Sail the Bricks!
Build the Vintage U.S.S. Constellation

Relive 1978 with this classic 982-piece Hobby Set. A nostalgic build for LEGO and sailing enthusiasts alike!

🏛 Hobby Sets
Set #398

U.S.S. Constellation

The U.

🏆 Best For: Ideal for older teens and adults who enjoy classic LEGO sets and historical models. ⏱ 4.5 hr build 🧩 982 pcs
★★★★☆ 4.6

Collectors adore the U.S.S. Constellation for its classic design and historical significance, making it a prized vintage set. However, some find the building techniques outdated compared to modern sets, and obtaining a complete, undamaged set can be challenging and expensive.

MSRP
$29.99
Best Price
$26.99
You Save
10% OFF
View on

📝 Our Take

The U.S.S. Constellation is a classic LEGO sailing ship. Released in 1978, this set captures the essence of tall ships with its detailed rigging, multiple decks, and impressive scale for its time. It's a nostalgic piece that embodies early LEGO design and creativity.

This set is perfect for vintage LEGO collectors and nautical enthusiasts. The build offers a rewarding experience of recreating a historical vessel. Displayed, it's a conversation starter and a testament to LEGO's enduring appeal.

Skip this if you prefer modern, highly detailed ship models or are looking for minifigure-focused sets. Consider newer LEGO pirate ships or Creator Expert vehicles for more advanced building techniques and play features.

✨ New
BlockTalk

Ask BlockTalk about this set

AI assistant with full set data

Powered by AI
BlockTalk
BlockTalk
Hi! I'm BlockTalk, your LEGO expert. Ask me anything about the U.S.S. Constellation - building tips, investment potential, comparisons, or anything else!
Try asking:
What are the key factors influencing the value of vintage LEGO sets like the U.S.S. Constellation? How does the building experience of this classic set compare to modern LEGO ship models? What are the best ways to display and preserve a vintage LEGO set like this? Is the U.S.S. Constellation a worthwhile investment for a serious LEGO collector?

🧱 Building Experience

🧩
982
Pieces
4.5h
Build Time
📊
Intermediate
Difficulty
Build Highlights:
  • Intricate rigging system using string and LEGO elements
  • Detailed construction of the hull and decks
  • Challenging assembly of the masts and sails
  • Elegant display model showcasing classic LEGO design

📈 Investment Analysis

↑ Trending up since release
A
Investment Grade
⏳ Appreciating
The U.S.S. Constellation is a highly sought-after vintage LEGO set. Its age, rarity, and iconic status within the LEGO community make it a strong investment piece. The price trend is consistently rising, reflecting its increasing desirability among collectors. While the initial cost is significant, well-preserved sets command premium prices. Be cautious about heavily played or incomplete sets, as they will have lower value. The set's historical significance and enduring popularity suggest continued appreciation.

Not Financial Advice: Content is for educational purposes only. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Full disclaimer

Compare Similar Sets

The U.S.S. Constellation offers a unique vintage experience compared to modern LEGO ship sets. While lacking the advanced building techniques and minifigure focus of newer sets like the LEGO Ideas Ship in a Bottle 21313-1, its historical significance and classic LEGO charm make it a distinctive collectible. It also differs from the larger, more complex Creator Expert ships in its build style and aesthetic.

📦 Full Parts Inventory - 60 unique parts • 981 total pieces

Brick 2 x 4 without Cross Supports Brick 2 x 4 witho...
Part #: 3001a White
Brick 2 x 4 without Cross Supports Brick 2 x 4 witho...
Part #: 3001a Black
Brick 2 x 3 without Cross Supports Brick 2 x 3 witho...
Part #: 3002a 11× Black
Brick 2 x 2 without Inside Ridges Brick 2 x 2 witho...
Part #: 3003a Black
Brick 2 x 2 without Inside Ridges Brick 2 x 2 witho...
Part #: 3003a 16× White
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 39× Black
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 Red
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 16× White
Brick 1 x 1 Brick 1 x 1
Part #: 3005 Red
Brick 1 x 1 Brick 1 x 1
Part #: 3005 36× Black
Brick 1 x 1 Brick 1 x 1
Part #: 3005 White
Brick 2 x 10 Brick 2 x 10
Part #: 3006 Black
Brick 2 x 8 Brick 2 x 8
Part #: 3007 Red
Brick 2 x 8 Brick 2 x 8
Part #: 3007 White
Brick 2 x 8 Brick 2 x 8
Part #: 3007 16× Black
Brick 1 x 8 Brick 1 x 8
Part #: 3008 Red
Brick 1 x 8 Brick 1 x 8
Part #: 3008 Black
Brick 1 x 6 Brick 1 x 6
Part #: 3009 Red
Brick 1 x 6 Brick 1 x 6
Part #: 3009 Black
Brick 1 x 4 Brick 1 x 4
Part #: 3010 Red
Brick 1 x 4 Brick 1 x 4
Part #: 3010 11× Black
Plate 2 x 4 Plate 2 x 4
Part #: 3020 White
Plate 2 x 4 Plate 2 x 4
Part #: 3020 Yellow
Plate 2 x 4 Plate 2 x 4
Part #: 3020 Trans-Clear
Plate 2 x 4 Plate 2 x 4
Part #: 3020 Red
Plate 2 x 4 Plate 2 x 4
Part #: 3020 12× Black
Plate 2 x 3 Plate 2 x 3
Part #: 3021 21× Black
Plate 2 x 3 Plate 2 x 3
Part #: 3021 Yellow
Plate 2 x 2 Plate 2 x 2
Part #: 3022 Yellow
Plate 2 x 2 Plate 2 x 2
Part #: 3022 Red
Plate 2 x 2 Plate 2 x 2
Part #: 3022 17× Black
Plate 1 x 2 Plate 1 x 2
Part #: 3023 Red
Plate 1 x 2 Plate 1 x 2
Part #: 3023 22× White
Plate 1 x 2 Plate 1 x 2
Part #: 3023 69× Black
Plate 1 x 2 Plate 1 x 2
Part #: 3023 12× Yellow
Plate 1 x 1 Plate 1 x 1
Part #: 3024 Yellow
Plate 1 x 1 Plate 1 x 1
Part #: 3024 26× Black
Plate 1 x 1 Plate 1 x 1
Part #: 3024 10× White
Plate 1 x 1 Plate 1 x 1
Part #: 3024 26× Light Gray
Plate 1 x 1 Plate 1 x 1
Part #: 3024 Red
Plate 4 x 10 Plate 4 x 10
Part #: 3030 Black
Plate 4 x 6 Plate 4 x 6
Part #: 3032 Black
Plate 4 x 6 Plate 4 x 6
Part #: 3032 Red
Plate 6 x 10 Plate 6 x 10
Part #: 3033 Black
Plate 2 x 8 Plate 2 x 8
Part #: 3034 Red
Plate 2 x 8 Plate 2 x 8
Part #: 3034 42× Black
Plate 4 x 8 Plate 4 x 8
Part #: 3035 Black
Plate 4 x 8 Plate 4 x 8
Part #: 3035 Red
Plate 6 x 8 Plate 6 x 8
Part #: 3036 Red
Slope 45° 2 x 2 Slope 45° 2 x 2
Part #: 3039 Black
Slope 45° 2 x 2 Slope 45° 2 x 2
Part #: 3039 12× Red
Slope 45° 2 x 1 without Bottom Pin Slope 45° 2 x 1 w...
Part #: 3040a 10× Black
Slope 45° 2 x 1 without Bottom Pin Slope 45° 2 x 1 w...
Part #: 3040a Red
Slope 45° 2 x 2 Double Slope 45° 2 x 2 D...
Part #: 3043 Red
Slope 45° 2 x 1 Double without Bottom Pin Slope 45° 2 x 1 D...
Part #: 3044a Black
Slope 45° 2 x 1 Double without Bottom Pin Slope 45° 2 x 1 D...
Part #: 3044a Red
Brick Round 1 x 1 Solid Stud Brick Round 1 x 1...
Part #: 3062a 52× Light Gray
Brick Round Corner 2 x 2 Macaroni with Stud Notch Brick Round Corne...
Part #: 3063b Black
Tile 1 x 1 with Groove Tile 1 x 1 with G...
Part #: 3070b 38× Black
Window 1 x 1 x 1 Classic with Short Sill, No Glass Window 1 x 1 x 1 ...
Part #: 3087c 16× Yellow
Plate Special 3 x 2 with Rounded End, Hole Plate Special 3 x...
Part #: 3176 Black
Hinge Plate 2 x 4 - Male (Digger Bucket Holder) Hinge Plate 2 x 4...
Part #: 3315 Black
Hinge Plate 2 x 9 with Hole Close to Hinge [Complete Assembly] Hinge Plate 2 x 9...
Part #: 3324ac01 Black
Plate 1 x 8 Plate 1 x 8
Part #: 3460 45× Black
Plate 1 x 8 Plate 1 x 8
Part #: 3460 18× White
Wheel with Split Axle hole Wheel with Split ...
Part #: 3482 Light Gray
Hinge Plate 2 x 4 - Female (Digger Bucket Holder) Hinge Plate 2 x 4...
Part #: 3597 Black
Brick 1 x 3 Brick 1 x 3
Part #: 3622 Black
Plate 1 x 3 Plate 1 x 3
Part #: 3623 20× Black
Plate 1 x 3 Plate 1 x 3
Part #: 3623 Yellow
Plate 1 x 3 Plate 1 x 3
Part #: 3623 White
Minifig Head [Plain] [Solid Stud] Minifig Head [Pla...
Part #: 3626a Yellow
Fence Lattice 1 x 4 x 1 Fence Lattice 1 x...
Part #: 3633 26× Black
Technic Axle and Pin Connector Technic Axle and ...
Part #: 3651 Light Gray
Brick Arch 1 x 4 Brick Arch 1 x 4
Part #: 3659 Black
Slope Inverted 45° 2 x 2 [Ovoid Bottom Pin, Bar-sized Stud Holes] Slope Inverted 45...
Part #: 3660 White
Slope Inverted 45° 2 x 2 [Ovoid Bottom Pin, Bar-sized Stud Holes] Slope Inverted 45...
Part #: 3660 Red
Slope Inverted 45° 2 x 2 [Ovoid Bottom Pin, Bar-sized Stud Holes] Slope Inverted 45...
Part #: 3660 Black
Plate 1 x 6 Plate 1 x 6
Part #: 3666 20× White
Plate 1 x 6 Plate 1 x 6
Part #: 3666 18× Black
Plate 1 x 6 Plate 1 x 6
Part #: 3666 Red
Turntable 2 x 2 Plate - Top Turntable 2 x 2 P...
Part #: 3679 Light Gray
Turntable 2 x 2 Plate, Base Turntable 2 x 2 P...
Part #: 3680 Red
Technic Brick 1 x 2 [1 Pin Hole] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 3700 Black
Technic Axle 2 Technic Axle 2
Part #: 3704 Black
Technic Axle 4 Technic Axle 4
Part #: 3705 Black
Technic Plate 2 x 4 [3 Holes] Technic Plate 2 x...
Part #: 3709 Red
Plate 1 x 4 Plate 1 x 4
Part #: 3710 Yellow
Plate 1 x 4 Plate 1 x 4
Part #: 3710 24× Black
Plate 1 x 4 Plate 1 x 4
Part #: 3710 Red
Plate 1 x 4 Plate 1 x 4
Part #: 3710 18× White
Technic Bush Technic Bush
Part #: 3713 15× Light Gray
Technic Axle 10 Technic Axle 10
Part #: 3737 Black
Technic Plate 2 x 8 [7 Holes] Technic Plate 2 x...
Part #: 3738 Red
Technic Axle Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise Technic Axle Pin ...
Part #: 3749 Light Gray
Plate Special 1 x 2 with 1 Stud without Groove (Jumper) Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 3794a 12× Light Gray
Plate 2 x 6 Plate 2 x 6
Part #: 3795 White
Plate 2 x 6 Plate 2 x 6
Part #: 3795 Light Gray
Plate 2 x 6 Plate 2 x 6
Part #: 3795 21× Black
Plate Special 2 x 2 with Small Holes for Metal Axle Plate Special 2 x...
Part #: 422 Black
String Cord Medium Thickness 50cm String Cord Mediu...
Part #: 7916c50 Black
🧱 Poster, U.S.S. Co...
Part #: 120070 [No Color/Any Color]
🧱 Sticker Sheet for...
Part #: 4239 [No Color/Any Color]
The set features a large quantity of black plates, useful for ship-building or other large-scale MOCs. The black fence lattice pieces are also valuable for creating detailed architectural elements.

🛒 Where to Buy

eBay
✓ In Stock
$26.99
Walmart
✓ In Stock
$28.49
Target
✓ In Stock
$29.99
Amazon

💎 Notable Parts

Black Plate 1 x 2 (69x) $3.45
Black Plate 1 x 8 (45x) $2.25
Black Plate 2 x 8 (42x) $2.10
Black Fence Lattice 1 x 4 x 1 (26x) $3.90
Light Gray Brick Round 1 x 1 Solid Stud (52x) $2.60
Est. BrickLink Part Value
$14.30

💡 MOC Potential

🚢 Pirate ship modifications with updated sails and cannons
🚢 Custom frigates or galleons inspired by different historical periods
🏙 Harbor scene diorama with docks and buildings

Community Insights

Real opinions from Reddit and YouTube

What Reddit Says

No Reddit discussions found for this set.

What YouTubers Say

Searching for YouTube reviews...

This may take a moment

Charts Inventory Statistics

60
Unique Parts
982
Total Pieces
0
Minifigures
Inventory Version: 2