enter the Universe of the Floating Rocks. The Gateway Rock coordinates the transportation between the different rocks of this strange alien environment.

Rocket Launch Rock

Rocket Launch Rock: In honour to the fantastic Lego set 483/920, Alpha-1 Rocket Base, I have created a floating rocket base.

Day 2 Bonus: Gateway Rock

Our first bonus model of the month is also a teaser for tomorrow's featured model. Thomas Öchsner brings us into another realm... The Universe of Floating Rocks.

Gateway Rock

A lonely tracking base on the edge of the Federation, only surviving because nobody noticed it to cut its budget, is suddenly thrust into the limelight when its messages suddenly start reflecting back from a mysterious point is space. A hidden signal contains instructions for the construction of an alien machine... a matter transmitter of some sort. At first, the space agency are reluctant to allow its use, but trials sending inanimate objects showed they were all returned safely. Eventually, one brave spaceman steps up and walks through the transmitter... and finds himself on the gateway rock.

More tomorrow!

Day 2: LL-701 Shuttlecraft

We continue our adventure with a workhorse of the Classic Space Federation, the LL-701 shuttlecraft by Louise Dade.

LL-701 Shuttlecraft

Not everything in the Space Agency is glamorous. For every hotshot Flyboy in a fighter-craft, there are a dozen jobbing shuttlecraft pilots who steadfastly ensure the logistical needs of the Space Agency are met.

The LL-701 is a medium-sized shuttlecraft, an old workhorse with warp capabilities that is usually used for transporting supplies between ships and planets. Its minimal firepower means that in times of danger these ships need to fly in convoy with protection by those flash Flyboys in their fighters.

Loading the shuttle

Louise has done a fantastic job integrating the engine nacelles, and we really love the Star Trek feel of the whole ship. Also noteworthy is the cargo truck it carries - it's only 3½ studs wide, and Louise has invented a rather clever way of attaching the wheels.

Day 1: LL-414 Deep Space Perimeter Patrol Ship

We kick off our exploration of the universe of Neo Classic Space with Nnenn's Deep Space Perimeter Patrol Ship...

LL-414 Box Art

 'Though commanded by humans, Federation patrol ships often employed Synths at helm control. But the 414 series became noteworthy by regularly including a third race... Egronga warriors. Their long range bio-sensing abilities seemed a natural fit.'

 

LL-414 in flight

 

We love those great big engines and marvel at the cockpit designs - both of them. Nnenn has found some wonderful trans-yellow parts (using glass paint - never one to shy away from a little modification where necessary). The purists might not like it, but we certainly do.

LL-414 Unloading

A Mysterious Artifact...

A crack team of spacemen under the command of Admiral James Shields has unearthed a mysterious object on the lunar surface.  What can it mean?

Perhaps this official transcript of the radio communications will help...

"So what do you think it is, guys?"
"I dunno... some kinda alien monolith?"
"Well, obviously it's an alien monolith. I mean I know an alien monolith when I see one, but what's it doing here?"
"Or maybe it could be a skyscraper for tiny aliens."
"Hey boss, aren't we supposed to have a sudden revelation that will take us to the next level in our development?"

Dr. S.

Tranquility Base gets in on the act

Tranquility Base webcomic is a great little strip that's been running for a little over a year now, and has produced some fantastic stories. Today's strip shares our excitement about the next month in a not-so-subtle way!

It's a little hard to read here, so you might want to go and look at the original at a size you can actually read!

Celebrating 30 Years of Classic Space

March 2009 sees the 30th anniversary of the original Classic Space sets from LEGO. Now, three decades on, it’s time for a celebration of spacey goodness at www.neoclassicspace.com.

Neo Classic Space Banner

Neo-Classic Space is a reimagining of the LEGO Classic Space range, using modern building techniques and parts. More than just inspired by the Classic Space sets, Neo-Classic Space is an extrapolation of the line into the 21st century and beyond. We aim to follow a carefully thought standard, which we feel is in keeping with the original designs.

The culmination of a top-secret project planned over many months, www.neoclassicspace.com will present a new model every day throughout March, many from builders you already know and love, some from new talent you may not have discovered.

This is only the beginning. It is time to retake space. We hope you'll come along for the ride!

Finding the Lost Expedition

Doctor Sinister  of Tabletown has built a great little vignette, "Lost Expedition":

 

The Lost Expedition

 

Two spacemen have just found the crew of the last mission, which disappeared 30 years ago...

I wonder did anything else happen 30 years ago? Watch this space!

So cute, but what's that trans yellow solution?

Check out this lovely little Classic Space number by space building legend Peter Morris :

 

Star Skipper

 

It's a beautiful little creation, but uses a modified (coloured over) cockpit canopy. Various techniques have been used to create these effects in the past including acrylic inks, stains and thermal sheeting. Peter has done a great job on this, but not one for the purists I fear! The lack of variety in trans-yellow parts has always been a double-edged sword, an annoyance, but a challenge. Try coming up with some novel trans solutions and get those pictures on-line!

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