LEGO today unveils a new reference in the LEGO Star Wars range: the set 75361 Spider Tank, a box of 526 pieces which will be available at the public price of €52.99 from August 1, 2023. This derivative product is directly inspired by the second episode of the third season of the series The Mandalorian, it features the robot-crab-spider seen in the Mines of Mandalore, Din Djarin with the Darksaber and its new blade, Grogu and Bo-Katan Kryze with more accomplished pad printing than the previous version of the character seen in the set 75316 Mandalorian Starfighter.

This set is already in pre-order on the official online store, LEGO undoubtedly wishes to seduce the fans while they still have the content of the episode concerned in mind:

LEGO STAR WARS 75361 SPIDER TANK ON THE LEGO SHOP >>

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Today we take a quick tour of the content of the LEGO Indiana Jones set 77012 Fighter Plane Chase, a box of 387 pieces which will be available from April 1, 2023 at the retail price of €34.99. This spin-off features the chase seen onscreen in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with a Citroën 11 Légère Cabriolet on one side and a Luftwaffe Pilatus P-2 fighter on the other.

The scene concerned, even if it lasts only one minute on the screen, has become cult for a whole generation of fans, so it is not surprising to see it immortalized in LEGO version. The more observant will have noticed, however, that LEGO has strongly anonymized both the vehicle and the plane by ridding the first of its emblematic chevrons of the Citroën brand on the grille and the second of its military signage on the fuselage, the wings and the derivative. The manufacturer does not even take the risk of leaving a red zone on the fin to stick a little more to the aesthetics of the device seen on the screen, you never know.

The content of this derivative product intended for the youngest is obviously very quickly assembled. The Citroën 11 in 8 studs wide is rather well executed and the association with the vehicle seen on the screen seems obvious at first glance. The level of detail makes it a credible exhibition vehicle and there is even enough room to store a large trunk containing a handgun and an umbrella and also slip a suitcase.

The spare wheel placed on the trunk lid is symbolic in the absence of pad printing or a dedicated sticker, the doors flanked by stickers do not open and an effort on the windshield would have been appreciated. The wheel arches are not new, they are also used since this year in LEGO CITY sets 60357 Stunt Truck & Ring of Fire Challenge et 10312 Jazz Club.

The plane seems a little rougher to me, even if the LEGO version ultimately embodies the flying machine seen in the film rather well. This will be enough for young audiences with the added bonus of shooting at the vehicle thanks to the two Stud Shooters placed on the wings. These may eventually be removed by adult collectors who want to stage the chase on the corner of one of their shelves. For the rest, there are no moving parts on this aircraft apart from the forward propeller, the landing gear is fixed and the canopy is not clipped to the fuselage.

There is as often a large handful of stickers to stick in this box with enough to dress the doors of the car, the wings and the canopy of the plane and LEGO adds a nod to the film with a sign indicating the presence of a tunnel. The sticker on a transparent background to be placed on the canopy leaves some traces of glue visible after application, it's up to you to decide whether to put it in place or not.

The official visuals on the back of the product box make it clear, the two wings of the plane can be easily removed if you have the time or the desire to build the tunnel that goes with it and LEGO has even provided for the sparks that fly when the plane slides inside the latter.

I tinkered with a support with some transparent parts so that the plane is not simply placed on the ground, LEGO could have cracked a solution allowing to store and display the contents of the set properly between two play sessions. The manufacturer may pretend to address a very young audience with this type of simplistic product, it is obvious that a nostalgic adult clientele is also in the sights. A little consideration vis-à-vis these customers would be welcome.

Three minifigs are delivered in this box, Indiana Jones, Henry Jones Sr. and the pilot of the plane. The pad prints are generally very successful, the faces are expressive and the new Indiana Jones hat with its integrated hair is even delivered in two copies in the box.

LEGO on the other hand does not make much effort for the hat of Professor Henry Jones and is content to use a version of the pith helmet similar to that already seen in the sets marketed in 2008/2009. Even if many will be satisfied with this accessory, it is enough to watch the film to see that it is not really fitting with the cloth headgear worn by Sean Connery.

The pilot of the plane may on his side seem a little generic but the figurine remains generally faithful to what we see on the screen of the pilot who ends his career at the exit of a tunnel. Indiana Jones' shirt and that of his father are a little pale, the official visuals are as often far too optimistic.

In short, whatever the faults of the product, I think that the vast majority of fans of the Indiana Jones saga are anyway so enthusiastic about this return of the franchise to the LEGO catalog that indulgence will be in order. The builds are a bit sketchy and there are a lot of stickers, but it's still better than nothing.

Note: The product shown here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at March 23, 2023 next at 23:59 p.m. Just post a comment under the article to participate. Your participation is taken into account regardless of your opinion. 

Update : The winner was drawn and notified by email, his nickname is indicated below.

NEW LEGO INDIANA JONES ON THE LEGO SHOP >>

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The promotional product that will be offered soon on the official store is now referenced online, it is the set 40587 Easter Basket. This small box of 368 pieces valued at €19.99 by the manufacturer will be offered subject to purchase from March 16 to April 9, 2023. The minimum amount required will be €70 of purchase.

LEGO today unveils a novelty that will join the LEGO Super Mario range from August 1, 2023: the reference 71423 Dry Bowser Castle Battle Expansion Set with its 1321 pieces and its public price announced at 104.99 €. Please note, this expansion requires at least one of the three interactive figurines currently available in the following packs in the range to take advantage of all the features promised: 71360 Adventures with Mario, 71387 Adventures with Luigi ou 71403 Adventures with Peach.

This product, which will allow you to obtain five characters to assemble, Bowser Skelet, an Avalave, a Piranh'os Plant, a Goomb'os and a Purple Toad, is already referenced on the official online store:

71423 DRY BOWSER CASTLE BATTLE ON THE LEGO SHOP >>

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As a bonus, the manufacturer presents the Brick-built version of Donkey Kong which will also join the range next summer in at least one of the half-dozen boxes to come (references 71420 to 71427).