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After ten years working shifts at the Vault I figured I needed a change of
pace. My time at the high-stakes prison facility was shoo-in to get me work on
S.H.I.E.L.D’s Helicarrier (not just ‘cause of my security clearance but it shows
I can handle myself in tough situations). Yeah, right! Just now alarm claxons
sound off an aerial attack is in process (but we’re too deep in domestic
airspace for that) and I feel a sudden shudder and trembling of what felt like
the entire Helicarrier! I kid you not, the entire Helicarrier! That’s Stark
technology that doesn’t blink under pressure and I felt it halfway across the
‘carrier! The next thing I know my team is headed for the detention level as
this beast of a flying ship continues to shudder the more we approach. Now the
walls are shaking like crazy with a repetitive pounding and I can actually hear
a bellowing roar through what’s gotta be at least two more walls of steel.
“Hulk smash!” And something tells me he’s doing a lot more than that. . .
Gotta state right up front that I’m not a fan of the ‘partial diorama’ Lego sets
that give a portion of a much larger construction without any walls or
boundaries to define the space within which the principal model sits. I’m more
a fan of an all-enclosed model but the assortment of figures in the 6868
attracted me enough to pick it up (and hey, maybe we’ll be treated to more
encompassing model of the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier like we get with the
large Star Wars ship models!).
The 6868 Hulk Helicarrier Breakout set is comprised of a triple-platform
construction. Pictures on the instruction booklet suggest this is part of a
docking bay in the humongous Helicarrier (which makes sense with the jet, but
not so much for holding cells). The three octagonal platforms are hinged, yet
connected by technic pins (so as to be separable).
The left platform looks like
an analysis laboratory (complete with display screens of various sizes and
suspension rods which in this case support the golden staff of Loki).
The right
platform is considerably more barren with only a shelf that holds two Octan
barrels (no labels but the white/red/green color is a dead giveaway). Pushing
down on one end of the shelf tosses the barrels in the air (Wheee!).
The
central platform is made up of two levels with the first level featuring a clear
cylindrical holding cell. (The cell could probably hold two or three minifigs,
but there’s no way the Hulk’s fitting in there. Heh! Heh! Like anything
could!). The second (no ladder or stair access to this) level features two
seats at computer monitors. One assumes this is the command/control platform of
at least this part of the Helicarrier. A small pin just behind the two control
seats can be pushed down to eject the front half of the holding cell/cylinder
for escapes. Large transparent panels are placed at the rear edges of the left
and right platforms to further give the idea of windows in a large bay.
A final assembly of the set is a small single passenger/pilot jetplane which
features a pop-off canopy. The plane is quite small to be considered a real
aircraft of any threat but it fits in well with the similarly rudimentary
helicopter found in the 6866 Wolverine’s Chopper Showdown set. The jet features
two flick missiles tucked under each wing and implements a novel use of the
control stick element for guiding the plane (though it’s a bit wobbly).
Figures are the big attraction for the set: Hawkeye, Hulk, Thor and Loki (all
recreated fairly well in minifig form). The most notable thing for me about the
figures was the Hulk’s use of technic pins for attaching his arms and the fact
that his hands also feature pins (for easy rotation). It’s possible that more
recent ‘large’ figures already showed these features, but I haven’t had a
‘large’ figure since the rock monster from the original Rock Raiders 4950 Loader
Dozer set. Accessories for the figs include the bow and arrow, no quiver (but
there’s one painted on Hawkeye’s back) Thor’s hammer and Loki’s staff (comprised
of Pharaoh’s Quest staff with a small golden dagger that fits in the top instead
of a gem). There was an additional staff (minus dagger) with the kit.
Stickers with the set include S.H.I.E.L.D. emblems and logo (for the plane and
bay), plus some cool computer screens (particularly one that depicts the old
video game ‘space invaders’…classic!). I also received a brick separator with my
kit (Whee! Again, the adrenalin rush is too much!) and a comic (larger in size
than the one I received with the 6862 Superman Vs. Power Armor Lex but the 6868
comic is particularly hard to follow).
In the end the set contains some great figures and a fair assortment of pieces
for alternate models that are just about worth the $50 price tag. Be mindful
where you shop, though, I’ve seen the set sell for as high as $60 and that’s
pushing the level of value for a thrifty shopper.
!!! 4x2ReVu Stats !!!
Rating: Five out of eight studs.
Pros: The figures are the reason I bought the set, but the fair assortment of
pieces for the mediocre models made it worth the price.
Walletwise: 389
pieces for $50 is worth it. Don’t get ripped off by the stores that jack the
price up to $60 or more (at least while this set is in regular circulation).
Date: 5/2/12
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