6554

Blaze Brigade

Town System / Rescue

Ages 5-10 / 250 Pcs
6 manuals (1 w/6 pages and 5 w/1 page): 6 models, up to 6 steps in two manuals. ©1997
Price Range: $39.99 U.S. Dollars

Review Written: 13 July 1997 by Jeff Christner

Special Features / Compatibility None

Extra Elements 1 Transparent Yellow 1x1 Plate 1 Transparent Green 1x1 Round Plate 1 Transparent Blue 1x1 Round Plate 1 Transparent Red 1x1 Round Plate 2 Transparent-Light-Blue Mini-Figure Helmet Visors 2 Flower Tops 1 Flower Base 1 Yellow 1x1 Round Tile, Top Faucet 1 Mini-Figure Axe 1 Antenna, 8H 1 White-Base Black-Stick Control Stick

Decals: None Scale: Mini-Figure Scale Errors: None, although on the photo on the front of the box, it appears that the sloped roof element seems warped and is not completely attached to the roof of the center building.

Ratings:

Set: Good

Models: Fair

Playability: Good

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Conclusion
This set has some great elements and playability goes, but not recommended for use as a standalone fire station.

Description

Impression

This was my first Town Jr. set, and I thought the individual bag for each item might be a good idea, but I always loved looking for that specific part after dumping out all the bags. This would be no more. Each section of building and each vehicle was packaged in its own bag, for a total of six. The 3 green base plates and wall elements, along with several other pieces were packed loose in the box.

I started building the buildings first. They went together quickly and easily. The instructions are very simple, although they seemed to add more elements in a single step in these instructions, then in LEGO instructions of the past. I would have thought that the instructions would have stayed simple with only an element or two added in each step, especially considering this is a Town Jr. set. The two smaller buildings hold some smaller equipment, but otherwise seem to hold no purpose, except as a place for the two bridges to go to, and as a landing pad for the helicopter. The larger building contains a desk with computer and chair, along with a cabinet and two mugs on the lower floor. Upstairs, or just up, considering there are no stairs, is a control room with a phone-answering desk and a fire dispatching desk, with a pre-printed 2x2x1 sloped element with the LEGO fire symbol and buttons and such on it, each desk has a chair and a mug with it. In front of the large building is a mail box, with two pieces of mail. The fire department may have started delivering the mail, since there is no post office to do so.

I built the helicopter next, it has a yellow and red color scheme. There are no control sticks, but a 1x2 flat control panel is provided for the pilot. It seemed kind of bare in the cockpit without control sticks. A spotlight is mounted on the helicopter, but it is mounted on the body and faces the tail rotor, so it serves little use. The only thing refreshing about the helicopter is the fact that it is not loaded with hoses and water tanks, as LEGO fire fighting helicopters were in the past. I now know why they included hoses in the past, as this helicopter is very boring.

The small mini-rescue or chiefs car went together in only 3 steps. Again I was surprised that the car had so many elements added in each step. I don't remember being 5 years old, but this might be confusing to some smaller children. There are two compartments on this rig, which hold a megaphone, a flashlight, and a set of SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus). There is a piece of unknown function on the back of the truck, perhaps it is some kind of antenna array. Absent from this mini-rescue is a roof or doors. There are no tail lights, and the headlights are pre-printed on the front hood along with the LEGO fire symbol, making this element truly a single use piece as the front of a fire truck.

I tackled the “quint” [a combination pumper/ladder fire truck -- Ed.] next. This unit looked better on the box. Once you have it assembled, it is disappointing. There is a single hose coming off the back and a two section ladder for making rescues. A set of SCBA, a helmet, and an SCBA facepiece are stored on this truck. The quint, like the mini-rescue, is missing doors and a roof. The headlights are pre-printed and could be used in other creations. There are two sets of pump controls on each side of the rig, between the hose reel and the compartments. The pump controls are pre-printed and are 2x2x2 sloped, I like the design of this piece alot, and I can imagine many other uses for it. The bottom of the truck is one piece with attachments for four wheels, the other two wheels on the truck have their own axle element.

Although it looks alright when displayed as a whole, this set would serve best when combined with older sets, or its pieces used in new, original creations.

I plan to purchase at least one more of these sets, just for the elements. I would not recommend this set as a gift, except to die hard LEGO fire collectors. There is alot to do with this set as far as playability goes, but I cannot recommend it for what it is, a fire station for your town. You would do yourself a better favor by keeping an eye out for a Fire Control Center - 6389 at an auction. Your money would be much better spent.

Ratings

Set Rating:Good

Model Rating:Fair

Playability Rating:Good

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