Blacktron

Blacktron
File:Theme-blacktron.gif
Release years:	1987 - 1988 (1989, 1990)
Main theme:	Space
Colour scheme:	solid: transparent:
Concurrent faction(s):	Futuron, Space Police I, M-Tron

Blacktron was one of the first two factions of the Space theme (the other one being Futuron) and was introduced in 1987.

Details

The first unified and truly "themed" Space theme, Blacktron took to the stars in black with yellow trim, and red and yellow transparent pieces. (The odd man out was the Meteor Monitor, which was white and black with red transparents.) Blacktron minifigures wore black jumpsuits akin to today's military pilots, with white trim and opaque black visors. Stylish, sleek and intimidating, Blacktron was a major step up from the rather clunky design values of Classic Space. It featured a large spacecraft, the Renegade, which set the tone for all future big ships by splitting into a number of smaller modules, including a storage bin for a small wheeled vehicle; these modules could be recombined not just with each other, but with modules from other vehicles in the set as well, specifically the Invader and Battrax. This modular interchangeability has been a staple of LEGO Space ever since.

For clarification, Blacktron is often referred to as Blacktron I, as LEGO released Blacktron II (or Blacktron Future Generation in 1991. Though Blacktron officially ended in 1988, the 1875 Meteor Monitor was released in 1990. Considering Blacktron II's slightly altered colour scheme it could be viewed as being from between the "upgrade" era of Blacktron to Blacktron II.

Blacktron minifigures were also included as prisoners in sets of Space Police I.

Reception

Popular Blacktron vehicles include Renegade, Invader, Battrax (all 1987) and Alienator (1988). The base was Message Intercept Base (1988).

Sets

• 6894 Invader (1987)
• 6941 Battrax (1987)
• 6954 Renegade (1987)

• 6876 Alienator (1988)
• 6987 Message-Intercept Base (1988)

• 1875 Meteor Monitor (1990)
• pc90bc1 Blacktron Post Card (LEGO Builders Club Exclusive) 1990

Space Police sets containing Blacktron minifigures

• 6781 SP-Striker (1989)
• 6886 Galactic Peace Keeper (1989)
• 6895 Spy-Trak I (1989)
• 6955 Space Lock-Up Isolation Base (1989)
• 6986 Mission Commander (1989)

Other appearances

• 6703 Space Mini-Figures (1988), included two Blacktron minifigures
• 6704 Space Mini Figures (1991), included one Blacktron minifig

Gallery

A prototype of the Blacktron theme from 1985.

See also

• Blacktron Future Generation
• Space Police I

Sources

• BZPower Forums