Werlu Ulcur

VERY interesting . So basically most SW models are really system scale? At least I have the impression that most models should be bigger if they should be in-scale with minifigs. And one last thing, why is it called system scale?

Just to be certain, so then if a minifig fits in the model, it's "minifig scale" independent if the model is actually out of scale in relation to the real thing?

VERY nice HJR ! Do you have any pics of the cockpit or with the cockpit opened?

Now there's something I always wanted to know: is a "minifig scale set" a set or model where you can fit a minifig inside the cockpit/cabin/whatever or is it made truly to minifig size ?

Tonight I assembled Darth Vader's TIE Fighter with my son, and I have to retract my previous opinion and agree with you . The stock cape on Vader's fig looks awesome when he's standing, but you can't fit him inside the cockpit with the cape on - a cloth cape would not have been an issue. Of course you can remove the plastic cape, but I fear I might tear it if I do it too many times, so from now on I'll welcome cloth capes .

Got myself a Darth Vader's TIE Fighter!!! :laugh:

I would rather not have a cloth accessory if possible. Plastic is better in my eyes, since they're not action figures or miniatures, but Lego minifigs.

Outstanding! If the calendar came with a model like that I would be all over it! Being honest, except for the minifigs I think it's a VERY poor set. But if it came with models like that... Beautiful work!

Pretty cool initiative, I look forward to earning mine!

This afternoon I found a to-good-to-pass-up opportunity (locally) on a #8098 and ordered one . If everything works out, it should be here by next week, so now I can "officially" start thinking about the wheel improvement. I've done some more research on BL and found out that the wheels used on the tank are made up of "Dark Bluish Gray Wheel 81.6 x 15 Motorcycle", each tank wheel being two of these side by side with a hubcap. Somebody up above mentioned Technic parts, so I went through some Technic sets and found all these sets that use this wheel+tire: The tire has the same diameter as the motorcycle wheel used on the tank, so 5 of these (on each side) would in theory fit side by side. From the pics I've found from downloaded .pdf instructions for these Technic sets, the axles used also seem to be the same size. The idea would be to use these wheels on the stock axles and then cover the wheels with the stock hubcaps - from the #8098's instructions the hubcaps seem to be locked in place by the axle and not the wheels, so I think I would be able to use the regular hubcaps. But this is all assumption, from looking at pictures . Do you guys think these wheels would fit on the tank? My idea was to first get 5 pairs of these wheels and then (if they worked basically as a simple swap) I would start thinking about beefing up the undercarriage. But if possible, I would like to hear if you guys think this is really feasible. If it's plain nonsense I won't waste good money on the wheels.

Possibly (likely?) this has been posted before, and if so, I apologize, but maybe some haven't seen it yet: I found it in our local forum (with no reference), so I can't congratulate who made the graph, but to whomever is the author, you sir hit the nail squarely in the head! My wife says I have a case of protracted childhood .

Of course no one wants just new details, we want better details. I don't know all the older figs, so it's very possible that Lego is just "swapping details", and not really introducing something new. But that my friend, is the bane of what I call "the collecting mentality" that we as AFOL are not immune to - and Lego knows that very well. The prime example is the chromed Darth Vader. It was not part of the movies, costs (a lot) more then a regular Vader minifig but most collectors want one, just because it's a "collector's item". If we all have this collecting mentality, and if Lego knows that, they WILL issue different minifigs with very small differences from the original minifig. They knows it will sell because we all collect minifigs and it's different from the original one that we already have. It's the same story for every toy line or item that is collected by adults.

Thanks for the explanation, Ralph! Being a newb I didn't understand what SNOT really meant, but your post makes it perfectly clear. Very informative!

But Blondie, don't forget that Lego can't "evolve" one line and not the other, they have to be consistent. So if the City line demands more detailed minifigs, they update all their minifigs, independent of what line it fits in. So if the market is asking for more details in the firemen/police/emergency line, they're upgrade everything, from Castles to SW. Every big and traditional brand is doing so, trying to cram as much details and features in their lines as it's economically viable. Electronic entertainment and xing ling toys are a BIG bogey man to all the traditional toy lines, like Lego and Playmobil, so the brands have to keep up. If any of them stop coming out with new stuff and features, they sink.

My AT-AT arrived!!!!!

Do or die. As much as we (not me) can moan about the "over-detailed" minifigs, Lego has to keep up with the market, so they won't go back to simpler figs.

With the size of that thing I really doubt I'll ever buy it.

I appreciate the higher level of detail but I don't like the weathering effect that seems to be the new trend.

My sentiments exactly!

Interesting. Being this basically a "toy forum" I would expect people would take it easier here and not be a drag . Well, there's always some rotten apples.

Still, that's GREAT potential for the set. Thanx for the tip Christopher!

Out of curiosity, why are there so many banned members ? Order 66 or something like that?

When you're only almost five years old even Jar Jar and The Phantom Menace is TOTALLY amazing .

Still waiting for my AT-AT .

Coincidentally I just watched the first half hour of The Return of the Jedi with my son a few hours ago. That looks terrific!