Weekly Set Review: Viking Voyager

[architect]

Join the weekly Classic Castle set review discussion. Please post your opinions on the set play ability, piece selection, design, etc. Which sets stand up to our catapult of critique and which ones crumble in shame!

This week’s set is 6049 Viking Voyager.

Viking Voyager, a longboat for the King's Men, was released in 1987. This set included the viking inspired boat, a captain, three rowers, a helmsman, treasure chest, and accessories.

[Dragon Master]

Again, before my birth But close to it!

It looks like a pretty nice darn little set. I don't know how much it cost. But the parts, fig ratio is nice. Which fig is the captain?

I think it would be better if the rowers had the regular helms, then the archer helms.

Nice Set,

DM

[Stephen]

Viking Voyager was my very first set so I'll always think it's a great set. It came with 5 knights! And even though they weren't well armed, it was still a a good way to begin.

I seem to remember that the head and tail kept falling off the dragon boat, and I had a hard time figuring out what else I could use the 4 red boat bottom parts for, but that just inspired me to find better ways to build.

Stephen

[architect]

It looks like a pretty nice darn little set. I don't know how much it cost.

http://www.classic-castle.com/sets/oop1987.html

But the parts, fig ratio is nice. Which fig is the captain?

I think it is the guy with the black helmet.

Viking Voyager was one of my favorite childhood sets. I always liked the boat, treasure chest (my first one I believe) and the figures.

Ben

[JoshWedin]

Always liked this set. I had actually had it together until recently. It was quite well designed and it came with a lot of figs! I noticed one thing though. In the review picture, the head is built wrong. The dragon's "eyes" look like they are too far forward. Could just be me. See this instruction link http://www.peeron.com/scans/6049-1/2

Josh

[architect]

In the review picture, the head is built wrong. The dragon's "eyes" look like they are too far forward. Could just be me.

It does look that way. Oops, I will have to talk to my photographer and get back to you. This did take a while to photo edit, so I will probably keep it this way. Thanks

Ben E.
Sets Admin

[LEGOFREAK]

I always wanted this set because of it's high ratio of crusaders, but for some reason I never got it. If I remember correctly (and thats pretty iffy ) it's because my mom was buying me mostly space sets...

Still - wouldnt that make a nice legends set? (rhetorical question. )

Freak

[wlister]

Ah Yes the Viking Voyager,

I remember it fondly, it was the source of many of my crossed axe soldiers. With five figs and a decent amount of weapons, it is a shining example of the 1980's line. The boat could of been better, but honestly this set was an army builder. 9/10

Will

[Devari]

Bears a striking resemblence to 6057, but a good set none the less. The main thing this set has going for it is the high minifig count. Some design aspects I dislike, most notably the white wires. I also dislike the use of yellow. Otherwise I find it to be a rather solid design.

Overall, a solid set from a good era of castle.

[JoshWedin]

Bears a striking resemblence to 6057, but a good set none the less.

If it does resemble the Sea Serpent, Viking Voyager was made first. So, wouldn't 6057 resemble 6049? Also, I have some trouble seeing the resemblence. Could you give details?

Thanks,
Josh

[TwoTonic Knight]

The best part is the high minifig count. The worst part are the spears instead of oars. Admittedly, I have so many of the pirates accessories packs that I could equip a flotilla of Viking Voyagers, but still it is a weakness in the model itself. And why the funky bendy tubes?

Overall it is a good little assault vessel - the kind of thing that you would do coastal raiding in. Some room for swag, but this doesn't do double-duty as a merchant or fisherman.

Overall, I prefer the 6057 Sea Serpent, but I was quite happy to find one of these for a reasonable price to add to my medieval collection.

[architect]

The worst part are the spears instead of oars.

Hehe, oars had not been invented yet in 1987. Usually if a logical piece was not used in a set, it had not been made at that time. I actually like the spears in the set, and if your guys arent rowing, they are armed to the teeth

6057 is nice but it is unfair to compare it to Viking Voyager, they are in different scales and made five years apart from each other (a long time in Lego years )

Ben

[Ye Olde Republic]

I don't remember this one from way back. Looking at it now....*drool* army builder anyone?? I'd clean out the shelves at TRU if I saw it tomorrow.

[Jojo]

Hello!


This is a classic set. I remember buying that from my pocket money. It helped to enhance my Lion Knights army very well. I also liked the ship itself. Though nowadays it looks quite narrow.

Like others I'm not too fond of these white hoses. Besides I don't like the parts (not exactly castle-ish to me) the rubber material tends to yellow. :-(

In the review picture, the head is built wrong. The dragon's "eyes" look like they are too far forward. Could just be me.

It does look that way. Oops, I will have to talk to my photographer and get back to you.

You are right! How embarrassing!
OK, no dedusting anymore! That will prevent such rebuilding errors :-)


Bye
Jojo

[TwoTonic Knight]

Hehe, oars had not been invented yet in 1987. Usually if a logical piece was not used in a set, it had not been made at that time. I actually like the spears in the set, and if your guys arent rowing, they are armed to the teeth

Pirates didn't make their appearance for a couple of years, but the point is not whether they were available or not, but rather if the overall model is lessened by the choice that Lego made. It's not a detraction to me now since I have more oars than I know what to do with.

6057 is nice but it is unfair to compare it to Viking Voyager, they are in different scales and made five years apart from each other (a long time in Lego years )

I think making a comparison is fair - it doesn't matter when they were made. Both are good, but I think the Serpent is a more robust model with better play value despite a higher price. The real value of the Voyager is in it's high minifig to parts count. However, if I was chosing one to return as a Legend, it would be the Sea Serpent. But the Voyager has it's place. I only have 1 (as opposed to 3 Sea Serpents) but I'll be getting some more for amphibious invasions (or simply making my own - it isn't that tough to make if you are willing to forego the rarer bendy tubes).