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General => Report & Review => Topic started by: Martin Milner on February 03, 2011, 03:04:01

Title: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Martin Milner on February 03, 2011, 03:04:01
I haven't got a heft factor for this set as I can't balance it on my scales, but it costs $155

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/060.jpg)

For better or for worse the castle uses the clip system, so once assembled it is difficult to take apart again. It can be lifted and carried as one piece, but try packing it away in the box and you will be tearing your hair out.

The resident dragon (ahem, wyvern) is the middle sized red variety, and a great improvement on the chicken dragon of infamy.

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/068.jpg)

At the base of the castle is a dungeon with resident skeleton. The dungeon swings open for access, complete with the lower part of the staircase.

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/069.jpg)


(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/066.jpg)

On the left a winged guard is standing in a niche. At the mid-level platform we encounter the first door into the tower, and a flat area which seems inviting until...

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/067.jpg)

the trapdoor tips the unwary into the dungeon below. Playmobil love a trapdoor.

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/063.jpg)

Back on the ground level there is a cave containing a big flame, and to the left a drop-down stalactite that is normally hidden inside the lower floor of the taller tower. I'd personally rather have another room, as there's precious little living space inside, but Playmo like putting in gadgets so that's what we have.

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/070.jpg)

Here's the flamey-thing outside of the cave. It has five big blade thingies, and unusually for Playmo has an on-off button rather than a timer.

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/071.jpg)

A view inside the main gate. It's very dark in there with no windows, so I had to use flash.

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/072.jpg)

There are two towertops, with no stair or ladder access. They're also too small for the strange vertically traversing crossbow...

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/073.jpg)

nor does it fit on the next level without blocking the door...

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/074.jpg)

and on the lower level it blocks the trapdoor.

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/062.jpg)

The tower has four human denizens, the first two being a leader and an archer. The leader has bright red y-fronts to go with his red cloak, while the archer is more restrained with bright red boots.

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/061.jpg)

and the twin guards with possibly the coolest shield design ever. 

(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/075.jpg)

Eye of Sauron, anyone?


So there it is. The main gate is accessible only via an irregular scramble over rocks between the towers, the towertops are inaccessible from anywhere (unless you can fly), there are two small rooms behind doors, and a dungeon. It's not really a castle, more a couple of towers with an extension. Nonetheless I like this structure for its play value, and unusual design.
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Heronimus on February 03, 2011, 03:08:05
Thanks for this review and the very good pictures!!! The stone wall is still my major concern as it looks plasticish. But overall a very good set!!! I have swapped the ugly red crystal ball with the red/black ox horn and they now look perfect!!! And pardon me to ask, what is the huge structure standing in the right side of the background?? Is it some hill prepared for the dragon warrior?
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Heronimus on February 03, 2011, 03:09:36
One suggestion ;D
You can weigh yourself first, and hold the castle with your during you second weigh-in. And you will yield the weight deducting your weight. :-[
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Clong on February 03, 2011, 03:10:32
great review. love the knights  ;D
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on February 03, 2011, 03:13:03
One suggestion ;D
You can weigh yourself first, and hold the castle with your during your second weigh-in. And you will yield the weight deducting your weight. :-[

That's a great idea, just don't go to the bathroom in between weigh ins'! ;)
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: bonniebeth on February 03, 2011, 03:13:32
 :giggle:
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Martin Milner on February 03, 2011, 03:14:31
And pardon me to ask, what is the huge structure standing in the right side of the background?? Is it some hill prepared for the dragon warrior?

Cat Tree.

I use postal scales to measure in grammes for most sets, I could get a round measure using your method but only in pounds!
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Heronimus on February 03, 2011, 03:14:47
That's a great idea, just don't go to the bathroom in between weights! ;)
HAHAHA...brilliant!!
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Heronimus on February 03, 2011, 03:15:34
Cat Tree.

I use postal scales to measure in grammes for most sets, I could get a round measure using your method but only in pounds!
I see. A cat tree....I have never seen one in real-life!!!
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Martin Milner on February 03, 2011, 03:49:16
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/DSC01983.jpg)
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Ronastoo on February 03, 2011, 03:53:47
Looks like a dragon tree to me.    :love:
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on February 03, 2011, 03:55:06
Looks like a dragon tree to me.    :love:

Really! :lol:
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Heronimus on February 03, 2011, 03:59:28
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4835%20Great%20Dragon%20Castle/DSC01983.jpg)
HAHA.......are the cats happy with the dragons occupying their trees??
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Wolf Knight on February 03, 2011, 06:30:09
Great review Martin! Thanks for the pictures!
One correction though, if I may! The flame goes on top of the highest tower! Light it up and you'll thing you actually have an Eye of Sauron  ;)
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on February 03, 2011, 06:36:29
HAHA.......are the cats happy with the dragons occupying their trees??

Good question! :lol:
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: PrimusPilus on February 03, 2011, 12:36:28
Thanks for the review, Martin! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/luwerner/gif/thumbs-up.gif)

Though I would LOVE to have this castle, being analytic two things prevents me from buying it. First, of course, is price - you just can't imagine how expensive that thing is down here (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/luwerner/gif/hittinghead.gif). And second, is that it can't be dismantled. This is the first review that I've seen where this issue was addressed - thanx!

With that in mind, I personally would buy a "regular" castle instead. Not that it would be any cheaper, but at least I could put it out of the way. If you live in a small house space is always a premium, and is something you always have to take into consideration.
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Bolingbroke on February 03, 2011, 12:38:28
This castle could be used for a Masters of the universe - PM customisation project.
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: playmofire on February 03, 2011, 13:03:09
A good, analytical review, Martin.    As you say, Martin, lots of play value but not particularly practical in real life terms as a castle.  The impossibility of easily disassembling it will be a major drawback for many households, but one found out too late. 

As regards weighing, on our kitchen scales you can, for example, put a box on the scales before turning them on and they then zero when turned on and it is possible to balance another item on the box to weigh it.  Would that work, although you need a box which allows you to still see the readout, so it may be a block of wood with a box on top or maybe better  still a tray.

I'd like the flame part number, please, Martin if you would be so kind.
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Martin Milner on February 03, 2011, 16:15:05
I'd like the flame part number, please, Martin if you would be so kind.

30 65 8182 Lamp, large flame mounted on brick podium, electric light                       from Playmodb!
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Wolf Knight on February 03, 2011, 18:15:33
This castle could be used for a Masters of the universe - PM customisation project.

Hmmm you may have a point...
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: playmofire on February 03, 2011, 19:32:39
30 65 8182 Lamp, large flame mounted on brick podium, electric light                       from Playmodb!


Many thanks, Martin.
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Justindo on February 21, 2011, 19:55:33
Thanks for the review, Martin!  I love the dragon tree! :lol:
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Elric on February 22, 2011, 02:53:38
Great review and thanks for sharing.   8-)
Title: Re: 4835 Great Dragon Castle
Post by: Playmoholics on February 22, 2011, 13:04:22
My cats would bite the dragons if they tried invading the cats' tree (I already have a poor fox kit with some pretty bad battle scars)   :hmm: Hopefully your dragons are trained for feline combat  ;)