This is the smallest of the new Mickey and Friends sets, and easily my favorite. The shaping of the propeller plane is skillfully captured, and I just want to swoosh it around my house. It's simple and fun. Plus, Aviator Mickey is excellent.
Mickey Mouse has a new head and torso print for this minifig. The head features printed aviator goggles. The reddish brown torso is printed with pockets, zipper, fur collar and red scarf details. The collar and scarf details are continued on the back of the torso with the scarf ends hanging down. There is even printing for Mickey's aviator pin featuring the Mickey Mouse logo and aviator wings on the left breast of the jacket print. Mickey's legs are in plain dark tan and that works well. A new print isn't needed for his pants.
The prints are well done and convey that classic look of a 1930's pilot. The torso and legs can easily be used for a human pilot by swapping in a regular minifig head, but you'll want to get an aviator cap as well to complete the look. Personally, I like this look for Mickey.
Before we get into building the propeller plane, there are two small side builds. One is a simple runway flag. The other is a service station where Mickey can fuel and repair his plane. Based on the color, it seems that Octan also services the world of Mickey Mouse. The service station uses the new Mickey Mouse Head brick that we reviewed separately in our piece spotlight. This 2 x 2 x 2/3 round brick with two 1 x 1 round tiles is exclusive to the Mickey and Friends theme and is used in all five sets.
The spanner wrench/screwdriver is surprisingly rare in dark bluish grey. It was actually a new color in 2020 and has appeared in two other sets and the Space Fan Collectible Minifigure (CMF) from series 20.
The propeller plane is built around a dark red 4 x 10 x 1 2/3 vehicle base. This base has four side pin holes and was previously used in 2020 for Kai's Fire Dragon (set 71701). I had some reservations about how it would look with the pin holes, but it doesn't bother me.
The vertical stabilizer is created with a 3 x 1 x 2 curved red slope. This piece has only been used in seven other sets since 2008, including set 10776 Mickey & Friends Fire Station & Truck. It works much better here as a tail fin than it did for the fire truck shaping.
The horizontal stabilizer uses two 2 x 3 modified plates with a hole. These aren't new pieces but they provide excellent shaping, and the hole doesn't bother me.
The wings are created with two bright light orange 4 x 9 wedge plates. These have been around since 2014 but have only been used in two other sets. On top of the wings, we have two new dark azure 2 x 2 printed round tiles. The print features a red Mickey Mouse logo with white aviator wings which matches the "pin" on Mickey's aviator jacket.
The 2 x 2 round tile with jumper stud will connect the nose piece. It was new in yellow last year with set 41436 Olivia's Jungle Play Cube and is also included in two other sets this year.
For the nose of Mickey's plane we use a new 4 x 4 Sphere with Knobs. This is a new mold first released in Friends Vet Clinic Rescue Helicopter, then with the Vidiyo BeatBoxes. It appears in red in two BeatBoxes and one Monkey Kid set.
All that's left to do is to add some landing gear, and we are ready for take off.
For a simple 4+ build I think this propeller plane has great shaping. The primary color palette is eye-catching and cheerful. Its compact size will fit well in a child's hand. It is very swooshable and the wheel assembly makes landing fun.
Our only extra part is a black 1 x 1 tap with hole in nozzle end. You can see a photo of all the parts here.
Like all the Mickey and Friends sets, the instructions include a progress bar along the bottom. Aviator Mickey has been guiding us through the build.
The set comes in a small box that follows the same layout as the other Mickey and Friends sets. The propeller plane is shown taking off with the two side builds on either side of the runway. The faded background illustration shows another plane coming in for landing and an airport terminal in the distance. The LEGO and Disney logos are on the top left corner with the 4+ logo on the lower left corner. In the bottom right are the Mickey and Friends logo with a classic illustration of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
The background illustration continues around to the left and top sides. Pluto is shown on the left side, and aviator Mickey Mouse is used for the actual size image on the box top.
The back of the box shows the propeller plane, Mickey Mouse, the side builds, and the accessories. It is very clear what will be built. Below this is a "Learn to Build" circle with the body, wings, and landing gear. There is an "action" shot showing Mickey doing repairs to his plane. In the lower right corner is an illustration of Mickey Mouse and Pluto.
Inside the box, the wings and main body piece are loose while the rest of the parts are divided into two unnumbered bags. The instruction booklet is also loose.
Summary:
Overall, I think it's a very fun set. The side builds don't do a lot for me, but they're okay. The propeller plane is the real star, and it shows how good a 4+ set can be. If I had one, teeney-tiny complaint, it would be the lack of a console or controls. The 1 x 2 printed console from set 10774 Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse's Space Rocket could easily sit on the wings in front of Mickey and would look great.
Just for fun, I tried it out. Plus, I used the two taps included (the one from the service station and the extra) to create controls. It's a super simple modification. Please note, the console piece is NOT included in this set.
I highly recommend this set just because it's fun. Kids will love it. Fans of Mickey Mouse will love it. And adults who just want a fun, simple build to relax for a couple of minutes will have fun.
Now excuse me while I go swoosh Mickey and his propeller plane around my house. Nnneeaoowww!
Happy Building!
-prrbrix
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Disclaimer:
This set was provided by The LEGO Group for the purpose of sharing set details with fans.
Opinions provided here solely reflect those of our reviewer.
Photographs are property of Friends Bricks and are not directed by TLG in any fashion.
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