Review: 41423 Tiger Hot Air Balloon Jungle Rescue
Posted by MeganL, 23 May 2020 17:00View image at flickrIt’s been a few years since the last Friends Jungle subtheme, which is the primary subtheme for Friends again this year. I’m interested to see how the two series of sets are going to compare.
This year, all the jungle sets are branded as “supporting National Geographic Explorers”. This partnership started last year and the Friends marine rescue sets were also produced with this theme.
This is the first year that Friends sets have carried the National Geographic Explorer logo on the box. It looks like each set features an endangered (and suitably adorable) animal. We’ll start this subtheme by looking at one recurring feature of Friends sets: a hot air balloon. 41423 Tiger Hot Air Balloon Jungle Rescue features two white tiger cubs and a hot air balloon – sounds like a winner to me!
The box is one of those with the thumb tab openings, which I still find annoying and kind of surprising for a set this size. The box is in a portrait configuration, undoubtedly to emphasize the height of the hot air balloon. Upon opening the box, there are three numbered bags, a bag containing the balloon parts, a small perfect bound instruction book and a small sticker sheet.
View image at flickr
Minidolls and animals
The two Friends in this set are Andrea and Emma. Both are wearing new outfits; as befitting their location in the jungle, it’s not a surprise that the predominant colour is beige. However, both girls manage to spice things up regardless. Andrea is wearing a vest with a foliage patterned v-neck inset, a high waisted teal belt and a zippered pocket. Emma is choosing overalls with a lilac coloured patch pocked and two zippered pockets. The overalls cover a sleeveless shirt with a fuchsia and lime green pattern. However what really makes these outfits are the boots, and they’re fantastic! Andrea has gold lace up boots while Emma sticks with her signature colour of purple.
View image at flickr
I’m really liking the trend I’m seeing with minidolls having printed details on the back. However, I’m not sure I’m a huge fan of Andrea’s one-shouldered creation – it wasn’t all that clear from the front. It’s also unfortunate that Emma’s shirt doesn’t have the pattern on the back.
View image at flickr
I neglected to take a picture of the minidolls’ accessories – each Friend has a walkie talkie with the rather large and superfluous adornment of the new 1×1 coral heart pieces. Andrea also comes equipped with a pair of binoculars.
Friends animals are a de facto requirement in a set, and considering this is a Jungle theme, animals are definitely an expectation. We have four different animals in this set – two of the new white tiger cubs, a baby turtle we first saw last year and it seems Andrea’s pet parrot, Pepper, is along for the ride. I included the yellow frog in this picture as I hadn’t seen it before.
View image at flickr
For those who would like a closer look at the tiger cub:
View image at flickr
View image at flickr
This is not a new mould, but it is a new colour.
The completed model
The build starts with the air balloon – very eye catching with alternating purple and white sections, and a basket that’s made up on traditional Friends colours – pink and purple. It looks like we have new coral flower pieces, and while I love the addition of the piece, the colour looks like it clashes a bit with the rest of the colour scheme.
View image at flickr
Inside the basket is a de factor first aid station, with a syringe and a baby bottle. I may be mistaken, but I think both of these pieces used to be included in accessory packs for Friends sets; I don’t remember seeing them loose before. 2×2 round jumper plates provide plenty of room for three minidolls – or two minidolls and a tiger cub, if you’re so inclined.
View image at flickr
View image at flickr
The hot air balloon is equipped with a crate that’s hung by a chain. I found the construction of the crate to be rather interesting. A sticker provides some detail on either side of the crate – the same logo is found on the side of the balloon basket, and I suspect that we will see this logo reappear in other sets from this subtheme.
View image at flickr
The chain attaches to the side of the balloon. I thought this was a little unwieldy; plus the engineer in me knows that in all practicality this arrangement would not work. However, I’m at a loss as to how the designer could do this more elegantly.
View image at flickr
Now for the best part of the set – the multi-tiered waterfall! There’s a new piece in this set – an opalescent wall piece in pale blue. It looks terrific and gives the impression of falling water. I liked this piece so much I didn’t bother adding the stickers included that shows the turbulence at the bottom of each waterfall as I didn’t think they were needed.
View image at flickr
The base of the waterfall is shaped like a heart, because of course it does. This is a Friends set, after all.
View image at flickr
Details at the bottom of the waterfall include the turtle’s area, the lower level of the waterfall pouring onto some rocks, behind which shelters a water lily. A sticker butterfly completes the detail.
View image at flickr
View image at flickr
That’s not all – turn the model around and there’s a cave obscured by some foliage.
View image at flickr
Swing the foliage aside, and you find one of the tiger cubs! This type of function reminds me a lot of Elves sets.
View image at flickr
The other side of the cave isn’t quite as sheltered, but doesn’t need to be as there’s a spider guarding the entrance. You can also see some additional stickered detail on the inside cave wall here.
View image at flickr
View image at flickr
There’s a steep and narrow pathway to get to the top waterfall, and Andrea’s trying to do here. You can see she’s trying to reach the tiger cub, who is somewhat distracted by Andrea’s parrot Pepper at the moment.
View image at flickr
However, the tiger cub doesn’t realize it’s in a rather precarious position – it’s gone out on a limb, literally!
View image at flickr
That branch is connected with an axle to allow that limb to twist, sending the poor tiger cub into the river below – or worse, if the branch twists the other way.
View image at flickr
However, the danger isn’t over for the tiger cub yet. Thanks to some minor Technic construction, the water below can simulate some dangerous rapids, so the tiger cub could find themselves falling down the waterfall. The water here is constructed from Technic 7M Beams in a new colour. This picture was taken mid-build to show the mechanism behind the water movement.
View image at flickr
That’s not all this waterfall has to offer. Assuming you make it to the top and can brave your way through the top waterfall, a diamond can be found, as Emma has discovered here. This type of detail is something again that reminds me of Elves sets – and how much I miss them!
View image at flickr
I haven’t mentioned the foliage – there’s not a lot, but it’s enough to convey the jungle setting. The mismatched brown pieces bother me a bit, but not enough to take away from the effectiveness of this set. Here, I think the new coral flower pieces really work.
Overall thoughts
View image at flickr
This is a really fun set, and sets my expectations high for the rest of the theme. The play possibilities are great, and I love seeing the moving functions in this piece. Between the details provided in the stickers, the moving functions and the great use of space – this reminds me a lot of Elves sets! I loved that range, so getting a reminder about this is a very good thing for me. I really hope I see this in the rest of the sets in this theme.
When I think of this set, I’m focusing on the waterfall structures and everything it has to offer. However, you can’t forget the hot air balloon – I think the colours are very striking and will be very popular. Even for people who don’t like the Friends colour scheme, I think the choice of purple is infinitely better than pink! Of course, the balloon provides a key part of the story (not to mention the name of the set!), and some may well like that part better than the waterfall.
There are obviously a lot of play features with this set, and I think almost everyone will love the adorable tiger cubs. However, for the price (at this writing, I can find $39.99, 39.99€ at various websites for 302 pieces), seems a little on the high side to me. However, considering the larger balloon pieces and the adorable animals, you may find it’s worth it.
Many thanks to LEGO for providing a copy of this set for review. All opinions expressed are mine.
39 likes