What's in the Box? Revealing JMBricklayer's Newest Building Set, the Ghost Ship 40001

 

Ahoy mateys!  Here at It's Not Lego, it's high time to reveal JMBricklayer's newest building block set, the  Flying Dutchman Ghost Ship!

"The Flying Dutchman is a legendary ghost ship, allegedly never able to make port, but doomed to sail the seven seas forever. According to the legend, if hailed by another ship, the crew of the Flying Dutchman might try to send messages to land, or to people long dead. Reported sightings in the 19th and 20th centuries claimed that the ship glowed with a ghostly light. In ocean lore, the sight of this phantom ship functions as a portent of doom."  Wikipedia.

Thanks to JMBricklayer, we can relive the legendary tales, explore the enigmatic pirate seas, and embark on an adventure inspired by the Flying Dutchman ghost ship.  

You can find this legendary 1100 piece set on the JMBricklayer online store.

https://www.jmbricklayer.com/product/ghost-ship-the-flying-dutchman-40001/

Use coupon code VIPLEGS15 which applies to all non-discounted products and offers a 15% discount. The code is valid until December 31, 2023. 

The Ghost Ship is also available on Amazon.com. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CC7X9ZS8.

Coupon code VIPLEEGA15 for US Amazon applies only to the non-discounted Ghost Ship 40001 and is valid for one month, offering a 15% discount.  

All JMBricklayer sets come with free shipping and free replacement parts in the unlikely event of missing pieces.  I've built several JMBricklayer sets and have not encountered a problem with missing pieces.

What's in the Box?

Here's a quick inventory of what's in the Flying Dutchman Ghost Ship set:

• 14 bags of parts, numbered 1 through 4 including a bag for sails and rigging.
• an easy to follow 63 page instruction booklet 
• a pouch containing an LED lighting kit
• two sticker sheets

The LED lighting kit includes 9 strings of green LED dot lights, a 12 port expansion board, and a USB connector cable.   You will need to provide your own USB power source because it is not included in the set.

Here's a look at the fabric sails, totalling seven in number and strings for rigging.  I did not use the rigging on my set, nor did I use the stickers, which I understand are glow in the dark.  My sails were creased and crumpled but not too bad.

There are four steps in the construction of the Flying Dutchman Ghost Ship.

Step 1 - The Hull

The ship's hull is built from 3 bags of parts.

A bonus brick separator tool is included in one of the bags.

The hull is a very straightforward build and this is where we install the first of many LED lights.

Pro tip!  It's a good idea to test each of the LED lights by plugging them into the expansion board before putting them into the set.  Don't forget to attach the USB plug to the expansion board and a power source.  I used a spare USB battery pack but you can use whatever is available to you.  Get in touch with JMBricklayer customer service if any of the LED lights are not working.

I tested the light successfully so here it is installed behind the cannons.

Step 2 - The Main Deck

Step 2 is comprised of three bags of parts.

I like to sort my parts by colour as you can see.

Another LED light is installed as per the instruction manual.

All of the LED wires are fed out through the stern of the ship.

Pro Tip! It's best to remove the rudder and attach it back after the sails are installed. Because it is raised by one plate, it has a tendency to pop off whenever you push down on the ship's body.  Put it back when you have completed the build and are ready to display the model.

Step 3 - The Quarter Deck

There is a raised quarter deck in the aft of the ship but no captain's quarters to speak of.  Step 3 builds the quarter deck.

More green glowing lights for the ship.

Lights on.

Lights off.  Finishing off the deck with the railings.

Step 4 - The Mast and Sails

The last three numbered bags for step 4.

Time to affix the masts to the decks.

Creepy green ghostly appendages.

Masts installed.

Now we just need to attach the sails.  And don't forget to affix the rigging and stickers too (not me though).

The infamous supernatural ghost ship is complete!

Displayed with it's eerie glow.

I added some of my own ghostly minifigures to complete the cool display.

This set is a great addition to any pirate ship collectors, the glowing lights make it even more unique.

Thanks for checking out my review of the JMBricklayer Flying Dutchman Ghost Ship 40001.    Bye!

Lego alternative for adults

Exploring the Mysteries of Funwhole's F9011 Medieval Pier Inn: A Lego-Compatible Masterpiece

Ahoy, block-building aficionados! Today, we set sail on an epic adventure to uncover the secrets of the latest gem in the Lego-compatible universe – Funwhole's Medieval Pier Inn. Imagine a shipwrecked vessel transformed into an elaborate shelter on a deserted island. It's a nautical dream come true, and we're about to dive into the details of this impressive 2143-piece set.

Funwhole: A Beacon of Quality

Before we delve into the Medieval Pier Inn, let's tip our hats to Funwhole, one of the brightest stars in the world of Lego-style building block sets. With a growing reputation for quality, Funwhole consistently delivers exceptional creations. As a blogger who has experienced their previous sets like the Wood Cabin and the Lakeside Lodge, I can vouch for their commitment to excellence.  Many thanks to Funwhole for providing this awesome set for this review.

Medieval Pier Inn: A Glimpse of Grandeur

Now, let's get to the heart of the matter – the Medieval Pier Inn. Among the sea of building block sets I've had the pleasure to review, this one stands as a towering lighthouse of craftsmanship and detail.

If you are interested to see the set's contents, I reviewed it in a separate post on my blog here.

With a whopping 2143 pieces, it's a behemoth of a set that promises hours of engrossing construction and play. But that's not all; Funwhole's unique selling point shines through once again – a featured light kit is included, adding an enchanting glow to this medieval masterpiece.

Here's a delightful journey through the construction of this incredible set, complete with some interesting surprises along the way!

As we kick off our adventure, we reach the end of step 1. But wait, down in the cellar where the barrels are stored, a curious mouse is savoring his cheese dinner. Talk about an unexpected guest!

In step 2, we dive into adding the floorboard and underfloor accent lighting. But there's a twist; it appears a mischievous cat is keeping an eye on our little mouse friend. The plot thickens!

Moving on to step 3, we discover the shipwrecked stern has transformed into an outdoor cooking area. Descend the steps, and you'll find a cozy mess hall where hearty meals can be savored.

After completing step 4, the mess hall becomes an enclosed haven, bathed in the warm glow of lamps and open fire. It's a sight to behold!

One standout feature of Funwhole sets is the inclusion of top-notch lighting kits. These kits, which I believe are supplied by their sister company, Lightailing.com, truly elevate the experience.

 Check out the well-stocked galley kitchen and the myriad of intricate details in step 5. 

The lighting effects are simply mesmerizing!

Moving along to step 6, the bow of the wrecked ship serves as a winery! Grapes, bottles, and a massive tank with a tap await your exploration. The second level floor is also taking shape.

In step 7, we furnish the innkeeper's room with a cozy bed, a reading desk, and a flickering candle. Access to the lower level is through a cleverly concealed hatch in the floor.

Unfortunately, the pulley system for the dormer window got stuck during assembly, so I had to skip this feature. 

Nevertheless, there's no shortage of timber beams and wires, all part of the intricate lighting setup on the second floor.

Step 8 brings us a massive roof adorned with foliage and a striking ship's mast. 

A nifty feature is the swinging wall in the lower galley kitchen, providing easy access and better visibility.

The final roof assembly is added in step 9.  I just want to add that the build process is very easy to follow and other than the pulley wheel getting stuck, all of the other pieces clutched very well.

Here's a surprise feature, did you know that the roof panel can be positioned in either a closed or open position?  I guess this is so you can see the winery and the innkeeper's room better.   There's just detail after detail with this set!

I probably could have done a better job at securing the wires for the lighting.

Final check to make sure all of  lighting works in step 9.   The wireless connector between the first and second floors works perfectly and seems to be much improved over the ones previously used in the Funwhole Wood Cabin set.

As if there weren't already enough accessories, step 10 introduces even more adornments to the Medieval Pier Inn. 

First, we had the mouse, then the cat, and now, a dog joins the mix!

In step 11, we're treated to a charming rowboat and a welcoming dock. It's hard to keep track of all these wonderful details! 

And don't miss the ladder that ascends to the crow's nest—a true highlight.

To safeguard the winery, a sturdy fabric awning is installed over the second-floor ship hull. 

And the finishing touch is a remnant of a sail, gracefully hanging from the ship's mast.

Four proprietary minifigures are part of this package, each with their own unique role in the shipwrecked tale waiting to be told.  Let's put them together and see how they look.

Here are the Funwhole minifigures with a Lego minifigure next to them for comparison.  The Funwhole ones all look a little bit bloated and they are just a tad shorter then your standard minifigure.   This is my second Funwhole set that came with minifigures, the first being the Ruined Temple in the Jungle set.

Summary

Brand: Funwhole

Set: F9011 Medieval Pier Inn

Piece count: 2143 pieces

Age Rating: 8+

Minifigures: Yes, 4 proprietary design, plus 1 mouse, 1 cat and 1 dog

Stickers: Yes, but I didn't use them

Printed parts: No

Light kit included: Yes

Instruction Manuals: 2

Set dimensions: approx 18 inches in height, with a width and depth of approx 12 inches by 12 inches. 

In conclusion, Funwhole's Medieval Pier Inn is a testament to the endless possibilities of Lego-compatible building block sets. Its size, detail, and the added allure of the light kit make it a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts alike. 

The set is available from the Funwhole website and from their various Amazon stores.   Just search Amazon for the Funwhole products near you.

So, fellow builders, hoist your sails, grab your bricks, and embark on a voyage of creativity with this remarkable set. Until next time, happy building!