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The story goes that the first two humans to visit the moon were Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. The figures in set are just a couple of generic LEGO minifigures in space suits, so it’s up to you if you want to identify them with the real astronauts. Four landing legs support the spacecraft upon landing. These appear fragile but are connected to the central structure extremely securely, using ball joints and Technic components. Unfortunately, this has eliminated the ability to fold each leg but I think that was a worthy compromise for strength. In addition, sensor probes should extend below the landing pads, although their omission is sensible as the model is intended to be displayed on its base.
Two minifigures and some open studs on the lunar surface let you play out various scenarios of the event. But it doesn’t matter how historically accurate your display is, the scene always looks as exciting as possible. New-for-June-2019 decorated elements include an Apollo 11 Lunar lander nameplate and golden elements. And I for one see this as simply cheaping out. Like mentioned above, other manufacturers manage to provide high quality prints and affordable sets at the same time, so why shouldn't TLG be able to do so? The answer is, as long as there are people believing those BS arguments TLG can get away with it. Neil Armstrong activated a television camera while descending the ladder and that important feature is replicated here. Opening a hatch beside the ladder reveals the camera which appears fairly simple but is instantly recognisable. I appreciate the printed tape reels and the white colour scheme distinguishes this television camera from its surroundings, although silver would have been more realistic.Oh yes and prints are hideously expensive too. Hence why sets by companies like Cobi or MegaConstrux, which use prints almost exclusively, are so much more expensive than LEGO...
Once the moon is conquered, both astronauts can return to the module. By removing the front of the stage you have another scenario for displaying the model.Although the real ascend stage was designed to leave the landing stage only once, the clips in the center of the spacecraft let you easily remove and place the top part again and again. This solution works just perfectly. There is one simple way to describe this wonderful experience: LEGO Creator Expert 10266 NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander is a set no-one knew we needed. You don’t need to be a fan of space to fall in love with the set. But if you are a fan and you already got LEGO Ideas 21309 NASA Apollo Saturn V, please don’t make a huge mistake of leaving the new brilliant addition to the Apollo 11 mission out of your collection.
Another quadrant of the lander hides a camera that filmed Armstrong as he climbed down the ladder and made the first step in the surface. The camera is built with just three pieces, but its nice to see a 1×2 printed tile with a tape pattern which has been around since 1990. The sides of this section are lavishly clad in drum-lacquered gold tiles before the landing gear, made using predominantly Technic, is attached. There's some clever geometry involved, which we understand was Mike Psiaki's handiwork.
Bag 1
In the fourth bag, we build the Ascent Stage, which is comprised of three modules which you can disassemble to see inside. This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review is an expression of my own opinions. In all honesty, the argument that prints (or baseplates) would make sets more expensive is plain BS. It just means that TLG would have less of a crazy profit margin. That's all. However, my favourite details are the minifigure footsteps which are visible along the forward edge of the model. These are absolutely superb, revealing a light bluish grey surface beneath the surrounding dark bluish grey elements. An attachment point for the American flag is also included so you can plant the flag easily, although its position beside the spacecraft is not entirely authentic.
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