Alpha Centauri Mk. V (more Lego indulgences - see previous post)

Alpha Centauri, Mark V...LCC (Lego Construction Commission) date 1982...various upgrades/retrofits 1983, 1984, 1987, 1992...mothballed 1995...recommissioned as museum piece 2000. Currently on display in a private residence in Vancouver, Washington.

As the name indicates, this was the fifth version of a spacecraft I designed and built myself. The original Alpha Centauri (Mark I) was probably constructed sometime around 1979. I would build one, then decide to change things around, so it would get dismantled. By 1982, I was up to the fifth design, complete with retractable landing gear (well, only the nose gear - I only had so many jointed pieces) and rotating gun turrets. My best friend at the time, Stan, told me, "hey, that's really cool. Don't ever take that apart."

And 22 years later, I still haven't.