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5542 LEGO Model Team Black Thunder thumbnail image

5542 LEGO Model Team Black Thunder
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5542 LEGO Model Team Black Thunder
  • Black Thunder thumbnail
  • Black Thunder thumbnail
  • Black Thunder thumbnail
  • Black Thunder thumbnail
  • Black Thunder thumbnail
  • Black Thunder thumbnail

LEGO 5542 Black Thunder is a Model Team set from 1998 valued at $169 for new and sealed sets, up 322% from an original retail price of $39.99. Annual appreciation has averaged 3.88% since release. On the used market, values range from $86 to $126 based on condition.

Set Value (New/Sealed)

This chart represents the current new/sealed value of the set Black Thunder since June 2016. Very high accuracy
LEGO 5542 Black Thunder is a Model Team set released in 1998, containing 483 pieces. The primary build is a black, white, and yellow helicopter with detailed brick-built styling, and the set was also marketed as Rescue Helicopter. An alternate build assembles a two-seat snowmobile that repurposes the main model’s tail propeller element as its motor.

A new and sealed Black Thunder is currently valued at around $169, with annual growth of 2.6% that is expected to level off to around 2.0% in the coming year. The average used price is $105 for those in good overall condition. New and sealed listings currently range from $153 to $183. Recent market trends show a period of price correction, with values declining over the past year.
All regions

For Sale (New/Sealed)

 (US) No Sealed Bags. All parts re-bagged by part and confirmed 100% complete guaranteed wi... $150.00
-11.1%
(US) eBay listing for Black Thunder $163.61
-3.0%
(US) Box in great shape $170.00
+0.8%
(US) Amazon listing for Black Thunder $177.10
+5.0%
(US) This set is Brand New and Sealed. We are the original owner and bought it new off the... $185.00
+9.7%
All regions

For Sale (Used)

 (US) Used - Model Team: Black Thunder (5542) USED 99.99% Complete
$85.00
--18.8%
(US) Used - Model Team 5542 - Black Thunder; 90% Complete; No Instructions
$87.00
--16.9%
(US) Used - Model Team 5542 - Black Thunder; 100% Complete; Stickers Unused; Manual
$120.00
(US) Used - Model Team 5542 - Black Thunder 100% Complete w/ Instructions
$124.97
(US) Used - Model Team Black Thunder (5542)
$160.00

Sets in Model Team

5571 Giant Truck

Theme Model Team
Year 1996
Pieces 1,757
Availability Retired
5571 LEGO Model Team Giant Truck
Retail $139.00
Value $1,193.67
Growth  +758.8%
Annual growth 3.7%

5591 Mach II Red Bird Rig

Theme Model Team
Year 1994
Pieces 1,172
Availability Retired
5591 LEGO Model Team Mach II Red Bird Rig
Retail $109.99
Value $833.60
Growth  +657.9%
Annual growth 4.1%

5590 Whirl and Wheel Super Truck

Theme Model Team
Year 1990
Pieces 1,063
Availability Retired
5590 LEGO Model Team Whirl and Wheel Super Truck
Retail $79.99
Value $873.87
Growth  +992.5%
Annual growth 4.3%

5563 Racing Truck

Theme Model Team
Year 1999
Pieces 788
Availability Retired
5563 LEGO Model Team Racing Truck
Retail $79.99
Value $960.41
Growth  +1100.7%
Annual growth 5.5%

5581 Magic Flash

Theme Model Team
Year 1993
Pieces 784
Availability Retired
5581 LEGO Model Team Magic Flash
Retail $79.00
Value $509.35
Growth  +544.7%
Annual growth 2.9%

5561 Big Foot 4x4

Theme Model Team
Year 1997
Pieces 761
Availability Retired
5561 LEGO Model Team Big Foot 4x4
Retail $88.00
Value $774.93
Growth  +780.6%
Annual growth 6.6%

5580 Highway Rig

Theme Model Team
Year 1986
Pieces 667
Availability Retired
5580 LEGO Model Team Highway Rig
Retail $79.99
Value $1,006.95
Growth  +1158.8%
Annual growth 4.8%

2556 Ferrari Formula 1 Racing Car

Theme Model Team
Year 1998
Pieces 580
Availability Retired
2556 LEGO Model Team Ferrari Formula 1 Racing Car
promotional
Value $217.84
Annual growth 8.1%

5550 Custom Rally Van

Theme Model Team
Year 1991
Pieces 525
Availability Retired
5550 LEGO Model Team Custom Rally Van
Retail $49.50
Value $382.40
Growth  +672.5%
Annual growth 4.4%

5540 Formula 1 Racer

Theme Model Team
Year 1986
Pieces 451
Availability Retired
5540 LEGO Model Team Formula 1 Racer
Retail $39.99
Value $280.00
Growth  +600.2%
Annual growth 3.7%

10151 Hot Rod

Theme Model Team
Year 2004
Pieces 421
Availability Retired
10151 LEGO Model Team Hot Rod
Retail $39.99
Value $231.20
Growth  +478.1%
Annual growth 8.3%

5541 Blue Fury

Theme Model Team
Year 1995
Pieces 419
Availability Retired
5541 LEGO Model Team Blue Fury
Retail $39.50
Value $297.67
Growth  +653.6%
Annual growth 5.8%

5521 Sea Jet

Theme Model Team
Year 1993
Pieces 401
Availability Retired
5521 LEGO Model Team Sea Jet
Retail $36.49
Value $199.79
Growth  +447.5%
Annual growth 5.3%

5533 Red Fury

Theme Model Team
Year 1999
Pieces 393
Availability Retired
5533 LEGO Model Team Red Fury
Retail $54.00
Value $137.35
Growth  +154.4%
Annual growth 3.8%

5510 Off-Road 4x4

Theme Model Team
Year 1986
Pieces 285
Availability Retired
5510 LEGO Model Team Off-Road 4x4
Retail $24.99
Value $201.44
Growth  +706.1%
Annual growth 6.1%

My Collection

Black Thunder Reviews

11 reviews
4.8
Collectors
Investors
Brickset
“Great thing about the set is it is very detailed. The cockpit has a large space for two minifigures, each with their own set of controls, large front clear screen. You also have two sets of opening doors and the area inside is vast that you could fit an ambulance or small... More vehicle. If you open the engine top, you can see the inner workings too.”
Full review at brickset.com
Lego Maniacs' Guide
“The overall model is a gigantic (56 studs long -- excluding the two propellers) black and yellow helicopter. It is incredibly sleek and aerodynamic. The main vehicle is just plain awesome. The colors are great, the amount of normal bricks is high, as is the special piece... More count. Both sets are great, and very worth it to pick up.”
Full review at adequate.com

About Model Team

The LEGO Model Team theme introduced in 1986 included larger scale vehicle models with more attention to details, such as steering and drive functionality as well as visual realism of the vehicles. Model Team was discontinued after 1999 and replaced by the Creator theme.
Read more
5542 Rescue Helicopter with double doors on each side and rotating blades. There are also building instructions for a cool sledge in case of land rescue. From 9 years.
Description provided by LEGO©