LEGO Shuttle Adventure 10213 (UNBOX)

So after a close call with UPS, tracking didn't show delivered until about 5pm, I arrived home to find the "LEGO Shuttle Adventure 10213" set waiting for me. Ever since this set was first rumored on the internet I knew I had to have it not only because I've always been a LEGO fanboy but because it is the perfect way to commemorate the ending of the Shuttle Era. The set it self is over 1200 pieces, three mini-figs, and fully assembled stands some 17" tall.

First Impressions. Just looking at the height of the box I was very satisfied with the overall size of the set. Once I dug in and laid out all the bags it became clear that this is quite possibly the most ambitious LEGO build I've ever undertaken.  As if to underscore that point I pulled out the instruction booklet and flipped through to see that it is 79 pages. Then I found another booklet of the same size, surely they had given me two of them! NOPE! That was book 2 of 2 at another 79 pages!! GOOD TIMES!!  Slideshow of my unboxing pics below. Let the fun begin! :)