7239 Fire Truck inaugurated the City line in 2005, and helped Lego visualize and design its post-juniorized cityscape. It proved exceptionally long-lived, and its continued availability through the end of 2011 signals its exceptional design.

Rejecting juniorization

In Brick by Brick David Robertson and Bill Breen (with whom I am not affiliated) write that in 2004 Lego executive Mads Nipper happened upon an early iteration of 7239 while seeking to reimagine what had previously been Town. The fire engine’s designer, Henrik Andersen, sought to produce a model that was both classic and current by drawing on designs from the ’80s, although 7239 perhaps most closely resembles the fire engine from 6271 of 1994.

Inspired by Andersen’s design, Nipper used the model in a forum for designers as an example of what a revitalized City ought to look like, favorably comparing it to previous fire engines, 6486 from 1997 and 4605 from 2001. Andersen’s modest engine signaled the termination of the moribund project of juniorization and marked the reconceptualization of Lego’s core offerings.

Reviving classic design

What makes 7239 reminiscent of classic Town? Although it uses a one-piece chassis, it is constructed largely of bricks and plates rather than large, highly specialized pieces. Unlike juniorized vehicles, it has a roof and a width of six studs, marking a new size standard. It resembles a real fire engine, with the large hood at the front, the blocky profile, the low clearance, and the large wheels and fenders.

7239 has the functionality of an actual fire engine, and offers a multitude of play possibilities. Fire fighters can access a box of tools stored behind the cab, extend the ladder and prop it up at multiple angles, unwind the firehose, and fold down stabilizers from either side of the engine. They can deploy a small fireboat, detach the trailer, and fill additional cupboards with equipment.

Andersen’s fire engine recognizes that builders appreciate models that represent real vehicles and buildings, and that a degree of complexity in the build contributes to the experience. Its exposed studs signal an embrace of Lego-ness that contrasts with the embarrassment of the sets of the early ’00s with their own medium. The set’s availability through 2011 attests to Andersen’s success in creating a classic style.

Well-proportioned, functional, realistic: 7239 was the strongest of the 2005 City models, and may constitute the most outstanding fire engine yet produced by Lego. Five stars.

This set is very nice, the best Fire Truck i saw for now (in this scale, witch is the one i collect), the back part with the boat is nice too, but its a non-necessary addon if u ask me, the truck itself is already neat, that would make it more cheap.
I Payed 110 Reais on this Set (=62 US Dollars today), so you see for me it was expensive, but since its my country fault (high taxes) i wont reduce its rate for it :)
I like the silver helmet and the visor the fireman have now. The Box to put tools on the compartment is also very playable, the ladder is double and the fireman can reach high altitudes to put fire out on legos buildings.
A must have!

I finally decided to nab this set while it's still available in the stores for my Town/City collection and grand plans for creating a LEGO City with my daughter. At roughly $22, the piece count ratio, number of minifigures (2) and some of the specialized and hard to find or get pieces such as the ladders are very well worth it for a set like this.

As far as building the truck went, at first I was wondering where the instructions were going as it didn't seem obvious at first. At about the half way point it's clear the logic in some of the building and design. And what you get is a current, modern vehicle build geared towards a Fire Truck. There are elements of design used in the Police Prisoner Transport truck of side doors that open up so a crate filled with many useful gear for the firemen is stored at. Side "clips" for holding a walkie-talkie and other pieces.

While the back part of the main truck seems blocky with the ladder, the final build is well done and solid. Even the stabilizers that come down to keep the truck still are well done. The trailer hitch could almost be argued as an after thought, but with towing the raft and other storage pieces on it. It too compliments the whole of this set. There are lots of stickers for this set, which you'll either love or hate.

For those going out, collecting up the City theme and looking towards filling out their Fire Department, this set is a worthy addition to that end. If you're not collecting anything for City and are focused on other Themes, then yeah you can skip this one.

This is the set wich every City and Fire fan should own, even at you wouldnt be very intrested about City theme. Its very good looking outside and it has many great parts, and the prize is a pretty good, but maby also a bit high. The Boat and the trailer looks cool, and you also get a silver helmet. Lets take a closer look

Pros:
-Minifigs
-The ladder move 360 degrees and it will moveup and down
-Silver helmet
-Playbility
-The ladder mechanism
-Overall look

Cons:
-Stickers (Please, no more stickers)
-The ladder isnt attached very well and takes off very easily
-Theres only one place to sit

I loved this set because it was a strange build like the hose for instance.The minifigures were better than the police ones.

Pros

The boat floats

The ladder moves to were you want

Cons

The ladder is a bit to delect