Brickipedia

READ MORE

Brickipedia
No edit summary
Tag: Source edit
 
(51 intermediate revisions by 36 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Rating|4}}
+
{{Rating|3}}
{{Theme/faction
+
{{Theme
|Title = Blacktron
+
|Title =Blacktron
|Image=Theme-blacktron.gif
+
|Image=Blacktron title-3.png
  +
|Imagesize=150
|Years= [[1987]] - [[1988]] (1989, 1990)
+
|Years=[[1987]][[1991]]
|Main theme=[[Space]]
 
  +
|Subthemes=
|Colorscheme={{Colorscheme/Blacktron}}
 
 
|Subtheme of=[[Space]]
|Concurrent factions= [[Futuron]], [[Space Police I]], [[M-Tron]]
+
|Related themes= [[Futuron]]<br>[[Space Police I]]
 
}}
 
}}
'''Blacktron''' was one of the first two factions of the ''[[Space]]'' theme (the other one being ''[[Futuron]]'') and was introduced in [[1987]].
+
'''Blacktron''' was one of the first two factions of the [[Space]] theme (the other one being [[Futuron]]) and was introduced in [[1987]].
   
 
== Details ==
 
== Details ==
The first unified and truly "themed" Space subtheme, ''Blacktron'' took to the stars in black with yellow trim, and red and yellow transparent pieces.(The odd man out was the [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/1875 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]]''. Blacktron is considered to be the "bad guys" of the two factions.It featured a large spacecraft, the [[6954 Renegade|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 [[6894 Invader|Invader]] and [[6941 Battrax|Battrax]]. This modular interchangeability has been a staple of LEGO Space ever since.
+
The first unified and truly "themed" Space subtheme, Blacktron took to the stars in black with yellow trim, and red and yellow transparent pieces. (The odd man out was the [[1875 Meteor Monitor|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]]''. Blacktron is considered to be the "bad guys" of the two factions. It featured a large spacecraft, the [[6954 Renegade|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 [[6894 Invader|Invader]] and [[6941 Battrax|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''.
+
For clarification, Blacktron is often unofficially referred to as "Blacktron I", as LEGO released "Blacktron II" (officially titled [[Blacktron Future Generation]]) in [[1991]]. Though Blacktron officially ended in 1988, the [[1875 Meteor Monitor]] was released in [[1990]]. Considering Future Generation's slightly altered colour scheme it could be viewed as being from between the "upgrade" era of Blacktron to Blacktron Future Generation.
   
Blacktron minifigures were also included as prisoners in sets of ''[[Space Police I]]''.
+
Blacktron minifigures were also included as prisoners in sets of [[Space Police I]]. Later Space villains such as [[Rench]] and [[Evil Mech]] have designs derived from the original Blacktron Astronaut.
   
== Reception ==
+
== Sets ==
  +
{{ThemeTable/renovations
Popular Blacktron vehicles include [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6954 Renegade], [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6894 Invader], [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6941 Battrax] (all 1987) and [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6876 Alienator] (1988). The base was [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/6987 Message Intercept Base] (1988).
 
 
|1875 Meteor Monitor
== Sets ==
 
  +
|6703 Space Minifigures
* [[6894 Invader]] (1987)
 
  +
|6704 Space Mini Figures
* [[6941 Battrax]] (1987)
 
 
|6876 Alienator
* [[6954 Renegade]] (1987)
 
 
|6894 Invader
* [[6876 Alienator]] (1988)
 
 
|6941 Battrax
* [[6987 Message-Intercept Base]] (1988)
 
 
|6954 Renegade
* [[1875 Meteor Monitor]] (1990)
 
 
|6987 Message-Intercept Base
* [[pc90bc1 Blacktron Post Card]] (LEGO Builders Club Exclusive) [[1990]]
 
  +
|Pc90bc1 Blacktron Post Card
 
;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
 
 
== LEGO Master Builder Academy ==
 
In [[2011]], a website of a new theme called [[LEGO Master Builder Academy]] showed pictures online of a M.O.C. (My Own Creation) of a Blacktron base that the creator called: '''Blacktron Intelligence Agency''' (B.I.A.). Also, a video on the website mentions Blacktron as: ''The villainous space crooks of Blacktron''.
 
{{QuoteLEGO.com
 
|Description from LEGO.com=
 
Designed and Built by Brian Darrow
 
 
Brian Darrow has been building LEGO® models since 1964, and has built together with his two sons since they were in diapers. He finds building to be a great way to unwind after a long day of working as a chiropractic physician.
 
 
Brian’s Blacktron Intelligence Agency (BIA) was inspired by the original 1987 LEGO Space Blacktron theme with its distinctive black, yellow and transparent-yellow color scheme. He first built it as part of a collaborative Moonbase project in 2004, and he has rebuilt and added to it several times since then.
 
 
“I start all my creations with pencil sketches before I dig into the bricks, and I like to consider myself an old-school freestyle builder. I built a lot of town layouts and spaceships with my sons during the 1980s and 1990s, so my present building style reflects the LEGO sets from those years. AFOLs [Adult Fans of LEGO] often comment how my creations look like something the LEGO Group might have produced during those years. That’s the best compliment they could give me.”
 
 
-Brian Darrow
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
<gallery captionalign="left">
 
BIA 1.png|''The size and height of the creation is designed to flow inward and upward, drawing the viewer’s eye to the center towers.''
 
BIA 2.png
 
BIA 3.png|''The Blacktron Intelligence Agency comes apart in sections. I use tiles with minimal plates to hold everything secure at the joints.''
 
BIA 4.png|''I use a combination of Technic pins and cross-member corridors to stabilize the four main towers and all elevated platforms.''
 
BIA 5.png|''The planet’s soft surface and shifting sand required an above ground fuel delivery system and elevated fuel storage tanks.''
 
BIA 6.png|''My favorite spaceship creation is the Blacktron VLAD that I built in 2008. It has a beautiful profile and unique landing gear. It is fully armed with rockets and surveillance equipment.''
 
BIA 7.png|''Antennae give a real cosmic feel to any Space model, and I use many different types and styles.''
 
BIA 8.png|''I love minifigures, so I place as many around my creations as possible. The spaceships always have full service ground crews and all the towers are fully manned. Troops of spacemen are marching everywhere around the layout.''
 
BIA 9.png|''Besides the superstructure itself, I fill the layout with land vehicles and spaceships. The original Blacktron 1 ships are all featured prominently, along with many custom models and classic LEGO Space sets rebuilt in the Blacktron color scheme.''
 
BIA 10.png|''The laser transmitter dishes are placed high on the towers so they have line-of-sight connection with the targeted orbiting satellites.''
 
BIA 11.png|''Solar energy collection panels supply the entire BIA from strategic locations throughout the layout.''
 
BIA 12.png|''Without a doubt, the twin monorail spires are my favorite part of the BIA. Their engineering and technical creativity produce a clean, functional design that elevates the monorail from 10 bricks high up to 24 bricks above ground level.''
 
BIA 13.png|''The space train was added to give extra motion to the layout. It was built with a low center of gravity so it can run at full speed without derailing.''
 
BIA 14.png|''Here’s a couple of very early sketches (see next page for the second sketch). I don’t spend much time detailing the drawings because they’re really just quick “idea catchers”. These sketches are a starting point in the creative process, and my creations are fleshed out once I get my hands in the bricks!''
 
BIA 15.png|''The most frequently asked questions I get are ‘How long did it take?’ and ‘How many LEGO pieces did it take to build it?’ Since I’ve been doing this for decades and I rebuild and rework all of my creations continually, I never stop building to count bricks…that just wouldn’t be any fun for me. LEGO building is all about having fun and expressing my creativity.
 
 
-Brian Darrow''
 
</gallery>
 
   
 
== Minifigures ==
 
== Minifigures ==
 
{{MinifigureGallery
 
{{MinifigureGallery
|img1=Blacktron_Astronaut.jpg
+
|img1=sp001.jpg
 
|txt1=[[Blacktron Astronaut]]
 
|txt1=[[Blacktron Astronaut]]
 
}}
 
}}
   
== Notes ==
+
== [[Key Chains]] ==
  +
{{ThemeTable/renovations
* A Blacktron shirt can be found from random enemy drops on Crux Prime in the online game Lego Universe.
 
  +
|KC45 Blacktron I Key Chain
  +
}}
  +
  +
==Notes==
 
* A Blacktron torso could be found from random enemy drops on Crux Prime in the online game [[55000 LEGO Universe|LEGO Universe]].
   
 
== Gallery ==
 
== Gallery ==
Line 87: Line 49:
 
Blacktron Theme Proto.png|A prototype of the Blacktron theme from 1985.
 
Blacktron Theme Proto.png|A prototype of the Blacktron theme from 1985.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  +
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
* [[Blacktron Future Generation]]
 
* [[Blacktron Future Generation]]
 
* [[Space Police I]]
 
* [[Space Police I]]
  +
== Sources ==
 
  +
{{De|Blacktron}}
* [http://www.bzpower.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=330050&hl=Time+Cruisers BZPower Forums]
 
 
[[Category:Space]]
 
[[Category:Space]]
 
[[Category:Blacktron| ]]
 
[[Category:Blacktron| ]]
 
[[Category:Themes introduced in 1987]]
 
[[Category:Themes introduced in 1987]]
 
[[Category:Themes]]
 
[[Category:Themes]]
  +
[[Category:Discontinued Themes]]

Latest revision as of 03:07, 5 March 2024

Class 3 article


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 subtheme, 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. Blacktron is considered to be the "bad guys" of the two factions. 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 unofficially referred to as "Blacktron I", as LEGO released "Blacktron II" (officially titled Blacktron Future Generation) in 1991. Though Blacktron officially ended in 1988, the 1875 Meteor Monitor was released in 1990. Considering Future Generation's slightly altered colour scheme it could be viewed as being from between the "upgrade" era of Blacktron to Blacktron Future Generation.

Blacktron minifigures were also included as prisoners in sets of Space Police I. Later Space villains such as Rench and Evil Mech have designs derived from the original Blacktron Astronaut.

Sets

Image#SetNumber of piecesMinifiguresPriceRelease
1875 Meteor Monitor1875Meteor Monitor29Blacktron Astronaut 1990
6703 Space Minifigures6703Space Minifigures30Black Futuron Astronaut, Blue Futuron Astronaut, Red Futuron Astronaut, Yellow Futuron Astronaut, Blacktron Astronaut (x2)$6.001988
6704 Space Mini Figures6704Space Mini Figures44Blacktron Astronaut, Blacktron Future Generation Astronaut (x2), Space Police I Officer, M-Tron Jetpack Astronaut, M-Tron Astronaut 1991
6876 Alienator6876Alienator82Blacktron Astronaut 1988
6894 Invader6894Invader156Blacktron Astronaut, Robot$14.251987
6941 Battrax6941Battrax276Blacktron Astronaut 1987
6954 Renegade6954Renegade302Blacktron Astronaut (x2)$29.991987
6987 Message Intercept Base6987Message-Intercept Base562Blacktron Astronaut (x5) 1988
Pc90bc1Pc90bc1Blacktron Post Card1 1990


Minifigures

Key Chains

Image#SetNumber of piecesMinifiguresPriceRelease
KC45KC45Blacktron I Key Chain1 1988


Notes

  • A Blacktron torso could be found from random enemy drops on Crux Prime in the online game LEGO Universe.

Gallery

See also