dunamis

Yes, I heard it was IR as well.

Hopefully, this photo will give you a sense of scale:

I really love the new Technic sets, especially the bulldozer. Can't wait to get that one! Mars Mission is starting to appeal to me now along with all the city sets. *must resist starting another LEGO line...* Castle looks great and the MTT is simply amazing! The JSF ring looks less impressive to me for some reason, but it is still nice. Yeah, and they put the canopy on the JSF on backwards! I was trying to figure out what that ship reminded me of and that is it!

I've hit a number of Target stores in Southern California and South East Texas (I'm on a business trip). I have found a LOT of the Nitro trucks on sale for at least 50% off as well as a few Bionicle and Exo Force sets (mostly around 30% off). I did manage to pick up a 8877 Castle for $35 which I was very happy about. We're almost into the 3rd week in January so the clearance items are starting to thin out...

There's the endorsement I was looking for! Out of the back. The best way I can describe it is from the photo on the box and in the manual: Pull the red lever down (see the arrow) and the bomb container will tilt down and the bombs will drop through the slot and out. Note that you don't want to have the bombs stuck together (like what is in my photos) or they won't fit through the slot.

The ship is deceptive in that it looks more fragile than it really is. You can pick it up from many differ places including the top wing (if you hold it from the base of the wing.) Holding from underneath works well too. Probably the preferred method is to hold it from underneath and the ship facing away from you. Your hands will be around the hull and your fingers can go on the triggers (1x1 trans yellow cones are the triggers) for the missile launchers. Of course, keep in mind that other than firing a few rounds at my dog, my model didn

Yes, it is that time again. I've dusted off my keyboard and started diving into the 2007 line of Star Wars sets. No doubt we may see multiple reviews of the same set as people throw their opinions into the mix. Here is my entry, so let's hear your feedback. 7659 Imperial Landing Craft Reviewed by Dunamis Set 7659 471 Pieces $49.95 from the LEGO Store (Glendale, California) Build time: 2.0 hours Stickers: None The Box: Pretty standard box here with the exception of the 30th anniversary logo. We have Vader�s mask up in the upper right hand corner. This seems to be the standard with all the early 2007 sets. Immediately, you can see the set comes with some stormtroopers. Also, you can see the ship is dropping some bombs and is launching a missile. The back of the box shows the ship with all of the features as well as the pilot. In addition, we are shown the other models in the early 2007 line. Inside the box, the parts are in the two types of standard LEGO packaging; perforated bags and standard sealed bags. There were no pieces outside the bags and there were eight total bags. The instruction manual was also inside the box. The Manual: Another stellar effort by the LEGO manual staff. The manual is well done, nicely laid out and flows along briskly. We have our standard set of manual features: - Piece call outs for each step - Parts inventory at the end of the manual - Good color separation - Page numbers - Review of set features (exactly like the back of the box - Four pages dedicated to the other 2007 Star Wars sets The manual was fine and up to the latest LEGO standard. It moves along well and clearly illustrates building the model as shown in the example below: Since this model has a rocket launcher (actually it has two), LEGO was also kind enough to include one of those illustrated warnings that silently says, �Don�t shoot the annoying neighbor kid in the eye with this thing because it will hurt like crazy!� The Pieces: Well, there are white parts and then some more white parts and finally some white parts. Did I mention there were some white parts here? Oh, buy the way, you get a couple of light and dark bley pieces plus some various 1x1 trans plates and cones thrown in for good measure. I guess I should mention you do get two of the new style spring loaded missile seen here: We do have the usual assortment of Technic pieces that seem to accompany almost every new LEGO set these days. The good news for those fans of the studded beams; you get six in total. Also, due to the nature of how the fold down wings work, we get a fair assortment of gears as well. In addition, we get a bunch of curved bricks and panels. Finally, we get the canopy and some of those really tall sloped bricks. I guess it is appropriate to mention the new guys at this point. I must say I really like them. I think it was time LEGO gave us some new weapons. Two of each were included: For comparison, here is a photo with the new LEGO guns (top left and top right) compared to the two closest Little Armory guns (middle and bottom left and right). The Little Armory guns are still more detailed, but the LEGO guns are really nice. The Build: The build was fun and went quickly. The bulk of the time is spent building the main hull of the ship and the wing mechanisms. The wings and cockpit were really quick. Finally, there is not much left over when you are done: The Design: I had to remind myself that LEGO designs these ships for 8-12 year olds and maximum playability. In that regard, I think LEGO did a great job. Not fitting into that age group, I can only assume that 8-12 year olds will be happy with this ship. For me, when I was done building the model and spent some time with it, I felt the design was lacking. Of course, the beauty of LEGO is that you can change these models to suit your needs. Looking at this model from that perspective, we have a significant opportunity to modify this ship. For me, the little bomb dropping thingy is an annoyance. The four little bombs will undoubtedly fall out and either wind up in the vacuum cleaner, my two year olds mouth or in the backyard two days after my dog eats it. However, the design of the bomb dropper is quite ingenious. They use the rubber connectors to tilt a lift arm which allows the bomb to slide down a slope under an arch. Even though I despise it, the design was pretty slick. The folding wing is quite good as well. I�m always a fan of turning axles and seeing things move. I wonder if the new wireless motor coming out later this year would fit on the back of the ship? That could be really cool! The main hull of the ship is too small in my opinion. It is physically too short by 6-8 studs and the missile launchers take up way too much room. Check out this guy. How did he get stuck sitting between two bombs and a missile? Interior: The main hull is connected to the rest of the ship by two 1x1 modified plates with clips (one at each end). These work fine although (for me) they are hard reach because I have big hands and fingers. No doubt they work exceptionally well for an 8-12 year old. Accessing the interior is nicely done and reminds me a bit of the 4504 Falcon. Note that you can not access the two middle troopers unless the hull is detached (they sit under the �spine� of the ship) The cockpit is uninspired and you have to remove the canopy to access it. There is only room for one pilot. The rear of the ship has the engines and the twist gear to raise and lower the wings. The engine design is nothing special but serviceable. The missile launchers actually work well and it can be fun to chase the dog around the house with them. At first glace, the ship appears a bit fragile. Fortunately, this is not the case and you can hold it from many different places. It has been quite sturdy for me. Overall Thoughts: This set has a lot going for it; new guns, two stormtroopers, two sandtroopers, a tie pilot and (finally) a new ship from the original trilogy! While the redesigns are producing some really nice ships, it was refreshing to get a ship we never had before. Plus, we have no stickers! For me, this ship is definitely not perfect and I�m going to modify it quite a bit. However, this ship was not designed for me and I think it does a great job for the target audience. Too bad for you that I don�t have an 8-12 year old or I�d tell you want they think of it. So instead, you get to hear what I think of it. I guess in the end I feel like it either needs a couple of more troopers for the price (but where would they sit?) or it should be priced lower. At $50 it is too expensive to be an army builder. Overall it is a nice new ship with some popular minifigs with new weapons. For the AFOL, some of the design elements are frustrating. The 8-12 year old Star Wars LEGO fan should be in heaven. Of course, I�m always happy to hear your thoughts, comments, complains, questions, etc. about my review and this set. I�d be happy to answer any specific questions or post any additional photos that you need. Just let me know. Final Rating: 86% Build 10/10 (Very brisk build. No gotchas.) Minifigs 9/10 (New guns, stormtroopers & sandtroopers.) Design 9/10 (It is designed for playability of 8-12 year olds and it does that well. Everyone else, break out your white parts pack and get busy) Parts 8/10 (Aside from the new guns, nothing special.) Price 7/10 (The price ratio is questionable and I felt like it needed another two troopers. This thing would kick butt at $40 though.)

I've seen most of these sets in Walmart, TRU and Target here in the states. Not sure if you are in Europe or not, but they've been here for a couple of weeks now. The minis look pretty cool (monkey and helicopter) and I bought the fast fliers a few weeks ago. I've seen the mosaics in stores as well, they just don't appeal to me (although my wife really liked them.)

I can't wait! Seems like LEGO has really listened and given us some great sets.

I counted 20 as well.

Sounds great to me! I've seen some of the amazing space city mocs and I'd love to build a city with a monorail.

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No, everything is connected to the hilt and arm of the minifig. Plus there is a battery inside the minifig and sometimes the heads are loose and they spin around like Linda Blair in the (original) Exorcist. Now I've really shown my age...

I keep coming back to these photos. Is that a new tire on the front of the combine? The rear tires look like the typical Technic tires we have seen many times, but I don't recogize the front tires. Thoughts?

Is it just me, or are we seeing a modified saucer secion in a few of these sets? There are definite round sections that don't look the the typical round saucer parts found in the old Space sets: It is on the wings of this set: Or, is this part found elsewhere and I just don't know it?

I'm mixed until I see more photos. The truck looks awesome, but everything else looks marginal at this point. LoM is the first thing that pops into my head. Looks like this is the first line of 2007 that has not been met with wild enthusiasm. I agree with the poster above who said the ship looks like the dropship from Aliens.

WOW! Thanks for posting. I've been waiting for some new Technic sets to break loose. The bulldozer is fantastic! I can't wait to build it. I love the direction they are going with all the moters and functions. Makes me wonder if they would have held on to the 2006 tow truck another year how much better it could have been. The combine is OK. At least it is something different. Better than the many cranes and firetrucks we seem to get over and over. Totally agree. I have the NXT and am not that impressed. It has some nice features but didn't knock me off my feet. Kind of a let down and I haven't wanted to spend a lot of time with it, hence the reason I haven't finished my review of it. Kind of looks that way at first glance. I'm still surprised they haven't somehow tried to tie NXT in with some Star Wars sets, i.e. R2D2 or something. But I digress...

Wow, these creator sets look great! Is that remote control on the Dinosaur?

A few observations from the photos: The MTT looks great! From the box, it looks like we are definitely getting 18-20 minifigs. Wow! The Naboo Starfighter is more of the same. Looks good, but I am curious as to why that ship was such a priority since we already had two previous versions of it that were also well done? I really like the JSF and Hyperdrive ring. Very nice. I also like the additional Jedi. A few random questions/thoughts: The droids with the MTT look to be holding new weapons. Why did the battle pack droids have OLD weapons? If they changed the arms on the droids in the MTT, why did the battle pack droids have the old arms? Will there now be problems having a mixed army? Who is with young Anakin? Looks like we get a bronze R2 head. Also, what is that vehicle above and to the left of the MTT?

Wow, great find! Thanks for posting.

Thanks for the updates. Did anyone happen to see any Technic sets in the catalog?

Thanks for the news. Any release dates mentioned? Also, I don't suppose you happened to see any of the new Space, Castle, Star Wars or Technic sets that you could share with us? EDIT: Nevermind, I saw your other post about the Star Wars sets. Thanks for the info!

That's how I read it. If so, that would be an amazing set. Since the 2005 sets, LEGO has really done a great job of listening to their customers and giving them what they want. A large transport with 20 droids is fantastic!

Unfortunately, it looks like Chiukeung has posted on FBTB that his message over here was a fake. Not sure what to make of all this as Chiukeung has been reliable in the past. Maybe Sam can confirm some of these for us. Here is the link Chiukeung statement on FBTB