Today we are interested in the LEGO Star Wars set 75308 R2-D2 (2314 - 199.99 €), a box which finally takes over the set 10225 R2-D2  (2127 - 199.99 €) marketed between 2012 and 2014.

There is no suspense, the new version of the astromech droid does better than the previous one and it takes advantage of new parts available in recent years to round off the angles, in particular those of the dome which retains some visible tenons but on which the effect staircase is a little less present.

While the outward appearance of the 31cm high by 20cm wide droid does not seem to have changed much from model to model, the techniques used to achieve this result are completely different. On the 2021 version, the internal structure now consists of a frame based on Technic elements framed by two Frames 11x15 on which one comes to plaster subsets. The 2012 version was content with a stacked brick tube inside which we slipped the rack mechanism that allowed the central leg to be deployed.
The foot descent mechanism here is based on a system that releases the rod made up of Technic beams when the droid's body is tilted back with a stopper that prevents the foot from rising. It is enough to put the droid upright to allow the manual ascent of the foot and secure it in the upper position by pushing.

The button on the back of the robot which made it possible to deploy the central foot in 2012 is therefore absent from this new version and it is enough here to lift the droid and tilt it slightly to obtain the same result. Either way, these are features that you don't play around with for long, most of those who will be displaying R2-D2 on their shelves will no doubt do so in a reclined position with the third leg extended.

No casters under the construction, the designers had indicated that their presence could have complicated things when it comes to displaying the droid on the edge of a shelf. I hear this argument, but I still believe that an effort could have been made on this point for this new version, with why not the possibility of retracting the wheels in the feet.

Regarding the assembly, the challenge is particularly raised only the time to build the internal mechanism of the droid. The somewhat hazardous outlook of the instruction booklet does not make the task any easier and it will be necessary to be very vigilant. An intermediate testing phase of the mechanism is recommended before moving on to dressing the robot, just to check that everything is working. It will once again be necessary to rely on two simple rubber bands to take advantage of the functionality, it's a bit of a shame knowing that LEGO does not even provide replacement units.

The tools available on the front are extracted by pushing on the two protuberances present in the back of the droid. The Technic beams on which we push via the rods which protrude in the back open the flaps of the housings of the two telescopic clamps. It will then be necessary to close everything manually after playing with these instruments.

The rest of the construction is shipped quickly and then there is only the dome for which it will also be necessary to show a little vigilance in interpreting the different views proposed in the booklet. It is this part of the model that benefits the most from the improvements made by the designer. If you stack a few bricks well for the bottom of the element, the shape of the dome quickly becomes more believable with some smooth and rounded surfaces and the few tenons that remain visible are by ricochet a little embedded in the surface.

The integrated periscope is removable and it can remain in the high position by turning the thing on itself. The 360 ​​° rotating dome would perhaps have benefited from being composed of metallic elements on the surface, just to polish the appearance of the droid. LEGO did not hesitate for the model of Hubble, R2-D2 would have really benefited from some reflections on the dome. There is no dedicated mechanism for raising or lowering the periscope, just grab it from the top and pull.

Fans who love details referring to the films of the saga should appreciate the integration in the dome of a space to store Luke Skywalker's saber. The saber cannot be ejected as in the scene of theEpisode VI (Return of the Jedi) during the clash on Jabba's barge, but it's a nice nod. I imagined the possibility of ejecting the accessory via, for example, the presence of a spring at the bottom of the housing, but it is not. You have to remove a piece of the dome to access the location where you store the sword.

The droid's body also gains in roundness with angles softened by the use of adapted elements. The staircase effect very present on the 2012 model is here attenuated and the model comes out much more successful with the added bonus of an acoustic interface and a ventilation system in the form much more faithful to the droid seen on the screen. The lower body of the robot is once again a little short, it lacks the inverted skirt that surrounds the third retractable foot but we will do with it.

R2-D2 is here accompanied by a small display on which we stick the sticker of the presentation plate and we install the supplied figurine. LEGO misses an opportunity to offer us a more successful version of the usual minifigure with a pad printing on the back, it's a shame.

The sticker provided, the only one in the set, distils to the word almost the same facts than the one from the 2012 set, only the background illustration changes. Lucasfilm celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year and for the occasion, LEGO is adding a pretty pad-printed piece of the logo of the company founded in 1971 by George Lucas.

Knowing that the 2012 set is currently reselling new for around € 300 on the secondary market, there is no valid reason to hesitate when choosing between the two models. The 2021 version of the astromech droid benefits from many developments in assembly techniques and it incorporates elements that did not exist 9 years ago and which help improve the finish and functionality of the product. This reissue retains what was successful at the time and improves what could be achieved with, in the end, a product with a much better aesthetic.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at 5th May 2021 next at 23pm. 

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

Today we are interested in the small LEGO Star Wars promotional set 40451 Tatooine Homestead, a box that will be offered from € 85 purchase of products from the LEGO Star Wars range on the occasion of the annual May the 4th operation which will take place from May 1 to 5, 2021 (details of the planned offers can be found on the Good Deals page)

This new product will expand the collection of scenes microscale initiated in 2019 with the sets 40333 Battle of Hoth (offered during Operation May the 4th in 2019) and 40362 Battle of Endor (offered during Triple Force Friday in October 2019) and completed in 2020 with the set 40407 Death Star II Battle offered on the occasion of May the 4th.

This fourth small box honors Tatooine by applying the same construction principles as the other three mini-dioramas with a SNOT base (Studs Not On Top) and some micro-constructions that come to dress the thing.

As usual, the assembly of this set with the reduced inventory of 217 pieces is very quickly dispatched. The mini diorama is flanked by a pad-printed element which reminds us that the scene is from Star Wars and that we are in 2021. There was no doubt something to do better than telling us the year the product was marketed, but the collection effect is there.

As the product title suggests, this includes putting together the Lars family farm with its outdoor hut, underground yard, vaporizers, and Luke's Landspeeder. Further in the dunes, we set up a Sandcrawler with his two Tiles Identical pad-printed sides around which are gathered some micro-characters seen on the screen in Episode IV: two Jawas, C-3PO, R2-D2, Luke Skywalker and Owen Lars. Beru Lars with his brown skirt and blue waistcoat is also present in the underground courtyard of the farm.

I was hungry for more with the promotional set 40407 Death Star II Battle that I found visually a little messy and I find here what allowed me to appreciate the two other references based on Hoth and Endor already available in this collection: a readable diorama with a relatively clean staging and mini-constructions summary but faithful. It is successful and it is once again proof that LEGO can do without a polybag with a new or exclusive minifig, provided you show a little creativity.

As this new product is a promotional item offered on condition of purchase, there is therefore no reason not to add an additional micro-diorama to your collections as long as you plan to spend your money on the official online store at planned dates.

These small thematic sets do not take up too much space, they are aesthetically rather successful and this format changes us a bit from the usual scale of classic sets. LEGO values ​​these small boxes at 14.99 € or 17.99 € in this specific case and I am convinced that even if they were sold at this price instead of being offered on condition of purchase, they would find their audience quite easily.

See you on May 1st for the launch of the offer that will allow you to be offered this nice little set from € 85 purchase in products from the LEGO Star Wars range.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at 4th May 2021 next at 23pm. 

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

LEGO officially unveils the LEGO Star Wars set today 75308 R2-D2, a box of 2314 pieces which will allow from May 1, 2021 and against 199.99 € to assemble an exhibition model of the astromech droid R2-D2.

It is especially a question here of bringing out in a more modern version the droid which was available between 2012 and 2014 in the set. 10225 R2-D2 (2127 - 199.99 €) by taking advantage of the evolution of construction techniques and the availability of new elements to update the appearance of the product a little.

Like its predecessor, this 31 cm high by 20 cm wide droid offers some integrated features such as the retractable foot, the rotating dome or the various retractable tools and adds an extractable periscope as well as a storage compartment for the saber of Luke Skywalker, a nod to the scene of the clash on Jabba's barge seen in theEpisode VI (Return of the Jedi).

As announced yesterday, the support that accompanies the droid incorporates a pad-printed commemorative brick that marks the 50th anniversary of the company Lucasfilm. The figurine provided is not exclusive to this box, it is the one we all already have in our drawers.

See you in a few hours for a "Review ".

LEGO STAR WARS 75308 R2-D2 ON THE LEGO SHOP >>

(The link to the shop redirects to the version of the official shop for your country of connection)

LEGO uploaded some visuals from the Star Wars set 40451 Tatooine Homestead which is also present in the official mobile application for obtaining assembly instructions. This small box of 217 pieces will be offered from € 85 purchase of products from the range from May 1 to 5, 2021 on the occasion of the May the 4th promotional operation.

The product will expand the collection of scenes microscale initiated in 2019 with the sets 40333 Battle of Hoth (offered during Operation May the 4th in 2019) and 40362 Battle of Endor (offered during Triple Force Friday in October 2019) and completed in 2020 with the set 40407 Death Star II Battle offered on the occasion of May the 4th.

We will talk about this little box again during the day on the occasion of a "Review ".

The sign Walmart uploaded the other lego set based on the movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) expected in theaters next September, the benchmark 76177 Battle at the Ancient Village.

In the box, 400 pieces to assemble a dragon and five characters: Shang-Chi, Morris, Xialing, Wenwu (The Mandarin) and Death Dealer. The public price of this set in France should be € 39.99, no specific date for sale at the moment.

As I said yesterday, LEGO had offered to several sites to receive the two products derived from the film in test this month but this offer was canceled a few days ago for reasons related to "a change in marketing plan".