LEGO® Set Review: 8855 Prop Plane
8855
![[8855 Set Photo]](../pix/8855.jpg)
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Prop Plane
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Technic / Model
Ages 10-14 / 574 Pcs
Set ©1988
Price Range: $55.00
Review Written: 17 February 1997 by J. William Kenlon
Special Features / Compatibility
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Extra Elements
A Couple Toggle Joints
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Decals:
Scale: Technic guys.
Errors:
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Ratings:
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Set: Must-Have
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Models: Excellent
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Playability: Very-Good
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Conclusion
Back then, I would have gotten it again. But now, I’d probably get the 3 in 1 Car or something. Nevertheless, this set was spectacular in its day, and it has a very special place in my heart.
Description
The two models are a yellow black and grey Prop Plane, and a space shuttle of the same colors. The Prop Plane has and 18-inch wingspan, with working aelerons and elevators, and seats two people. The spase shuttle is a sort of lousy model, with a tiny satellite, and an arm that can only be controlled manually. It also has working aelerons and an overly large tail fin.
Impression
Back in 1988, this set was the set to have. It had an 18-inch wingspan, aerelons and elevators which could be controlled from the cockpit, two seats in a plane, and a huge propellor. This set was tops. Imagine what they would have thought if they saw 8880 Super Car.
This was only the second year that they were making Technic Figures, and it was good to have another one. I have 24 of them now; I collect them, and switch around their hair pieces, and give them assigned names. At the time, the coolest thing to do with my figures was to make them have fist-fights on top of the wings. Before this set, the only aerial vehicle that would fit Technic men was a one-man helicopter.
This plane’s successor was the 8836 Sky Ranger (which I tried to buy, but they were out). The Sky Ranger was black with red and yellow accents, and it used the Flex System. The Flex System works a lot smoother than the old-fashioned Prop Plane’s innards, but the Prop Plane is more than satisfactory, and the size makes up for the small amount of choppiness. It looks great, it plays good, and it functions great.
The Technic action figures are the coolest thing since sliced bread. They are so articulated! My brother named this one Martin. I have made a life’s work out of collecting all of the men. The only ones not yet in my grasp are the people in 8626 3 in 1 Car, 8232 [1997 Helicopter], and 8250 Search Sub. They are so poseable it’s almost ridiculous. That’s why they’re perfect to fly this plane.
The more detailed the Technic set, the better. And this one is detailed. It’s very “whooshable”, and the functions usually work really well, except that occasionally the bottom workings for the elevators break if you “whoosh” it wrong. But that’s it. Nothing else is bad about this set. The price is good, the person is good, the model is good, and the functions are great. I would recommend it to any Technic enthusiast, young or old. The younger ones (and me) will love the fact that it looks cool, and the older ones would enjoy the functions. The younger ones mentioned above would have to understand that it is fragile, and doesn’t
like being crashed, though.
It’s worth the already low price. It’s a Must-Have set, without a question.
Ratings
Set Rating:Must-Have
The set is sheer delight to build, and it’s really a beauty.
Model Rating:Excellent
The shuttle is lousy, but the main model is one of the best designs I’ve ever seen.
Playability Rating:Very-Good
Very playable, kids would like everything about it but the fragility. The fact that it includes the pilot is a plus.
Likes/Dislikes
I like the realism, size, function, and pilot. I sort of dislike the fact that if you put the set next to the Super Car, or some set such as that, it’s a little feeble looking, but that’s not this set’s fault!
Elements
Little cross-axles with a knob at the end, and ball-socket joints. This set saw the birth of the slanted piece/Technic beam thing that is now somewhat common. The pilot (a
Technic guy) is included.
Reviewer Information
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Reviewer Name
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Age (at review)
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E-Mail
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WWW
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Favorite Theme
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J. William Kenlon
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edkenlon@eagle1.eaglenet.com
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Space, followed by Western and
Aquazone.
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I buy sets to look at them and play with them. Elements are nice too. I did buy some sets just for the people (i.e. Roboforce, some Technic) and I suppose that’s how I got 673 of them.
Copyright
This review is copyright 1997, by the author as named above. The author grants all publication rights for all non-profit uses, public and private, with the following exceptions: all information must be published in full, and the permission of the author must be given. Any for-profit use in full or part requires the express written permission by the author, and the author must be granted 50% of the profits recieved
thereby.
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All views expressed in the reviews on this site are those of the review author, and do not necessarily represent the views of Joshua Delahunty or the University of California.
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