14/06/2018 - 19:26 In my opinion... Reviews

LEGO Technic 42083 Bugatti Chiron

Make room in your garage, the Bugatti Chiron joins the Porsche 911 GT3 RS from set 42056!
The recipe is the same for this new set LEGO Technic 42083 Bugatti Chiron (3599 pieces - 379.99 €) which aims to be a global experience in the same spirit, starting with its luxurious packaging.

Since the announcement of the set, you have had plenty of time to form your opinion. So I'm not going to overdo it, so I'll just give you a few impressions as usual. If you have planned to buy the set, you will find out more in detail and for yourself what it has in store for you in terms of assembly.

As for the Porsche RS 911 GT3, this set seems at first glance to appeal to a much larger audience than regulars of the LEGO Technic range.
But if the Porsche had for it to be a "achievable" dream vehicle (from 155.000 euros in your favorite garage), the Bugatti Chiron, which borrows its name from the driver Louis Chiron, is reserved for a privileged few who have the skills. means (and the desire) to afford this exceptional car by paying 2.4 million euros.

It is therefore logically more difficult to find in the LEGO version a collector's item related to one's own passion. Fans of Porsche cars who own or dream of being able to afford a model of the brand one day are mechanically more numerous than those who own a Bugatti Veyron or Chiron ...

LEGO Technic 42083 Bugatti Chiron

LEGO had announced it, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS was the first model in a series of exceptional vehicles based on the same concept. the 42056 set is therefore joined this year by a Bugatti Chiron with LEGO sauce, developed in partnership with the car manufacturer.

And this partnership seems to be a little more successful than a simple exchange of licenses and logos, judging by the presence in Billund on June 1 of the CEO of Bugatti (Stephan Winkelmann), of the chief designer of the brand (Achim Anscheidt ) and a real Bugatti Chiron specially sent for the official presentation of the set. We were told about the fruitful partnership between the two brands, the many exchanges between the designers, the long months of reflection to arrive at the final product, etc ... I almost wanted to say: All that for that.

The packaging and the retail price of the thing indicate the color, this is not a lambda set that LEGO sells us, this is a very high-end product ... The pretty box with its sub- Luxurious packaging and its four wheels neatly stored in their respective locations does indeed have its small effect, but when a LEGO fan invests his money in a set, it is above all for the contents of the box, as original as it is.

LEGO Technic 42083 Bugatti Chiron

We can discuss the aesthetics of the LEGO version of the vehicle for a long time. The Bugatti Chiron is a supercar with organic lines and a question inevitably arises: Should we embark on such a project and how in this case to reproduce a curvaceous vehicle with flat, rectangular and angular parts?

The French designer in charge of the project, Aurélien Rouffiange, was present at the press conference organized for the presentation of his "baby". He readily admits that the challenge was considerable and that he tried here not to alter the aesthetics of the vehicle while making the best use of all the available parts. He adds that he has also endeavored to offer an interpretation that respects both the reference vehicle and the spirit of the LEGO Technic range.

On this point, difficult to contradict, we find here a general aesthetic "in the spirit" of the Porsche of set 42056 with the same defects. Not being a big fan of the LEGO Technic range, however, I find it difficult to be satisfied with this "interpretation" in the LEGO version of the Bugatti Chiron.

There isn't much left of the fluid lines of the Chiron and we end up with a really sketchy front cover. Should we produce new meta-pieces for the occasion? I think so. A prestige set sold at 380 € was well worth the effort. Wanting to always go further in realism with the existing inventory has its limits and LEGO molds new parts in other ranges for less than that ...

LEGO Technic 42083 Bugatti Chiron

The assembly phase of the chassis, the engine and the various functions is a real pleasure, even for a novice who is not necessarily used to this range. My feeling of disappointment comes mainly from the final rendering and the comparison with the vehicle that served as a reference.

The LEGO model is an illusion from certain very specific angles and in particular in profile, but not at the level of the front which is only a distant adaptation of that of the real Bugatti Chiron and which here takes on the air of an American supercar.

So playing the 7 errors game will not help here. The LEGO version hardly compares with the original model on the aesthetic level, especially at the level of the front hood whose fluid curves pass by the hatch or are embodied by simple pipes and flexible axes. Your imagination will do the rest ...

LEGO Technic 42083 Bugatti Chiron

The gray flexible pipes used to form the characteristic metallic curve that dresses the sides of the vehicle also look more like a lazy shortcut than a true find from an inspired designer and I believe many of us will find that it is the rear. of the vehicle that is ultimately the most successful.

I'm not going to repeat the usual spiel on the subject, but let's not forget the essential stickers present in this box, some of them are badly printed on my copy. They must therefore be glued by offsetting them to obtain a correct result.

More laughable, the interior trim of the doors and the front shelf are here embodied by horrible vaguely stylized stickers. Finding extenuating circumstances in LEGO on this point is no longer the order of the day and the manufacturer ruins all his efforts by throwing these stickers at the bottom of the box.

42083 Bugatti Chiron

Everyone will judge the final result, but it is LEGO which has embarked on this adventure and which today submits to the appreciation of its customers a product seeking to appeal to a much larger audience than crane enthusiasts and others. backhoe loaders with gears.

What if this LEGO version Bugatti Chiron had much more to offer than a somewhat lost attempt at reproducing a vehicle with such a distinctive design?

Judging by the reactions of specialists in the LEGO Technic universe, the designer has clearly outdone himself in the design of the W16 engine which is on the real Chiron consisting of two VR8 blocks arranged at 90 degrees on the same crankshaft.
However, the latter becomes in a LEGO version a three-crankshaft engine with a V8 and two L4 engines (4 cylinders in line) placed below ... It will be noted that the scale of the model and the inventory of available parts probably did not allow not to reproduce the original engine. Too bad for the fidelity to the original model, however praised all day long by the various speakers during the press conference.

LEGO Technic 42083 Bugatti Chiron

Car enthusiasts will also have noted that LEGO has offered the luxury of adding an additional speed to the 8-speed gearbox of the LEGO model, the real Bugatti Chiron having only 7 gears ...

In short, these few freedoms aside, the technical sub-assemblies will give you value for your money. You will obviously have to be satisfied with the construction phase to appreciate these different elements using a few new parts, they will not be really visible when the model is fully assembled.

LEGO Technic 42083 Bugatti Chiron

You can then have a little fun by opening the doors, turning the steering wheel, shifting forward or reverse and changing gears using the paddles placed on either side of the steering wheel, if you can reach them.

The whole vehicle is almost flawless in its solidity. Only doors fixed to a single hinge are much less rigid, especially when they are open. Too bad for a model at this price. On my copy, however, I did not notice the problem with the return of suspension mentioned by other owners of the set.

LEGO Technic 42083 Bugatti Chiron

As a bonus, LEGO includes in the box what to assemble the Speed ​​Key provided by Bugatti to its customers. In real life, this key activates the mode Top Speed to exceed 380 km / h.

At LEGO it is used to deploy the rear spoiler (which can also simply be raised by hand) by sliding it between the fender and the wheel. It's cute, but it doesn't make my day unlike all those who rave about this detail as if to hide the big aesthetic flaw of the set.

I even made a short video for you to show you the thing in action, just to divert your attention:

When I said above that this type of set is not only for fans of the LEGO Technic range, I already knew that this is only partly true. This Bugatti Chiron is not really the ultimate model with impeccable aesthetics that could appeal to fans of LEGO models to display ready to spend 380 € and it is not the few digital bonuses to download thanks to the unique code provided in the set that will make me change my mind ...

Fans of the LEGO Technic range will likely find something to their liking with intricate sub-assemblies, a few new elements and an assembly process that pays homage to the techniques used by Bugatti in its factories.

However, they may be disappointed by the fact that all the mechanics at work are not accessible or visible. As usual, there will always be those who like to know it's there, even if it can't be seen.

Those I met during the official presentation of the set seemed convinced by the technical part of the model. On the other hand, there was also a consensus regarding the hazardous aesthetics of the thing on certain details which nevertheless make the real Chiron an exceptional vehicle.

Those who have invested in the 42056 Porsche 911 GT3 Rs set and who have vowed to continue collecting vehicles marketed in the same format and on the same 1: 8 scale will no doubt make the effort to acquire this new set.

LEGO Technic 42083 Bugatti Chiron

As always, you will always find someone to show indulgence towards LEGO and explain to you that this set is a real success, that it is in the spirit, that we could hardly do better, that the rims are pretty, that the box is nice, etc ...

As far as I'm concerned, I remain in my position: The vehicle provided in this box only looks very much like a scale model of the real Bugatti Chiron and yet that's what LEGO wants to sell us. Even though the mechanical sub-elements provide a very pleasant assembly experience, the overall aesthetic of the model is not convincing enough to deserve my 380 €.

Like the Porsche from set 42056, this Bugatti Chiron a little too expensive for what it has to offer will sooner or later end up at rock bottom at amazon and a few others. If you hesitate to buy yourself this box, wait at least next August 1, then it will certainly be available around € 300.

Note: The set shown here, supplied by LEGO, is included as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before June 24 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.

Darkf19 - Comment posted the 14/06/208 at 22:53
12/06/2018 - 10:55 In my opinion... Reviews

LEGO 40291 Creative Storybook

It's a little late that I finally take the time to take a look at the LEGO 40291 Creative Storybook set currently offered from € 65 purchase on the LEGO Shop and in the LEGO Stores.

LEGO sent me a copy, just to be able to make you want to go spend your money on the official store, and I must admit that this small set of 370 pieces does not usurp its name of "Creative book".

This is a product that has much more to offer than it seems thanks to its "modular" design. The two scenes placed on the pages of the book are indeed easily removable and replaceable by other outputs of your imagination. The instruction booklet also gives some examples of scenes that can be produced on a 6x8 plate which then suffices to place in the space provided.

The basic book, simple but nicely executed, will therefore be customizable according to your interests and your desires.

For this model featuring the Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, LEGO delivers a pretty Tile pad printed which can also easily be replaced by a neutral version if you decide to change the two scenes delivered as standard.

LEGO 40291 Creative Storybook

For those who are wondering or who have not yet opened and assembled their copy, the book does not close. The amplitude of the opening is anecdotal and the set will only be presentable in the planned configuration. The two flaps of the book are also not covered with Tiles and the section benefits from a relatively basic dressing.

LEGO 40291 Creative Storybook

In the box, LEGO delivers two minifigs with a probably very approximate representation of the writer and a young boy whose torso appears in many sets whose references 21310 Old Fishing Store, 10261 Roller Coaster or even 31084 Pirates Roller Coaster.

Congratulations to LEGO for this very original creation which opens the door to many possibilities for customization. More than the basic content, it is this relative modularity that is in my eyes to be applauded here.

It cannot be ruled out that LEGO will offer other versions of the product in the future, with some new personalities staged for the occasion. In the meantime, let your imagination work.

This box is currently offered from 65 € of purchase on the LEGO Shop and in the LEGO Stores. The offer is in theory valid until June 24, but its duration is as usual subject to the available stock.

Note: The set shown here, supplied by LEGO, is included in the game. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before June 19 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.

Brakdur - Comment posted the 15/06/2018 at 10:31

LEGO 40291 Creative Storybook

LEGO Creator Expert 10261 Roller Coaster

Many of you have long hoped for the arrival of roller coasters in the LEGO catalog. Your wish has finally been granted with the set Creator Expert 10261 Roller Coaster (4124 pieces - 349.99 €).

LEGO sent me a copy, I assembled it, I tried to find a place for it, I played with it for a long time and I therefore give you here my impressions, as usual, very subjective on this large box that many of you have already been able to offer since its effective availability on the LEGO Shop.

I have put two short videos in this article to give you a more precise idea of ​​how the merry-go-round works (and the noise of the mechanism). I won't get an Oscar for that, but it should be enough.

First observation, the assembly was not always a part of pleasure. Those who bought this set and who have already assembled it will agree that there are some really very repetitive and a bit boring phases (pillars, support bars).

Of the 4124 elements in the set, 530 round pieces (614301) are used for example to assemble the support pillars and 203 links (6044702) constitute the long chain which allows the wagons to climb the starting ramp. Those who bought the set 10260 Downtown Diner you will find here a sign of the same type to assemble, it is the fun moment of history.

LEGO Creator Expert 10261 Roller Coaster

LEGO has tried as often to distribute the sequences in question by inserting a few more fun steps, but nothing helps, we are a little bored. However, it is difficult to blame LEGO on this point, it is the subject that defines the assembly process and it is at this price that we can then enjoy this imposing toy.

In contrast, the Clutch Power (interlocking capacity) of the red rails really seems less "biting" than that of the usual parts. It is not uncommon that after a few tens of minutes of operation some of them slowly begin to detach from their supports due to vibrations. The difference is minimal, but sufficient to slow down or even derail the train of cars.

LEGO Creator Expert 10261 Roller Coaster

On the aesthetic level, I finally regret that this Roller Coaster, which if it existed in real life would offer only few sensations, did not benefit from a more thematic look. It's really very neutral and I'm not a fan of the choice of colors for the pillars and rails. It's obviously very personal and I tend to consider LEGO red as too vintage to my taste.

The purple rails of the set 70922 The Joker Manor offer in my opinion a much more modern rendering than the red used here. The dominant white of the structure also doesn't help make this Roller Coaster a really fun ride. Looks more like an old merry-go-round placed in a temporary seaside Luna Park than a big fat one (smiles to sensations.

Regarding the proposed circuit, it is difficult to do better by relying solely on the inertia of the train of three wagons and without climbing even higher. The train descends more or less quickly to the starting point depending on the slope and is content to take turns to the right.

Obviously, a Roller Coaster without looping and without changes of direction, it is of little interest for the regulars of strong sensations, but we will do with in the meantime rails with a curvature and an angle adapted to possibly one day be able to create a looping with a reasonable diameter and gain some speed in the turns.

The 17 green base plates of the merry-go-round do not completely cover the occupied surface, weakening the construction and making the Roller Coaster difficult to transport as is. If you have a few large baseplates, don't hesitate to assemble the merry-go-round on it, you'll thank me later. Otherwise, see the end of the second instruction booklet, LEGO shows how to move everything without taking too much risk.

LEGO Creator Expert 10261 Roller Coaster

However, don't be fooled by the two-part construction process of the Roller Coaster. Unfortunately, it is not enough to unhook the two halves of the merry-go-round to move it more easily: Many parts, including the drive chain and some rails, overlap the two modules and must be temporarily removed and then put back in place.

As often, LEGO delivers a set with manual functions and you have to rewind to get the train of cars to the top of the ramp. It's fun five minutes, but if you want to be able to watch your Roller Coaster in action while quietly eating your barbapapa, you'll have to go back to the checkout and purchase a Motor separately. Power Functions (ref. LEGO 8883- 8.90 €) and a standard AAA battery case (ref. LEGO 88000 - 13.99 €) or the version with rechargeable batteries (ref. LEGO 8878 - 59.99 €).

LEGO Creator Expert 10261 Roller Coaster

At this point, I'm not even saying it's a shame not to include these items in the box. It is simply unacceptable. The very principle of a merry-go-round is to be in action. Winding while watching the cars go up the starting ramp quickly becomes boring, especially as the train of cars is again ready to go up in a few seconds. Automation should no longer be optional, especially in 2018 and when LEGO sells us a Batmobile that can be controlled via a smartphone application or trains managed by a Bluetooth module ...

If you calculate the spacing correctly, the two three-car trains provided can run on the track at the same time without any problems. With or without minifigs installed in each wagon, they will manage to make a complete turn and will resume the starting ramp. As I said above, be careful to fit the rails well on their supports. The slightest deviation is enough to slow down or derail the train of wagons.

The structure of the ride is really solid, it's more the fact that something gets loose every now and then here or there that ends up being annoying. Before each session, I got into the habit of going around the arena to check that the circuit was in place. I then said to myself that I was doing maintenance like the teams of amusement parks do in real life ...

Too bad the ingenious tire-based drive mechanism placed in the first corner is not better integrated into the merry-go-round. It drives the train of wagons by friction until the first descent and even if the solution employed does its job, aesthetically I find these three appendages rather unsightly. A second sign could have concealed the entire mechanism.

LEGO Creator Expert 10261 Roller Coaster

To accompany the merry-go-round, LEGO provides a large handful of minifigs (11) and a few items that add a little life to the middle of the white pillars plugged into the green plates. Ticket booth, fruit juice stand, barbapapas saleswoman, etc ...
It's decorative, and these independent elements can easily be moved elsewhere, for example in the middle of the different rides at your fun fair. LEGO even thought of integrating a route that visitors must take to access the start area. In real life, this path would be bordered by barriers ...

For those wondering what integrating elements from the LEGO Boost 17101 Creative Toolbox set into this ride, the answer is simple: The Move hub and the motor are used to drive the chain when the sensor installed at the foot of the ramp detects the arrival of the train. Your tablet will also play typical fairground music.

LEGO does not mention the possible use of elements from the Bluetooth ecosystem Powered Up which will accompany the new LEGO CITY trains and the Batmobile in set 76112.

This Roller Coaster is obviously doomed to become the star of exhibitions where it will work in a loop as long as there are batteries, to the delight of children. If you want to set it up in your home, make sure you have the space and the inclination to watch it play on a loop.

LEGO Creator Expert 10261 Roller Coaster

In short, after the wow initially, I came to my senses and the set lost some of its splendor in my eyes. At 350 € a toy, like many of you, I take the time to assess the qualities, the faults and in this specific case the playability of the product.

By the way, LEGO could crack an alternative model for this type of large box. Building a second Roller Coaster with a slightly different circuit could have prolonged the fun even if the assortment of rails provided automatically limits the possibilities.

I am not sulking my pleasure, I am very happy to have been able to have this Roller Coaster in my hands. During the first few minutes, I admit that I took great pleasure in seeing it work. But I'm no fan of animated dioramas, and I wouldn't know what to do with such a merry-go-round, other than watching it dust on a piece of furniture and let time do its work on the white pillars which will inevitably turn yellow.

The 10261 Roller Coaster set is undoubtedly a beautiful demonstration of LEGO know-how, but in my opinion it lacks the little extra that would make it a really fun and spectacular toy. You can do better by purchasing The LEGO Batman Movie sets for the same budget. 70922 The Joker Manor (279.99 €) and Creator Pirate Rollercoaster (84.99 €), two rides themes which are obviously less interactive but also less neutral.

If you bought this set, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. There will probably be as many opinions as there are owners of the set, other readers can get a better idea of ​​the interest of the thing.

Note: The set shown here, supplied by LEGO, is included in the game. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before June 10 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.

Drdri - Comment posted the 26/05/2018 at 8:15

LEGO Creator Expert 10261 Roller Coaster

75929 Carnotaurus Gyrosphere Escape

We finish this cycle of rapid tests of LEGO novelties Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom with the set 75929 Carnotaurus Gyrosphere Escape (577 pieces - 89.99 €) which features, as its name suggests, an emblematic machine from the film: The gyrosphere.

This is not the first set to offer a LEGO version of this ball that allows you to go around Isla Nublar park, LEGO already provided a copy in the sets 75919 Indominus Rex Breakout  et 75916 Dilophosaurus Ambush marketed in 2015.

This box is not the most expensive of the range and at first glance it offers a well-balanced content with a new dino, three leading characters, a plush vehicle and a little (fake) vegetation.

75929 Carnotaurus Gyrosphere Escape

Regarding the truck, those who had acquired a few boxes in 2015 will find here a Mercedes Unimog type vehicle similar to the one in the set 75917 Raptor Rampage. So much the better for the overall aesthetic consistency of the range. The overly raised chassis doesn't bother me, it guarantees rock-solid playability, even outdoors.

The machine is quite functional with a spacious cabin, a coin launcher on the roof, an opening above the cabin to plug in a minifigure and enough space at the rear to store the mini-command center and some accessories. Nothing flamboyant, but it's playable.

The truck pulls a trailer on which the gyrosphere lands to transport it to the launch area. Why not. The trailer has a futuristic look that's not off-putting, and the gyrosphere, which can be ejected from the trailer, stays in place.

75929 Carnotaurus Gyrosphere Escape

The launching area of ​​the gyrosphere allows (finally) to obtain a little vegetation, even if it is in fact here a decoration based on artificial trees which come to dress the starting station.
This is what is missing from most sets in the LEGO range. Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom : vegetation, however very present on the skins of the sets but very little represented in the content.

If you want to have fun replicating the lava flow that results from the eruption of the Isla Nublar volcano, a few pieces can be dropped from the top of the building via a hatch. It's far from really believable even for the youngest, but it does add functionality to the product description.

To install a character in the gyrosphere, you have to remove the two side discs and half of the shell. The mechanism that allows the minifig to remain seated with its head up works quite well. I spent a few long minutes playing around with it and it's really fun.

The gyrosphere does not break up during its use, even the youngest will be able to subject it to a few violent movements without risking destroying the machine. Be careful with scratches ...

The gyrosphere provided here is identical to those of 2015, with a slightly different pad printing on the side discs to reproduce the cracks in the structure. It is well executed.

75929 Carnotaurus Gyrosphere Escape

The service dino is a unique Carnotaurus, whose head is very successful. This is not a hybrid creature invented for the movie and here again LEGO manages to avoid rendering too much cartoon. Slight shift in the continuity of the pad printing between the body of the dino and the tail on my copy. It's a bit annoying, but we'll make do with it.

This Carnotaurus is in fact an assembly of parts already used on other dinos in the range, some in other colors or with a different pad printing: the legs of the T-Rex, the arms of the Stygimoloch and the body and tail of the Indominus Rex of the set 75919 Indominus Rex Breakout (2015). Only the head is 100% unique.

We will forget the scale problems between the Carnotaurus and the T-Rex, which are of identical size in the LEGO version, which is not the case in the film ...

The figurine is obviously exclusive to this set, collectors will not be able to ignore it. The baby dino is identical to the one delivered in the set 75930 Indoraptor Rampage at Lockwood Estate.

75929 Carnotaurus Gyrosphere Escape

On the minifig side, no guard or other generic tracker here but a few prominent characters: Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) in an "exclusive" outfit, Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) also delivered in the sets 75930 Indoraptor Rampage at Lockwood Estate  et 10758 T-Rex Breakout and Franklin Webb (Justice Smith), exclusive to this set.

It will be necessary to wait for the release of the film to judge the importance of the character of Franklin Webb beyond the few scenes present in the trailer.

75929 Carnotaurus Gyrosphere Escape

It's not very original, but the conclusion is once again linked to the public price of this box: The content is very correct, the playability is there and I am tempted to say yes to this box but 89.99 €, again it's a bit too expensive.

Fortunately, this set is already available at reduced price at amazon and you will have many opportunities to be able to acquire it at a reasonable price in the months to come.

We are now done with this series of tests of sets from the LEGO Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom range (excluding Juniors references). I hope at least to have helped you in your choices, or failing that to have entertained you a little.

Note: The set shown here, supplied by LEGO, is included in the game. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before May 16 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.

MAZ13 - Comment posted the 09/05/2018 at 21:07

LEGO Star Wars 75181 UCS Y-Wing Starfighter

The announcement and then the marketing of a new set from the LEGO Star Wars range Ultimate Collector Series is always an event for the fans. This year it's the LEGO Star Wars set 75181 UCS Y-Wing Starfighter (1967 pieces - 199.99 €) which has the honors of May 4.

LEGO-style representations of the Y-Wing are not lacking in the LEGO catalog with already five classic sets and two UCS models. Collectors who own the set 10134 UCS Y-Wing Attack Starfighter (1485 pieces) marketed in 2004 are probably wondering if the new reference is a real evolution of the model or a simple opportunistic remake. I think in my case that the 2018 version is much more successful than that of the 2004 set.

lego 75181 ucs ywing starfighter 2018

lego 10134 ucs ywing starfighter 2004

I know that those who have sometimes spent a fortune to acquire an old set often take a dim view of these "reissues" and are even willing to show a little bad faith to reassure themselves ... Here , the simple fact that the trim of the boosters is finally (almost) circular instead of being cubic is enough in my eyes to put the 2004 reference out of play.

There is no question here of trying to convince yourself to spend € 200 on this pure exhibition product. Star Wars fans and other die-hard collectors will quickly add this Y-Wing to their shelves while others gaze distractedly and wary at this somewhat expensive mockup. Everyone will have an opinion on the interest of this product which targets a particular segment of customers.

LEGO Star Wars 75181 UCS Y-Wing Starfighter

I will spare you the various stages of construction, there is nothing here that is really original or exceptionally innovative. Those who will acquire this box will however take great pleasure in assembling this Y-Wing which gradually takes shape over the stages despite a few repetitive phases.

Nice use of the wheels of the Clone Turbo Tank (75151), here in Medium Stone Gray, in back. The rendering is more convincing than with the white rims present on the 2004 version.

The use of bare Technic axes for the extension of the motors is also welcome. Despite the impression of fragility of this part of the model, the model does not come apart if the parts are well fitted together. It is not designed to play with anyway and it is still prettier than the white tubes of the previous model.

I specify that the model is really very stable on its modular base to present the Y-Wing from different angles depending on your mood of the day. It doesn't rock dangerously.

y wing star wars movie

As with other sets where the many surface details are made up of a multitude of small parts (the greebs), you have to be patient and precise not to miss anything over the pages of the instruction booklet.
And even if you place a specific part in the wrong place, that's okay, it's the organized disorder of these different elements that gives the final rendering to the model.

No parts in Dark Red too visible to dress the outside of the body of the vessel here, and that's good. The visual sobriety of this new model reinforces the high-end model effect. The 2004 Y-Wing always struck me as way too colorful.

LEGO Star Wars 75181 UCS Y-Wing Starfighter

You get a little bored during the engine assembly phase, which logically requires you to duplicate many elements. LEGO had the good idea to propose a different order for the phase of greebling of each of the motors, which helps to break up the monotony of this stage of the assembly.

The two boosters finally display curves faithful to those of the model seen in the film. Exit the cubic rendering of the 2004 engines, the designer has applied himself here so that the result is really convincing.

LEGO Star Wars 75181 UCS Y-Wing Starfighter

Bonus for convenient storage, both boosters can be removed quickly without breaking everything. This will avoid a complete disassembly when the set has gathered dust for too long and it is time to expose another ship.

The designer has also endeavored to provide a sufficiently substantial covering for the lower part of the vessel, with the added bonus of three retractable landing gears which allow the model to be laid flat in a realistic manner. Unlike the 2004 version, the boosters are dressed on all four sides. As usual, no one is going to exhibit this Y-Wing upside down, but just knowing that the ship is properly finished on all sides will be enough to make its owner happy.

LEGO Star Wars 75181 UCS Y-Wing Starfighter

We are talking here about an exhibition product for collectors, impossible to hide once again the presence of stickers in this box sold for 199.99 €. There is still no valid excuse to justify using these stickers on the sides of the canopy, inside the cockpit and on the cabin of a high-end set when LEGO makes the effort to pad print all the contents of sets from the LEGO Juniors range.

The luxury impression that emerges from the set, with its pretty box inside which we find a second white box in the spirit of those seen in the set 75192 UCS Millennium Falcon, its rich documentation with a few pages devoted to the reference vessel and the work of designers and its high public price, is simply spoiled by the discovery of the sheet of stickers.

LEGO Star Wars 75181 UCS Y-Wing Starfighter

LEGO has provided a small wheel placed just behind the cockpit that allows you to turn the two ion cannons placed on the back of the canopy. It's a bit superfluous, but we're not going to complain about having a second "feature" in addition to the retractable landing gear, no matter how futile.

On the cockpit side, LEGO has remained on the solution used until now for all representations of the canopy. It's far from being faithful to the version seen in the film, but we make do with it. The canopy of the model is pad printed on the top and the front. Two stickers come to dress the sides. Too bad.

Small nice detail: the aiming device integrated in the cockpit which comes to fall back on the face of the minifig.

y wing starwars movie cockpit

To accompany this model, LEGO delivers two minifigures: Jon "Dutch" Vander alias Gold Leader and the astromech droid R2-BHD.
Let's not sulk, a character already present in several copies in the LEGO inventory but delivered here in a new combination of parts is always good to take. A droid seen in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story also.

Collectors will have recognized the outfit of Zin Evalon, the young Y-Wing pilot delivered with the book LEGO Star Wars Build Your Own Adventure or that of Theron Nett delivered in the Microfighters set 75032 X-Wing Fighter.
The head is that of many pilots in the LEGO Star Wars universe. She is notably used for Dak Ralter (75049), Will Scotian (75144), Zev Senesca (75144), Wedge Antilles (75098), Wes Janson (75098) and a few others.

The droid dome is new, the body was already used in the set 75172 Y-Wing Starfighter (2017) for the droid R3-S1.

LEGO Star Wars 75181 UCS Y-Wing Starfighter

If you have a little trouble with the big stickers that dress the presentation plate of the sets in the range Ultimate Collector Series, here's what to get rid of the headache: Spray a little window cleaning product on the black plate, apply the sticker without worrying about the alignment at first then correct the shot.
Evacuate any air bubbles with a cloth, let dry and you're done. Do not smooth the sticker with the edge of your VIP card, you will scratch the surface of the sticker.

LEGO Star Wars 75181 UCS Y-Wing Starfighter

No need to philosophize for hours, this set will find its audience only among fans of LEGO and Star Wars who appreciate these very detailed models. I know that some only collect stamped boxes Ultimate Collector Series.
As far as I'm concerned, I say yes without hesitation. The model is a nice evolution of the 2004 version, it's detailed without pouring into the overly exuberant color mix of its predecessor and it's more of a modern reinterpretation of the Y-Wing than a lazy remake. You no longer have any excuse to spend double the price of this new set to treat yourself to the old version.

If you want to treat yourself, it's right now and it's on the LEGO Shop or in the LEGO Stores that it happens.

Note: The set shown here, supplied by LEGO, is included in the game. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before May 11 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.

BrickMark-I - Comment posted the 06/05/2018 at 20:47