For this sixth Lego set, I forayed into the Ultra Agents theme as a one off addition to my growing Lego collection.

Key Statistics

Official Page: Lego Store
Brick Instructions: Link
Pieces: 589, 166 unique parts & 21 rare
Mini Figures: 4
Age group: 9 – 14
Date assembled: 10 February 2015
Assembly duration: 1 hour
Main steps: 43
Total steps (includes repetitions & sub-components): 478

Selection & Theme

For a change, the selection of this set stands alone as the first and (to date) only set from the Ultra Agents theme/series. Partly, I proceeded with the selection because of a similarity in look and feel to my other sets within the Lego Movie theme. The size of the set, at 589 parts, also met my criteria in terms of a complex set and the effort I envisaged that it would require to assemble. This set was originally released in May 2014 as part of the first wave of sets in the Ultra Agents theme.

The background story, according to Brickipedia is:

It was an average day at the Bank of Astor City, located in West Village. Then suddenly, without warning, a tornado ripped the roof off and sucked in people and money alike. This was no ordinary tornado. It was created by Psyclone. An Astor City Guard tried to arrest him, but he too was sucked in. Ultra Agents Jack Fury and Caila Phoenix arrived using jetpack and hoverbike respectively, and found Psyclone in his flyer They managed to take it down, but the battle wasn’t over yet. The flyer turned into a threatening mech. They eventually destroyed the mech, returned all the money and people, and restored peace to West Village.

Characters

Four mini characters are provided in this set. Agent Caila Phoenix, Agent Jack Fury, Astor City Guard and Psyclone. The two agents reflect the fire-related naming convention whilst Psyclone is clearly a pun on the natural disaster of a cyclone. The Astor City Guard is aptly named for the setting of the Ultra Agents storyline – Astor City…

Build

The first bag assembles Caila Phoenix, Psyclone, the motorcycle and the main carriage section of Psyclone’s aircraft. Psyclone is assembled first, complete with his twin fans and parachute backpack. His helmet/mask provides a nice elaborate design, somewhat reminiscent of the Kel Dor species from Star Wars. Camila Phoenix is a standard mini figure assembly in comparison to Psyclone and his more sophisticated weaponry. Three money bricks require no assembly.

The first five steps create a rectangular block that forms the core of the motorcycle. Starting from Step #6, through to Step #12, we slowly build out more of the vehicle. The two wheels with their green fluorescent design are constructed at Step #13, whilst the rear exhaust pipe is added at Step #14 and the final two mini shooter guns complete the assembly in Step #15. The mini shooters use a trigger which is simply pressed which pops out the round plate transparent parts.

The first three steps create the first layer that forms the bottom of the aircraft central section. The next two steps add the second layer of solid black bricks as well as the six blue connector pegs which will be used for joining the left and right leg modules to the main body. Steps #8 to #10 complete the rear section whilst he front control panel (sticker) is added in Step #11. Step #12 adds the middle green exterior whilst Step #13 through #15 adds the defining front panels. The first stage of the middle aircraft section is well-defined by Step #19 with the connectors positioned ready for the tail section. Step #20 details the repeated definition of the front laser guns whilst Step #21 adds the transparent cabin window/door.

Bag #2 commences the construction of the rear central structure of the aircraft. The first four steps define the lower level built symmetrically on the octagonal bottom. Steps #5 and #6 construct the core connectors that will join the rear wing modules to the main aircraft body. Steps #7 and #8 adds a central support to the underneath of the structure. Steps 39 through #12 add in the central conical wheel block with specific design for adding in the cogs and cross axles. These four steps are part of the system that aligns the rotation of wing blades via the central knob which doubles up by looking like a rear exhaust – added on in Step #13. Steps #14 and #15 then cover over the surface area. Steps #16 to #18 attach the longer axle rods with plastic covering. The final step for this module is to add-on the fin-shaped cover. With the rear module complete, it aligns to the back of the first module and Step #22 demonstrates how the two become one continuous aircraft structure.

Bag #3 is supported by instructions that are repeated for each of the two leg supports. The first seven steps define one half of the base, complete with the flex joint pieces which form the middle section. The flex joint provides the connection to the upper support. The other half of the base is assembled in another six steps, mirroring the first half. The support skeleton is defined in Step #9 via four secondary steps. Step #10 adds in the upper flex joint which will attach to the main module assembled from bag #1. Step #11 echo Step #9 to complete the main skeleton structure and in Step #12, each side of the leg support has a decorative component added to cover up the bare black angular beam which is arguably one of the signature parts from the Technic series. The final step for each leg is the attachment of the rim wide part, which has the visual appearance like a gun. Over these 13 steps, each leg is assembled and then added to the main aircraft, joined by the original six blue connector plugs. Over six steps, each gun mini module is defined, and added to the exterior of the leg supports.

In the final fourth bag of parts, we return to the assembly of mini figures, with Agent Jack Fury’s kit being assembled as two components attached to the backpack. Each “wing” of the aircraft is assembled as two identical modules. The first four steps highlight the same octagonal base, with the rear covered by two circular green bricks that form a semi-circle. In the fifth step, the front angled bow pieces form the definitive shape of each wing. Steps #8 and #9 parallel the previous conical wheel block assembly with axle added in Step #9. Steps #10 and #11 see the perpendicular axle and covering added, forming the basis for where the fan blades will eventually be inserted.

With this core structure of each wing formed, the main sequence resumes at Step #25 with each wing added to the main aircraft; each wing’s axles slotting together to fit snugly. The final fan blades are constructed in Step #26 whilst a capstone is added after to ensure  each blade-set is fastened securely to the main aircraft. The very last assembly instruction is Step #28 where the spring shooter arrows are inserted.

Statistical Analysis

With 450 additional steps including the repetitions, this is a substantial increase of 1000% on the 43 core steps. In part, because there is a high level of symmetry present in the design, and wings/legs/supports are repeatable modules, this high amount of repetition is reflective of the number of additional steps. This set is my first set featuring use of the Technic system of axles and cogs, and in part was one of the reasons behind the selection. This set paves the way for more Technic set acquisitions in the future…