Review: 31039 Blue Power Jet
Posted by CapnRex101,
While Creator Expert sets have rightly been taking most of the plaudits in recent years, the standard Creator line also produces some gems on occasion. 31039 Blue Power Jet is undoubtedly one of these. The set stood out at the London Toy Fair where I first saw it, and now that I have built the jet, it is even better than I remember.
This is the largest of the three Creator sets this Summer, containing 608-pieces and priced at £49.99 or $69.99. The main model appears to be based on the F-35 Lightning and is quite realistic on the whole, using a huge number of curved slopes to recreate the flowing lines of the real aircraft.
I have not built the two alternative models, a helicopter and a speedboat, simply because I don't think they look nearly as impressive as the primary model. This review will therefore focus on the jet alone.
Box and Contents
The box is long and narrow, displaying the power jet in flight with the two smaller models inset to one side. On the back you can see large images of the alternative builds as well as the play functions for the main model.
Inside are several bags of pieces as well as a single instruction manual. Instructions for all three models are included in this one booklet which is unusual. Lots of larger sets in this latest wave seem to have only one instruction manual rather than several which is a good thing in my opinion.
The Build
Construction begins with the base of the fuselage, which consists mostly of Technic pieces to form a sturdy spine for the jet. The landing gear are fitted very simply while the power plant inside the fuselage uses various brackets and tiles to add some greebling. SNOT techniques are integral to creating such a smooth surface all over the vehicle and these begin with the addition of some slopes to the side of the model which help to conceal the landing gear when it is folded away.
The cockpit and engine nacelle are the next sections to be constructed, again using plenty of brackets to create some unusual shapes. Lots of curved slopes are used to enclose the brightly coloured pieces inside, and hinge pieces form the angled air intakes. It it worth noting that a 1x1 clip and 1x1 tile are used in the cockpit to represent a computer screen just as they were in 76042 SHIELD Helicarrier earlier this year. This technique, once considered 'illegal' by set designers, now seems to be making its way into quite a few sets as a result of the 1x1 clip's redesign.
I think the construction of the wings is the most impressive aspect of the entire build. These make use of hinges and the clever geometry of angled plates to create an accurate wing silhouette which looks fantastic with red and white stripes. These wings are then attached using hinges and are secured with yet more curved slopes. I believe these hinges are only used as they are required for the alternative models but it is nice to mix up the building techniques again.
At last the model is completed with the tailplane, cockpit canopy and two vertical stabilisers which are built at an angle using Technic connectors and axles.
The Completed Model
When finished, this model is a real sight to behold. It isn't huge but the sheer quality of the design is evident and the colour scheme looks fantastic. The entire model has almost no visible studs on it and looks incredibly sleek from the nose cone to the tailplane. The front of the vehicle is very impressive, constructed at an angle using 3x12 angled plates which looks superb.
The cockpit opens in two halves to reveal some control panels and two seats. These will fit a minifigure quite comfortably, although none are included to occupy the seating.
I think the model is roughly minifigure scale, which greatly increases the playability. As you can see I had to call in a special guest to give you a sense of the set's size.
Other play features are limited to access hatches for the engine, adjustable ailerons and folding landing gear. Although I absolutely love this model, the landing gear could probably be improved as the two rear wheels are not totally hidden when retracted. This is hardly noticeable though and doesn't really bother me as they are not visible from most angles.
There is plenty of play value in flying the jet around as it is an absolutely solid model, with no fragile areas at all, but I think this set is even more appealing as a display piece. It looks pretty much perfect from nose to tail in my opinion and is really a lesson in how slopes can be combined to form a flowing shape.
Overall
This model is pretty much perfect. The build is hugely entertaining and the finished jet looks absolutely brilliant with a huge amount of detail and a gorgeous sleekness to the whole design. I would dare to suggest that this is the best plane LEGO have ever produced! I certainly prefer it to the similarly priced 31011 Aviation Adventures and I think it matches 10226 Sopwith Camel although it is difficult to compare them as they are based on vastly different source material.
Whether or not you think this is one of the best models of its kind ever produced, I suggest that 31039 is definitely worthy of a place in your collection.
The set will be officially released on June 1st but if you can't wait until then it is available now at Smyths in the UK and Toys R Us in the US.
10 likes
29 comments on this article
Deathstroke!!!!
Looks beautiful- especially with the Union Jack-esque colour scheme.
Alright, you've had your fun, we're ready for that Batboat-review now. ;-)
I just bought this set myself and I agree, it's a fantastic model and the wings are the highlight of the build.
I believe the "access hatches" are meant to represent the vertical intakes on the F-35. The set itself is a hybrid of F-22 (wings and tail) and F-35 (single engine) styling. Check the F-35 out in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PTW-9DeFs0
Of course, they didn't make the engine nozzle rotate down, but since it is a great set, it'd be a fun modification to do.
I prefer the power boat over the main model :)
602 pieces for $69.99? That's a pretty poor price per piece ratio, especially for a creator set.
I just completed this awesome build. Inspired use of the green tile as the HUD and superb geometry in the wing construction. Need to add missiles and a Maverick and Goose.
5892 is loosely based on the Dassault Rafale isn't it?
And they had a smaller set that was basically an F-14: http://brickset.com/sets/4953-1/Fast-Flyers
This reminds me of all the hours I spent building, and fine-tuning, a LEGO version of an F-15 Eagle back in the mid-80's. Good times!
@LegoAthos: Just to compare, the City Museum from 2013 only had 39 fewer pieces, for the same price, and would likely been $60 without the light-up brick. Changing Seasons without that piece would be IMO $40. I sense it's about a $10 piece or so.
This set has impressed me without being completely over the top... it's not simple, but the model is sleek, clean, and quite detailed. I love it. Now, if only they would throw in a couple of pilots...
Ah, ha ha... we can see you have Deathstroke, stop teasing us... :P
What a tease, putting Deathstroke in there!
Hahaaaa! Cockpit box! I definitely have to get this now.
@Evil Pixie Works: It is a retail set, but I'd wait for it to go to 30% off, I feel $70 is way too high for the set.
Different strokes for different folks; this looks pretty boring to me.
Looks like another Psiaki designed set. The hallmarks are all there. Someone else has already said it, but change the nose to black and you have the latest version of Decepticon Thundercracker. I quite like the chopper as well, similar to his Yellow Racers 31023, but more airwolf, less apache. All these Creator 3 in 1 sets could really do with the inclusion of minifigs, especially for the price. Would it kill them to make a blue flight suit minifig?
The design of this set is really clever. I actually like the fact that the creator line is one of the only line not centred around minifigs but around the build. Looking at these wings, i am learning a new technique.
Thanks for the review. It looks pretty similar in scale to 5892?
^Privatematrix: Also the 2013 plane that was $60 (31011) could fit figures: 2, in fact.
Absolutely getting this to mod.
Been looking forward to this set all year. I'm from Australia so this time next year it will arrive. Super Stoked!!!
To me the most appealing thing about this is that the cockpit fits minifigures but it's a little disappointing that they're not included. Hopefully there'll be a jet pilot in the next Collectable Minifigures series; a modern version of 8803-2!
Thundercracker, is that you??
Great review of the jet build! It would be ,however, 3 times better if it discussed the other builds as well. With only 1/3 of the set evaluated, this review feels terribly incomplete.
@Dooftastic- The jet is so good that I don't think many people will disassemble it. I have no interest in the alternative builds and I suspect the majority of people will feel the same way.
- Funny thing, in Sweden, you can buy this set for around 499 SKR or aprox; $59 / £39....
;)
A wonderful model, as most people would agree.
@ant78 perhaps you could use TLM065 from last year's LEGO movie sets.
Picked it up today. Normally I would not have given this a second look, but the review convinced me to give it a try. Thanks, Cap'n.