The fast-paced world of LEGO® means I don’t get a chance to pour over all the details of newly revealed sets. That was most certainly the case with the next of the Creator 3-in-1 sets I’m about to review. On the surface set 31117: Space Shuttle Adventure is a smaller, less detailed version of the recently released NASA Space Shuttle Discovery set. As I tipped out the box’s content to get building, I actually noticed that the alternate builds were also based on other LEGO sets. Turning an average Creator 3-in-1 set into an amazing little celebration of LEGO space. So let’s blast-off for another LEGO Creator 3-in-1 set review.
Product Description
Kids will be thrilled to play out exciting space action with this LEGO® Creator 3in1 Space Shuttle Adventure (31117) building toy. It features a cockpit with a control panel and opening cargo doors that store an extendable arm with a satellite, plus retractable wheels, to inspire incredible roleplay.
LEGO toys to enchant young builders
Passionate space fans can enjoy 3 different build-and-play experiences with this LEGO Creator 3in1 toy set. They can build a Space Shuttle, then rebuild it into a rocket toy or lunar lander. The space toy set also comes with a cool astronaut minifigure, which can travel in all 3 space vehicles.
- Set Name: Space Shuttle Adventure
- Set Number: 31117
- Theme: Creator 3-in-1
- Pieces: 486
- RRP: £44.99/$39.99/49.99€
- Measurements: measures over 4 in. (12 cm) high, 11 in. (28 cm) long and 7 in. (19 cm) wide
- Availability: LEGO.com, LEGO Stores & LEGO Retailers
Space Shuttles have been recreated with LEGO bricks for many years and across multiple themes, as diverse as LEGO City and The LEGO Batman Movie. In the last couple of months alone, we’ll have been treated to the LEGO Space Shuttle Discovery, a LEGO DUPLO shuttle and this upcoming Creator 3-in-1 set. It will of course be compared to the 18+ set but this one is very much focused towards younger builders and thus offers a simpler build experience.
Some of those previous LEGO space shuttles have been created in cooperation with NASA and although this set isn’t branded as a NASA product, it’s clearly inspired by the iconic crafts used to take astronauts into space. There is still a nod to NASA woven into the build as the shuttle is trimmed with strips of red and blue along the fuselage.
Although a smaller set, it’s has plenty of great details built into it. These include a trio of retractable wheels, which neatly tuck into the undercarriage of the shuttle. The cockpit hatch can be popped off to gain access to the controls but the best feature is found within the back of the shuttle. two large doors can be opened to reveal a satellite. This is neatly folded away in order for it to sit within the shuttle but can be deployed thanks to a pair of hinged Technic rods. I was surprised that the satellite’s solar panels didn’t use the new printed elements found in some recent space-themed set. Instead, shimmering transparent light blue plates are used and I really love them.
One thing I always like about sets is the ability to keep all the additional trinkets somewhere when not in use. The satellite is connected to the shuttle but as mentioned can be folded into the rear of it. The Minifigure has a spacesuit and tool, both of which can be stored inside the shuttle as well. On the subject of the Minifigure, the set includes a female astronaut, which uses the Classic Space inspired torso found in a couple of previous LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets.
Although all of the other Creator 3-in-1 sets offer alternate builds, some of them aren’t as exciting as the hero build. But that’s not the case for this set, the additional builds are very clever. Just as the Space Shuttle is similar to the recently released 18+ set, the alternate builds are also inspired by other space-related LEGO sets. These include the NASA Saturn V and the Apollo 11 Lunar Lander. The ability to create smaller versions of three other LEGO sets is a genius idea and something I would love to see more of in the future.
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This set was provided by the LEGO Group for purposes of review. The thoughts within this review are that of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
