LEGO has decidedly tried to achieve consistency in the different stages of this Advent Calendar. After Nute Gunray and his Mechno Chair, Chewbacca and his tools, here is the X-Wing of the pilot of yesterday.

We have already had mini or X-Wing microphones in the past with the sets 4484 X-Wing Fighter & TIE Advanced (2003) 6963 X-wing Fighter (2004) et 30051 X-wing Fighter (2010)

The one in this Advent Calendar obviously does not compare with the model in set 30051 (see below), but it is still very fair for a micro model. For lack of anything better, you can always recover the lightsaber handles to replace those you lost during your last move ... In short, you will have understood it, nothing to get carried away today with this vessel that has just the merit of raising the level of this Calendar a little.

In addition, I told myself that this type of set would make sense if in the end, LEGO offered a model to build with all the parts of the different models. In this case, I would be more inclined to agree to compromise on the design of the mini craft or ships and I would have a little more understanding for their very basic design. We are in 2011 and the world of toys is full of products, each more original than the next. You won't be mad at me for not marveling at this type of mini-stuff ....

On the other hand, this Advent Calendar undoubtedly appeals to the youngest, curious to discover every day what is hidden in the numbered boxes. But my 8 year old son moves on a few seconds after discovering these gifts some of which are barely on par with those found in Kinder eggs ... Only minifigs find favor in his eyes and I do not. don't blame ... 

Brickdoctor has just uploaded its Midi-Scale version of the X-Wing and offers the .lxf file for download:  2011SWAdventDay9.lxf.

And it promises to be rather nice with this pre-version that LEGO has just put online and which includes for the moment the 16 characters of the DC Universe range.

We will also note the mention DC Universe with an announcement of availability of the full site for January 2012. I think that the Marvel range will also be entitled to a mini-site later in 2012. The two ranges will thus have their own visual identity and their dedicated internet spaces.

On the menu for now, the possibility of discovering each character in the DC Unvierse range with a fairly easy three-choice MCQ. We then obtain very beautiful visuals of the minifigs that I have grouped for you below.

It's clean, well done and clearly geared towards the youngest. 

When it comes to LEGO photography, there are only a few talented artists like Avanaut, Smokelbech ou legofenris who find favor in my eyes. But I am always open to a great discovery and Ezechielle (Do not miss his blog Lego militaria, you'll learn stuff) just sent me a nice gallery dedicated to LEGO and Star Wars, that of Blockaderunner.

In 43 photos, Blockaderunner reveals an impressive know-how. Not only does the guy know how to use a camera, he also has a sense of direction.

For each shot, it integrates minifigs, ships and machines in a hyper realistic context and it perfectly recreates the atmosphere of the scene in question.

The result is breathtakingly realistic and immediately reminded me of the Thunderbirds known to us as the Sentinels of the Air. The puppets evolved like here in an environment with a very realistic aspect.

Not knowing which photos to choose, I selected two according to my own tastes. Go quickly see the rest on Blockaderunner's flickr gallery. 

Here is the minifig of the day (on the right in the photo) from the Star Wars Advent Calendar. She is accompanied here by Dutch Vander (Rebel Pilot Y-wing, 7658 Y-wing), on the left in the photo.

This anonymous minifigure is already referenced on Brickset, probably with a little too much eagerness moreover, like dack ralter, character already seen in the set 4500 Rebel Snowspeeder released in 2004, but whose helmet does not display here the blue symbols seen on that of the character of the film.
FYI Dack Ralter was Luke's gunner aboard the Snowspeeder during the Battle of Hoth.

In the absence of screen printing on the helmet, all possibilities are open: The minifig has the same torso and the same face as Zev Senesca in sets 8083 Rebel Trooper Pack et 8089 Hoth Wampa Cave, and also from the same torso as Luke Skywalker in the set 8129 AT-AT Walker.

It's up to you to choose who she will embody in your future MOCs or your next dioramas ...

Below Dack Ralter during the Battle of Hoth.

Toys R Us is not left out in the war of online toy merchants with an offer valid until 09/12/2011: With the code ACN112, benefit from an immediate reduction of 10 euros from 120 euros (excluding diapers, consoles, gift cards and shipping costs).

Offer valid until 09/12/2011 and limited to the first 1000 customers.

Click here to access the LEGO space at Toys R Us.

Note the presence in the Toys R Us catalog of exclusive sets such as the 66337 (LEGO Star Wars Super Pack Star Wars 3in1 - Geonosis) or 66364 (LEGO Star Wars Super Pack Star Wars 3in1 - Hoth).