1793 - Space Station Zenon

Rating:
Pros: A REALLY good standalone set with lots of firepower
Cons: The design of the aircraft is kind of weak, but this is really minor
Contents: 340 pieces including 3 mini-figs
Price: Discontinued
Reviewed: 17-Mar-1997
Reviewed by: Joseph Gonzalez

Uninhabited and seemingly unattractive, the planet Ulgress II has become the perfect place for a new research and development outpost for Unitron forces. Alienated by a society that now seems only interested in profit and selling to the highest bidder, a small faction of scientists and hardened fighters have splintered themselves from the homeworld to begin anew. Power plants like the Space Station Zenon have been established at regular intervals around planned perimeters to provide adequate protection from any that would interfere while the sub-surface tunnels for advancement labs are being excavated. Within a few months, the monorail system will connect all stations as one master facility, and a new era of technology will begin!

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My previous opinion of the Unitron sub-theme was to say the least not much. But recent acquisition of the Space Station Zenon has substantially raised my opinion and has also encouraged me in the area of space bases. This is a great set! Where most bases appear to be a stop-off for space going travelers with little if any defense, this station is loaded!
To start things off, the central base is a crescent-shaped 12x12 area with a standing quarter dome in transparent blue. A feature that is definitely not obvious in catalog pictures or even by looking at the box is that this entire base unit rotates full circle to show either the outer shell or to openly view the interior (which doesn't hold much in the way of computer panels or anything). On either side of the main base are one-piece rock formations on hinged plates. In the upright position, these rock formations keep the swiveling base in its desired position (keeping it from spinning around like a merry-go-round in fourth gear). When both formations are lowered in a prone position, they allow the base to rotate freely. In this lowered position, each rock assembly also reveals what appears to be a good size swiveling laser. These lasers also look like they could be used as remote-control missiles of some sort.
Diagonally from the base and laser silos is a larger double-dish laser that looks like it could do some serious damage to any trespassing cruisers. This large laser is manned by a single individual in a canopy-covered control chair. Along with these four ground assemblies, there is one more construction that looks like a large antenna and tips open to show a concealed control box.
Besides the base, there are two vehicles that can protect and patrol the area: one for surface and one for air. Both are well armed with antenna lasers and fit in well with the scheme of the station although the original design of the aircraft begs for improvement.
The set contains three Unitron minifigs and no hand held weapons, but with the awesome firepower of the station itself, I highly doubt any ground troops are going to even be able to come within shouting distance.
There are no particularly new pieces here, but some elements I liked getting were seven trans-green antennas, two black and two blue horizontally mounted jets/rockets, and two blue 2x4 horizontal hinges. There are also lots of black, blue and grey sloped bricks as is the custom with Unitron models.
I was not initially impressed with this set but when I picked one up for a friend I took a look at some of the cool alternate models on the back and ended up picking up one for myself. Now I'm very impressed and eagerly looking for another one to see what kind of station I can make by combining total bricks from two sets.