I bring you another "classic" review today.
This time I'll show you the Aero Module from 1987!
Set number: 6884
Set name: Aero Module
Theme: Classic Space
Sub-Theme: Futuron
Year released: 1987
Number of parts: 101 (from Peeron)
Box ArtThe box art is the classic yellow Legoland boxes from the 1980s. The picture shows the Aero Module without any use of photoshop unlike Space sets today. Notice how white the bricks are! A little while later you can see how discoloured some of my bricks haha.
InstructionsA random instruction page showing the window assembly as well as the 'S-foils' of the craft.
At the last page are some alternate models to build. Surprisingly the alternates have no use for the large blue window piece.
The minifiguresIn this set we get a blue classic space minifigure with helmet and airtank as well as his blue robot buddy. Only the front is printed.
The Aero ModuleThe completed Aero Module from the front. There are 2 red 'headlights' at the front as well as the mechanism to allow the large window to open. There is room for 1 pilot, 1 droid and the small 4 wheeled cart.
At the rear are the craft's thrusters and wings.
The wings are on a hinge to allow it to open and close like S-foils. When the wings are open it locks the large window in place.
The window is locked secure enough that the entire craft can be lifted up by the window.
The pictures below shows how the wings close to allow the window to open.
In the cockpit are dials and controls for the pilot.
Now that the ship is parked, the robot can go about its business on the little cart.
Under the craft are jet engines.
A size comparison between the modern day Galactic Enforcer (the front part with the main boosters) and the Aero Module. It is not as air-tight as the Galactic Enforcer, but the ingenious window mechanism has become the envy for the officers of Space Police III.
SPIII Officer: A 20+ year old design have a window which can be opened easily! Compared to now I have to eject the entire window to get out! TLG what has gotten into you!!?!@#@!
Blue spaceman: Maybe it costs alot to build those hinges?
SPIII Officer: Bah!! I envy the days when petrol were cheaper!
A little comparison between the 2 windows, the blue is almost the same! A little hard to show with the picture below since I am using my N95 to take the photo, but it is amazing that the blue has not faded in the 20 years I had the set!
ConclusionMinifigures: 8/10 One blue space minifigure to supplement the blue robot that is with this set.
Design: 9/10 The method to lock the large window using an 'S-foil' mechanism is ingenious indeed. Wings close when on the ground, wings open when flying.
Playability: 8/10 The ship has fantastic swoosh factor as the large window is held secure and no pieces will break apart should the craft is flown about.
Parts: 9/10 If there is a piece that is stealing this entire review, it is the large blue 10x6x11 panel. This piece has appeared many times in the space theme, being used as the large windows of bases as well as large ships. The version included in this set is the one without any printed decals.
Conclusion: 8/10 It is a relatively simple craft with an ingenious design. I do not think there is many ships that have wings that can fold in and out and at the same time secure the window of the ship. The large blue panel is also another great piece for base building.
