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General => Report & Review => Topic started by: Wolf Knight on August 31, 2011, 14:19:04

Title: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on August 31, 2011, 14:19:04
I was sure of the word bastion for this set so I looked for a translation. German speaking forum members please corect me if the title is wrong.

I also apologize for some blurry pics.. they were taken in a hurry due to the excitement...

So here is the box:

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03142.jpg)

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03143.jpg)

..and the view inside it...

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03144.jpg)

I guess its hopeless to ask again and again that parts be packed a bit better... the big parts are loose and in danger of getting various marks and scratches...

Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on August 31, 2011, 14:23:07
Ok so here are the parts comprising the fort:

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03145.jpg)

Details of the clips system...

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03146.jpg)

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03147.jpg)

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03149.jpg)

But the result is beautiful I think... there is so much rigidity to the structure and all is held together very nicely!!! Its a good work!!!

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03150.jpg)

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03151.jpg)

Detail of the two doors... one is the dungeon cell and the oher is the treasure dungeon...

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03148.jpg)

There must be some kind of game in the bigisland involving these coins...
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on August 31, 2011, 14:27:00
Lets look at the klickies...

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03152.jpg)

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03153.jpg)

I've read the reference to the clip at the side of the officer but I did not realise until now that its this kind of clip  :( the sword is excellent design but its rubber like... easy to bend

And finally, just a comprison... the klicky on the right as we look the pic is from 5141... maybe the one in the left, which was inside the fort, is an officer, but otherwise, I cant rally understand why the need to make small differences on the soldiers... they all have the same uniform  :-\

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03154.jpg)
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on August 31, 2011, 14:29:12
Finally here are all the accessories that go with the set...

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03155.jpg)

The new blue barell is a nice touch, as is the trunk, which is also a new colour!!!

Last, but certainly not least, the booby bird  ;D

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03156.jpg)

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03157.jpg)

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03158.jpg)

Enjoy!!!  :wave:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tahra on August 31, 2011, 14:34:18
Thanks for the pics..

I thought it was System X. So, does it come back apart?

I think SOMEONE needs to explain playmobil the meaning of the word UNIFORM. (and how to size the boxes - you could probably fit two of them in the box)

I love the birdie  :love:  and I like the swords (though I have none YET).  Regarding the barrels, I don't know... don't they make more sense in brown? You know, wood... And I'm very fond of the small ones, for some reason.

And yes, me thinks there's something with the coins in the island set...
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: playmo1989 on August 31, 2011, 14:46:05
omg !!!!!  :o :o :o :o :o the klickys are awesome!!!!!!!  :camera:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on August 31, 2011, 14:46:47
I thought it was System X. So, does it come back apart?

its quite hard to take it apart, I think playmobil designed it once its build it stays this way... but with a sharp item I am sure the clips can be...uncliped...
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Baron Marshall on August 31, 2011, 14:48:49
This set has some of the best klickys i have seen!!! MUST HAVE .... MANY!!!
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: playmo1989 on August 31, 2011, 14:50:11
how much it costs ? does anyone know?  :hmm:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on August 31, 2011, 14:52:54
how much it costs ? does anyone know?  :hmm:

I got it for 35.98 from ebay germany, but the price might be higher in the Greek market, when the set comes here next year.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Baron Marshall on August 31, 2011, 15:00:22
my best guess is that it will be around $40 just like the Egyptian tomb/house as it has a comparable amount of piece/size



Edit: oops didn't read far enough ... guess that is about on target :)
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Ace on August 31, 2011, 15:04:28
Excellent review, Panos  :wow:! This is a great set that I'm tempted to get from German eBay, now  :captain:!
Ace  :arrr:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: PrimusPilus on August 31, 2011, 15:20:44
VERY nice (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/luwerner/gif/clapping.gif)!
Nice to see the new foil, even though it's rubbery. Though I think a rapier would be more accurate.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tonguello on August 31, 2011, 16:21:37
OMG I love this set too, the clickies, the fortress and the bird are awesome!!! the bird is my favorite I think!  :love: :love:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Ds dad on August 31, 2011, 16:56:08
I thought I posted earlier but don't see my response. As much as I am looking forward to the new redcoats I think the bastion in blah. I'm not happy about the click system and think that the lighthouse was MUCH more interesting.

Still will probably get it for completeness but I am still decidedly underwhelmed.

The klickies on the othehand are SPECTACULAR.

Thanks for the review Pano.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: WarriorOfToys on August 31, 2011, 16:58:18
A very cool set! :wow:
I love the Officer, and the book keeper. :o :love:
As I said before, I do not like the new redcoat uniforms. :-\

Still, I think it is wanting... I would go for the old harbor set (http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=7376&cgid=Piraten),
Since you can connect two of those together,
But you cannot do that with these.

Also, the dock is facing the wrong way, Or I think so.
Usually you are defending the docks on the sea side are you not? ???

But I still really like this set! :D
And I think if I ever saw one I would probably buy it. :)9
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Tiermann on August 31, 2011, 17:35:51
A nice looking set, the klickies seem really good. The structure seems a bit too rounded to me, not as realistic as past ones.

Panos could you tell me the part number for the blue-footed booby?

The way the boxes are packed - when we had the tour of the factory we asked about that. In part it has to do with how quickly the parts can be put into the box as it's going down the line. If it is a tight fit then it takes longer to pack the box, which costs more in labor time, which increases the end price of the item. I don't mind the contents being a bit loose if it keeps a dollar or two off of the price. The exception to me is when it's a painted item - large painted items should get bagged anyway since they can get scratched up bouncing around in the box.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on August 31, 2011, 17:41:40

Panos could you tell me the part number for the blue-footed booby?

sure thing Tim, its 30 66 5082.

Thanks for clarifying the package issue!
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tahra on August 31, 2011, 18:51:22
The way the boxes are packed - when we had the tour of the factory we asked about that. In part it has to do with how quickly the parts can be put into the box as it's going down the line. If it is a tight fit then it takes longer to pack the box, which costs more in labor time, which increases the end price of the item. I don't mind the contents being a bit loose if it keeps a dollar or two off of the price. The exception to me is when it's a painted item - large painted items should get bagged anyway since they can get scratched up bouncing around in the box.

That does make sense. Though it changes nothing on our end... :(  I find it hard to believe that in the END it turns out cheaper.. but I'm probably wrong. If it's packed manually, that might be more expensive than the materials, transport, packaging, storing, etc..

Thanks for the explanation :)
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Bolingbroke on August 31, 2011, 18:59:03
I don't mind the lack of uniformity. It looks much more realistic this way. A lovely set, if you can get past the idiocy of the officer's holster.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: playmofire on August 31, 2011, 19:31:01
The klicky on the right with the short sleeves immediately reminded me of Alan Breck Stuart from Robert Louis Stevenson's "Kidnapped".  Certainly a gentleman adventurer rather than a soldier.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: bonniebeth on August 31, 2011, 21:24:02
LOVE the hair on the klickys. LOVE the blue-footed booby!!!! :love: :love: :love: Can't WAIT to get one! And the fortress itself is cool, too. Don't know if anyone else answered it yet, but yeah, the coins are used to unlock various things on the big island.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: BlackPearl2006 on August 31, 2011, 21:55:06
thanks for the review!

i agree the set looks a bit rounded instead of more realistic like the harbour/prison set.
I like the new officer and bookeeper, but I prefer the older redcoats better with real white straps and brass.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: cachalote on August 31, 2011, 23:46:06
:love: i love all the fortresses geobra has ever done and this one is no exception.
 :'( i would prefer a system-x buiding of course, instead of this semi-weird-steck-quick-to-assemble system.
 ;) maybe geobra will see sir pleamo's thread - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=8904.0 - and be convinced (a lot of us already look at system-x with a new benevolence).
 :) thanks for the review wolf knight.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: playmo1989 on September 01, 2011, 04:09:44
I got it for 35.98 from ebay germany, but the price might be higher in the Greek market, when the set comes here next year.


hmm... not bad , but in case you only want the figures that's a problem  ::) 

 i wonder what that gold thing on the door is? they have keys like the egypt theme?  ???
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Gis on September 01, 2011, 06:47:21
Great review Sir Wolf, the structure looks nice IMO (even if not realistic) but I don't really see a use for it in medieval or a Zoo :-)

The booby is of course beautiful and the klickies are just more red coats that I would not have a clue what to do with. I like the rapier though.

That does make sense. Though it changes nothing on our end... :(  I find it hard to believe that in the END it turns out cheaper.. but I'm probably wrong. If it's packed manually, that might be more expensive than the materials, transport, packaging, storing, etc..

We had the same question about manual packing tahra, however the reasoning for it is that they work on so many different sets, that the machine for that would be very intrecate with the associated costs. Then the way they produce means that they do many different boxes in a day and reprogramming the computer  would waste a lot of time. In the end using manual labor is cheaper for them then using a machine for it.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tahra on September 01, 2011, 07:37:41
We had the same question about manual packing tahra, however the reasoning for it is that they work on so many different sets, that the machine for that would be very intrecate with the associated costs. Then the way they produce means that they do many different boxes in a day and reprogramming the computer  would waste a lot of time. In the end using manual labor is cheaper for them then using a machine for it.

Ah, right... But it must be a big slice of the total cost, I suppose.

I forgot to ask... Do those gorgeous doors fit in the assembly system walls? I'm guessing not, but... I really like them.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on September 01, 2011, 07:38:09
Thought I'd give you a few more pics in a ''while playing''... You'll see that there is not much space to manouvre on the fort  :-\ not many otpions on the scenes you can build... its either one or the other...

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03160.jpg)

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03161.jpg)

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03162.jpg)

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03163.jpg)
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on September 01, 2011, 07:40:03

I forgot to ask... Do those gorgeous doors fit in the assembly system walls? I'm guessing not, but... I really like them.

Sorry, I dont understand you question tahra  :-\ ... which assembly system do you refer to?
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tahra on September 01, 2011, 07:43:11
Sorry, I dont understand you question tahra  :-\ ... which assembly system do you refer to?

Steck. Regular castles.. (I knew it as assembly system, have no idea where from  ??? )
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: BlackPearl2006 on September 01, 2011, 07:46:42
why does it look like playmo123/fisherprice?  the belled tower walls, particularly.  Very cherubic, no?  it's cute though
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on September 01, 2011, 08:01:17
Steck. Regular castles.. (I knew it as assembly system, have no idea where from  ??? )

Oh right, no they dont fit steck..

why does it look like playmo123/fisherprice?  the belled tower walls, particularly.  Very cherubic, no?  it's cute though

Yeah, it gives me the same impression.. maybe that design is more attractive to younger kids...
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: playmofire on September 01, 2011, 08:15:31
A bastion, Panos, is a projecting part of a fortification, so I'm not really sure this set is a bastion.  I would have expected the bastion to be on the sea side projecting out so that it's guns could cover the harbour area from attack.

The walls look pretty minimal in detail which reduces their appeal and because of the minimal detail do look Fisher Price-like.  The curved walls is good practice as a curved wall is stronger than a flat and a curved corner is stronger than one where the walls meet at an angle, e.g. 90 degrees.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: playmofire on September 01, 2011, 08:23:00
That does make sense. Though it changes nothing on our end... :(  I find it hard to believe that in the END it turns out cheaper.. but I'm probably wrong. If it's packed manually, that might be more expensive than the materials, transport, packaging, storing, etc..

Thanks for the explanation :)

There is also another reason, there are standardised sizes for pallets and for containers and so boxes have to fit within these so there is no waste space to keep shipping costs down.  Hence, there are a limited range of box sizes which can be used.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tahra on September 01, 2011, 08:38:03
Oh right, no they dont fit steck..

:(  But it didn't look like it did. Pity, I think they're pretty.

There is also another reason, there are standardised sizes for pallets and for containers and so boxes have to fit within these so there is no waste space to keep shipping costs down.  Hence, there are a limited range of box sizes which can be used.

If there are 100000000000000000000000 different sizes for boxes (not to mention the stupid shapes), doesn't that kinda defeat the purpose?
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on September 01, 2011, 08:49:26
A bastion, Panos, is a projecting part of a fortification, so I'm not really sure this set is a bastion.  I would have expected the bastion to be on the sea side projecting out so that it's guns could cover the harbour area from attack.

The walls look pretty minimal in detail which reduces their appeal and because of the minimal detail do look Fisher Price-like.  The curved walls is good practice as a curved wall is stronger than a flat and a curved corner is stronger than one where the walls meet at an angle, e.g. 90 degrees.

I agree Gordon. Still this little structure looks as if could be a part of a bigger fortification, projecting at towards the sea, and the cannon side looks towards the sea, while the little harbour area is protected from the rest of the imagined fortification that goes around it... if I have managed to give you a picture of what I mean... :-\ in other words, the cannon side is the open sea side, while the harbour area is the inside..
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Giorginetto on September 01, 2011, 09:42:22
Thank you kindl;y for hte review and reminding me that ...

I want lots of these !!!

:hissyfit: :hissyfit: :hissyfit: :hissyfit: :hissyfit: :hissyfit: :hissyfit: :hissyfit: :hissyfit:




 ;D
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: playmofire on September 01, 2011, 09:53:45
I agree Gordon. Still this little structure looks as if could be a part of a bigger fortification, projecting at towards the sea, and the cannon side looks towards the sea, while the little harbour area is protected from the rest of the imagined fortification that goes around it... if I have managed to give you a picture of what I mean... :-\ in other words, the cannon side is the open sea side, while the harbour area is the inside..
I'm with you.  The fort is on a tongue of land with the sea in front and the harbour behind.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on September 01, 2011, 10:00:18
I'm with you.  The fort is on a tongue of land with the sea in front and the harbour behind.

 :yup: :yup: :yup:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tonguello on September 01, 2011, 11:35:35
Panos do you have the lighthouse? is it the same color this one is?
and could we see a pic of both together? I think those structures could be used together, though I sispect the colors are different..
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on September 01, 2011, 11:53:49
Panos do you have the lighthouse? is it the same color this one is?
and could we see a pic of both together? I think those structures could be used together, though I sispect the colors are different..

they are differnet colour  :-\ the lighthouse is white whereas this one's light grey... I'll do the shot though...  ;)
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tonguello on September 01, 2011, 12:00:41
they are differnet colour  :-\ the lighthouse is white whereas this one's light grey... I'll do the shot though...  ;)

 8} the lighthouse is white??  :o :o :o :o I didn't know that  :(
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Giorginetto on September 01, 2011, 12:02:04
8} the lighthouse is white??  :o :o :o :o I didn't know that  :(

yeap , i have two of these and a rather bright white this is i must say ...  :hmm:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Baron Marshall on September 01, 2011, 12:04:03
Mine is about the same color as the Egyptian tomb/house... could make a nice little port town without the ... bigger than it need to be base on that house... and oh if only it were stackable
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on September 01, 2011, 12:11:44
Well, that white is getting more yellow as time passes by...

Anyway here is a pic for the colour comparison....

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/DSC03169.jpg)

And here is one for a little diorama  ;D

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/DSC03170.jpg)
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Heronimus on September 01, 2011, 12:23:10
Amazing!!! The channel suddenly shrinks~~~~cool :wave:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: bonniebeth on September 01, 2011, 12:36:19
Nice! ;D I want that lighthouse soooo bad!
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tahra on September 01, 2011, 12:39:51
I was disappointed with the lighthouse color... But I really like it....
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Heronimus on September 01, 2011, 12:40:10
Nice! ;D I want that lighthouse soooo bad!
Me too...but looks like it is only a big chunk of plastic.....WHITE PLASTIC :hmm:
though it looks cool.....really cool
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Giorginetto on September 01, 2011, 12:50:29
I have to say despite having two of them i havent been that impressed from it. perhaps because i havent set up my pirates since 2000, maybe its about time dont you think ???  :love: :love: :love:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: bonniebeth on September 01, 2011, 12:53:01
Oh no, not another theme, George! can your pocketbook take the pressure? ;)
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tahra on September 01, 2011, 12:55:45
Oh no, not another theme, George! can your pocketbook take the pressure? ;)

Oh, my wallet would looooooooooooooooove to know the answer to that! It always have a fit whenever I have BLUE THOUGHTS...
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Giorginetto on September 01, 2011, 12:57:36
Oh no, not another theme, George! can your pocketbook take the pressure? ;)

Already got about 12 ships in total  ( 3 boxed cannon galleons ), 3 islands, lots and lots  of very old pirate and 90s stuff ,  2 ports , lots of big berthas - over 10  i think  probably around 250- 300  pirate/ redcoat  klickies all together . best set is the very first pirate island i reckon . i must have over 80 pirate cannons also , madness uh ??? :loco: :loco: :loco: :loco:

Still have my very fist pirtae ship in very good condition , i have it since 1981 or so .....  
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tahra on September 01, 2011, 13:07:14
Already got about 12 ships in total  ( 3 boxed cannon galleons ), 3 islands, lots and lots  of very old pirate and 90s stuff ,  2 ports , lots of big berthas - over 10  i think  probably around 250- 300  pirate/ redcoat  klickies all together . best set is the very first pirate island i reckon . i must have over 80 pirate cannons also , madness uh ??? :loco: :loco: :loco: :loco:

Still have my very fist pirtae ship in very good condition , i have it since 1981 or so .....  

Right now, I don't know how many ships we have. But I'm pretty sure we only have one of those big old islands..  Don't like the big bertha...
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: WarriorOfToys on September 01, 2011, 13:41:26
The Lighthouse is pretty cool...
I am lucky to have one. :)
I used to use it for my castle harbor,

But since then it has become a lonely home for a small band of disgruntled Conquistadors. :P
It has also been the spot of a reenactment of the film, Zulu,
With my 5 Conquistadors fighting off a horde of Egyptian soldiers.
(This little diorama was dreampt up by my cousins, and they had a good laugh over it.) ;D

...
And here is one for a little diorama  ;D

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/DSC03170.jpg)

Excellent... ;D
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Ace on September 01, 2011, 13:48:49
The picture of the two fortresses together looks great, Panos :love:! Because the new one has green System-X posts on the front, can the dock of the lighthouse attache to it somehow ???? Thanks!
Ace :brownhair:   
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: WarriorOfToys on September 01, 2011, 13:57:50
The lighthouse dock, and the dock on the new harbor cannot connect.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on September 01, 2011, 14:01:15
..can the dock of the lighthouse attache to it somehow   

Nope, they are designed in such a way that the parts of the one dont match the part of the other...
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: bonniebeth on September 01, 2011, 14:05:50
Kinda stinks. You'd think they could at LEAST make it where the docks could connect. That's the kind of short-sightedness that is so annoying. They are expecting kids to play with one round of pirates and then have outgrown toys by the time the next round is released, I guess. ::) No thought to using a new theme to extend an existing collection from the old theme.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: PrimusPilus on September 01, 2011, 14:10:26
That's the kind of short-sightedness that is so annoying.

I really doubt that. Whatever the reason, the lack of "cross-connectivity" between sets is intentional.
Remember, the laws of physics are different in the corporate world.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: cachalote on September 01, 2011, 17:24:37
:) i just thought on showing the bugio fortress in the middle of tagus river.
its building started at the end of the 16th century.
although by then forts were usually star-pointy it was decided to make this one round to better withstand the force of the sea waters surrounding them.
playmofrire is right when saying that round walls are stronger than flat ones.
but when ballistic science produced firearms (cannons using powder) instead of rock-throwing the round concept had to be abandoned and the sloped-walls in a star-plan were introduced.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Tiermann on September 01, 2011, 18:02:45
I really doubt that. Whatever the reason, the lack of "cross-connectivity" between sets is intentional.
Remember, the laws of physics are different in the corporate world.

I agree with Bonnie, I think they are just not paying the necessary attention. They used to have no problem but it's slipped a lot the last few years. They really should have someone in the design department whose job is to check that all new production items are properly in scale and can successfully interact with existing sets.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: bonniebeth on September 01, 2011, 18:14:13
Yep, that would be a small bone they could throw the collector community which usually wouldn't be all that hard to do. Like in this case, they didn't have to make the fortresses fit perfectly together... just making the docks match up would have made us happy. Another good thing would be keeping the color of the sand the same on all baseplates, across all themes. that kind of thing would go a long way.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Ace on September 01, 2011, 18:16:32
Another good thing would be keeping the color of the sand the same on all baseplates, across all themes. that kind of thing would go a long way.

Or keeping the rocks the same color as the old fortress :prays:!
Ace :brownhair:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: bonniebeth on September 01, 2011, 18:23:59
 :yup: Yes, that would have really helped!
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on September 01, 2011, 18:25:27
I agree with Bonnie and Tim too. However, I recall the 3285 - Lagoon (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=3285) rock formation that would not sit too well on the lagoon... at least in my eyes... it was not easy to keep it in place and whenever the lagoon needed moving, the rock formation had to be taken apart otherwise it would fell off... the rocks on this 5139 set are very well designed imo, and no fear of falling apart... but they could make it compatible with the lighthouse or with something else...
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: playmofire on September 01, 2011, 18:36:45
:(  But it didn't look like it did. Pity, I think they're pretty.

If there are 100000000000000000000000 different sizes for boxes (not to mention the stupid shapes), doesn't that kinda defeat the purpose?

Playmobil  boxes may vary in size, but there is a limited number of sizes and they all multiples of one another.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tahra on September 01, 2011, 18:43:29
Playmobil  boxes may vary in size, but there is a limited number of sizes and they all multiples of one another.

Well, I guess I'm just too stupid to see it. Besides a LOUSY sense of direction, I also have a louse sense of space. True.  :-[

Not very handy. Long live Google Maps!
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: BlackPearl2006 on September 01, 2011, 20:22:44
I was disappointed with the lighthouse color... But I really like it....

for the naysayers on the whiteness of the lighthouse....

pirates theme has a special place in my heart...there is a deep connection to many things in this theme.  The Spanish Main traderoute included the Philippines (my homeland).  Tallship masts were fashioned from Bitanhol trees indiginous to the Philippines, and used for their enormously hardwood nature and strength.

AND...I simply LOVE the lighthouse as it looks EXACTLY like the lighthouses in the Philippines used by the Spanish:
(http://tourism-philippines.com/images/batanes1.jpg)
(http://www.thinkertoysakron.com/images/webstore/medium/playmobil-fortress-lighthouse-4294.jpg)

So Playmobil's colours and design for this lighthouse are SPOT ON CORRECT!!!!  Very accurate!!  I suspect lighthouses of similar design can be found in all Spanish ports including those founded in the Caribbean.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tahra on September 01, 2011, 20:25:19
for the naysayers on the whiteness of the lighthouse....

(...)

So Playmobil's colours and design for this lighthouse are SPOT ON CORRECT!!!!  Very accurate!!  I suspect lighthouses of similar design can be found in all Spanish ports including those founded in the Caribbean.
:o  :o  :o

I stand corrected. I still don't like the "execution" - it should be assembly system! ;)  But it's an awesome set, and now I will stop whining about the color  :-[
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: bonniebeth on September 02, 2011, 03:34:18
You've given me a better reason to get it now, Atto, since I now know it is historically accurate!
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Giorginetto on September 02, 2011, 06:29:23
A stupid  question do you think i could use my two light houses in my mediaval set up on the shores as the two points/gates of the port ???
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tahra on September 02, 2011, 07:37:07
A stupid  question do you think i could use my two light houses in my mediaval set up on the shores as the two points/gates of the port ???

Historically, I have no idea  :P

But I think it would look GREAT! (are you trying to get me in trouble? )
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: BlackPearl2006 on September 02, 2011, 07:59:02
A stupid  question do you think i could use my two light houses in my mediaval set up on the shores as the two points/gates of the port ???

i researched some pics of medieval light houses.... they really don't look too different, but most of them seem to be six-sided flat walls instead of round ones.  The playmo lighthouse does have medieval-ish masonry and the little slits that seem like they were meant to shoot arrows through.  And then the attached fort portion of the lighthouse does look very castle-ish IMO, so I think you can get away with it.  To try to tie this back to on topic, the new 5139 fort also looks sort of castle-ish and might possibly be integrated into a medieval setup from the looks of it.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: tahra on September 02, 2011, 08:06:05
i researched some pics of medieval light houses.... they really don't look too different, but most of them seem to be six-sided flat walls instead of round ones.  The playmo lighthouse does have medieval-ish masonry and the little slits that seem like they were meant to shoot arrows through.  And then the attached fort portion of the lighthouse does look very castle-ish IMO, so I think you can get away with it.  To try to tie this back to on topic, the new 5139 fort also looks sort of castle-ish and might possibly be integrated into a medieval setup from the looks of it.

But both are impossible to REALLY connect to other stuff right?
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Giorginetto on September 02, 2011, 08:20:50
i researched some pics of medieval light houses.... they really don't look too different, but most of them seem to be six-sided flat walls instead of round ones.  The playmo lighthouse does have medieval-ish masonry and the little slits that seem like they were meant to shoot arrows through.  And then the attached fort portion of the lighthouse does look very castle-ish IMO, so I think you can get away with it.  To try to tie this back to on topic, the new 5139 fort also looks sort of castle-ish and might possibly be integrated into a medieval setup from the looks of it.

Thanks for the very useful info !!!! I think the 5139 is too tiny to do much with it to be honest , does look good but ratehr unrealistic for a small fort , too small if you ask me .  :-\
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: WarriorOfToys on September 02, 2011, 13:45:00
But both are impossible to REALLY connect to other stuff right?

Correct. :-\
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: cachalote on September 02, 2011, 19:06:49
i researched some pics of medieval light houses.... they really don't look too different, but most of them seem to be six-sided flat walls instead of round ones

:wave: hello blackpearl,
 :) could you please give me some examples of these medieval hexagonal lighthouses?
 :hmm: i have a passion for lighhouses but i no of none that has a six sided wall.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wesley Myers on September 02, 2011, 19:28:09
A stupid  question do you think i could use my two light houses in my mediaval set up on the shores as the two points/gates of the port ???

They used light houses all through history at large ports. Take the Lighthouse of Alexandria, for instance. 
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Hadoque on September 02, 2011, 20:08:28
Yes, but lighthouses in Classic (Mesopothanian/Egyptian/Greek/Roman...) history or in Medieval times (*) were a lot different.
Medieval ones usually were some kind of flat-topped towers, with just a pile of wood burning on top.

(*):personally, I like to consider the end of the Middle Ages and the starting point of the Renaissance to be the "official" discovery of the Americas in 1492, though historians probably use a different moment
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: WarriorOfToys on September 02, 2011, 22:27:02
There doesn't appear to be an exact start date.
Though references do point at the 15th century as being the end of the Medieval world,
And the beginning of the "Early Modern Age". :wave:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Bolingbroke on September 06, 2011, 09:53:51
Some comments in here are just plain hilarious. Lighthouse too white? Compared to what?

Im now regretting not getting this set  ::) ::) ::) Going to the US soon. They might still have it in stock there.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on September 06, 2011, 10:02:48
Some comments in here are just plain hilarious. Lighthouse too white? Compared to what?

Im now regretting not getting this set  ::) ::) ::) Going to the US soon. They might still have it in stock there.

Good thing most people contribute with constructive arguments and discussion. ;D
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Bolingbroke on September 06, 2011, 10:08:08
Good thing most people contribute with constructive arguments and discussion. ;D

I guess I'm just lazy - I have the whole argument there in my head but I never get round to putting it online  ::) ;D

Are there any PM toyshops in Rhodes? Greece still has the 4292 doesnt it? I might visit in the coming months.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on September 06, 2011, 10:38:50
I guess I'm just lazy - I have the whole argument there in my head but I never get round to putting it online  ::) ;D

Are there any PM toyshops in Rhodes? Greece still has the 4292 doesnt it? I might visit in the coming months.

 :lol: no worries  :)

Well, I can recall a couple of toystores in the city, (which is actually a sister city to Valletta, but I guess you already knew that) but not their exact location. Yes the 4292 is still available but not for too long, since the new pirates are coming out in January, it will be more difficult to find.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Bolingbroke on September 06, 2011, 10:46:49
:lol: no worries  :)

Well, I can recall a couple of toystores in the city, (which is actually a sister city to Valletta, but I guess you already knew that) but not their exact location. Yes the 4292 is still available but not for too long, since the new pirates are coming out in January, it will be more difficult to find.

Thanks! You always kick yourself when there's a set you didn't buy when it was still available.  ::) ::) ::)

Yesterday my wife and I were watching Lost - we're watching series 5 - and I was telling her that had I to go back to 1977 I would hoard all the PM I could get, knowing which ones would become rare and so on.  ::) ::) ::)

Anyway ... really looking forward to getting these sets for my birthday this month. I really think they are quite pretty for the most part. Im only a bit ticked off about the bendy plastic ... but we'll have to see about that in the long run.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Gis on September 14, 2011, 07:25:31
I really see this set more as a small island set rather then part of the mainland. When I first laid eyes on it it reminded me very much of Fort Denison which is located in Sydney Harbour http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Denison (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Denison)

It would be great to have on infront of your harbour city as a first line defense against the invading Pirates.

Great review Sir Wolf!
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: BlackPearl2006 on September 14, 2011, 16:33:11
had to repost the pic because the original link went dead:



AND...I simply LOVE the lighthouse as it looks EXACTLY like the lighthouses in the Philippines used by the Spanish:
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t188/BlackPearl2006_album/batanes1.jpg)
(http://www.thinkertoysakron.com/images/webstore/medium/playmobil-fortress-lighthouse-4294.jpg)

So Playmobil's colours and design for this lighthouse are SPOT ON CORRECT!!!!  Very accurate!!  I suspect lighthouses of similar design can be found in all Spanish ports including those founded in the Caribbean.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on September 14, 2011, 17:41:03
I really see this set more as a small island set rather then part of the mainland. When I first laid eyes on it it reminded me very much of Fort Denison which is located in Sydney Harbour http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Denison (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Denison)

It would be great to have on infront of your harbour city as a first line defense against the invading Pirates.

Great review Sir Wolf!

hat is a very interesting info Gis, I did not know of that fort... it does look very much alike!
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Rhalius on September 25, 2011, 23:01:09
Nice review, but I have to say I can't agree with some comments made afterwards, I really like this set myself.

Biggest thing of playmobil that I own, and I bought it last week for 40 euros. Which seemed like a very good deal considering what comes with it. Its not only a fort with a wall and tower, but theres also a treasure room and a dungeon with a trap door and some nice docks.  Plus three stunning clickies and lots of accesoires.
Which seems to be something that the lighthouse is missing when I look at the content online. Just soldiers and a cannon.
Personly I really like having furniture and all kinds of clutter to decorate the place with, and this set comes with a good amount of that.

These things are also useable for other historic themes, which increases their potential. The fort design is also quite nice, I notice some call it small, to me its big but my brother's castle wasnt that big and as I said, its the biggest thing I own now so I don't really have much to compare it with.
Good height for siege towers as well, allowing it to be used in medieval sets quite nicely.

Regarding the position and compatibility with other sets, I personly prefer to have the L shaped docks positioned in a way that it goes around the rock formation, to better allow larger ships to dock there. This would also allow other docks or structures to be positioned against that side. Not attached, but its not like such big structures slide away that easily.

Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: conniefrere on September 26, 2011, 17:41:35

(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x335/Baldthar/New_Pirates/DSC03148.jpg)

There must be some kind of game in the bigisland involving these coins...

Correct and it's fun! The coins contain a RFID tag (little printed antenne) if you put them in the right order in the island the door of the treasure cave opens. The coin within this set can be used for either two different coins that come along the island.
Difficult to explain you can watch this link, its in German ofcourse.

http://download.playmobil.com/FunAction/Microsites/Piraten11/DE/index.php

Well since I want that coin I'm obliged to buy this set.  :P

Thanks for the nice review and pics btw. :)
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Rhalius on September 29, 2011, 19:17:41
Make sure to put a competent guard in front of the jail though....

(http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac337/Rhalius/playmobil006.jpg)
Having such a large bottle of rum with this set might not give your clickies the right ideas about duty.

Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Bolingbroke on October 03, 2011, 12:51:26
I got this set yesterday as a belated bday present, and I put it together this morning. I really like it. My only gripes:

I really wish it were *slightly* bigger. As it is, it is barely big enough for 3 klickies. It doesn't have to be massive, but I think that too much space is being wasted with current designs. For eg ... the 3665 castle isn't much bigger than this one and yet there's more room. This fortress, there's barely the space for a klicky and his cannon up on the turret. Secondly, I love the klickies. They are beautiful. But - we've said this already - I hate the holster thing on the officer. It *almost* ruins the figure for me. You can't really put in a rapier and you can't put in a pistol. Thirdly, we've also discussed the potential brittleness of the new plastic. I don't see the rapiers lasting 10-20 years, which is a shame. Still, I like it a lot.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on October 03, 2011, 13:03:18
I agree with you Bolingbroke, it should have been a little bigger and the holster is just horrible...
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: bonniebeth on October 04, 2011, 02:18:27
The holster is terrible. Not to mention that if it were to be used for the rapier, it should be on the left side. ::)
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Baron Marshall on October 04, 2011, 10:27:40
maybe he is left handed?  :lol:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Bolingbroke on October 04, 2011, 10:36:04
Still, it's nice to see the inclusion here of an englishman who is neither a soldier nor an officer. I just finished assembling the new pirate ship. The dearth of accessories is rather embarassing, even for the price.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Hadoque on October 04, 2011, 22:49:26
The Redcoat with the officer: I removed the holster and gave him a darkbrown belly-belt; when the holster is removed there is a little hole in the klicky on that side, but the belt masks that, though not entirely. Mabye using a tiny bit of resin and red paint will make the still visible part of the hole disappear...

I just finished assembling the new pirate ship.

Bought at Fun?  ;)

What do you think of the red bow, anchorwheel and helm?  And the stickers?
On my 5135s I'm replacing the anchor- and helmwheels, and the red bows with ones sprayed in a copper-colour or by golden ones (available on the 3940). I'm applying other stickers as well...
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: WarriorOfToys on October 04, 2011, 23:16:51
The Redcoat with the officer: I removed the holster and gave him a darkbrown belly-belt; when the holster is removed there is a little hole in the klicky on that side, but the belt masks that, though not entirely. Mabye using a tiny bit of resin and red paint will make the still visible part of the hole disappear...
...

Trench-coats hide them completely. :)
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Bolingbroke on October 05, 2011, 07:01:50
The Redcoat with the officer: I removed the holster and gave him a darkbrown belly-belt; when the holster is removed there is a little hole in the klicky on that side, but the belt masks that, though not entirely. Mabye using a tiny bit of resin and red paint will make the still visible part of the hole disappear...

Bought at Fun?  ;)

What do you think of the red bow, anchorwheel and helm?  And the stickers?
On my 5135s I'm replacing the anchor- and helmwheels, and the red bows with ones sprayed in a copper-colour or by golden ones (available on the 3940). I'm applying other stickers as well...

No  :) I am spending a couple of days at home, so I bought them from the Malta Funpark. All things considered it's not a bad ship, colour scheme and all. Certainly an improvment on the previous one. The red helm is ok ... couldve been worse, couldve been yellow like the one you find on the redcoats boat. The stickers too. If anything it's the colour scheme on the klickies that I am not that crazy about, especially the 'ginger' captain and the pirate with the hippy shirt.

As I said, it's the lack of accessories that I mind. In the past, buying such a ship used to be a bit of an event because you would get all this stuff, but now you get next to nothing. You get no fruit, no utensils, no cups ... and btw I would probabl have done without the cannons too. I would rather have pretended that the guns below were real ones than having two silly cannons on the deck. But as I said, as far as the actual ship goes, I think it's rather decent.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Elric on November 01, 2011, 23:19:52
This is a neat set.  I picked it up today and it looks alot better in person.  The klicky's are awesome.  TRU has all the pirate theme at 20% off.  I'm still haven't seen the blue cannon boat yet but they have the rest of the theme though.
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Celeste in New Orleans on November 02, 2011, 00:53:32
I'm glad you posted this. I have been thinking about getting this set for my son. I said I wouldn't buy anything else, but this set is awesome!
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on November 02, 2011, 18:19:31
Thank you for this awesome review, Panos! You'd be a great product representative for Playmobil :lol:!, BTW, shouldn't we have controlling interest in the company for all of the products we've bought? ;)
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on November 02, 2011, 20:53:35
Thank you for this awesome review, Panos! You'd be a great product representative for Playmobil :lol:!, BTW, shouldn't we have controlling interest in the company for all of the products we've bought? ;)

 :lol: I wish Playmobil could see and understand it this way Bill!!  :yup:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Rhalius on November 03, 2011, 13:28:07
It works nicely as a little pirate fort too.

(http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac337/Rhalius/003.jpg)
(http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac337/Rhalius/004.jpg)

Although the Brittish troops tend to disagree.

(http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac337/Rhalius/005.jpg)
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Wolf Knight on November 03, 2011, 14:28:33
 :lol: :lol: :lol: good one Rhalius!!
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: conniefrere on November 03, 2011, 17:10:32
And the pirates make the same mistakes as the britains, drinking on duty from what seems the same botle! ;)
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Rhalius on November 03, 2011, 21:01:23
Heh well the captain has ordered them to hoard all the stolen gold, so they can't go spending it on new rum bottles.  :)
And that guy is just too happy to finally be off that little island to care about whose lips touched that bottle.  :lol:

Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: conniefrere on November 04, 2011, 06:45:21
Heh well the captain has ordered them to hoard all the stolen gold, so they can't go spending it on new rum bottles.  :)
And that guy is just too happy to finally be off that little island to care about whose lips touched that bottle.  :lol:



 :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Martin Milner on October 06, 2012, 19:53:02
:) i just thought on showing the bugio fortress in the middle of tagus river.
its building started at the end of the 16th century.
although by then forts were usually star-pointy it was decided to make this one round to better withstand the force of the sea waters surrounding them.
playmofire is right when saying that round walls are stronger than flat ones.
but when ballistic science produced firearms (cannons using powder) instead of rock-throwing the round concept had to be abandoned and the sloped-walls in a star-plan were introduced.

Well, yes and no on the round vs. pointy forts.

Henry VII built many castles to house gunpowder cannons and a garrison to work them to defend the English coast against invasion, and many examples can be visited along the south Coast of England from Kent to Cornwall. These castles were very much rounded in pattern. Examples you can still visit (on the internet and/or in person) include Camber Castle, Walmer Castle, Portland Castle, Nothe Fort, Calshot Fort, Pendennis Castle and St Mawes Castle, to name but a few.

Pendennis & St Mawes form an interesting pair. Built to guard the entrance to Falmouth Harbour, on opposite headlands at the river mouth. At the time a cannon could only fire accurately to a distance of 1/2 a mile, so two forts were required to cover the mile wide river estuary.

By the time of his daughter Elizabeth's reign, gunpowder and ballistics had improved so much that only one fort was required to cover the mile wide entrance. St Mawes wes effectively mothballed, while Pendennis, nearer to Falmouth, was developed further. As a consequence you can visit in one day a 16th Century Castle (St Mawes), almost untouched by time, and then Pendennis which was re-used every time invasion was a concern, right up to WW2.

The star-shaped Forts originated in Italy long before Henry was building his round forts and castles, indeed before he was even born, but spread across Europe from Italy slowly, starting around the 1540s.

If we take it that this little structure is of British construction, and old by the time we see it in use, i think a rounded construction is quite acceptable.



As for the color of the stone and sand in this set - sand is not one uniform color across all beaches, indeed often not even on the same beach, so why should all Playmobil sand be one color? Similary the Spanish lighthouse may be constructed from a lighter-colored stone than the British Bastion, or it may simply have been whitewashed to provide greater visibilty. It is after all a lighthouse, and intended to be seen.


I only got this set this week (using a 20% off coupon from the Playmodays giveaway figures), so apologies for being late to the discussion. I like the set for the same reasons others do, lots of small bits, the figures are in general good, especially the Gentleman Adventurer, and the fortification itself, if a little small, is at least workable as a small harbor defense. Had it been $150 and a lot larger, I think it would have been beyond my pocket.

I'll use this as the British harbor, the Lighthouse as the Spanish harbor, and something else as the Pirate's base, and have a huge naval battle in the garden some day. 
Title: Re: 5139 Soldiers Fort with dungeon treasure
Post by: Rhalius on October 07, 2012, 07:55:47
It's a great set yes, with many possibilities. Maybe a bit small, but for its price it offers quite a lot and there really is a lot of play value in it.

I mean, despite being small it has a prison, treasure room, tower a wall to put cannons on and round stairs for all kinds of amazing sword fights. Even a dock as well, wonderfull clickies and a whole lot of accesoires compared to most sets.