joebiwankenobi

I've also noticed the injection molding problem with parts although I would argue that it's been since around 2017 was when I first noticed. Ever since I've been bringing it up and most people have dismissed it completely so I'm glad to notice that there's someone else who's been in LEGO for longer than 20 years that has confirmed I'm not off my rocker on seeing it. It's not like it's just a few parts out of each newly manufactured set either. Literally every part has marks that remind me of sprue marks from low grade model kits and it's incredibly disappointing IMO. I also have compared new parts to new old stock parts from MISB sets prior to 2010 and I've noticed that the older parts have a more satisfying connection and click than their newer made counterparts.

The hairpiece works so much better for Madine than for the character it was created for. I believe we still have not achieved a good post-ESB Luke hairpiece or decent Luke faceprints.

This. People need to understand that apart from the vulture and tri-droids, separatist capital ships, and droid gunships, none of the vehicles of the CIS that appeared in the films or the original EU continuity were CIS blue/grey. The 2008 Filoni CW series chose to apply that paint scheme to vehicles that never had it in the films. The AATs in ROTS seen in the background of the Felucia battle scene where Secura gets shot were Trade Federation Tan. I can understand people wanting different color schemes but prefer ones that are more visually consistent with the actual movies. Depending on the parts, one can always color-swap many parts to get what one wants. We've seen where many people have done that with the current gunship to significant effect.

I'm somewhat optimistic that maybe, just maybe, we may eventually get the royal starship this year. Sure, it's absolutely a random want; however, I do have it on good authority that some years back, TLG was heavily considering doing the set. It was slotted for a release window around the 20th-anniversary sets in 2019, IIRC. Unfortunately, it was dropped for what I believe was a combination of two issues they foresaw: (1) not having an appropriate number of parts to nail the shaping (I'm assuming curves and such, but they do have a number of new pieces now), and (2) the color (they were going to do it in LBG and assumed fans would not be happy with it not being chrome). I think they could pull it off now if they chose to do so for the USD $160 slot. Though, I do understand if it's still something they are hesitant to produce. An updated Gungan sub or MTT would be nice alternatives although I would like to see something they've never done before.

This website is where I pulled the pic from, and it is old but gold for referencing all the blink-and-you-'ll-miss-it type stuff from the films. I'm attaching a link where you can browse and see all sorts of things that aren't even covered by guidebooks and such. I didn't even notice the Hoth rebel troopers having arm/shoulder patches before looking into this for you! The webpage was last updated in 2000 so it could have been used or referenced by some of the designers back then lol! https://www.theforce.net/swtc/domino.html

I remember years ago that FBTB had some preliminary pics of 6211 when it was initially leaked WAY WAY back in either late 2005 or early 2006. Unfortunately, since the FBTB forums are now defunct and most of the links were dead before the website was completely restructured, that pic only exists from my memory. Have you considered contacting LEGO directly to see if anyone would be willing to help you identify it? I don't know how willing they would be to help, but I don't think trying would hurt. I've spent years trying to find many preliminary pics of sets from the early 2000s up to around 2007. I've kept a copy of the prelim pics that were posted here of the original Clone Wars wave back in 2008. I printed off pages from the thread with them and took them to midnight madness in late July that year at TRU. The printouts still sit in my desk drawer to this day. The only issue I can recall with many of the prelim pics of this era was that the quality wasn't the greatest, and the figures were usually blacked-out placeholders on the roster on the box. You'd have to be pretty eagle-eyed to spot prototype figs since they were only used in the set mock-ups for the photos. I do have to agree with the others, though; that torso looks more rebel than imperial. Could it have been used in the original prototype for the unproduced Yavin set as some rebel variant? Or maybe even a prototype for the TRU-exclusive hoth rebel base from 2007? I was also wondering if it could be a prototype figure for the TRU-exclusive Home One set they did around 2009, I think? I'm going to double down on it being Hoth-related. I was going through some film stills and behind-the-scenes photos. It looks similar to the Hoth Trooper rank badges or plaques. LEGO took liberties with designs during the classic era, and this is a pretty close match. It looks more like a vest and is bulkier, like a winter padded jacket.

Ironic. The Gunship model I've worked on for years has also used 7163 as a foundational base. People underestimate many of the O.G. sets, but there are some actual diamonds in the rough. I can't wait on the MTT.

Exactly. People need to remember/realize that sets are designed roughly 2 - 1.5 years out before release; it’s not the year prior. The approval, allotment, design, and packaging all take more time than people would believe. Unfortunate, but leaves the door open to them possibly doing a remake of the 212th battle pack somewhere down the line. IIRC, the design team had referenced possibly considering the crab in a battle pack in the future so who knows what they’ll do. Would be nice to get an opportunity for the crab droid, two 212th infantry, and two 212th airborne. Thank you for the reserved but candid responses!

This is outstanding and looks to be pretty stable too! I've yet to see a MOC of this speeder I liked enough to build until now since they always look so fragile. I've worked on combining the last two system sets of the infiltrator into a larger model, but now I'm eagerly awaiting your take on a very underappreciated ship!

Looks great! I love some of the design choices you made, such as making the front door 3 wide, especially the firing missile launchers between the engines/rocket pods. You always incorporate play features uniquely and stylishly and inspire me to do the same. You also did an excellent job making the bottom floor flare out on either side with the angled plates. I'll eagerly await the instructions to release for this down the road, but I have to request that the next model you create in digital/make instructions for be your MTT. I love the deployment feature on that build!

I'd firmly put money on the crab droid being there since the SW designers said they'd consider including a crab droid in a set in the near future when Solid Brix went to Denmark and interviewed the design team.

They hit the E-Wing out of the park. Will be purchasing a number of them loose on BL or through third party. Just need to mod the landing gear so they’re not so long and the ship sits a little lower. Should be easy to do. As for the Sabine figure, just wait for firestartoys to inevitably release printed arms for her for around $4 or so. Instant upgrade that will do wonders for the overall look of the figure imo.

3 x 3 dome would be the correct size but the 4 x 4 looks far better than the 2 x 2.

The Fang and interceptor set looks better than I expected, considering the price and its a combo. They're both a little average, but the Fang Fighter seems slightly stunted. No worries, though. Modding that should prove rewarding.

Or maybe it's not retail set related, but instead something to do with the promos for the 4th? Watch them do something weird like bring back a micro build. Guess we'll find out what's the "big" disappointment or whatnot in the upcoming weeks.

Come on people. It's exciting. We don't know which of the three options the Tusken is going to be! The men? The women? Possibly, the children?

Wonder if by "classic comic books" they could be referring to the new Tales of the Jedi anthology series if it's based on Veitch's comics from Dark Horse. I could see them potentially doing a small set or two next year at some point.

The fact that a number of the sets with the VIP point promotion are retired is incredibly questionable. I hope that this doesn't mean going forward, that they're going to exclude the bigger sets from 2X points as that's pretty much the only time they're worth buying directly from LEGO IMO.

I was going to post a similar statement. LEGO has, historically in the past, released random sets based off Expanded Universe material, so I'm pleased to see the trend is continuing. Figured those days may be over, but hopefully they may do a set or two every year or so on such references.

Very impressive!

Nah, they were actually featured in the old incredible cross sections book on the OT for the AT-AT page. That's where hasbro got the idea from and now LEGO is following suit. Excited about the prospect for the 187th as well, as this may mean we might be getting some more variants down the line. I hope to see modern revamps of all the OG 2005 clones at some point.

Nope. Last riddle: It's not your typical rank and file.

Consider your expectations subverted on what is orange. It's a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

If they were to do a CMF, I'd want the waves to correspond to episodes or projects (i.e. Individual waves for 1/2/3 etc., and waves for shows like CW or Mando). That way, we could get renditions of the main cast, but be sure to get some background characters we haven't had in sets yet. The main characters could be done really well, too, since they could give us new accessories and such. As for Luke, they still haven't done one with his boonie hat/goggles from tatooine. We just got him with the poncho in the landspeeder, but not the hat. They could do his endor get up for the Episode VI wave since they've yet to remake that one since the original wave in 1999. There's a lot of possibilities.

Glad you're making some progress. Only thing that still worries me is the weight. I've been working on some things for it on and off, too. Trying to get a modernized version of Dmac's retractable landing gear in there. Goal is to see if I can get gear deployment synchronized with the wing retraction and gear retraction with flight mode. I'll drop you a DM in the next couple days to discuss ideas and show you some things.