MicroM

Yeah I got the same reaction. They only had 1 BP, so wasn't the end of the world.

That Myer deal is something else. I thought the DJ's deal last week was good for stocking up on BP's. Just need to find a Myer with 3 of them left (I think I'll be late night shopping tonight). I did also pick up a V-19 today at KMart, they have them for $50 now, less the 15% promo they have this week. I really like this kit, and KMart (well at lest the ones I go to) ordered a lot of these, and I'm glad they did.

I understand the point that the Fantasy era has taken away from the realism aspect. But I also think this range has some pluses. I also grew up in the 80's with the Castle range and loved it, but one thing I often felt was that it was lacking in "baddies". Now I do remember there were some, and perhaps the range I had when I was a kid consisted mainly of "goodies" but I always felt I was overwhelmed with good guys. I remember this was also the case with the Space range, and I even had a pretend enemy for my star fleet to attack, such was the proportion of goodies. I like how this range has a clear good v bad element, and I also like how they include both elements in almost all kits. Though to counter all this my 7 year old doesn't like the Castle range at all, he is obsessed with the Power Miners and Agents themes. I do suppose the LOTR influence of the past decade has contributed to the Fantasy range we see today. I am a big fan of it to be honest, I enjoyed building that Troll warship (see my review on it!). And i thought the other kits were really well done. I really want the Troll mountain fortress, and after missing out on the Castle Seige, I think I'll be well out-weighed bad guys to good guys now. I also have a 8 month old, and who knows what he'll be into, he'll certainly be getting my Castle range when he's old enough (if the older one has developed a liking to it), but I dare say by the time he's reached that age we may have seen another shift.

I've been having a good look at that Troll Mountain Fortress, it is really impressive. I love the video highlights from TF. I only just bought a few of the Castle kits at Christmas last year, as I mainly collect SW LEGO, but I really like the Castle range. The drawbridge also looks really good. Damn LEGO bringing out so many good kits in one year, there's no way I can justify buying all these kits this year.

Thanks for the heads up on DJ's, that is a good deal. Hopefully they have some in stock at my DJ's. I bought a few BP's at KMart when they had 15%, knew I should have waited. Oh well.

Hard question - but I'm voting Yes. I couldn't beleive the pic when I logged onto a few days ago and saw it. Honestly I hadn't been that excited by a kit. I like everything about the kit, especially the connection method, obviously this was essential to the kit, but they seem to have done such a great job with that. Can't wait to see it with an AT-TE (and that was a great move by LEGO to make that compatible). I'm more than happy we got 6 clones and 2 pilots, that seems right for me. Oh yeah, I loved how this was a total surprise as well. I like the little rumours and grainy pics we get of soon to be released kits, but seeing this kit properly was the best way to see this kit. Well done TLC.

Here's my thoughts AT-TE Really well done, I thought it was a good improvement on the first version. It does look impressive, it is one of the few kits I have on display (limited space), but I'm happy to have this as one of them. I relaly like the Rex figure, and this was the only way I got Anakin and Ahsoka. I like the rubber headed flick missiles as well, that was a nice touch. I have done a few setups with my 7 year old and "played" Clove Wars and this is a great kit to set up with a bunch of Clones running around the base of it, looks really good. I thought the price was fair as well. Gunship Great ship, Lucas (or his minnions) nailed the design of this ship in the movie and noth LEGO versions have been great. I was surprised how they could do better, but they did. I like the speeder and the figs are great. I really like Plo, and it was cool how they included Assaj. It was a good kit to build, although I too have had a few problems with it being a bit flimsy, I wonder if I just didnt build it well enough. And again this kit is on display for me. One drawback for me seems to be the limited amount of figs that fit inside it, I would have liked to fit a few more figs inside. And again the price was pretty fair (especially if you wait till there's a 20% off, which is what my Wife did when she got it for my birthday. I would pick the Gunship if I had to only get one. I think if the question was would you get an AT-TE+RGS or the new LAAT+AT-OT, that would be a tough choice, but I'd take the AT-TE+RGS.

Wow this has been quite the day. I had been checking for Toyfair pics all day on Sunday (being ahead in Australia, I wasn't sure when we'd see pics). What a surprise 10195 was, well done TLC in keeping this close to their chest (I wonder if that's a reason they didn't do an exclusive Jedi with it, keep the chance of leaks down, if someone had seen a new Jedi they would have been asking where it belonged). So after seeing all the pictures I am totally thrilled about the 2009 wave, TLC you have done an excellent job. Here's my thoughts; 7749 - Echo base Have been gagging for a TaunTaun for years - so well done TLC in finally delivering. The little base part isn't too bad, though Im sure the turrent could be better, but this probably keeps the price down, so I'm OK with that. Good collection of figs, though would have loved a Hoth Luke instead (has Luke been banned by TLC??) 8038 - Battle of Endor Really well done. I like the look of the AT-ST. The minifigs look really good, I like how they have named the ewoks and done a pretty good job at liking them to their namesakes. The Endor troopers are awesome. Even the bunker looks well done and this is a great all in one play set - not that I suppose I'll play with it that often. 7754 - Home One Great minifigs and I think the playset itself is pretty well put together. I like the AWing and even its platform is nicely done. I was never a big fan of the landing platform for the CC kit, but this one has some nice looking features. I really love that little arena where the Death Star is (and that is a great part as well), I can't wait to get this and put the minifigs all around listening to Madine and Mothma Now onto the CW line 10195 - Republic drophsip and AT-OT Speechless. I would never have guessed they'd ever have done a kit like this. I love the concept, well done on the number of Clones (I think the 8 is pretty fair). The colour scheme looks good, the design of both the vehicles looks really good. And to top if off the way they connect them seems very well done, and also a nice feature that the AT-TE will also connect. It is a hefty price, and being in Australia, this will be dear and if its an exclusive to shop@home, then that's further cost to add, but this will be a must have for me. 7748 - Corporate Alliance Droid I have always liked this droid and this version seems like a decent upgrade from the last. Nice they included 2 clones and 2 BD's, always like to get a few more Clones. This will be a multiple kit for me, probably stops me buying a few more Clone BP's, I'll just wait and get these. 8036 - Separatist Shuttle I think this is a good looking kit and the figs are a bonus for me. 8037 - Y-Wing I must admit I really only liked this vehicle after seeing it recently in the TV series. Now that I've seen a good close up of the actual kit I'm really fond of it. I still think they could have given up 2 Clonies and new astromech and Admiral Yularen. I assume they don't cause kids want the main characters, but I wonder if this really is the case. I'm sure different figs wouldn't have hurt the sales of this kit. 8039 - Venator I was not interested in this kit, outside of the Palpatine figure. But after seeing the playability of the kit, it's now on my wish list. Great move to put that handle on it TLC, nice touch. I really like the gunner station and the figs are all really good. Who wouldn't have liked more, but given the new molds for the commandos I think it's fair enough. All in all an awesome line up. I just have to find someway of paying for it all

I really like the look of the Falcon. It's an interesting scale, I've never got into the minis, but I reckon this one is for me. I did buy the UCS, but really have no where to put it, so it's still in its box. Will be good to buy this one and actually put it out on display. And the Pirate tank looks good, seems odd that we are getting it. But I really like the CW series and I can't get enough of the LEGO from it. This is a good range coming out - and I haven't finished getting all of the 2009 first wave.

When I first read this post, I thought No, I like the kits as well. But then I've had a good think about it and you do make a good point, though I'm still undecided as whether it's the kits or the figs I'm interested in for 09. I compared to the 2008 line up - the Gunship and AT-TE are 2 kits I would have got without the figs for sure. The V-19 only came with one fig, so you had to like that kit to get it. I was sucked in on the Magna guard ship (initially I didn't like it, but it grew on me and I got it, only to regret it after building it). The Death Star, although full of great figs also is a great stand alone kit. So all in all the 08 kits didn't need the figs to make them attractive. As for the 09 kits; - Endor - the figs are great, I do like the AT-ST and would buy this as a kit. - Home One - I'm not totally sold on this kit, need to see some more detailed shots. The figs however are great and I know I'll buy it, but really only for the figs - Clone Wars kits - the Shuttle does actually appeal to me as does the Alliance Droid. I'm wont be getting the YWing for the figs given I have them, so that's a kit I'll be getting for the figs - The Hoth kit, I'll only be getting that for the figs - I actually think that Turrent could be done a lot better by LEGO - Even the recently released CW kits - Dooku's sailor was only good given his fig, but the magnet set has solved that problem. The AAT and RAS are good stand alone kits that were improved by decent figs. I do wonder if its just that we are getting such a good quality assortment of figs this year that is making it seem like they are the reason for the kits. Anyway I suppose it's all a mute point for me, I'll be getting all the kits announced so far anyway.

KMart sales - At my local they had the V-19's on clearance for $65 - ao after the 15% got it for about $55, sweet!! They did have the Magna fighters heavily discounted as well, but I'm not that thrilled with that kit so didn't bother. They were running low on Clone battle packs (which I've noticed KMart have dropped the regular price from $20 to $18.88). On a different note - does anyone know if and when the Pirate line will hit retail in Australia?

There's been a coment or two about Australian pricing. I wouldn't think that its going to be double the European prices. The RGS sells for 140 Euro, whereas the Australian price is 180 AUD. It looks like the higher the price the close the two get (Euro v AUD). So I wouldn't think Endor will be 200 AUD, or at least I'm hoping not.

Great MOC. I was just checking out the minifig index and saw TLC's version, as others have said, your version is really well done!

I notice there is one on Bricklink without minifigs for $75US - the postage should be cheaper also cause there is no box. Maybe this is the best way to go if you want this kit. I did that when this kit came out, I remember buying a few of them and they were shipped nice and tight in a small box so the postage was reasonable. I also remember buying one MISB from Bricklink and then that seller got busted de-frauding Target by printing his own barcodes. I was lucky to get my kits only a few weeks before he was shut down. It is a nice kit, and if you can live without the light up Mace that's probably the way to go. I know they had a couple of unique clones, especially the Kashyyyk trooper, but if money's tight that would be the way to go.

That would be a good price for the AAT (from BigW website) - wonder if you can order it at that price, though they have it described as the bomber, so I doubt it. As for the discount I recall last year K-Mart having the 15% off for a while, and then they lifted it to 20%, perhaps at the July toy sale, and they had it endlessly at Christmas time. I think I'll try and grab some of the kits at that price, and might leave the purchasing of the BP's till the 20% off time (well at least the multiple buying). Though I was at the shops yesterday and noticed that any retailer who had the new kits was pretty low on the Clone BP's, I wonder if this will be the biggest selling LEGO item. And I was wondering about any earlier post wit K-Mart clearing out the V-19 and Magna guards, is this still happeneing, the store I went to yesterday had heaps of them but at normal price.

I am really impressed by the Endor set, I think LEGO have really nailed this kit. I've been trying to think of a similar kit they could bring out for a scene in the OT. It's hard to think of something they could have done so well. I eliminated any Death Star scene, since they already nailed this with the UCS DS last year. ANH - Maybe they could do a Tatooine desert scene, with Luke, Ben, C-3PO, R2-D2, a few sand people and one of their Banthas a few Jawas, the Landspeeder and Ben's Hut. ESB - Hoth battle, but it's hard to see a kit with an AT-AT plus other kits / figures, it would be too expensive, and really to capture the spirit of that battle you need an AT-AT. They could perhaps do another Cloud City, that would be interesting. I think last time they had too much wasted space / pieces with that landing platform, which is big but struggles to hold the MF (4504). ROTJ - The Endor kit nails it. I think the Sail Barge has been done now. I didn't really put my mind to the PT, perhaps a Kashyyyk - Yoda, Chewbacca, Tarful, Unduli, Gree, 2 clones, 3 battle driods, 3 Super battle driods, the briefing platform, a Separatist tank and a few spider droids. But this kit wouldn't have the impact of the Endor kit, though I suppose that's the difference between the OT and the PT.

Great additions to both collections, OT and CW. Firstly the OT Hoth - We've all been waiting on a Taun Taun, and Imperial Snowtroopers are always welcome. I do think the turrent is a bit small, but I understand if this was more substantial then the kit would be dearer. So I'm happy as it is, a great battlepack. Endor - I wasn't sure what to expect with this kit. LEGO have done it perfectly in my opinion. I'm struggling to think what else they could add outside of the Ewok glider, catapult, AT-ST and speeder bikes. It has everything for the scene. I really like the new speeder bikes (after just building a new CW RGS, these bikes are a big step up on the previous ones). The minifig collection is also awsome with this (I suppose if you were picky there is no C-3PO and a stromtrooper or 2 - but really I don't mind this, perhaps it adds the chance for a further Endor kit with those as the figs). All in all this is a great kit, right up there with last year's DS. Well done LEGO, I think you are nailing the OT at the moment. CW Y-Wing - this looks like it should (based on the series), it's just that it's not the best looking ship. The figs are tedious though, how many Anakins and Ahsokas do we need! Though I understand as these are aimed at kids, if you havent got an AT-TE or Twlight then you wouldn't have these 2 together. I think I would have preferred some Clones, perhaps Matchstick and a different driod. Alliance Tank - I really like this vehicle, I thought the first version was great back in 2005 and this version looks pretty good too. I like how we are getting a good mix of Separatist and Republic vehicles. Adding 2 clones is also a very good idea. Separatist Shuttle - I wouldn't have ever had this on a wish list, but the figures look good and I think it's actually a pretty neat addition. Shame they did't put Dooku in this, would save me getting one of his Sailor kits. Venator - I don't know about these large kits. I bought the ISD but have never built it (this happens when you have a baby - and no where to display). I like the figs, maybe a little light on. I do really like the Venator as a ship so I'm sure I'll buy one of these, the price just might kill me though. So all in all the OT sets are great, little to no improvement ideas from me. The CW aren't as great but are still very nice. One thing I'm finding with the CW kits is as I see the series (and I'm only up to episode 7 - its on quite a delay here in Australia) I like the kits more and more. I thought the Twilight was a hunk of junk until i watched the series, then I had to buy it. So I'm sure that will happen with this wave. The Venator is the only kit I will probably give serious thought too, and that's more about the price than anything else.

Thanks for the review of this kit. I'm not that sold to be honest, though I really like the Dooku minifig. And it is a great idea they include the hood, I've often wondered why they don't do this with the Jedi. The fact it is an exclusive might sway me to not get the kit. TrU sold the 2 exclusives in Australia with quite a markup from the 2008 CW line up and given its current price it might just be a little out of my budget this year. Perhaps I'll just get Dooku off Bricklink.

PLenty of new SW kits out at the moment in Brisbane. Target have a the whole range. I always like seeing the kits in the flesh, I like the Assassin droids more now, and even the Droid bomber looked a little better than I thought from the online photos. My local K-Mart had at least 2 dozen Vader's Tie, I haven't seen so many instances of 1 kit before, I wonder if it was an ordering mistake. Though I am hoping they are going to do a special on them soon, $49 seems a little steep.

Was wondering if anyone knows why the Republic Attack Shuttle is not listed on the Australian Shop @ Home site ? I noted its on the US, but says the item is not available in Australia. It is in the recent 2009 catalogue I received, so I'm wondering if its just a delay in listing. I didn't have a lot of interest in this set until last night when I watched the Clone Wars episode "Rookies" (yes I'm way behind as I'm watching them in line with the Australian TV release schedule). The shuttle looked pretty good in that episode, same thing happened with the Twlight, didn't like it till I saw the TV series, then I had to get it. Also I'm curious as to what the price will be, I'm hoping $100 AUD, but am fearing maybe $110 AUD !!

This stadium is VERY simplistic and has no WOW factor, short of the price tag. If you look at the good MOC's that are posted on LEGO sites they will have a wow factor and very intricate and well designed building techniques and the use of parts you wouldn't expect that make the MOC look amazing. This kit has none of this, it actually reminds me of the MOC's (though on a much bigger scale) I would build when I was a kid. And after having played the soccer kit, I think the stadium structure would make the actual playing of the game difficult. I am surprised anyone quit their job to work as a LEGO builder fulltime, especially the way the economy is (and heading). This seems like bad timing. I have bought a few MOC's from eBay, but they have been in the tens of dollars not thousands. Those sellers seem to create a MOC and then make multiples of it and sell them, this seems like a much more plausible way to make money as a LEGO builder, though I'm sure they do this in their spare time. I would be surprised, to say the least if anyone buys this. I don't know what they would get if they started with a low bid, but given its just after Christmas, the economy is (or heading) into worse conditions there is little chance they would even recover the part costs, let alone any reward for their effort. But I see this as the way hobbies are, my Wife knits these great little characters, but she would do well to recover the actual wool costs if she ever tried to sell them.

I went to TrU and they had a few reduced items from the SW rnge; - V-19 for $80 - Twilight for $140 (I finally picked this up - they didn't actually have a "sale" sticker on this, and was really only by chance I noticed the small price sticker on the rack read $139.99) - Magna guard - can't remember but was at least $10 off - Republic Cruiser (episode 1 red) - $120 - I still am resisting this kit, mainly because I buy way too much LEGO, and although a good looking kit I need to cut back somewhere. I really didn't look at the other stuff, but I don't recall seeing any "sale" stickers. And the GCY (Brisbane) store had a good stock of sets. Much better than the others who have had constant sales and are now down to a few slim pickings.

[quote name='Sandy' date='Dec 25 2008, 07:29 PM' post='413602' And there was one piece in particular that I missed greatly: a steering wheel. As this is the only large ship I own, I didn't even have an extra one to put there. Sandy, thanks. You make a good point on the steering wheel, hadn't occurred to me, but having a look at that top stern platform they could have put a wheel there. Cheers

I bought a few of the current Castle line kits and put together the Warship today, really good kit, here’s my review; Kit # - 7048 Troll Warship Price - $70 AUD (got this in a pre Christmas sale at K-Mart, down from $90) Pieces - 493 pieces Minifigs - 8 + Giant Troll and Dragon Box Decent sized box, nice art, no embossing. The rear of the box shows some of the features of the kit, and gives the dimensions of the kit also. With a shot of the minifigs on the top edge of the box. Box was opened by cutting two clear sticker tabs on the side of the box and the parts then slide out. Contents; - 4 bags with pieces (which are numbered 1 - 4 and the kit is built in 4 stages); - 1 bag with Troll; - 1 bag with Dragon; - Loose boat hull pieces; - 2 row boats; - 2 sails (they actually remind me of the Tampa Bay Buccaneer logo, perhaps it was the colour scheme); - 2 masts; - 2 dragon wings; and - Instruction manual (in 2 books - the second one was tucked inside the first, not sure if this was by design). Minifigs Bag # 1 contains the minifigs. Maybe because I’ve just finished reading the LoTR trilogy I am calling the small green minfigs Orcs and the larger sand green fig a Troll. Contents; 6 Orcs - with 4 swords (2 in brown and 2 in silver). One troll comes with a bronze helmet and shoulder armour and a whip (hence he’s the ship’s Captain). 2 of the Orcs come with a bronzed torso. 1 Troll in sand green and he comes with 2 drumsticks (motivational tool) and also a club (motivational tool also). This photo includes an extra Troll and Orc (they came along for the build). Also contains a Knight, on Dragon and a Dwarf. Here’s the Knight and Dragon And a close up of the whole gang (minus the dragon). Build I’ll start out by saying that the numbered bags are a great idea. I mainly buy from the Star Wars range and LEGO seemed to give up numbering those kits some time ago. It makes the build really easy, although the odd search for pieces can be rewarding when you find one, it does eat time. I would say I built this kit much quicker than I otherwise would have. Here’s the beginning of Stage 2, with the Orcs and Trolls at the ready to build. Was a good mix of large pieces and small ones and was quickly completed. The ship hull is quite sturdy, I’m not sure yet if it floats, but there was no label saying it does, and given its in parts I’m assuming that it doesn’t. Here’s the Orcs working on Stage 2, and of course under the watchful eye of the ships captain (nothing like a whip and a 600 pound troll to motivate one). I like how they did the sides of the ship (1 x 6 flat tiles) and the pieces they used for the oar locks work perfectly. The shields on the side are also another nice detail (these get put in place in the next stage). Onto Stage 3 There was something I wasn’t used to in these pieces, with the couple of 4 x 4 and 2 x 2 turntables having to be clicked together. I don’t have a lot of kits from recent times and was always used to these being clicked together at the factory. This stage of the build includes the construction of the cage and the ships flick missile gun (these have both been done very well). I really like the flick missile and you can get a decent “flick” on them. Here’s the Trolls helping with the build, and an Orc “testing” out the cage (he got forgotten about for a little while and was left in the cage…. oops). You can also notice the drum, I wasn’t sure what this was until I put the Troll in place and realised he was holding the drumsticks. This was a simple design but fits well in the ship. The third stage included the adding of the details to the ships bow (front) and stern (rear) which were simple but effective. The white horns added to the stern give the ship a nice Troll touch. Here we go with the fourth and final stage Raise the sail... The mast assemble was again well done as was the detail on the top with the little basket. Though I moved the short flagpole of centre so that an Orc can stand in the basket. I really like the netting for the cage that is moved with the crane piece attached to the rear mast. And here’s the finished product (I have added one extra Orc to this shot). Conclusion This was a really good kit. Was a quick, but not too quick build and has a number of cool playability functions; - the flick missile weapon; - the cage; - the crane with net cage piece; - the rear platform and mast piece detaches easily to expose the area underneath, which has four hooks for sword storage (the area is a little plain, but not big enough to fit much in so I think it was best left as they did - perhaps a small table with a map piece could have been added); - the click turntables that the masts connect are another neat function as you can move both sails to the same angle and they’ll stay in place; and - the detachable single boats are also done well and they do have a connection point to the main ship (another nice detail). Overall this was very well done, I like the adding of the Dwarf and Knight (plus dragon). Score Design - 10/10 - I really didn’t have any faults with this kit. Build - 10/10 - the numbered bags should be mandatory, they make life very easy. Minifigs - 8/10 - Would have liked 1 more Orc, though I’m sure if they had 7 of them I would have been asking for another one to put on the mast, and so on. But I do think they needed enough to man the oars, the missile launcher, the ship’s captain and at least one of the smaller boats. But well done on including the Dwarf and Knight. Playability 9/10 - I haven’t given this a good test just yet, but with the amount of little functions this is a really well done kit. Value - 10/10 - I picked this up for 20% off (and given the sales retailers have had this year why anyone pays full retail is beyond me, see if this continues into next year), so was happy at $70 AUD. I’m probably also a little out of touch of what these kits should go for as the Star Wars line is much dearer. But it does seem like good value for a $70 toy. Overall - 9/10 - Great kit, makes me regret not getting the Castle when it was out, this is a really good line, and a good introduction for me into something outside of the Star Wars line (though when I say introduction I don’t expect to buying anything further, this was a one off Christmas purchase).

I wasn't sold on the ATT but after seeing it in a review, does make me want to get it. I like the new SBD arms, and the Yoda although a little freaky, looks OK. The actual tank though is quite good, shame the reviewer just shot that missile into the ground, would have liked to see how far it went. I'll definitely be picking one of these up, though hopefully it isnt one of the TrU exclusives and has a jacked up price.