LEGO 40580 Blacktron Cruiser should have been on our radar

40580 Blacktron Cruiser is already one of 2023’s best promotional LEGO items, although we probably should have been aware of its existence some time ago.

The LEGO Group loves a nod (or four) to its own history, and 40580 Blacktron Cruiser is a particularly nice example. The set pays tribute to its Blacktron product collection, which debuted as part of its Space theme back in 1987. Specifically, it reimagines 6894 Invader – one of the smaller releases in that collection – with modern elements and construction techniques.

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In short, it’s an appealing prospect for older LEGO fans – and the LEGO Group may have been teasing its arrival for several months. That’s because a Blacktron reference can be found within another recent LEGO set. 

10497 Galaxy Explorer popped up in 2022 as part of the LEGO Group’s 90th anniversary celebrations. Reimagining an early release in the LEGO Space theme, the set faithfully captures the retro aesthetic of that era. It also features a variety of printed elements, which makes a nice change of pace from the stickers found in today’s LEGO sets.

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Indeed, it’s one of these elements that should have clued us in to 40580 Blacktron Cruiser’s arrival. That’s because the distinctive Blacktron logo actually makes an appearance on one of the Galaxy Explorer’s radar screens. Look in the back of the ship to see it; the distinctive triple triangle logo can clearly be seen there.

With the arrival of 40580 Blacktron Cruiser on LEGO.com, it appears that LEGO fans can stage an epic Classic Space incursion more easily. Of course, staging such a battle may prove an expensive prospect. You can’t buy 40580 Blacktron Cruiser directly; you need to spend £170 / $190 / €190 at LEGO.com in a single transaction to acquire it. The set can also only be acquired until January 14, but we suspect the offer could sell out before that date.

Moreover, you can’t acquire 40580 Blacktron Cruiser with a single copy of 10497 Galaxy Explorer; you’d need to buy at least two to qualify. However, since 10497 Galaxy Explorer can be built as one large ship or two smaller ones, this may not be too bitter a pill to swallow.

10497 Galaxy Explorer is available now at LEGO.com. You can also read our review of 40580 Blacktron Cruiser if you’re interested in learning more about it.

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