This brick model - the "6854-1 Alien Fossilizer," is from the Lego Space sub-theme, Exploriens. The Exploriens series was somewhat of a groundbreaker for Legos, as it was one of the first to use both red/blue holographic printed tiles and magnetic stickers. Sadly, it was also one of the shortest lived Lego series, lasting throughout the year 1996.
I personally both love and hate this particular model. Not for having built in in MLCAD, mind you, - though I still affirm my hatred for black/white parts - but for having personally owned it. As you would expect, the wheels barely offer enough support to keep it from tipping forward when a Minifig is attached, and the side dishes and crane hinges are notoriously loose. Moreover, good luck attaching the hose piece that this model comes with to both the Minifig and the vehicle, without it either flying off in protest, or twisting the Minifig's helmet at a horrible viewing angle. Sufficed to say, I happily long since cannibalized my set for parts...
