Aquazone
From Brickipedia, the LEGO Wiki.
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Aquazone was an underwater theme first introduced by the LEGO Company in 1995. The setting of all the Aquazone lines was the ocean, and usually involved two sides combating each other for certain valuables (such as crystals and other treasures). As the series progressed through the years, new factions were introduced and the older ones were phased out of production. There are five subthemes of Aquazone. Its last new releases were in 1998.
Aquazone was the second entirely new LEGO System theme (after Pirates) that was introduced after the initial three classic major themes Town, Castle and Space from 1978.
Because of the obvious sci-fi look the Aquazone vessels gained the nickname 'space ships with propellers'.
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[edit] History and Factions
[edit] Aquanauts (1995-1996)
- See Main Article: Aquanauts
In the original Aquazone line, the heroic Aquanaut miners fought against the villainous Aquasharks and their leader Thrasher for control of the crystal mines. The Aquanauts were a group of miners based at the Neptune Discovery Lab, who utillised submarines and submersibles of all shapes and sizes to look for Hydrolator crystals, presumably to make oxygen, or to sell.
The yellow base color of the subs and the bowl-shaped cockpit pieces gave the Aquanauts a rather realistic appearance that was close to actual mini submarines. However, the second wave in 1996 brought a vessel that featured wheels.
[edit] Aquasharks (1995-1996, 1998)
- See Main Article: Aquasharks
The Aquasharks were villainous underwater miners who competed with the Aquanauts for control of crystals and crystal mines. The Aquashark subs sported a color scheme that was similar to Space Police I and their streamlined design with eyes and shark teeth on the cockpit windows gave them an aggressive appearance.
In 1998 the set 6100 Aquashark Dart was released. The color scheme was unlike any previous Aquashark set. Only the minifig's torso was a distinct Aquashark piece.
[edit] Aquaraiders (1997)
- See Main Article: Aquaraiders
In 1997 the Aquanauts and Aquasharks subthemes were discontinued and the Aquaraiders were introduced. Rather than fight underwater foes, the Aquaraiders were content with simply traveling the oceans and drilling for crystals. The Aquaraiders were the only Aquazone faction that had no antagonists. Their fleet consisted of three vessels in black with green accents and trans-neon green window pieces. The front windows sported stickers with angry eyes on them. The ships had accessories that looked like drills and grinders and had quite an exotic look for submarines. (Note that actual drills were not introduced until the release of Rock Raiders in 1999). One "ship" even featured an excavator bucket. Another one had wheels. The focus changed from simply collecting crystals to underwater mining.
A new theme called "Aqua Raiders" was introduced in 2007. This, was however not a part of Aquazone.
[edit] Hydronauts (1998)
- See Main Article: Hydronauts
The final year in the Aquazone line involved a battle between the Hydronaut miners and the fish-like Stingrays. One of the main differences was that the Hydronauts would actually capture the Stingrays and lock them up in the Hydro Crystallisation Station. The protangonists included Hank Hydro,Hip Waders, and Crystal Miner.
The color scheme was similar the one of the Aquanaut line, the only difference being the transparent pieces which were now exclusively transparent green instead of blue and trans-neon orange. But the designs looked even more exotic than in 1997. Just as the Aquanauts and Aquaraiders, the Hydronauts had also a wheeled underwater vehicle but unlike their predecessors from 1997, they didn't make any use of drilling equipment.
The minifigs had unique masks printed onto their faces which gave them a very alien look.
The Hydronauts used suction cups to move their storage boxes in contrast to the commonly utilised magnets.
[edit] Stingrays (1998)
- See Main Article: Stingrays
The Stingrays were fish-like mutants who used underwater vessels that resembled sea creatures like rays or crabs. The villains included Commander Manta Ray and Raven Ray, who despite his great intelligence, often found himself in a Hydronaut holding cell.
[edit] New Pieces
With the start of the Aquazone line some new pieces that later became ubiquitous were introduced. However there were also some pieces that were never seen again outside of this theme.
- Crystals
- Silver knife and short harpoon
- Minifig flippers
- Propellers
- Hydronaut helmet: These parts first appeared in the Hydronauts sets and reappeared only in the 1999 Town-Spaceport theme.
- Octopus
[edit] Exclusive pieces
- Aquazone underwater visors: These pieces were only used in Aquazone sets. Other underwater themes used diving masks with snorkels.
- Aquanaut helmet: This element was never used outside the Aquanaut subtheme.
- Aquashark helmet: This element was only used in the Aquashark and Aquaraiders subthemes.
- Stingray helmet and minifig head: These parts were never used outside the Stingray subtheme.
- Suction guns: These parts were never used outside the Hydronaut subtheme.
[edit] Sets
[edit] Other underwater themes
- Divers (Town subtheme; 1997 - 1998)
- Alpha Team: Mission Deep Sea (2002)
- Aqua Raiders (2007 - 2008)
- Atlantis (2010)
