17/01/2012 - 02:15 Lego news

LEGO Star Wars The Visual Dictionary - Yavin IV

You probably remember this set Yavin IV Base never marketed and featured on page 91 of the book LEGO Star Wars The Visual Dictionary (I took a photo of the page for you, above). crabboy329 had taken a modeling under LDD and the .lxf file had been available for download for over a year (see this article).

jonnyboyca has just released a real version of this set based on the work of crabboy329 for the base and those of Brickdoctor for the X-Wing.

The construction is faithful to the model presented in the book except for a few minor details such as the arch under the briefing room or the ground near the left turret. We recognize at the top the final scene of Episode IV with the presentation of medals to Luke and Han Solo in the presence of Princess Leia.

This playset would have deserved a commercialization (at least as much as the 10123 Cloud City ...) with a good endowment in minifigs, a ship in a new format and the possibility of replaying some key scenes of the film.

To see other photos of this reproduction and in particular the Medal Ceremony close-up (without Leia who is finally available in the set 9495 Gold Leader's Y-Wing Starfighter), meeting on the Brickshelf gallery by jonnyboyca.

jonnyboyca - Yavin IV

 

17/01/2012 - 01:12 Lego news

San Diego Comic Con 2008 Exclusive - Batman & The Joker

It had been several months since I persuaded myself not to buy this pack. I still found myself a valid reason to postpone this purchase, but I fell for it.

In 2008, on the occasion of San Diego Comic Con and the launch of the LEGO Batman video game, LEGO released 3000 copies of this exclusive pack containing two minifigs: Batman and the Joker. (I put two photos of the box on flickr)

Only the box is really exclusive, because the Batman minifigure (bat002) is the one released in 2006 and distributed in the sets 7781 The Batmobile: Two-Face's Escape, 7783 The Batcave: The Penguin and Mr. Freeze's Invasion et 7785 Arkham Asylum and that of the Joker (bat005) was delivered in sets 7782 The Batwing: The Joker's Aerial Assault et 7888 The Tumbler: Joker's Ice Cream Surprise.

The product is therefore vaguely collector's item, but I'm satisfied with it, after all this limited edition principle appeals to me. I still have to find at a good price the exclusive set of Comic Con 2006 printed in 250 copies and bringing together Batman and the Joker in a nice box. At the opening, the laughter of the Joker (or Mark Hammil) resounds ... At least € 133 on Bricklink...

Moreover, the same year was distributed an exclusive Brickmaster set limited to 500 copies on the Indiana Jones theme, containing the set  20004 Jungle Cruiser and two Ugha Warriors staged in a mini jungle with a mini wall. Everything is still available on Bricklink for the modest sum of 120 €.

 

16/01/2012 - 19:33 MOCs

X-Wing Starfighter by 2x4

X-Wing MOCs, successful or not, are countless, and here is one more to add to the long existing list of reproductions of this iconic ship from the Star Wars saga.

The result is original and largely inspired by the techniques used on older MOCs (SNOT wings, cheese slopes on the fuselage ..) even if we may regret some approximations, especially in the cockpit where it would have been better not to put a minifigure for the photo ... We do not find the endless rolls on the engines and it is a good thing.

In short, it is not the MOC of the century, but it is a beautiful interpretation of the X-Wing. To see more, visit the flickr gallery of 2x4.

 

15/01/2012 - 19:08 Lego news

LEGO Star Wars 30056 Star Destroyer

It is mutley777 who draws the first with two reviews of the mini sets 30056 Star Destroyer and 30058 STAP. As usual with these mini sets, do not expect too much and they are not UCS ... I would like to point out that for all those who will complain about the poverty of the models even before having taken into account that these are small sets intended to promote the brand ...

Regarding the 30056 Star Destroyer, the final model is well made, rather similar and in my opinion more successful than the ship in the set 4492 Star Destroyer released in 2004. This mini set is available on Bricklink for around 10 euros.

Regarding the 30058 STAP, the machine benefits from a slightly improved design, in particular with the use of a slopes in Brown which replaces several parts used on the model of the set 30004 Battle Droid on STAP released in 2009. This mini set is also already available on Bricklink for around 10 €.

To access detailed reviews of these two mini sets at Eurobricks, click on the images.

LEGO Star Wars 30058 STAP

15/01/2012 - 01:01 Lego news

LEGO Star Wars June 2012

Here are the official descriptions in English which allow us to discover the exact list of minifigs that will be delivered with each set of the second wave of Star Wars 2012:

9496 Desert Skiff 

Hovering over the deadly Sarlacc Pit, Luke prepares to meet his fate aboard the Desert Skiff. Will he be made to walk the plank and be eaten by the ferocious Sarlacc? Or will his friend Lando Calrissian help him escape the clutches of the renowned bounty hunter, Boba Fett? You decide! Included 4 mini figures: Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, Boba Fett and Kithaba. (213 pieces)

9497 Republic Striker-Class Starfighter

Jedi Master Satele Shan streaks through space aboard the sleek Republic Striker-class Starfighter. With attack and cruise mode wing configurations, flick missiles, rear lightsaber storage and T7 -O1 droid, this powerful starfighter has everything it needs to take on the evil Sith Empire! Included 3 mini figures: Satele Shan, Republic Trooper and T7-O1 Astromech Droid. (376 pieces)

9498 Saesee Tiin's Starfighter

Jedi Master Saesee Tiin is patrolling for Separatist forces in his Jedi Starfighter, ready to go into battle with fellow Jedi Master Even Piell. As well as being extremely light and agile, Saesee Tiin's green starfighter is equipped with 4 missiles, an R3-D5 droid and if the action gets a little too intense, a cockpit section that detaches to become the Jedi Master's very own escape pod! Includes 3 mini figures: Saesee Tiin, Astromech Droid R3-D5 and Even Piell. (244 pieces)

9499 Gungan Sub

Jar Jar Binks guides his friends Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn through the watery core of planet Naboo in the elegant Gungan Sub. Built to resemble some of the many creatures that inhabit the underwater world, the Gungan Sub features a large cockpit, cargo bays, storage boxes, rotating tail propulsion, missiles and even a mini-sub with harpoon. Included Queen Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn and Jar Jar Binks. (465 pieces)

9500 Sith Fury Class Interceptor

On board the lethal Fury-class Interceptor, the evil Sith Lord Darth Malgus scans his instruments for Republic-occupied territory. Armed with 4 missiles and folding wings, the Sith Fury-class Interceptor's large hold can also be used to transport Sith ground troops into the heart of the battle. Who will defeat the evil Sith Lord? Includes 3 mini figures: Darth Malgus and 2 Sith Troopers. (748 pieces)

9515 Malevolence

The Malevolence is General Grievous' flagship and one of the Separatist military's most feared weapons. Unbeknownst to Grievous and his crew, Anakin and Padme have entered the giant craft in an attempt to rid the galaxy of this deadly curse. The Malevolence features a cargo bay with transport train, detailed interior with removable-opening sections for easy access and twin quick-fire missile launchers. Includes 6 LEGO minifigures: Anakin Skywalker, Padme Amidala, General Grievous, Count Dooku, Battle Droid Commander and BattleDroid. (1101 pieces)

9516 Jabba's Palace

At Jabba's Palace on Tatooine, Princess Leia is disguised as Boushh as she tries to rescue Chewbacca and carbonite-frozen Han Solo. Can she get past the roof-mounted missiles, defense guns and surveillance equi pment to reach them? Or will Jabba and his motley band of followers capture the princess and entrap her beneath Jabba's sliding throne? Includes 9 mini figures: Jabba, Salacious Crumb, Bib Fortuna, Gamorrean Guard, Oola, Han Solo, Princess Leia in Boushh outfit, Chewbacca and B'omarr Monk. (717 pieces)