LEGO Unboxing – Micro Rocket Launchpad 40712

Our latest free gift from LEGO is the Micro Rocket Launchpad 40712, a collection of micro-scale retro LEGO space models, all inspired by LEGO Space sets of the past, including Alpha Rocket Base 483, Mobile Rocket Transport 6950 and Space Patrol 6803.

The selection provides four miniature builds, incorporating a rocket launchpad, a rocket transport vehicle, a rocket base building, and a space patrol ship. At 325 pieces, this is a larger and more varied release than the last few GWPs we have received, with plenty of small, detailed parts and fiddly elements.

We spent roughly an hour and a half building the models – check out how we got on and our final rating below!

Micro Rocket Launchpad 40712 – The Build

LEGO have doubled up on the booklets with this latest space-themed gift-with-purchase, with two separate colour instructions included. The bricks are also split into four bags.

We’re suckers for anything cute – and this tiny microscale classic space minifigure is about as delightful as it gets in the brick-built world. The space patrol ship is by far the easiest of the four miniatures to construct, with each consecutive build increasing in intricacy.

Our second structure supplied us with the iconic rocket and launch tower. We love the details on the rocket, and the yellow and blue-styled tower is a smart nod to retro space sets. That said, the rocket connects to the base using only a single stud, meaning it can easily be knocked off – this is an unfortunate design flaw.

Up next – the rocket base. This bag of bricks revealed another welcome astronaut to keep our other friend company, this time in a white spacesuit. The command building makes use of plenty of sticker decals to provide the details of the command modules and computer screens needed to monitor launch. The yellow windows are also a staple of the classic space sets, adding a fun, vintage aesthetic.

Last but not least, we tackled the epic 8-wheeler rocket transport vehicle, which took the longest to build out of all the mini sets.

The wheels utilise basic technic elements so they can lift to allow smooth movement over rocky surfaces, which we found to be a satisfying touch, considering this is not a full-scale model. The box states the release is suitable for those over the age of 9, and out of all the models, this one felt the most playable for younger builders and KFOLs.

Final Thoughts

As we mentioned above, the age rating on the box indicates that this add-on set should be suitable for kids around the age of 9. Despite this, the models all feature external elements that easily fall off, most notably in the form of the rocket ship and launch tower, which could have easily been better secured with additional studs. If you are planning to display the micro builds, there’s no issue, but don’t expect to play with them.

Putting aside the negatives, this GWP release is still a space-worthy collection of detailed micro builds that will easily appeal to any nostalgic AFOLs who remember owning any of the original models back in the day. Just ask our director, who immediately recognised most of them when they walked past our resident LEGO builder hard at work. All the builds look especially smart when showcased together, with matching blue and yellow, and the two tiny astronauts provide a wholesome touch and make the GWP worth obtaining on its own.

Micro Rocket Launchpad 40712 is only available as an add-on purchase until 25^th February 2024, while stocks last.

Our Rating: 8.2/10