Neo Classic Space

Flickr user Yokomode has built some beautiful little microscale models.

The communications station looks like it must have an impressive range...

 And the launch apparatus has such wonderful detailing.

Spacemen need to get about their bases, and for shorter journeysthe larger ships are just too cumbersome. That's where smaller skipmmers like Ian Greig's LL-892 come into their own.

The prototype for what became the LL-892 skimmer was originally developed in response to Staff Requirement SR-10317, which specified the need for a high performance aerial patrol vehicle codenamed 'Security Patrol/Light Aero - Next Generation' (SP/LA-NG) to replace the LL-885p, the patrol variant of the venerable Space Scooter. One of the main deficiencies of the Space Scooter was its limited range and its inability to operate in even the thinnest of atmospheres. SP/LA-NG was to incorporate a new mixed-mode engine that was able to operate equally well in either vacuum or thin atmosphere.

I promise I'll try not to post more than one bonus entry per day, but today I just couldn't decide which to pick, so here's a bonus bonus from that most prolific builder, Nnenn.

Federation xenopologists now understand that initial conflicts might have been avoided if military personal were never exposed to the subliminal indoctrination of assumed superiority during training. But the Ugokin are still unintelligible, so who knows... 

Some things shouldn't go together, and until today I would have said Buck Rogers and Classic Space were two of those things. Then I saw Shannon Ocean's take on Buck's starship, and it fit's the classic space colour scheme so perfectly.

However I refuse to believe that any self respecting Classic Spaceman ever wore spandex!

The federation has always maintained that its objectives are peaceful exploration and co-operation, but then the most heavily armed forces often do. If that's the case, one of the most peaceful ships is Carl Greatrix's LL-666 Terrorhawk. Of course the trail of wrecked ships it leaves in its wake are pretty peaceful too...

Neoclasspacishuzimo were comissioned to create a desperately awaited fleat of long range ground attack interceptor / bombers. The Neoclasspacishuzimo "Devil Hawk" being their most succesful result amongst other battle proven designs in their "Bird of Prey class". LL-666 is THE battle hardened ship, dominant in all theatres of war, even ones it was not designed for and wears its number of the beast with pride, many expected due to the normaly ill-fated number for it to fail miserably.

We're not promising to have a bonus every day, but you never know! Right now there are so many great classic space themed models appearing the web that it's getting hard to choose which ones to feature! I challenge you all to keep me making hard choices.

Today was no contest, however. We just couldn't leave out Mark Kupietz (Serrater)'s LL-938 Supply Ship.

This model has it all - great part usage, fantastic design and a wild case of runaway greebles! If you don't recognise the canopy, it's the part that led to Pete Reid building his blue canary, without which we'd never have started off on this wild adventure in the first place. It's actually from a Duplo set. Well done for cramming two of them in!

For the Classic Space Federation, some things are just too important to trust to the air waves. That's where Chad Smith's Planetary Courier comes in.

As even the most highly-encrypted data transmissions have some risk of being intercepted and decrypted, the Planetary Courier fills an important role.  The Planetary Courier is capable of storing high volumes of data and transporting them swiftly to their destination.  Its massive data storage capacity, high-speed thrusters and powerful laser cannons require four large heat-sinks, seen under the main rear thruster.

Chad says: The Planetary Courier is an homage to the 6842 Shuttle Craft released in 1981.  This was one of my favorite childhood sets, containing my first set of 4x8 space wings.  In this MOC I have attempted to duplicate the classic lines of that sturdy vessel, and also evoke the look and feel of NASA’s space shuttle.  The model is built on a central SNOT “spine” with studs oriented in five directions.

Jordan (Sir Nadroj) has created a wonderful little hoverbike we just couldn't ignore.

I really love his box art, perfectly mimicking the old sets. The robot is an excellent addition.

Sometimes the Classic Space Federation need to get down and dirty, and when they do Kyle Vrieze's Mobile Scanning Unit is perfect for the job.

The mineral exploration division uses the Mobile Scanning Unit to explore the surface of new planets, searching for valuable minerals beneath the surface.  The Unit is equipped with an articulated scanning arm and grappler arm and a full communication and navigation suite.  Two-person teams alternate operating the MSU and manning the hand-held scanner.

Kyle has this to say: I was going for a modern take on Classic Space set 6901-Mobile Lab, a set I had as a child, with its articulating arm, scanning device and gray/trans-green color scheme.  Pete Reid obviously inspired the radar dish, and the little white barrel is a "Chucktainer", designed by Chuck Citrin.  The trans-green scanning device is a LEGO paper clip. 

Flickr user DARKspawn has built a fantastic planetary explorer we just couldn't leave out. We especially love the clever opening doors.