Review : LEGO Star Wars 75244 Tantive IV

Now is the time to get interested in the LEGO Star Wars set 75244 Tantive IV (1768 pieces - 219.99 €), a large box that will be available in preview for members of the VIP program from May 3.

This set follows the references 10019 Rebel Blockade Runner (2001) et 10198 Tantive IV (2009) of which it is neither a reissue nor a remake. This is quite simply a new interpretation in LEGO sauce of the ship seen for the first time in Episode IV of the saga (To New Hope), then in the animated series The Clone Wars, in an episode of the other animated series Star Wars Rebels or in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the spin-off released in 2016.

The Tantive IV is therefore no longer a vessel that only fans of the first hour know and each generation has had the opportunity to discover on screen the headquarters of Senator Bail Organa for a few seconds or a few minutes.

As usual, there will always be a few fans to swear by the UCS version of 2001 or the playset of 2009. It was maybe better before for some, but I think it is worth addressing this. new version less clumsy than those of 2001 and 2009 without prejudices. Apart from the aesthetic shortcut symbolized by the four ailerons placed on the ship's fuselage just in front of the turret topped with the radar, the reproduction of the model seen in To New Hope seems rather convincing to me.

It is moreover a playset that it is here, even if the handle of transport which makes it possible to offer a good playability to this massive model has been nicely integrated not to distort the overall appearance of the construction. At 62 cm long, however, the set is of sufficient size to end up displayed on a shelf without having to be ashamed of its status as a playset.

The assembly is pleasant, with the essential central frame based on Technic parts which widens at the back in the shape of a T to accommodate the motors and ensure them a flawless solidity, a few colored bricks to decorate a inventory which promises to be rather monotonous and a few repetitive phases, in particular at the level of the 11 motors, but which do not come to spoil the "experience" as LEGO likes to call the construction process. We quickly understand that the provided handle will be very useful: it is very quickly difficult to find how to grab the construction in progress without losing a few parts in the process.

As usual with LEGO playsets, the different spaces provided for thrilling adventures for our minifigs are very small. A few chairs, a little space around and that's it. The vessel is rather well endowed with "playable" spaces with two escape pods in which two characters can take place, a missile bay to store the two ammunition provided in addition to those already in place in their respective guns, two stations of steering with seats for minifigs and a large central area with conference table and control console.

In short, if you really want in your spare time to replay some scenes set on the Tantive IV, you can. Be careful, the four half-cones placed at the front of the ship tend to come off easily, make sure they are well fixed before flying the Tantive IV in the living room ...

As I said above, the carrying handle is perfectly integrated. It is accessible by lifting the central radar and it allows you to move the ship without breaking everything. No complicated mechanism here, the handle falls perfectly into its place under the effect of gravity.

The lower part of the Tantive IV has not been completely abandoned. There is a logically a little more basic trim than on the visible part of the ship, but it is enough not to have the impression of buying a simple model whose hidden parts are neglected.

No storage and / or display support provided by LEGO, the ship rests on its engines and on the various growths placed along the lower part of the hull. It's a bit of a shame, a few transparent bricks would have been welcome in order to properly store the playset on a shelf between two play sessions.

I have scanned the sheet of stickers provided (see below). While there are few stickers in this box, applying some of them to rounded surfaces will require patience and care. Nothing to say about the presence on the same model of parts and stickers in Dark Red, the color consistency is almost perfect. It is less obvious for the stickers on a white background to put on parts which they are not of an immaculate white. We immediately notice the difference in color on the two growths at the front of the vessel.

The Spring-Shooters are perfectly integrated into the front of the fuselage and do not detract from the overall aesthetics of the Tantive IV. The simple mechanism that allows a slight pressure to eject the missiles is also very well integrated. Both Stud Shooters present on the rotating turret placed just after the cockpit are relatively discreet, you can always remove them if their presence seems superfluous to you.

The endowment in minifigs is here very correct with on one side new or updated minifigs and on the other the two essential droids, C-3PO and R2-D2 that every somewhat diligent collector will store with the multiple copies that he already has.

Bail Organa finally enters the world of minifigs and the figurine is delivered here in its version Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The details of the character's outfit are very faithful to the costume worn by Jimmy Smits in the film. No black boots or graying temples on the hair, but we'll do with it.

Raymus Antilles is delivered here in an "updated" version of the 2009 minifigure and his outfit details are now on par with that of the Rebel Fleet Trooper already seen in the set 75237 Tie Fighter Attack. The minifigure has a facial expression perfectly suited to its meeting with Darth Vader ...

Leia is on her side equipped with the torso with hood in the back already seen in the sets 75159 UCS Death Star (2016) et 75229 Death Star Escape (2019) and the minifigure comes with a pair of white legs and an all-new tunic that makes for a truly cohesive figure.

We must be content here with a single Rebel Fleet Trooper and thinking about it, I think that Darth Vader deserved to be present in this box to really give meaning to a reproduction sold for 219.99 € of a ship which is mainly the theater memorable scenes featuring this character ...

In short, if you already have a Tantive IV in your house, this set is not essential and you can just buy Bail Organa, Raymus Antilles and possibly Leia's new tunic on the aftermarket. If you don't have this ship at home yet, don't hesitate a second. It is not a UCS but its exterior finish is sufficient to make it also a nice exhibition product. As far as I'm concerned, this set will join my collection even if I already have the two previous versions.

THE LEGO STAR WARS 75244 TANTIVE IV SET AT THE LEGO SHOP >>

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 May 2, 2019 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

Update with express raffle: 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.