# LEGO are pretty bad, right? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 27, 2023, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716 "2023-03-27T14:43:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/101 "2023-04-19T23:52:39Z")
Van Gough in Legos. Not sure it’s real but it’s cool! > **[Hamleys | Van Gogh](https://www.oneclub.org/awards/theoneshow/-award/22810/van-gogh)** > > Hamleys | Van Gogh, Annual ID: 150443A, Award: Merit Award, Category: Print & Outdoor - Print Craft / Art Direction - Single Only ---
**Author:** ![Mr.E](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.e/32/8932_2.png) [@Mr.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.E)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/102 "2023-04-20T00:00:59Z")
Some of y’all in this thread have lost your sense of childlike wonder and it shows. Lego are awesome. There is no right or wrong way to play with Lego. Build it and leave it forever, build it and then change bits so it’s something different, build it and then take it apart, or throw away the instructions and build whatever you want. It’s all good as long as you’re having fun. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/103 "2023-04-20T00:47:34Z")
This board needs a like button. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/104 "2023-04-20T00:59:30Z")
This is my one. It’s pretty big. [![](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ttjl2knwpui6b6n/Screenshot%202023-04-20%20at%2012.58.00%20PM.png?dl=0) ](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ttjl2knwpui6b6n/Screenshot%202023-04-20%20at%2012.58.00%20PM.png?dl=0) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/105 "2023-04-20T01:40:07Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Mind posting a pic - I love those Saturn Vs! No problem! Here it is on permanent exhibit on the ledge over my main stairs. It’s both a perfect place to display it and it helps prevent the cats from going up there. They still like to frequently go over to it and knock off the LES tower. It’s pretty cool. It’s impressively detailed for the scale it’s on and considering it’s made from LEGO. It even comes apart into the different stages but is still very solid all put together. The lander doesn’t fit inside of the nose cone but the Command and Service Modules both do. They intentionally designed it so it included exactly 1,969 pieces. (or, the cynical view would be they designed it, saw that it was close to 1,969 pieces, then added or took away just enough little parts to get there 😉) [![](https://i.imgur.com/3g7EZTs.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/3g7EZTs.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/106 "2023-04-20T01:55:33Z")
I see people sometimes do fun stuff like this with theirs but I just don’t have it in me to go that all out (or any good place to do it). [![](https://preview.redd.it/n915h64bzdsa1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=41e237391dcc5d580278c8c0b332e5686ae99056) ](https://preview.redd.it/n915h64bzdsa1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=41e237391dcc5d580278c8c0b332e5686ae99056) ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/107 "2023-04-20T08:31:47Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > The lander doesn’t fit inside of the nose cone but the Command and Service Modules both do. Isn’t this the lander in the cone here? [![](https://jaysbrickblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/LEGO-21309-NASA-Apollo-Saturn-V-Lunar-Module-in-Rocket-1024x683.jpg) ](https://jaysbrickblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/LEGO-21309-NASA-Apollo-Saturn-V-Lunar-Module-in-Rocket-1024x683.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/108 "2023-04-20T12:08:09Z")
Whoops I might’ve gotten those parts mixed up. 😀 But the point was the Command Module, the Service Module, and the lander don’t all fit inside the nose cone so a full reenactment isn’t possible. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/109 "2023-04-20T12:20:18Z")
From @Richard_Pearse’s pic, the Service Module should sit atop the half-opened cone containing the LM. With the Command module atop the SM, and finally the Launch Escape System tower atop the CM. @DCnDC’s horizontal model pic in post #108 is anatomically correct. The partial cone just above his household smoke detector contains the LM. The SM is the dark gray cylinder next to the right, then the CM is the smallest white cone just before the open latticework of the LES tower. The SM & CM don’t sit inside anything else. They are exposed to the outside world at launch. Only the very un-aerodynamic LM gets to ride inside. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/110 "2023-04-20T12:52:39Z")
Have I ever mentioned that I’m an idiot? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/111 "2023-04-20T13:08:47Z")
But you have a really cool Saturn V model and I don’t. So you’ve got that goin’ for ya’! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/112 "2023-04-20T13:48:45Z")
My (older) son the space fan built one of those, and also the Lego lunar module. No surprise – he’s seen probably every documentary and dramatization about the Apollo program ever made! > [@Dorjan](#): > > MO there’s three LEGO spheres: > > 1. The purists who build things from loose bricks. > 2. Kit bashers, who take lego model kits and build on them with other kits and loose bricks. > 3. Model builders, who build LEGO model kits for display, no different from folks who build plastic model planes and ships, etc. just a different form factor. > > All 3 are OK, and LEGO is there for all of them. And as far environmental impact, LEGO tend not to enter the waste stream very often, due to their durability, cost, and compatibility. > > Personally, I grew up as a #1 because that’s really all there was in the early 80’s. Turned into a #2 by my high school years. Was never a #3, too expensive a hobby for me. and I prefer more realistic models. I more or less agree with your analysis, but in terms of the #3 types of Lego kits, I think it’s just different from traditional model-building in that it takes a different kind of skill set and provides a different kind of enjoyment. Traditional model-building, even with plastic model kits where everything is supposedly provided, requires various degrees of cutting, sanding, gluing, and painting. Lots and lots of gluing, and probably lots of painting, lots of mess, and no lack of opportunity to screw something up. The Lego kind is more oriented to methodical incremental assembly and can be done in the comfort of your living room. The discrete snap-together components make Lego kits essentially a digital version of traditional model-building, in that the final result is fully deterministic. ETA: [Space.com](http://Space.com) seems impressed by the Saturn V model: > **[Lego NASA Apollo Saturn V review](https://www.space.com/lego-nasa-apollo-saturn-v-92176-review)** > > A must-have for any NASA enthusiast. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/113 "2023-04-20T17:04:21Z")
I think for the purposes of reenactment you would remove the very top white cone (which represents a protective cover on the command module) along with the escape tower, and replace it with the grey command module that otherwise sits on the blue ocean piece. Then carry on as per the sequence on the back of the box. [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTWQx_6cLCQOP19LJYLdZJ5N-yFmoi6zTugKg&usqp=CAU) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTWQx_6cLCQOP19LJYLdZJ5N-yFmoi6zTugKg&usqp=CAU) ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/114 "2023-04-20T17:42:45Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The SM & CM don’t sit inside anything else. They are exposed to the outside world at launch. Only the very un-aerodynamic LM gets to ride inside At launch the engine bell of the CM sat inside the LM adapter faring with the LM. I can’t tell if that’s a possible configuration with the Lego model, or if you have to pop off the SM bell to have the SM atop the rocket. Looks like the high gain antenna was also inside the faring. [![](https://airandspace.si.edu/sites/default/files/images/5116h.jpg) ](https://airandspace.si.edu/sites/default/files/images/5116h.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/115 "2023-04-20T17:57:24Z")
Hm. I thought there was an interstage spacer for the SM engine bell, but your cite is conclusive. Given that the Lego model has a flat top to the LM shroud frustum, I bet that was the origin of @DCnDC’s sorta-remembered problem. In the model you can’t attach the SM to the frustum unless you remove the SM engine bell. So the whole thing doesn’t _quite_ go together accurately and completely. To show off the whole thing, you’d end up with a decapitated 3rd stage and the SM-with-bell plus CM plus LES alongside. OR the SM base snapped to the LM shroud cap, with the SM bell off to the side. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/116 "2023-04-20T19:40:04Z")
The engine bell sits inside the fairing. It’s a very good model given the inherent limitations of LEGO. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/117 "2023-04-20T19:44:26Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Given that the Lego model has a flat top to the LM shroud frustum, I bet that was the origin of @DCnDC’s sorta-remembered problem. The shroud on the model has a small hole in the centre and the engine bell is fixed to the SM on an axle piece with a gap to the SM to allow the shroud to fit around the axle between the SM and engine bell. It’s a bit low res but you can see the gap and the axle piece on the rear box art linked a couple of posts up along with how the shroud opens up. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2023, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/118 "2023-04-20T19:57:42Z")
Somehow I totally missed your post above showing the box. Pretty darn amazing kit overall. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/119 "2023-04-22T18:49:10Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > It just seems to be an inherently wasteful product. I’m sure Lego aren’t very high up on the list of plastic polluters, but it seems like they get a free pass for some reason. It’s because the actual product is plastic, not the container. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716/120 "2023-04-22T18:51:39Z")
I recently saw Legos with a Minecraft theme. It makes perfect sense, given that Minecraft is basically computerized Legos. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lego-are-pretty-bad-right/981716.md?page=7)