6271 Imperial Flagship

:This article is about the 1992 set; for the 2010 set, see 10210 Imperial Flagship.
6271 Imperial Flagship, also known as the Sea Lion in the UK and some other markets, is a set released in 1992 and contained a one-masted sailing ship and four minifigures. It is the first Imperial Guards ship released by LEGO and the only one for the faction's initial run from 1992-1996.
== Description ==
The Imperial Flagship has one single mast with a square-rigged mainsail and a gaff sail, and also has a single jib bent onto the forestay. 
It is armed with two cannons that can be allocated to four cannon ports (two on each side), however the gun deck is not spacious enough to accommodate two cannons opposite each other and thus not four cannons together. 
The quarterdeck houses a mechanism that allows the player to operate the rudder by turning the ship's wheel. A working compass is placed ahead of the ship's wheel.
The crew comprises of a soldier with shako and backpack, one officer with tricorne, Admiral Woodhouse, and a sailor (meant to a represent a deckhand or pirate) wearing a striped shirt and bandana. The set also includes a treasure chest.
Box flap
During the 18th century, a peaceful colony of settlers enjoying the island treasures they discovered, suddenly had their serenity interrupted. The invaders were those who called themselves the LEGO SYSTEM? Pirates of the Sea! For years, the Pirates had been searching for the same buried treasures that the settlers were now claiming as their own. This, of course, disturbed the Pirates, as they knew the doubloons (Spanish gold coins) the settlers found had belonged to their ancestors.
Many years ago, a wealthy king summoned the best shipbuilders to design and build what is known as the Imperial Flagship. He called to duty the finest Soldiers to guide his ship on a journey across miles of ocean. Their mission was to retrieve millions of dollars worth of treasure he had hidden on a deserted island. The Soldiers, thinking this an easy task, were not prepared for what was ahead of them.
Spotting the royal ship leaving the deserted island, the Pirates knew instantly what the Soldiers were carrying aboard the ship. Will the Soldiers be able to protect the king's royal treasure from the Pirates?
Use your imagination to continue the adventures of the LEGO SYSTEM Pirates of the Sea!
Canadian box flap
During the eighteenth century, a peaceful colony of settlers suddenly had their serenity interrupted.  The invaders were the Lego System Pirates of the Sea!  The Pirates had been searching for the same buried treasures that the settlers were claiming as their own.  This disturbed the Pirates as they knew the treasure had belonged to their ancestors. Many years ago, a wealthy king summoned the best shipbuilders and the finest soldiers to design, build and sail the Imperial Flagship. Their mission was to retrieve millions of dollars worth of hidden treasure. Unfortunately, the Soldiers were not prepared for what was ahead. Spotting the royal ship leaving a deserted island, the Pirates knew instantly what the Soldiers were carrying aboard. Will the Soldiers be able to protect the king's royal treasure from the Pirates? Use your imagination to continue the adventures of the Lego System Pirates of the Sea!
== Notes ==
* Compared to its similar-sized predecessor, the 6274 Caribbean Clipper (Sea Hawk), the 6271 Imperial Flagship (Sea Lion) has a much smaller quarterdeck without an enclosed cabin underneath due to the need to accommodate the mechanism allowing the ship's wheel to control the rudder. Due to its sleeker minimalist design compared to the Caribbean Clipper, the Imperial Flagship is a less detailed set with fewer pieces including the omission of a figurehead.
** Continuing a trend of the Imperials having a smaller vessel than contemporary main pirate ship, the Imperial Flagship is surpassed by the 6285 Black Seas Barracuda (1989-92) and 6286 Skull's Eye Schooner (1993-95)
** The Imperial Flagship has a narrower hull (12 stud cross-section) and the gundeck can only accommodate two cannons, compared to than the Caribbean Clipper which comes with two cannons but can fit up to four thanks to its 16 stud hull cross-section.
* 6271 Imperial Flagship was the last Lego Pirates ship where each cannon is mounted upon a gun carriage (naval carriage or garrison carriage) until 6243 Brickbeard's Bounty (2009). In between that period, Lego Pirates ships like 6286 Skull's Eye Schooner (1993) would mount the cannon on a rotating turntable while 6289 Red Beard Runner (1996) had no cannon mounting at all.
** The cannons are non-shooting in the USA market version.  
* The 1992 Canadian television advertisement introducing the Imperial Guards depicted a narrative where the newly released 6271 Imperial Flagship successfully attacks the 6273 Rock Island Refuge to rescue an Imperial Soldiers officer bluecoat from the shark and release an imprisoned Imperial Guard redcoat trooper from jail.  At the end, the bluecoats are aboard the Imperial Flagship when it departs the island.
== Minifigure Gallery ==
== See also ==
* 6274 Caribbean Clipper
* 6280 Armada Flagship
* 6291 Armada Flagship
* 10210 Imperial Flagship
* 6277 Imperial Trading Post
== External links ==
* Set Review by Eurobricks
Category:1992 sets
Category:6000 sets
Category:Imperial Guard