Neo Classic Space

Continuing our journey through Federation space, we come to Adrian Drake's Mobile Intergalactic Rocket Command, a key piece of infrustructure for new colonies that need to get a lot of infrastructure into orbit, but don't have the resources in place to set up a more permanent rocket base.

The MIRC, or Mobile Intergalactic Rocket Command, and its crew of 6 are tasked to go anywhere and launch anything at any time.  With a sealed cockpit and double airlock, the crewmembers can come and go with ease and are not saddled by cumbersome air tanks and helmets while at launch controls.  The balloon tires and suspension system guarantee clearance over any obstacle.

Some of the Federation's vehicles have some pretty strange poser sources, but clockwork? This Moonmech by Shannon Spoule was announced along with other efforts to save power.

However, it has largely been dismissed as a publicity stunt, and for some reason the spacemen's union have claimed it doesn't meet health and safety standards.

As we all know, Space isn't all flying around in cool ships and destroying Aliens. Somebody HAS to do some work, and Rhys Knight introduces us to just the place for it.

Starbase LL-059 is a deep space 'way station' a sort of intergalactic rest stop, providing weary travellers a place to refuel there ships and them selves. They are also deep space monitoring stations, searching the spacelanes for any threat from asteroids, space junk and even invasion!

They are formed from a central core, constructed in space dock. with additional mission specific upgrade 'pods'. LL-059 currently has three 'habitation' pods and a refueling pod, and will be expanded in the next few years to accomodate larger habitation and better defences.

With the Ugokin threat mounting on Federation borders, something needed to be done to beef up defences. The RTN-44 Missile Jeep was just one of a series of measuers to assure colonists that they would be protected.

When the Ugokin Devastators appear on the horizon, they proved to be the only effective defense.

Although some criticise the Classic Space Federation for being too militaristic, its leaders insist its primary goals are peaceful co-operation and exploration. At the forefront of exploration missions is Chris Giddins' LL-700 Cosmic Explorer.

The LL-700 Cosmic Explorer is a long range exploration vessel carrying science teams, equipment and supplies to the outermost rim of space exploration.  Equipped with 2 heavy Quantumcore Drives, the 700CE is fast and nimble for it's size.  Even though it is designed as a science vessel, the CE can be used for cargo runs, military resupply, and troop deployment.  The LL-702 Lunar Defender was specifically designed to be transported in the 700CE-s cargo bay standard.

The Squinklorians didn't appear on the surface to be Federation material, but they persevered in their application and were eventually admitted, and have contributed enthuastically to all aspects of Federation culture.

Few make it through the academy without experiencing a Squinklorian LL-259 Training Craft, though as the Squinklorian are considerably smaller than most Federation species, fewer still find it an enjoyable part of their training, and curse Spacey11 for introducing it.

First Contact is always a tricky. The slightest wrong move or cultural misunderstanding can trigger unforgivable insult and lead to generations of bloody war. Fortunately the Classic Space Academy teaches its graduates how to handle such situations, as Stuart Crawshaw demonstrates.

Today we retreat to a quiet backwater of the Federation, where no harm could possibly befall us, for some quiet research with Ralph Savelsberg's L.U.R.C.H. and mobile lab.

Having anti-gravity technology and flying around‭ ‬at relativistic velocities can be a lot of fun,‭ ‬of course,‭ ‬but sometimes you just have to move something large and heavy across the surface of a planet.‭ ‬In that case,‭ ‬a wheeled vehicle is still the way to go.‭ ‬The‭ ‬Federation’s‭ ‬standard vehicle for this kind of task is called L.U.R.C.H.,‭ ‬which stands for Large‭ ‬Ultra-Rugged Cargo Hauler.‭ ‬That name‭ ‬pretty much covers it.‭ ‬Rather than going for a high-tech option,‭ ‬this‭ ‬vehicle‭ ‬was built using old-fashioned but highly dependable technology.‭ ‬It has to be rugged.‭ ‬Where this thing goes,‭ ‬there is no breakdown service.‭ ‬There is no‭ ‬road either.‭ ‬In fact,‭ ‬other than a lot of dirt and the occasional scenic view,‭ ‬there generally isn't much of anything.‭

Chris Giddins has built a lovely little box fighter. Inspired by Sir Bugge and Mark Sandlin, it folds up neatly for easy storage.

I love the way in flight mode it's almost impossible the ship came from a box. 

Although we see Neo Classic Space as promarily minifig scale, we've covered a number of microscale builds. Today we go the other way with Holger Matthes's Miniland scale Classic Space sets. He's recently completed his take on the set 894: Ground Tracking Station.

It's a really lovely bit of building, going far beyond the limitations of the original to make it a true Neo Classic Space model. I really like the angled steering column, and the support legs for the trailer. His take on the classic space logo is inspired.

Holger's other models include Miniland sized versions of the 885 Space Scooter and 924 Space transporter.