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Great review Valentin, many thanks! Other than being a wee bit dark, you've taken some great shots there and it's especially nice to see the briefing room scene mocked up Play-sets are always the best way to display figures in my opinion and the briefing room looks great filled out with rebel pilots, troopers, etc. I'd quite like to get this set for that reason - it'd look great on my shelf for sure! I do like the new A-wing - and although I already own several of them - I like the new detailing and colour scheme. Ha-hah! Very funny

All ye who shouted 'Hoth' pat thyselves on the back! I agreed and am happy with the choice... though I have quite a lot of Snowies and Hoth Rebels now! It's interesting to see LEGO releasing a couple of smaller sets for a change (though you don't seem to get much Star Wars LEGO for your money nowadays ) and I'm intrigued to see the new Freeco bike - I liked Rook's take on it and if it resembles his I'd be happy! Tri-droid... hmmm.... I have the original already. Not the most inconic fighter really and it'd probably have another of those really, really terrible looking buzz droids in it. So wish they'd change their design of them... Funny! But true... a Clone CAT would be awesome; but I doubt LEGO are inclined to make a new mold for just this small set at this moment in time. I don't think there were pictures - just the listings. Worry ye not!

I really hope the Castle line continues - Castle is one of the many new and inspiring themes that has taken me from just being a Star Wars AFOL! Admittedly this year’s selection so far is but a handful - and wholly not the best conceived sets either – but from the viewpoint of a genre as a whole, Fantasy has so much to offer and so much untapped in terms of LEGO. Not only this, there is much more that can be expanded upon in the theme – some of which touched upon here by our members already. The wonderful Medieval Market Village is a great indicator of how the theme can flourish and pleased standard Castle and Fantasy Era fans alike. A few ideas I had… More castles for Crown Knights – why limit to only one large castle? A new castle with modular sets and layout would go down a treat I’m sure, especially with a detail level to match the MMV. Which brings me to… More civilians sets – MMV only touched upon what could be an awesome expansion to the Castle line! Add sets to new Crown castle and create a fortified town. Second Human Faction – in the absence of Elves why not? Whether it be Forestmen, alternate knights, brigands… there’s a lot of possibility there! More Fantasy – there’s sooo much more can be done here! As well as expansion on current Fantasy races - i.e. Undead Necorpolis, Troll lairs, Dwarven war-machines - there could be more development of wizards and witches: wizard's tower, witch's house; and extra races, monsters and creatures such as wolfen, ogre, giants, gryphon, etc. These aren’t so much financial or straight out marketplace reasons as to why LEGO would or wouldn’t continue the Castle theme, but a quick scatter of creative ideas which would surely justify its continuation. Here’s hoping!

Awesome work Rook, the level of detail and functionality is superb. I like the scene you've set too, very nice! Of course you can Legolas! Asymmentrical ships are aplenty, and in the Star Wars universe too

There was me just putting the finishing touches on my Trandoshan bounty hunters and now it's likely we'll get a Bossk/Trandoshan head There are some great characters there but Bossk and Aurra will win it for me!

I rather like the collectors cases - nice way to collect some cool minifigs without buying the sets. Personally, I'd pick up one or two, but not at the prices they've started appearing at on eBay (cheapest approx. £60 inc. shipping!). As such it's unlikely I'll ever have any in my collection; I'm happy to collect cool minifigs through buying the cool sets... and at a reasonable price

I think in many countries - and certainly in the UK - they gave them away in Toys 'R' Us as part of a Star Wars LEGO purchase? Other than that I'd echo what members have said here and get him off Bricklink...

Looks like my guess about the minifigs was right on the nose! Glad to see they altered the construction method from the Republic Cruiser to accomodate a single spacious interior too. This set looks amazing. The Rebel Blockade Runner is a much loved vehicle and Star Wars icon and LEGO have done it justice - again! The details and scale are superb, printed elements, and the minifig selection is as it should be - the number of crew can be amped up with a few extra troopers from 7668. It's certainly an interesting choice to make the interior Leia's office - but it does look nice. There probably isn't a great deal of vertical height (like the RC) and there'll most likely be a sturdy built support structure under that section... so no room for the infamous corridor! May be worth modifyng but I'd be happy to keep it as is too. If not I'm sure Vader and his troops can just blow a hole in the side! :skull: I think he may have made the briefest appearance as a mass of atoms travelling at the speed of light from the void that once was Alderaan... Aye, I agree. Even just by sight it looks to be at that price level - the Republic Cruiser was £64.99 as I remember.

It's all just speculation Tinn-man - it's one the highlights of visiting Eurobricks' forums! Seeing the pictures, reading everyone's opinions, some crazy, some not so - finding out who's guess was closest - and then the surprise and excitement when we see the real pictures! The speculation and discussion is all part of our passion. It'd be a dull thread if we didn't assume anything... I do think it's likely this will come about at some point, especially if phase twos start popping up in the current Clone Wars animated series.

Thanks for the images Captain Rex 110 I think it's possible that LEGO could create a new version of phase two clonetroopers - similar to that of the new phase ones - with a helmet with printed visor rather than a cut-through visor. I like the current phase twos, but think a Clone Wars style version with all the accessories and upgrades could be a great improvement. I much prefer the new printed visors too. It's great to speculate that with the box image being what it is, maybe this is just what you'd get new phase twos! And why not? They've already updated one type of clonetrooper. Asides from that though I live in the UK meaning this is all just a tease! There's virtually 0% chance I'll ever get my hands on this unless I a) sell some organs and book my flight now to SDCC b) sell some organs to fund paying the extortionate price for the set when it becomes available on eBay. I quite fancy keeping all my organs at this stage so I guess that's that...!

I've collected Star Wars LEGO since it was released in '98. Obviously many sets feature starfighters, spaceships, droids, etc. which makes them worthy of purchase regardless of the minifigs! I started typing a list but it was starting to get way too long... so I've put down a few choice picks where the minifig was filler but the set was killer! Many of these I own the originals too... A-wing 6207 - bought two! B-wing 6208 Y-wing 7658 - one of my all-time favourites Tie Fighter 7146 Tie Bomber 4479 V-16 Torrent 7674 As well as... Hailfire & Spider Droid 7670 Droid Gunship 7678 To name just a few!

That IS jammie, Jammiedodger! Congratulations! Right then... I'll be off to Toys 'r' Us to get mine then

Indeed, you can only work with the information that is there. The Blade Runner 'enhance' feature doesn't quite exist yet I'll add my tuppence worth and agree with the speculation that these new battlepacks appear to feature Hoth. The boxes are both very white - obviously indicative of snowy plains - with a hazy speederbike on the right box and what would seem to be some kind of speeder or stripped down snow speeder on the left (though it looks like there could potentially be a turret on the vehicle?). In that setting the orange figure would most likely have to be a rebel pilot. There's not much these photos can offer other than that and a whole heap of discussion... but lets keep the discussion light and friendly, and be patient while we wait for new pictures. There's absolutey no harm in that and LEGO have a huge range of Star Wars sets available at the moment to be excited about too.

Some really fun, cute and awesome 'entries' for the raffle... best of luck everyone!

If you'll accept me, I'd love a chance to go through The Academy! I've already done a couple of well receieved reviews and since then I feel my photography has improved greatly. I've recently bought a new set with others on the way so should have plenty material to work with

An upcoming event? No, it couldn't be... not... my birthday?! Awww, you guys!!! Joking aside... if the reveal is soon it won't be long 'til all our questions are answered and fears allayed. Can't wait! Heh, you reckon? I'd be happy if I'm right

Great review Walter, thanks! Driving while building a LEGO set... stuck in traffic or couldn't wait 'til you got home? The new phase one clonetroopers are such great minifigs and this set is a must have for clone army builders... like you said, 10/10! I also don't think much of the walker itself although your mod does improve it. I saw fit to build a midi-scale AT-AP alternate model out of 2 of these battlepacks and as such feel that the parts on offer are really, really good. The printed clone heads have been talked about elsewhere in the forum. Some prints have them looking left, right, straight ahead... and many variations between. Same goes for Ace's head too. I guess it adds that little bit of individuality.

Many thanks for the link and pics Jansued, L-space! I really like the look of this set. I think it's been a victim of it's on hype in that initial details about price weren't the most accurate, so people assumed this would be the RBR to end all RBRs. Well it isn't... but it's still damn cool! It bears a lot of similarity to the Rebuplic Cruiser? Well yeah, no suprises there - in shape at least. But considering both ships origins that's to be expected... ...but the RBR's mid-section appears to be constructed differently. I own the RC and the RBR's exterior mid-section is less wide than the RC; it might mean less space looking at it from the outside, but LEGO may have removed the 'super-structure' style build used in the RC to accomodate the corridor where we saw Darth Vaders entrance. We can but hope! Also, there appears to be 2 'escape-pods' that form the circular part between mid and aft sections... ...whereas I believe that there are minifigs in this set - even if there aren't pictures of them. There's transparent window at the front of the ship, when there could easily have been modelled detail. And there's escape-pod style pieces where some kind of cylindrical construction would have formed the shape better. I think the fact that it works in midi-scale is probably a result of working to a budget and would probably apply to the RC too. I think any minifigs will likely be Captain Antilles, Princess Leia, R2-D2, C-3PO, and a rebel trooper. It's the same count as for the Republic Cruiser. If anything there might be an extra rebel trooper. I'd imagine that the cockpit - which will defo be printed in my opinion - will seat 2 or 3 minifigs, same with the mid section; and then the escape-pods will have the capacity for 2 each. Looking forward to seeing some more pics

Perfect review Svelte. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and found myslelf whistling the lullaby by the end! Thanks a lot for putting so much time and effort into it, it's much appreciated. I think this is an absolutely charming set, it looks beautiful and full of fun. I agree with you opinions about the minifig choice, LEGO could have been a bit more creative, especially with all the new headprints and hair moulds there are now. Saying that, anyone who's serious enough about LEGO to buy this is bound to have a fair colletion of cool minifigs that can take a ride on the carousel... even taun-tauns can have a go! If I had a lot more cash I might consider buying this. In fact, my birthday is coming up and I've suggested a cheeky few LEGO items; this isn't one of them however... it's pretty expensive.... and I think I'll just appreciate it as much as I can from your picturs and videos, Svetle!

Nice work Artizan! You've captured the sleek shapes and details really well - great use of crystal-ball parts too! Not to mention the new scale... it'd be interesting to compare if LEGO ever do their own version. I like the composited action-shot - though your model looks a wee bit stretched in that picture for some reason? No worries though!

Cheers for the review DW! I was never a huge collector of the minis, but I did pick up a few choice sets - this being one of them. It's a really nice wee version of the starfighter; as soon as it got it I immediately saw how easy it would be to change it into Obi Wan's fighter... and did so! Here's my old picture of it: An easy and effective mod!

Those are brilliant! Really like the royal guards too The costumes are some of the most accurate I've seen... and I've had some run-ins with some highly realistic looking stormtroopers before! Thanks for sharing Guss.

Interesting idea! Shame I don't have a bath tub Sheets of card and photoshop all the way for me!

By 'remotely' I meant a wheel at the side so you don't have to physically touch the belt? It doesn't look like you have one from your photos - it might be a cool addition?

Great scene you've built there UAO! Your L-wing is really cool, very distinct, sleek and swooshable! I've only dipped briefly into the land of SNOT (urgh!) but the technique lends itself really well to fighters. I really like your hangar too, loads of detail and by the look of it loads of functionality. This would make a great playset! Can you move the conveyor belt remotely? As in, by a wheel, gear or such?