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{{italic title|string=Explorer}}
{{italic title|string=Explorer}}
[[File:LMS Explorer - Adventures! Magazine.jpg|thumb|The LMS ''Explorer'' in the ''LEGO Rock Raiders'' video game's opening scene]]
{{Infobox fictional vehicle
The '''LMS ''Explorer''''' (alternatively written as '''L.M.S. ''Explorer''''') is a fictional [[Wikipedia:Starship|starship]] in the [[LEGO Rock Raiders]] theme. The ship was designed by artists at [[Data Design Interactive]] and model builders at [[LEGO Futura]] for the [[LEGO Rock Raiders (video game)|''LEGO Rock Raiders'']] tie-in video game. It appears in the game's [[Wikipedia:Full-motion video|full-motion video]] sequences and is mentioned frequently during gameplay. Alternate designs for the ship are featured in Rock Raiders books.
| name            = LMS ''Explorer''
| franchise      = [[LEGO Rock Raiders]]
| image          = LMS Explorer - Adventures! Magazine (Rescan).jpg
| alt            = A computer-generated image of a long, blocky spaceship with a widened lower hull, a truncated pyramid bridge structure near the rear end, and a number of smaller structures protruding from the front and top. The ship is largely grey, with teal bands on the top and bottom and transparent neon green structures glowing along the sides and on top. The ship is in space surrounded by asteroids; a planet resembling Jupiter's moon Io is visible in the background.
| caption        = The LMS ''Explorer'' as it appears in the ''[[LEGO Rock Raiders (video game)|LEGO Rock Raiders]]'' video game
| first_major    = [[LEGO Adventures!]]
|first_issue      = issue 7
| first_date      = 28 September 1999
| last_major      = [[Rock Raiders: High Adventure Deep Underground]]
| last_date      =
| creator        = [[Data Design Interactive]]
| designer        = {{ubl|Ian Deary, Dave Garbett (concept)|[[Søren Dyrhøj]] (LEGO model)}}
| affiliation    = [[Rock Raider]]s
| captain        = [[Chief]]
| defence        = [[Wikipedia:Force field (fiction)|Energy shield]]
| propulsion      = [[Wikipedia:Thrusters (spacecraft)|Thrusters]]
| power          = [[Power crystal]]s
| length          = 962.4 studs (7.7 metres)
| width          = 130 studs (1 metre)
| height          = 119.5 bricks (1.15 metres)
}}


The ''Explorer'' is a large mining ship used by the titular Rock Raiders while they explore the galaxy. In the theme's story, the ship is damaged by asteroids and knocked off-course or into a [[wikipedia:wormhole|wormhole]], depending on the story. Without enough power to get home, the Rock Raiders are forced to mine a nearby planet for [[power crystal]]s to refuel the ''Explorer''. No parts of the ship were ever released in a set, although unofficial digital recreations of it have been made.
The '''LMS ''Explorer''''' (alternatively written as '''L.M.S. ''Explorer''''') is a fictional [[Wikipedia:Starship|starship]] in the [[LEGO Rock Raiders]] theme.


== Development ==
== Origin and design ==
{{Multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | width = 200 | image1 = LMS Explorer cockpit PIC00001.jpg | alt1 = Photograph of the LMS Explorer bridge model constructed at LEGO Futura | image2 = Legos Come to Life RR5 01.jpg | alt2 = Render of the LMS Explorer's bridge with minifigures by Artworld UK | footer = Sections of ''Explorer'' were built at Futura and used as references for Artworld's virtual model}}
The LMS ''Explorer'' was originally created for the ''LEGO Rock Raiders'' video game. LEGO models of certain sections of the ''Explorer'' were constructed at [[LEGO Futura]] using Data Design's concept renders of the ship.<ref name="Adventures 7"/> Artists at [[Artworld UK]] used photographs of these models to create a full virtual LEGO model of the ship using [[Wikipedia:LightWave 3D|LightWave 3D]].<ref name="Moltenbrey CGW"/><ref name="Adventures 7"/>
The LMS ''Explorer'' was designed by artists at [[Data Design Interactive]] in early 1998.{{R|Slugger TS}} Certain sections of the LMS ''Explorer'' were designed and constructed at [[LEGO Futura]] in May 1998 using Data Design's concept renders of the ship.<ref name="Adv7"/> Photographs of these LEGO models were then used by [[Artworld UK]] to create a full virtual LEGO model of the ship.{{R|Slugger TS}}


Though not explicitly stated in any published media, the [[Wikipedia:Ship prefix|ship prefix]] LMS is thought to be an abbreviation of "Lego Mining Ship", a term used to describe the ship in earlier design documents before "huge mining ship" was used instead.{{citation needed}} This prefix is based on actual ship prefixes such as [[Wikipedia:His Majesty's Ship|HMS]] (Her/His Majesty's Ship) and [[Wikipedia:Royal Mail Ship|RMS]] (Royal Mail Ship). Some LEGO Rock Raiders comics refer to the ''Explorer'' as the HMS ''Explorer''.{{R|Slugger Explorer}}
The meaning of the [[Wikipedia:Ship prefix|ship prefix]] "LMS" is never stated in any published Rock Raiders media. It is likely a play on the ship prefix [[Wikipedia:His Majesty's Ship|HMS]] ("Her Majesty's Ship" or "His Majesty's Ship"), which is commonly used for [[Wikipedia:Royal Navy|British]] [[Wikipedia:Naval ship|naval ships]].<ref name="Slugger Explorer"/><ref name="Kemp"/> The ship is even referred to as "HMS ''Explorer''" in the "River of Lava!" comic in ''[[LEGO Adventures!]]'' issue 10 (January 2000),<ref name="Adventures 10"/> and as "H.M.S. ''Explorer''" in the comic book ''[[Rock Raiders: High Adventure Deep Underground]]''.{{R|Grant|p=48}}  An early script draft for the game's [[LEGO Rock Raiders FMVs|opening FMV]] refers to the "LMS-''Explorer''" as a "gigantic Lego mining ship",<ref name="DDI intro script"/> suggesting LMS may have been intended to stand for "LEGO Mining Ship";<ref name="Slugger Explorer"/> the game's instruction manual simply calls it a "huge mining ship".{{R|McPhail PC manual|p=10}}


== Game ==
== Depiction ==
[[File:OUTRO1.STR frame110.png|thumb]]
Describe its appearances in the games, books, and comics
The [[LEGO Rock Raiders (video game)|''LEGO Rock Raiders'']] game instruction manual contains a short backstory for the events leading up to the game. The LMS ''Explorer'' is on its way to return the Rock Raiders home after a long expedition through the galaxy's outer rim. The ship sails into an asteroid field where is is bombarded, causing damage to its shield. The ship's sensors detect a large [[Wikipedia:wormhole|wormhole]] in the centre of the asteroid field. Without enough power to escape its pull, LMS ''Explorer'' falls into the wormhole, emerging out the other end in an alien galaxy across the universe. Chief sets a course for the nearest planet, hoping that the ship's emergency power will last long enough to reach it. The ''Explorer'' requires emergency repairs and to restock its supply of [[Energy Crystals]] for power. A geological scan of the planet reveals rich deposits of Energy Crystals under its surface, which the Rock Raiders are sent down to mine for.{{R|manual PC|p=10}}


The game's intro FMV sequence shows a full model of LMS ''Explorer''. The ship can be seen again in both outro cutscenes.{{R|RR intro}}
== Fan-made recreations ==
{{external media
| float  = right
| width  = 330px
| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeD5iT15_34 How to Build the LMS Explorer from LEGO Rock Raiders! Interview with Arthuriel on 1:1 Replica!] by R.R. Slugger at YouTube
}}


An earlier extended version of the intro video included on some [[LEGO Software Demo CD]]s features additional shots of ''Explorer''.
Arthuriel's model


== Print ==
== Gallery ==
[[File:Adv no10 River of Lava! panel 01.jpg|thumb|Explorer]]
=== Concept art ===
Artworld's LMS Explorer model can be seen in two of the Rock Raiders comics in [[LEGO Adventures!]] magazine.
{{external media
| float  = right
| width  = 230px
| video1 = [https://archive.org/details/RockRaiders-LMSE-DesignExample-avi Explorer Ship Design for Tom] by Ian Deary (via Internet Archive)
}}


The ''[[Rock Raiders (1999 book)|Rock Raiders]]'' puzzle storybook loosely follows the story of the video game, though there is no wormhole in this version. The LMS ''Explorer'' in this book is only seen from the inside, which uses a unique model by artist Roger Harris. The interior used is a large hallway with windows looking into space on either side.
Concept art of the LMS ''Explorer'' created by artists at Data Design Interactive during early 1998.  


While travelling home, the LMS ''Explorer'' is struck by a large asteroid, damaging it and sending it off-course. Without enough power crystals to continue back on course, the ''Explorer'' becomes stranded in orbit around an [[planet (Rock Raiders)|uncharted planet]].{{R|Knight|pp=2–3}} The Rock Raiders require [[LEGO ore]] to repair the physical damage to the ''Explorer'' and power crystals to refuel it; deposits of both materials are detected on the planet. The LMS ''Explorer'' has only thirty-seven units of power remaining upon its arrival at the planet. The ship requires eleven units of power to continue operations, leaving twenty-six units for transporting a team of Rock Raiders down to the planet. The ship's transporter requires three units of power for each of the five Rock Raiders (fifteen total), one unit for equipment for each Rock Raider (five total), and six units to transport down all vehicles.{{R|Knight|pp=4–5}} Five Rock Raiders, led by [[Docs]], are transported down to the surface of the planet, where they must use the [[Tunnel Transport]] to travel underground to its sub-surface.{{R|Knight|p=6}} After the team finds a pile of power crystals behind a layer of granite boulders, the ''Explorer'' runs out of power, and the Rock Raiders must repair the teleport platform (which was damaged during mining) so that they can send the collected power crystals and LEGO ore up to the ship.{{R|Knight|p=26}} After the Rock Raiders transport back to the ''Explorer'' too, the ship's scanner detects an alien life form aboard;{{R|Knight|pp=28–29}} a [[rock monster]] is discovered to have stowed away aboard tbe ship.{{R|Knight|p=30}}
<gallery caption="Bridge by Dave Garbett (15 April 1998)">
NEW BRIDGE PIC1.jpg
NEW BRIDGE PIC2.jpg
NEW BRIDGE PIC3.jpg
NEW BRIDGE PIC4.jpg
</gallery>


In the book ''[[Race for Survival]]'', the LMS ''Explorer'' returns to the alien planet, here called Planet U, six months after initially being stranded there.{{R|Birkinshaw|pp=4–5}} Axle has gone down to the planet to mine when he is caught in a tremor. Sparks is aboard the LMS ''Explorer'' monitoring the radio and thinking about the ''Explorer'''s first visit to Planet U when Axle radios the ship for help.{{R|Birkinshaw|pp=10–11}}
<gallery caption="Explorer Ship Design by Ian Deary (11 May 1998)">
Explorer Shape Example - perspective view.JPG | Shape example (perspective view)
Explorer Shape Example - front view.JPG | Shape example (front view)
Explorer Shape Example - side view.JPG | Shape example (side view)
Explorer Bow Detail Example - front view 1.JPG | Bow detail example (front view)
Explorer Bow Detail Example - front view 2.JPG | Bow detail example (front view)
Explorer Bow Detail Example - side view.JPG | Bow detail example (side view)
</gallery>


The comic book ''[[Rock Raiders: High Adventure Deep Underground]]'' uses a unique LMS ''Explorer'' model. The book follows the plot of the game's cutscenes, including the wormhole.
=== Physical model ===
{{R|Grant}}
Photographs of the physical sections of the LMS ''Explorer'' built by [[Søren Dyrhøj]] and photographed by [[Troels Halken]]. This gallery is divided into four parts for each of the four sections known, labelled with the dates the photographs were taken. There were likely more sections constructed, but the photographs for these are not available.


== Recreation ==
<gallery caption="Bridge (13 May 1998)">
While no physical model of the LMS ''Explorer'' was ever produced aside from sections built at Futura, several unofficial recreations have been constructed or attempted, the most well-known one being Arthuriel's 2011 1:1 scale digital model. The project began when Arthuriel played ''LEGO Rock Raiders'' in December 2010 and wondered if anyone had recreated a full-scale LEGO model of the LMS ''Explorer'' from the game's FMV sequences.<ref name="RRU Explorer topic"/> He searched online, discovering and joining the site Rock Raiders United in the process, but determined that no 1:1 scale recreations existed at the time.<ref name="Slugger Explorer"/> He decided to make his own recreation and began constructing it in the [[Wikipedia:CAD software|CAD]] program [[LEGO Digital Designer]]. Due to the ''Explorer'''s size he found it difficult to make out some of the details; he rewatched the intro and outro FMV scenes multiple times trying to determine exactly which pieces were used in the ship.<ref name="RRU Explorer topic"/> While LEGO Digital Designer was initially easy for him to use, he ran into issues with certain pieces being unavailable in the program. After a month of development, when the model had reached around 16,000 pieces, LEGO Digital Designer started crashing due to the large number of pieces being displayed. Changing the program's graphics settings to the lowest options allowed him to continue to around 18,000 pieces, at which point it crashed after each piece added.<ref name="RRU Explorer topic"/>
 
Arthuriel decided to switch to a different LEGO CAD program, [[LeoCAD]]. He was unable to convert the LDD model for use in LeoCAD and had to start over, which let him correct mistakes.<ref name="RRU Explorer topic"/> While LeoCAD still became slow and unstable as the model became larger, he was able to finish constructing the ''Explorer'' with it.<ref name="Slugger Explorer"/> He publicly revealed his recreation on Rock Raiders United on 30 September 2011, at which point the model had around 57,300 pieces.<ref name="RRU Explorer topic"/> Many of the colours in the model were initially incorrect due to the dark lighting in the game's intro FMV; he was able to fix this using [[MLCAD]].<ref name="Slugger Explorer"/>
 
In 2016 Arthuriel made further improvements to the ''Explorer'' model.<ref name="RRU Explorer blog"/> He also designer smaller LMS ''Explorer'' models using 1:8, 1:16, and 1:32 scales.<ref name="RRU Explorer topic"/> As of 2023, Arthuriel's LMS ''Explorer'' recreation is 962.4 studs (769.9 cm, 303.1 in) long, 130 studs (104 cm, 41 in) wide, and 143.4 studs/119.5 bricks (114.7 cm, 45.2 in) high. The hull contains 58,827 pieces. The project took around 11 months to complete, including the additional changes made in 2016.<ref name="RRU Explorer blog"/> The model does not include any of the ship's interior rooms.
 
== Images ==
Bridge (13 May 1998)
<gallery>
LMS Explorer cockpit PIC00001.jpg
LMS Explorer cockpit PIC00001.jpg
LMS Explorer cockpit PIC00002.jpg
LMS Explorer cockpit PIC00002.jpg
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</gallery>
</gallery>


Middle slice (13 May 1998)
<gallery caption="Middle slice (13 May 1998)">
<gallery>
LMS Explorer slice PIC00001.jpg
LMS Explorer slice PIC00001.jpg
LMS Explorer slice PIC00002.jpg
LMS Explorer slice PIC00002.jpg
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</gallery>
</gallery>


 
<gallery caption="Front slice (15 May 1998)">
Front slice (15 May 1998)
<gallery>
LMS Explorer front PIC00001.jpg
LMS Explorer front PIC00001.jpg
LMS Explorer front PIC00002.jpg
LMS Explorer front PIC00002.jpg
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</gallery>
</gallery>


Bridge door (18 May 1998)
<gallery caption="Bridge door (18 May 1998)">
<gallery>
LMS Explorer door PIC00001.jpg
LMS Explorer door PIC00001.jpg
LMS Explorer door PIC00002.jpg
LMS Explorer door PIC00002.jpg
Line 109: Line 135:


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Adv7">Yeo, Matt (ed.) (October 1999). "Behind the Scenes: Rock Raiders". ''[[LEGO Adventures!]]''. Issue 7. Egmont Fleetway Ltd. pp. 30–33. {{ISSN|1465-0738}}.</ref>
<ref name="Adventures 7">{{cite magazine |editor-last=Yeo |editor-first=Matt |date=28 September 1999 |title=Behind the Scenes: Rock Raiders |url=https://archive.org/details/LEGOAdventures-No07Oct1999-Brickshelf/LEGO%20Adventures%21%20Issue%207%20-%20October%201999/page/30/mode/2up?view=theater |magazine=[[LEGO Adventures!]] |issue=7 |publisher=Egmont Fleetway Ltd |location=[[Wikipedia:London|London]] |pages=30-33 |ISSN=1465-0738}}</ref>
<ref name="Birkinshaw">Birkinshaw, Marie (2000) ''[[Race for Survival]]''. [[Wikipedia:DK (publisher)|Dorling Kindersley]]. {{ISBN|0-7894-5458-0}}.</ref>
 
<ref name="Grant">Grant, Alan (2000). ''[[Rock Raiders: High Adventure Deep Underground]]''. [[LEGO Systems, Inc]]. {{ISBN|1-903276-05-5}}.</ref>
<ref name="Adventures 10">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/LEGOAdventures-No10Jan2000-Brickshelf/page/4/mode/2up?view=theater |title=River of Lava! |author=[[Artworld UK]] |date=29 December 1999 |magazine=[[LEGO Adventures!]] |issue=7 |publisher=Egmont Fleetway Ltd |location=[[Wikipedia:London|London]] |page=4 |ISSN=1465-0738}}</ref>
<ref name="Knight">Knight, Anna (1999). ''[[Rock Raiders (1999 book)|Rock Raiders]]''. [[Dorling Kindersley]]. {{ISBN|0-7894-4707-X}}.</ref>
<ref name="manual PC">McPhail, Jim (13 December 1999). [https://archive.org/details/LEGORockRaiders-manual-Win-EU-2299598/mode/1up?view=theater ''LEGO Rock Raiders'' Instruction Manual (UK FRONT, BACK, I/F & I/B COVER)]. [[LEGO Media International]]. Serial no. IB2G-ROC3 2299598.</ref>
<ref name="RR intro">[[Artworld UK]] (11 August 1999). ''LEGO Rock Raiders'' intro FMV (<samp>Data/AVI/intro.avi</samp>). [[LEGO Media International]].</ref>
<ref name="Slugger Explorer">R.R. Slugger (2 January 2022). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeD5iT15_34 "How to Build the LMS Explorer from LEGO Rock Raiders! Interview with Arthuriel on 1:1 Replica!"]. YouTube.</ref>
<ref name="Slugger TS">R.R. Slugger (29 July 2022). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC39_pcTcW0 " Can We Fix the Tool Store? (Yes, We Can!) ~ LEGO Rock Raiders Step By Step Instructions "]. YouTube.</ref>


<ref name="RRU Explorer blog">Arthuriel (11 July 2023). [https://rockraidersunited.com/blogs/entry/2573-11-lms-explorer-model-download-links-the-return-of-the-thread-as-a-blog/ " 1:1 L.M.S. Explorer model - The Return of the Thread as a Blog "] (blog). Rock Raiders United. [https://web.archive.org/web/20231003220417/https://rockraidersunited.com/blogs/entry/2573-11-lms-explorer-model-download-links-the-return-of-the-thread-as-a-blog Archived] from the original on 3 October 2023.</ref>
<ref name="Grant">{{cite book |last=Grant |first=Alan |date=October 2000 |title=Rock Raiders: High Adventure Deep Underground |publisher=[[LEGO UK Ltd]] |location=[[Wikipedia:Slough|Slough]] |ISBN=1-903276-04-7}}</ref>
<ref name="RRU Explorer topic">Arthuriel (30 September 2011). [https://rockraidersunited.com/topic/3082-11-scale-lms-explorer-ldrawstudio-20-file-downloads-2021-10-21-oh-hey-this-thread-is-10-years-old-and-still-going "1:1 scale L.M.S. Explorer"]. Rock Raiders United. [https://rockraidersunited.com/topic/3082-11-scale-lms-explorer-ldrawstudio-20-file-downloads-2021-10-21-oh-hey-this-thread-is-10-years-old-and-still-going Archived] from the original on 25 September 2023.</ref>
 
<ref name="Kemp">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont0000unse_t9u3/page/265/mode/2up?view=theater |title=The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea |edition=2nd |editor-first2=I.C.B. |editor-last2=Dear |editor-first1=Peter K. |editor-last1=Kemp |date=2005 |orig-date=1976 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Oxford University Press|Oxford University Press]] |page=265 |ISBN=0-19-860616-8}}</ref>
 
<ref name="McPhail PC manual">{{cite book |editor-last=McPhail |editor-first=Jim |date=13 December 1999 |url=https://archive.org/details/LEGORockRaiders-manual-Win-EU-2299598/mode/1up?view=theater |title=LEGO Rock Raiders ''Instruction Manual'' |edition=UK FRONT, BACK, I/F & I/B COVER |publisher=[[LEGO Media International]] |location=[[Wikipedia:London|London]]}} Serial: IB2G-ROC3 2299598.</ref>
 
<ref name="Moltenbrey CGW">{{cite magazine |last=Moltenbrey |first=Karen |date=March 2000 |url=https://www.cgw.com/Publications/CGW/2000/Volume-23-Issue-3-March-2000-/Legos-Come-to-Life.aspx |title=Legos Come to Life |magazine=Computer Graphics World |volume=23 |issue=3 |publisher=CGW Magazine |pages=54-56 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118103532/https://www.cgw.com/Publications/CGW/2000/Volume-23-Issue-3-March-2000-/Legos-Come-to-Life.aspx |archive-date=18 January 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref>
 
<ref name="Slugger Explorer">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeD5iT15_34 |title=How to Build the LMS Explorer from LEGO Rock Raiders! Interview with Arthuriel on 1:1 Replica! |author=R.R. Slugger |date=2 January 2022 |type=Video |via=YouTube}}</ref>
 
<ref name="DDI intro script">{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/DDI-RockRaiders-Script-v1_1/mode/2up?view=theater |title=LEGO Rock Raiders Intro Script V1.1 |first=Ian |last=Deary |date=12 March 1998 |type=Developer document |publisher=[[Data Design Interactive]]}}</ref>
}}
}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Explorer}}
== External links ==
* [https://rockraidersarchive.com/rock-raiders-lms-explorer/ LMS Explorer] at Rock Raiders Archive
* [https://rockraidersunited.com/files/digital_models/ldraw/11-lms-explorer-r195/ Arthuriel's LMS ''Explorer'' model] on Rock Raiders United
 
{{LEGO Rock Raiders}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Explorer, LMS}}
[[Category:LEGO Rock Raiders]]
[[Category:LEGO Rock Raiders]]
[[Category:Fictional spacecraft]]
[[Category:Fictional spacecraft]]
{{Fict-vehicle-stub}}

Latest revision as of 23:54, 14 September 2025

LMS Explorer
LEGO Rock Raiders vehicle
A computer-generated image of a long, blocky spaceship with a widened lower hull, a truncated pyramid bridge structure near the rear end, and a number of smaller structures protruding from the front and top. The ship is largely grey, with teal bands on the top and bottom and transparent neon green structures glowing along the sides and on top. The ship is in space surrounded by asteroids; a planet resembling Jupiter's moon Io is visible in the background.
The LMS Explorer as it appears in the LEGO Rock Raiders video game
First appearance
Last appearanceRock Raiders: High Adventure Deep Underground
Created byData Design Interactive
Designed by
Information
AffiliationRock Raiders
CaptainChief
General characteristics
DefencesEnergy shield
PropulsionThrusters
PowerPower crystals
Length962.4 studs (7.7 metres)
Width130 studs (1 metre)
Height119.5 bricks (1.15 metres)

The LMS Explorer (alternatively written as L.M.S. Explorer) is a fictional starship in the LEGO Rock Raiders theme.

Origin and design

The LMS Explorer was originally created for the LEGO Rock Raiders video game. LEGO models of certain sections of the Explorer were constructed at LEGO Futura using Data Design's concept renders of the ship.[1] Artists at Artworld UK used photographs of these models to create a full virtual LEGO model of the ship using LightWave 3D.[2][1]

The meaning of the ship prefix "LMS" is never stated in any published Rock Raiders media. It is likely a play on the ship prefix HMS ("Her Majesty's Ship" or "His Majesty's Ship"), which is commonly used for British naval ships.[3][4] The ship is even referred to as "HMS Explorer" in the "River of Lava!" comic in LEGO Adventures! issue 10 (January 2000),[5] and as "H.M.S. Explorer" in the comic book Rock Raiders: High Adventure Deep Underground.[6]: 48  An early script draft for the game's opening FMV refers to the "LMS-Explorer" as a "gigantic Lego mining ship",[7] suggesting LMS may have been intended to stand for "LEGO Mining Ship";[3] the game's instruction manual simply calls it a "huge mining ship".[8]: 10 

Depiction

Describe its appearances in the games, books, and comics

Fan-made recreations

External video
video icon How to Build the LMS Explorer from LEGO Rock Raiders! Interview with Arthuriel on 1:1 Replica! by R.R. Slugger at YouTube

Arthuriel's model

Concept art

External video
video icon Explorer Ship Design for Tom by Ian Deary (via Internet Archive)

Concept art of the LMS Explorer created by artists at Data Design Interactive during early 1998.

  • Bridge by Dave Garbett (15 April 1998)
  • Explorer Ship Design by Ian Deary (11 May 1998)
  • Shape example (perspective view)
    Shape example (perspective view)
  • Shape example (front view)
    Shape example (front view)
  • Shape example (side view)
    Shape example (side view)
  • Bow detail example (front view)
    Bow detail example (front view)
  • Bow detail example (front view)
    Bow detail example (front view)
  • Bow detail example (side view)
    Bow detail example (side view)

Physical model

Photographs of the physical sections of the LMS Explorer built by Søren Dyrhøj and photographed by Troels Halken. This gallery is divided into four parts for each of the four sections known, labelled with the dates the photographs were taken. There were likely more sections constructed, but the photographs for these are not available.

  • Bridge (13 May 1998)
  • Middle slice (13 May 1998)
  • Front slice (15 May 1998)
  • Bridge door (18 May 1998)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Yeo, Matt, ed. (28 September 1999). "Behind the Scenes: Rock Raiders". LEGO Adventures!. No. 7. London: Egmont Fleetway Ltd. pp. 30–33. ISSN 1465-0738.
  2. ↑ Moltenbrey, Karen (March 2000). "Legos Come to Life". Computer Graphics World. Vol. 23, no. 3. CGW Magazine. pp. 54–56. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 R.R. Slugger (2 January 2022). "How to Build the LMS Explorer from LEGO Rock Raiders! Interview with Arthuriel on 1:1 Replica!" (Video) – via YouTube.
  4. ↑ Kemp, Peter K.; Dear, I.C.B., eds. (2005) [1976]. The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 265. ISBN 0-19-860616-8.
  5. ↑ Artworld UK (29 December 1999). "River of Lava!". LEGO Adventures!. No. 7. London: Egmont Fleetway Ltd. p. 4. ISSN 1465-0738.
  6. ↑ Grant, Alan (October 2000). Rock Raiders: High Adventure Deep Underground. Slough: LEGO UK Ltd. ISBN 1-903276-04-7.
  7. ↑ Deary, Ian (12 March 1998). "LEGO Rock Raiders Intro Script V1.1" (Developer document). Data Design Interactive.
  8. ↑ McPhail, Jim, ed. (13 December 1999). LEGO Rock Raiders Instruction Manual (UK FRONT, BACK, I/F & I/B COVER ed.). London: LEGO Media International. Serial: IB2G-ROC3 2299598.
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