Random set of the day: Alien Jet
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 5617 Alien Jet, released in 2008. It's one of 11 Space sets produced that year. It contains 21 pieces and 1 minifig.
It's owned by 1369 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
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The clips on these aliens' legs would always break for me, according to the database I own 14 of them, but only 1 or 2's legs have survived. I put four pairs of broken alien legs on a 2x4 forklift palette so a MOC of a forklift with the old spring-loaded piece had some cargo. The legs were just nearest at hand I guess, but the forklift MOC turned into a satirical work of art, LOL. This is kind of embarrassing for Lego, the single articulation in the figure is weak and messed-up. Never have I experienced failure of a single element on a scale so great.
Huh. Interesting that you say that, because I've never had that happen for any of the mars mission alien figures I own. Indeed, all the ones of mine I can find are still holding up well after all these years.
Absolutely one of my favorite themes! Absolutely my least favorite minifigures (aliens)...
Ah yes the evil globs of jello are attacking us again.
Hmmm, another set from my (very long) dark ages.
This set doesn't show it but the theme had some very impressive large spaceships.
I was so glad when the second wave of Mars Mission brought us aliens who could do more than bend at the waist. Hard to pilot a ship with no shoulders
Cool looking alien!
Was this a poly bag?
@Darth_TNT said:
"Cool looking alien!
Was this a poly bag?"
No. You see from around 2007-2011 LEGO released these in tiny boxes for about $5. They were mostly from City, Castle, Pirates, Mars Mission, Space Police III and Atlantis. I.e they were basically polybags in boxes. I hope you found that interesting.
I only got one of these sets- the builder from City. I think this might’ve been an ad in the instructions, but I never cared for Mars Mission anyway.
One of my all time favorite series. I miss the original Lego ip's, before everything was franchised.
I think I threw a couple of these aliens away (and their white "airtube sleds") from my first used lego lot purchased after my dark ages. Just didn't look like LEGO at all to me...
Didn't like these minis, they were very fragile and almost embryonic - which is fine for the aesthetic, just not very playable.
What a strange... Thing. It scarcely looks like lego to me... Dark age at the time. Seems like it was the case for Lego too ^^ IMHO.
Unpopular opinion here, but I think those Mars Mission Aliens are good for army building. Just buy a few Mars Mission sets, and you've already got an army of them. Not to mention, the Alien Commander Minifigure that was introduced with the 2nd wave of Mars Mission is great. Even if you don't like the smaller aliens, I'm pretty sure you'll like the Commander.
This, the other small set and driller are only good sets for this theme.
I bought like eight of these, very unusual for me. Lord, I wish those 3 Euro sets would return.
Was there ever any story applied to this line? I remember thinking it was a bit weird having humans fighting native Martians as an invading force. Especially considering the previous Life on Mars line!
Oh man, I got this set from a seller at an annual town festival-type-thing; that must have been a few years ago. I don't still have the set assembled, but I should search for the alien minifigure. I forgot how cool they were!
@Dentyyyyy said:
"Was there ever any story applied to this line? I remember thinking it was a bit weird having humans fighting native Martians as an invading force. Especially considering the previous Life on Mars line!"
The Mars Mission Aliens aren't native to Mars. They came from a different planet. It is possible they were the true invaders, and chased away the friendly Native Martians.
When the astronauts came (possibly to revisit their old Martian friends), they were met by the hostile Aliens, and so the fight for the planet's resources began.
Mars Mission never had a fully-fledged storyline, but you can learn bits about the story from the Crystalien Conflict flash game, as well as the LEGO Battles game.
It's a shame these martians were so blobby and undetailed when the original Martians had so much personality.
It looks like it's flying backwards!
Ah, the mini box sets... This set and the Crystal Hawk were great impulse buys.
This set might consist of few parts, but it is actually remarkably functional. Those trans red 1x1 round plates at the back are thrusters. Those trans neon green cones are blasters. And the lime 'roll cage' can swivel up (even though the alien can be taken out without doing so). The alien also stands on a hinge, so it can lift them up to walk away.
And impressively, those crescent 'arms' work like some other alien vehicles from the line in that they hinge inward. Those cones then cover the front without touching each other!
This set is like a baby striker from 7693 ETX Alien Strike or 7697 Claw-Tank Ambush. Awww
@Norikins that sounds similar to how the super battle droid legs will break often, minifigures shouldnt rely on that tiny clip
@ManThighs said:
"One of my all time favorite series. I miss the original Lego ip's, before everything was franchised. "
Mars Mission, Castle, Adventurers, Rock Raiders, Pirates, the multitude of Space subthemes. God, there were so many great sets that didn't rely on franchise popularity.
I loved the small impulse boxes that LEGO made in these years (just before my dark ages)! Unfortunately, they never sold this set in the US, so I don't have it. :/