66787 Alt-Build - Republic Personnel Dropship and TIE-Proto

[Mandalorianknight]

During the Alt-Build contest a few months ago, I had the idea of using 66787 Jedi Masters Gift Set, which I got for it's great value as a part/figure pack. Somewhat understandably it was decided that it really wasn't a single set and therefore not applicable, but I still wanted to try an alt build of it, so here it is-

From left to right we've got a TIE Prototype, a weapon emplacement prototype, and a Personnel Dropship. The idea for the set's "Lore" is that Rothana and Sinear have provided some prototypes for the Jedi to review.

Here's the TIE prototype in GAR livery, which is meant to resemble a TIE striker. It's got spring loaded shooters under the cockpit, and unlike final production ties, utilizes an astromech slot. 

You can see the Twin Ion Engines around the back

The cockpit can seat either a humanoid pilot or an astromech droid (by attaching its feet to the back panel) for testing purposes to avoid potential harm to organics.

Here's the personnel dropship, with two wingtip stud shooters and an anti-infantry blaster on the nose. It's meant to be evocative of a downscaled Republic Dropship

Here's a look at the actual dropdown platform, which can seat 5 minifigures. Pulling an axle connector at the back unhooks the platform and allows the gunship to dispense the troopers and fly back to base.

I like to use every single piece in my alt-builds, which meant I ended upp with this somewhat rougher weapon emplacement- the idea is that it's a selection of weapons arranged for testing. L-R we have a proton mortar on a turntable, a spring shooter, a concentrated laser ray cannon, and a weapon meant to emulate STAP cannon fire for testing purposes.

I'd previously purchased the Obi-Wan starfighter individually, so I mixed up the characters. L-R we have a Clone Test Pilot, a Clone Infiltrator, Captain Spectro, another Clone Infiltrator, Yoda (with outer robe), a Clone Sniper (disguised), Yarel Proof, and 2x Astromech Droids.