1478 - Unnamed

Rating:
Pros: The model's simplicity; good use of normal bricks. I am really fond of the M:Tron sub-theme.
Cons: Doesn't seem very complete; could use a computer box and/or the M:Tron logo somewhere
Contents: 26 pieces including 1 mini-fig
Price: Discontinued
Reviewed: 29-Jun-1998
Reviewed by: G. M.

Volcanoes had never been active on the planet Cetan Alpha since M:Tron colonies had called the planet home. Now, a mile high volcano was rapidly spewing ash and good sized boulders down into the bustling M:Tron cities. There was only one other thing wrong with this picture besides the sudden eruption of a volcano: there never were any volcanoes on the planet.
Cadet Louis McKaine was assigned to scout the volcano and measure its surroundings. His vehicle? A higly capable 1478 Red Dragon monitor.
The trek to the mountain was relatively easy, so without hesitation Louis started measuring sulfur density and taking samples right away. However, one thing distracted him from his work. A faint red light was pulsating on and off in an irregular pattern. Lou went over to investigate. When he arrived at the scene he was shocked to see a small black disc that flared red when a piece of ash or other debris touched it.
Astonished, Louis reached out to touch it. When his hand hit it, a small imprint that he had failed to see when he got there showed up. It was a picture of an alien head with some text that he could not read. It was a U.F.O. heat monitor...

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I was equally thrilled when I received this small M:Tron set alongside the Blacktron II 1479. However, at the time when I received it in 1990 I thought the 1479 was better just because it was a flying craft. Now I hate the 1479 and like this small ground vehicle fairly well.
The 1479 is a small unnamed surface vehicle with nifty balloon tires. Also included is a radar array and an M:Tron astronaut complete with a portable radio.
The vehicle uses two plates that snap together and can swing back and forth as the chassis. I really like the plates because they allow the vehicle to be much more maneuverable. In the front of the vehicle is a red 2x2x1 sloping brick with an M:Tron/Blacktron II 1x2 computer tile. In the back is a 2x1x1 red brick with a 1x6 plate on top. Two 1x2 plates with handles rest on this plate. Attached to each handle is a 1x1 plate with a horizontal clip. One clip holds a trans yellow green antenna and the other has a 1x3 plate with two 2x2 trans yellow green radar dishes.
That's all there is to the vehicle. A pretty simple design but it looks nice. Only one thing is lacking though: the set seems like it needs an M:Tron 2x2x2 computer box with the 1x1 round plates in it. There is a 2x2 area of open space in the back of the vehicle that would be perfect to hold the box. Oh well.
The set came in a value pack so there were no alternate models shown. You could probably make some fairly good ones because of the regular bricks included. If you see this set in an auction, go ahead and get it. It is a nice M:Tron vehicle and a pretty good all-around model.