This is one great little airplane that are one of the two Orient expedition-sets that I own. I bought it many years ago in the local toystore. What I did´nt realise back then was really how great this set is. It doesnt take that many minutes to build, at least not for a teenager like me. But the playability is great! Even if i just have played with it single, not with any other sets. I´m not a estetic person so i dont care that much if the colours of a set doesnt match, but in this set they do! I really like the brown wings with the guns at the top. And the red thing before the black propeller. And of course that little window Jonny can look out from.

I dont really like to combine sets with others, that means I dont care for what parts is with a set, only the set is cool. Now it´s time for the cons... I must admit that I really cant find any real bad thing about this set. but if I have to mention one thing, nothing is perfect, then it would be that jonny´s hat can fall of easily if you dont take care when you put him in the pilotseat. The guns can take it of...

Overall rating: 5/5. This set is one of the best I own but because it is so full of memories for me is it hard to give a fair rating.

I used to have this set when I was little. I would fly it around and swoop down on Yeti's Hideout and take out the monster. Fun. This set has a very good structure and is historically accurate as far as I can remember. I like the rifles mounted on the wing and always loved the Johnny Thunder minifig. Looking back, I wish I still had this. I could do battle with Scarecrow's biplane, and Johnny Thunder would make a good Billy Bishop...

A very good set. Detail is good. I also think that they could have replaced the steering wheel with a joystick. The wheels and prop is very smooth running. The small little red wheel at the back is stationary. It would be nice if that could turn. Remind me of the old double wing planes in the pioneer days of flying.

If I could have, I would have given the "Thunder Blazer" higher than a five on playability. This particular set was capable of keeping my hand and eyes occupied for quite some time before I placed it down for the first time after it's construction.

Definitely would make an excellent play-toy for a younger LEGO fan, and also a great prop for an AFOL's comics/stopmotions.

Overall 4.5/5.0, now for the pros and cons:

Pros:

• you get your money's worth in playability
• looks nice
• has an "evil counterpart" in set 7417, having both is nice and adds to the play value on both
• a small set that comes with Orient Expedition's main protagonist, which is always nice.
• coloring flows nicely
• sturdy, which is good for play
• solid, no hallow spaces
• has two shotguns
• looks realistic to planes in that particular time period
• looks nice on display

Cons:

• back wheel has no rubber and screeches or doesn't turn on hard surfaces
• back half's a little thin

This is really a great set from a great theme. It may not be as good as the Bi-Wing Baron, but this has guns on the top and has Johnny Thunder. The wheels should be the Adventurers type which would be much better. However, this is pretty good.