I’m in the mood to write a review today. Originally I was going to pick one of my Bionicle sets and review that, but then I thought… Wouldn’t that be kinda boring? Wouldn’t it be more interesting if I reviewed something far less popular, something many people on the boards probably don’t know much about? So I did. That’s right, today we’re looking at…
Jack Stone! More specifically set number 4609, the Fire Attack Team. This set has 94 pieces and was released in 2001, in the first wave of Jack Stone sets.
Box and instructions
The box is fairly large but thin, and does a nice job showing the set on the front. Box design is rather simple, and I’m a fan of the dark blue and orange styling.
The back of the box shows a kid in the target age range playing with the set, as is standard for larger Jack Stone set boxes. I can’t help but wonder… Whoever this now grown man is and wherever he may be today, does he remember the time he got a photo taken with a silly Lego set?
We also get an info text on the Jack Stone line and two suggestions for alternate builds, which I’ll get back to later.
These are the building instructions and a nice small poster.
The instructions are nothing special, can you even really call them instructions? It’s just one image showing the partly assembled model, I think this is an interesting contrast to the overly simplified and detailed instructions of today’s 4+ sets.
The other pages get taken up by a comic and advertisement for the other first wave Jack Stone sets.
The back of the poster acts as a mini catalog.
Parts and building
These are all the parts. Divided by the row of wheels, I’ve grouped them in two categories: “regular” parts on the right, more unconventional parts on the left.
This is, by far, the most unusual part the set has to offer. It has no conventional connection points and doesn’t look like Lego at all.
It slides into the grooves of the long black pillars, creating a full-size window wall. There’s also a version with a door, which came in 2003 sets (car garage, fire station).
Add the second floor…
…some more details and you’re done! This is an Octan building with a fueling station in front.
To build the truck, you start by attaching the wheels, bumper and side pieces to the chassis. The yellow 2x2 acts as a spacer.
The cockpit and storage compartment get added…
…and with the final details, you’re already done! I love the chrome exhaust pipes.
You get two warning cones that can be stored in the compartment.
The trailer is also a simple progress. You start with the wheels and the spoiler…
…add the ladder and articulated crane…
…and build the water tank, which is a seperate part that can be lifted with the crane. The clear blue storage compartment piece is beautiful!
Hitch the trailer and you’re done!
You also get three flames. Use these to lay fire wherever you want, then extinguish it with the fire truck.
Please note that all three flames are supposed to be in the classic trans-neon orange, but I could only find one!
Minifigures
This set has three: Jack Stone, an unnamed firefighter and the fire chief, Ron Flame (that’s his canon name).
As you all should know, the Jack Stone figs are a little taller than standard minifigures and can’t be taken apart. They are beautifully detailed all around and feature printing on their legs and backs, something that wasn’t very common in 2001.
Minus the fixed wrists, articulation is the same as regular figures.
The set includes these minifig accessories. The hose is permanently attached to the reel and came pre-assembled in the original set.
That’s all for the parts and build. To show off the set’s features I thought it would be fun to play a little story.
Review story
It was a beautiful day in Safeville. Police officer Bud Bricks was fueling up his police cruiser (sold seperately) at the gas station, when suddenly…
The building behind him burst into flames!
Quickly, he calls the fire department and rushes away.
Luckily, the team arrived in no time.
They set up to extinguish the flames. But then there was trouble…
“The ladder is too short! I can’t reach the flames!”
“On no! What are we gonna do?”
…
“We need Jack Stone! Can do, will do…”
Hearing his call, Jack Stone arrives at the scene.
“When there’s a problem, there’s a solution. Let’s reconfigure the truck to make the ladder taller.”
Can do…
Will do…
Done!
And with that, Jack Stone saves the day once more.
Alternate builds
Earlier I mentioned how the box shows two alternate builds. Let’s take a quick look at them.
Number one is nothing to write home about. It’s just barebones reconfigurations of the truck and building, but I find it interesting that the turntables can slide up and down on the grooves of the pillars - something I wouldn’t know hadn’t I built this model.
The second one is better, here you get a little fire station with truck.
Generally speaking though, these alt builds are nothing special and you’re better off with the main model, or using your imagination for own designs. Still, it’s nice of Lego to provide inspiration for other builds, something I wish they still did today.
And now, it’s already time for…
Final verdict
How do I rate this set? That’s a though question, honestly.
What I enjoy is the styling of the vehicle, something that I like about Jack Stone in general. It looks very futuristic and sleek.
The set overall provides a ton of play value. For a younger kid that actually plays with their sets and enjoys trucks and firefighting, I bet they’ll have a blast with this!
On the other hand, this set and any other Jack Stone sets are the epitome of juniorization, something that was plaguing Lego in the late 90s and early 2000s. It means that it has many large, overspecialized, one-use pieces that aren’t very useful outside of what they’re intended to be. The trailer base in this set is a prime example.
The figures are another negative. While I personally like them dearly, they can’t be disassembled and are taller than regular minifigs - thus they can’t fit in many models designed for regular figs.
But still, overall I’d say:
This is a decent set.
Keep in mind that this is intended for kids in the 4-7 age range. And for them, it provides a very nice play set! It’s easy and fun to build for the target audience and has a ton of play value.
Now, what do you think? Do you like Jack Stone, do you have some of the sets? Share your thoughts below!
Would you also like to see more Jack Stone / niche Lego theme reviews, or should I go back to Bionicle?
Thanks for reading!
