drdavewatford

As someone who isn't particularly interested in any of the new franchises, I guess my question is what will be retired in order to accomodate all these new lines ? Unless Lego are planning to recruit a whole bunch of new designers, the implication is that other lines will be retired or there will be fewer kits. Dr. D.

Great job - looks like it could have been an official Lego product ! Dr. D. I should also have added that the builder is an absolute genius - just check out some of the other creations on the Flickr photostream. Brilliant ! Dr. D.

Nice step by step building pics. Coincidentally, I dug this set out and built it a couple of weeks ago. For some reason it's one of my favourites - I think I just like the shape of it and the way the wings fold. Plus the transparent turquoise tiles on the underside of the ramp ! I don't think there were any stickers - everything was printed. I also vote for a minifig-scale UCS version ! Dr. D.

I'm also underwhelmed with the 2009 SW sets I've seen so far (either on sale already or planned for the Summer) - only the Venator is a 'must buy' for me at this stage. I agree that the situation is not so bad for those interested in minifigs, but since I don't care about those the sets leave me cold. A new UCS set would certainly cheer me up..... Dr. D.

I honestly think that Lego's 10134 UCS Y-Wing set looks better, and is a similar size.....

Makes me laugh that ANYBODY cares if the sellers who rip people off for minifigs lose their nice little earner. It's like feeling sorry for ticket touts outside gigs or sporting events when more tickets are put on sale to the public. These sets are a great way to commemorate 10 years of Lego Star Wars - well done TLC ! Dr. D.

SW gets my 2008 vote for the magnificent Death Star alone, although there were also some other great SW sets. A very strong year for SW. Less impressed so far this year, however, although there's still time ! I agree with the positive comments about Castle, however, and adored my Castle advent calendar ! Indiana Jones was my favourite new theme as I love the movies, although Agents was perhaps more innovative. Agents seemed to me to be more about playing than building, however. Let's hope 2009 is as good. Dr. D.

I just built Death Star I and don't recall seeing the UCS branding anywhere on the packaging at all, in contrast to for example the Star Destroyer which has the UCS branding all over the box. I think the Lego company just make it up as they go along, although maybe that's blasphemy on these forums ! Awesome sets, though (apart from the Yoda and Maul sets which are a bit odd) - if only I could get the Blockade Runner for less than 400 pounds sterling I'd be a happy man. Dr. D.

You're right - fair point. Doesn't change the fact that there aren't many UCS sets available right now, however - come on Lego, give us a huge new set to look forward to ! Dr. D.

Looking on the UK Lego online store under the "Ultimate Collector Series" tab, Grievous, AT-ST and Sandcrawler have all been heavily discounted and are now showing as "Out of stock", suggesting that they are to be retired. This only leaves 3 UCS sets currently available - Death Star, Falcon and AT-AT. Aside from the question of whether the Death Star is even a UCS set at all, 3 UCS sets seems light, so I'm wondering whether Lego have any new UCS sets in the works ? Will the upcoming Venator be a UCS set (probably not if it comes with minifigs). Also, what UCS sets would people like to see ? I'll open the voting with a request for a huge Super Star Destroyer. Dr. D.

I wondered the same thing - either it's available or it isn't ! Wish I could buy items on the U.S. Lego site, though - last I looked they were selling the UCS Death Star II for 200 bucks ! Dr. D.

That set is listed as "call to check product availability" on the Lego site, so it may be gone. I always assume that if a set is showing at a lower price on the Lego website then they are clearing stock and it likely won't return after they have sold what they have. Call them as the website suggests, and if you don't have any luck you'll be able to pick one up off ebay if you're patient. Dr. D.

If it's an older set then it may be gone for good.... What are you after ? Dr. D.

Thanks for the comments. Brinklink is ridiculously expensive for whole sets, particularly if you're an EU buyer, although it's a brilliant source of missing pieces. I've had quite a lot of luck on eBay, but it's hard to find certain sets. I think the best bet is to get the sets from Lego S@H - compared with eBay and Bricklink the prices are low - but there are just too many sets and not enough cash!! Happy building , Dr. D.

There are just too many excellent sets in the current Lego range, and my wallet won't stand buying them all at once ! Is there any way of knowing which sets are due to be retired and when ? Do Lego give any advance warning ? Most of the time it seems like a set just goes out of stock at the Lego online store and then the stock is never replensihed. No warning. Nothing. So where, if anywhere, can I find information on this ? Thanks ! Dr. D.