6248 - Volcano Island

Rating:
Pros: Set comes with two spring-loaded units and more than a few white bricks for the skull
Cons: None noted
Contents: 119 pieces including 2 mini-figs
Price: $11.99 - Discontinued
Reviewed: 19-Jul-1996
Reviewed by: Joseph Gonzalez

The bones of the infamous pirate Carlos Bunamon of Spain can be found on the tiny island of Skull Volcano. The only problem is that Carlos doesn't know he's dead and his diehard spirit continues to animate those old bones as though he were still alive. Call him a ghost if you will, but Carlos lives for revenge. It has been fifteen long years since his second mate, Don Diego Buscamuerte, took his mortal life and abandoned the island only seconds after their pact to remain silent about the treasure buried here. The choice for Captain Bunamon to remain silent was taken all too quickly from him. And now, on this cool October morning, the empty sockets where eyes once were peer out over the horizon and recognize the familiar sail and standard of the Rotting Hog, Carlos' very own ship. It would appear providence has smiled on him today, as the recognized face of one-time friend Don Diego can be seen in the small rowboat that now inches its way toward the island. It may be visions of luxury and ease from now on for a select few of the Rotting Hog, but for Don Diego, vengeance is waiting on the shore.

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I had heard some negative remarks about this set, so before I picked it up I was already a little bit skeptical. But I saw it at the store, noticed it was only a little more than ten bucks (and had one of those new Spanish conquistador helmets) and I was curious about the weird diagram I've seen accompany pictures of this set where it looks like the skeleton is jumping up in the air with gigantic pieces of confetti. (It's a dead man's party?) So I picked it up (oh, the strange little things that influence us!).
You know what? I like this set! It's only made up of a little volcano and a four-barrel raft (I'm a sucker for little knick-knacks like barrels or chests), but I think it is worth the money. One of the things I never noticed until I bought the set is that the sliding door skull (which I like on the 6279 - Skull Island set, though I've yet to pick it up) is just a little bit smaller than that larger set's door, but this one is in white. I like that! This feature gives you more than a few white bricks (including slanted ones) and you don't get too many of these in pirate sets.
The volcano is a basic design but its coolness is in its "ejection feature". Inside and just below the top of the mound are two black 2x4 2-high spring-loaded units. (I've noticed these pieces surfacing in sets over the past year like the 1728 - Crystal Crawler, 4559 - Cargo Railway, and they're probably more common in town sets). These units face each other and their 1x2 shelves are joined by a 2x2 flat tile. This tile is pushed down and sustained by one 1x3 rod which, when removed, allows the tile surface to spring up and out comes "them bones".
Incidentally, I'm assuming that the red transparent 1x1 round pieces that fly out with the skeleton are supposed to be bits of lava. (Leave your umbrella at home unless it's made of industrial steel!) No new figs or pieces here (but I do love those new Spanish explorer helmets).
I give the set three stars because it isn't very expensive yet worth the venture. If you've been thinking about getting it, pick it up! If it hasn't impressed you but you're a pirate collector, give it another look!