Lego Vic Viper: Creator Set #31143 Space Shuttle

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Sturmvogel Prime
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Lego Vic Viper: Creator Set #31143 Space Shuttle

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Build a Vic Viper from a space shuttle.

Lego, for decades it meant only construction kits for the kids to let their imagination fly and build all kinds of things like planes, houses, boats and cars, and even expanding to massive licensed properties like Star Wars, Jurassic Park and Batman.
But the set I'm gonna talk this time has a little shmup nodding: The 31134 Space Shuttle set from Lego Creator.

I'm not gonna talk about the main model which is the Shuttle or the alternate astronaut figure, but about the reason why this post exists: The Not-Vic Viper you can build in this set.



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Back of the box, pretty much the same as the front.

The "Creator" line consists of sets that allow kids and Lego fans to build one of three models: The main model using all the pieces or two alternate options, leaving spare bricks. Alternate builds were not new, in the Lego System sets of the 90's there was alternate builds shown in the back of their packages, but they didn't had the instructions to build them as if they're simply conceived as possibilities within the set you've owned.

Onto the Space Shuttle set, the front of the box features the shuttle with satellite as the main feature of the 3-in-1 model, leaving the astronaut and the Lego Viper as alternates. Ironically, the Pseudo-Vic Viper illustration lacks of the "© Konami Digital Entertainment" disclaimer just like the Lightyear XL-07 toys. I mean, like Disney-Pixar, Lego is a huge moneymaker and getting the license from Konami would be extremely easy for them at the point of recovering the investment in no-time, so why this "license dodging" thing?



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Three manuals. This is what I call "Waste of paper".

The set comes with two bags, for some reason, the larger black tile is packed separatedly from the bags. While having a manual is always a good idea for a set, the guys at Lego decided to split it in three instead of one large manual. I mean, if someone wants to buy this set twice or thrice for having the three models that would mean 9 manuals. THAT sounds absurd. Unless you're planning to use the spare manuals to light a fire or something.



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https://i.imgur.com/TaMILNV.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/eYSdpn7.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KdOPc5L.jpg

This is the third possibility of the Space Shuttle set, a small, simplified, space shuttle color-schemed take on the Vic Viper from the Gradius series. One of the things that I've noticed is how the model design breaks with the common build of the exhaust engine by using the satellite panels and the shuttle's tailfin throughout the 1x2 hinge piece and some new 1x1 blocks with hooks to plug the tailfin on them while the translucent satellite panels move to the sides for what I think could be an afterburner effect. Since Lego is more "pacifist" than Mega Construx there's no weaponry to build, making this a disarmed ship pretty much like its sprite depiction in the first Gradius.



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Wings can go down on a slight angle.

By using the shuttle cargo bay hatch pieces, the Lego Viper can low the wings down at an angle, breaking with the full "straight" airframe without compromising the aerodynamics of the model, making the ship more "flexible" as we can think the wings are on a normal flight mode while the straight frame is the speed mode when the ship needs to flight at extremely high speeds.



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Build Weapon Array.

Since this is an alternative model, building the Lego Viper means one possible outcome: Spare pieces.
Spares can be used to improve other models since there's no rules on Lego, but on this model, you can provisionally create the long missile/cannon weapons placed below the Vic Viper's wing for the sake of Gradius-accuracy rather than trying to make the ship more Vic Viper-like.

Here's a step-by-step manual of some sorts.

https://i.imgur.com/Lh6z33B.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Jiw47tN.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/yPeBqHP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/N9eZjdv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vOxtyhp.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vOxtyhp.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/SHg906R.jpg

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Now we have a more complete Lego Viper.

Yeah, the missiles barely resemble the ship's weapons, but its better than nothing considering the limited amount of pieces.



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The unofficial Gradius lineup keeps growing.

While we've could expect anything from official Lego sets, I've never expected a Vic Viper model of some sorts (Fan builds aside). Without an XL-07 on the Lego Lightyear line, this set kinda make amends for that by giving us a minimalistic approach to Konami's legendary starfighter.
¿Got the set? I recommend you to play the song "Intermezzo" from Gradius V while building it.



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