The MOCeurs have always set themselves the goal of filling the gaps left by LEGO in terms of ships, places or even characters from the Star Wars universe. The Rancor is no exception to the rule and many MOCs have already emerged.

To explain in a few words what the Rancor is, it is a carnivorous creature varying in size between 5 and 10 meters and originating from the planet Dathomir.

This creature has become cult for fans of the saga due to a scene in which Luke escapes the clutches of Jabba's Rancor in TheEpisode VI: Return of the Jedi. At the time the Rancor was a gigantic puppet filmed with skill to give it presence and credibility.

LEGO has produced many creatures in the Star Wars universe in the past such as the Dewback (4501 Mos Eisley Winery - 2004), the Wampa (8089 Hoth Wampa Cave - 2010) or Tautaun (7749 Echo Base - 2009 & 7879 Hoth Echo Base - 2011). But we never got a LEGO version of the Rancor.

In the cartoon LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace, the Rancor makes a notable appearance as a studded LEGO minifigure that looks elaborate enough to fit into the LEGO Star Wars lineup.

Waiting, ACPin produced a very detailed version of the Rancor (See the gallery of this MOC), Mood SWIM has also just offered a quality MOC (See the gallery of this MOC), puppetmasterzero even offered his Bionicle-Rancor (See the gallery of this MOC) and There are many other MOCs of this creature, a simple search in Google Images will convince you ...

What are the chances that we will get a Rancor in 2012? In my opinion, very weak. Even though rumors of a Jabba Palace themed set keep coming back, I find it hard to believe this set would include the Rancor Pit.
Unless it is a very elaborate playset with several modules and many minifigs in the style of the set 10123 Cloud City released in 2003. Or if it is a set exclusive in the vein of 7879 Hoth Echo Base, with a vaguely similar playset and a good dose of minifigs. The 7879 released this year also contained a Tautaun.

The appearance of the creature in The Padawan Threat still makes me doubt. Someone has obviously taken a serious look at a LEGO-like design, even virtual, of this creature. This could be the start of creating a real action figure.
Note that in the video game LEGO Star Wars II The Original Trilogy the Rancor was not in the form of a LEGO minifigure. It was a monster that had none of the attributes of known minifigs and figurines.

Well, a mini-set review, let's not exaggerate anyway, but a few photos and a quick review are enough to better visualize this set which is neither original nor really very attractive. but if like me you are addicted to mini-sets, you can not ignore this mini Republic Attack Cruiser which trades around  $ 2 on Bricklink.... And at this price, we buy it without hesitation, if only for the 41 pieces provided, including 2 1x3 tiles in dark red ....

Beyond the attractive price, I find this Republic Attack Cruiser, also known as the Venator, rather well designed and sufficiently detailed despite the reduced scale. Make your own mind by going to read the review in English on FBTB.

If you have purchased the set  7676 Republic Attack Gunship released in 2008, you noticed that two different versions of stickers to be applied on the sides of the nose of the machine were provided in this set. It did not take more for many inspired budding artists to create sticker sets for this Republic Attack Gunship.

The reference to WWII bombers is obvious, and one can't help but think of those pin-up paintings on the cabins seen in our history books or in many war movies.

The result is sometimes bluffing and will allow those who have this set in several copies to personalize each machine in their fleet with different stickers. (And incidentally not to stick the official stickers to preserve them ....) 

You will find many creations for download in the MOCpages gallery of Tbone tbl, or on his Brickshelf gallery. They are compatible with sets  7163 Republic Gunship et  7676 Republic Attack Gunship.

Some designs are wacky, if not a little silly, but others are well thought out and really worth printing and using on these ships to personalize.

Pieter Graaf alias Hollander is a prolific MOCeur who devotes himself more particularly to the joys of virtual MOC under LDD currently (See his Tantive IV neighborhoods, are the R5-D8 Astromech Droid and his Y Wing).

While visiting his MOCpages gallery, however, I came across a very real MOC: The Z56 Airspeeder, a fictional machine on the Star Wars theme. Well done, I find him a vague family resemblance with the 8128 Cad Bane's Speeder, probably because of the parts used on the fairing of the machine. the engines are well rendered, and give a nice impression of power to the whole. The central part of the engine is ingenious, you will also find close-ups in the MOCpages gallery by Pieter Graaf.

In another register, Hollander returns to his passion for creation under LDD with this quite successful A-Wing that he presents on Eurobricks. he should soon make an .lxf file available as he often does on this type of creation.

Here is a very interesting MOC from Skrytsson as part of his participation in theEurobricks LEGO Batman Contest.

We will appreciate the techniques used to reconstitute the sewers where Killer Croc lives before going to surprise good people in their bathroom by sneaking into the evacuation ducts ....

I'm a fan of the bathroom, all the fixtures are instantly recognizable, and the walls and floor covered with 1x1 tiles really look like tiles ... The sewers are also very interesting in their design.

I therefore invite you to visit Skrytsson's flickr gallery to discover some close-up views of this impeccably finished MOC.