LEGO ICONS 10497 Galaxy Explorer is missing something

The 90th-anniversary LEGO ICONS 10497 Galaxy Explorer launches soon but compared to its original model, it’s missing something.

Revealed yesterday, June 18, 2022, at LEGO CON, 10497 Galaxy Explorer revisits the 1979 Classic Space model 497 Galaxy Explorer. When you look at the two sets side by side, it’s clear to see the work that has gone into recreating the build by the LEGO designers, with plenty of elements transferred to the new build and certain changes made to embrace modern building techniques.

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However, looking at the boxes of both, you might notice that the 2022 set doesn’t include the landing pad on the baseplate. Baseplates have become an uncommon inclusion in LEGO models, now mostly appearing in Classic sets or modular buildings so it’s not surprising to see any kind of baseplate, even one without the additional moulding as it has in 497 Galaxy Explorer, excluded from 10497 Galaxy Explorer.

The small outpost could have been included though, given the same transformation that the rest of the model has undergone. At least in place of this, a retro robot has been included that wasn’t in the original 497 Galaxy Explorer.

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Thankfully the most important aspect of the set, the iconic spaceship, has been recreated faithfully at a larger scale than before, which may have been a factor in not including the base and landing pad.

Whatever the reason, you can celebrate the 90th anniversary of the LEGO Group with this special set when it launches on August 1 for £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99.

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