KnightlyKnight

(question deleted, feel free to delete this post as I can't figure out how)

Thanks Lemming, that picture is really a perfect illustration of what I had in mind. Although I'm trying to envision how to do a full minifig-scale one... (wouldn't be too hard I think) As to the clone gunners, as I understand it they operate the bigger weapons and drive things, so I've used mine in the cockpit and guns of the AT-TE and AT-AP, and I am thinking about the guns on the Republic gunship (although that is currently populated with Phase-II clones). Also the little clone walkers can be re-jigged to one seaters and they make sence for those (and 1 per BP too). I have to admit that the clone walkers are a bit puny next to the AT-RT (which is also way cooler). So it is hard to keep them around as part of a display. I should do another battle pack alternate build with the bits from the clone walkers. I have a few from the Imperial dropship/Rebel scout speeder/Phase II clone BP sets that I need to post at some point first tho.

I know, which is why I want a 20% off Lego sale at the big red shed when I'm near one that has it in stock. (Sundays typically) the friends & families deals are often for a weekdays it seems and the one in down doesn't have any. Here's hoping there's one between now and Christmas. Also the 5 limit is a bit odd Winter Toy Shop as I can't imagine that you'd want more then 5 even if your building a 'winter wonderland'. It's probably related to keeping it a S@H exclusive so that people buy it from there and not ebay/tradme etc.

I was out at K-mart Porirua tonight and I couldn't see any LAAT/AT-OT or Death stars, although I do have t say it looked like they had tidied away a lot of stuff (possibly for a reorganise). So I guess they are either all gone or packed away for now... hmmm.... If anyone spies the death star out there again let me know. Also, Farmers out there didn't hardly any smaller star wars sets (<$100), so no 30% off purchases for me. (What I really want is a Home one on sale...)

I'm glad to hear it! Now if only I can scavenge enough parts from my current display sets to make both it'd make a cool little diorama. I really want to do a rebel set to face off against, but my wife has already given me grief for the time I've spent on this . As an incentive for people to vote for me, I'll do it if I win a prize Thanks! That was the thing with making the re-design; to make the gun different and still cool in my mind required more detail and thus more pieces which means sacrificing components (i.e. the generator). I also wanted enough things on the gun to give the officer something to do! (thus the control panel on the side) Your complements are appreciated on the note of why 4 different minifigures, it was important to me that every fig in the set had a role. The scout to spot for the gun, the gunner to shoot it, the officer to co-ordinate the attack and manage the guns power generator, and the heavy trooper to protect it from assault. Taking any one figure out and duplicating another takes something away from the playability to my mind. Also I really wanted to build a battle pack that would compliment the existing sets that Lego have done. We've had a stormie pack and the scout speeder bike set (now well OOP), but we haven't had any imperial support set which is what I wanted this to be. Support figures shouldn't be as common as the ones in the other sets but buying multiple sets should be encouraged for army building (to a similar amount as the stormie packs one may have purchased), so more variety maintains the rarity of each figure while encouraging you to buy more of them.

Well, for those that think it wasn't original enough for their tastes, here's a complete redesign of the set: Piece count and figure selection remain the same. I still like the original gun, but this one is cute too. There is no generator attached to this one and it is more of an AA style gun. It would suit a echo base size set best with a few other bits and pieces in the set IMO. Additional images [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ]

I'm assuming that first comment is about originality not that you don't like it? I admit that inspiration and core of this was the gun from my AT-TE (Stated, but not so explicitly as you may have required, above). I didn't realize, as this is the first MOC I've posted and I was in a rush, that the similarity police would be on my case I figure there's a lot of MOC's that use ideas/parts from other sets to create something new, with their own reason for being, which I hope is what I've done here. And I thought it was sufficiently original to be considered a new custom Similarities aside, is it ultimately something that you would want to buy if Lego made it. That's what is important to me. I really like the aesthetic of the AT-TE gun and feel that the heavily cut down gun (about 1/2 the size) works well here in combination with the anti-aircraft/artillery gun feel created by adding the side seat, turret base and power generator/regulator. All of which I think add to the feel of a support weapon, behind the main line. This gun would now look silly on top of the AT-TE but would look perfect along side it (which to my mind is a plus). With a limited number of pieces it is an excellent way to do the gun barrel with the spring, the main barrel and the muzzle silencer and the slide guide all to give a sense of recoil from the blast of the gun. The top of the gun I have modified several times but keep coming back to the AT-TE design because I really like it for the bulk it creates as it makes it feel solid and centered (with only 4 pieces). The seat structure is completely new, and the gun pivots from the front, not the back as the AT-TE one does. I used the swivel plate as it has the height wanted and I like the click lock which gives a much sturdier feel, as well as helping keep the piece count down. Every piece I have used has been considered as to why that piece, does it compliment the concept, and is the overall balance right. My first cut was about 10 pieces over, so I'd love to be able to greeble it some more and make it a bit bigger & more detailed but there's a piece count to be complied with. I'm Happy if there's some constructive criticism that would make it better, but the similarities to the AT-TE are intentional.

Thanks. I kind of like the red, it becomes a bit bland without it I think. Also I was considering an alternative selection of minifigures which would have made it republic: Republic Artillery Battery Minifigures (option 1) Republic Artillery Battery Minifigures (option 2) and some other ideas were: Imperial Artillery Battery Minifigures (Alternate Option 1) Imperial Artillery Battery Minifigures (Alternate Option 2) P.S. I've edited my first post with a piece count and a few more notes on the minifigs at the end.

Imperial Artillery Battery S@H Description: Imperial forces prepare to bombard the Rebel defenses with their Artillery, The forward scout observes the rebel base, While the commander locks in the target and relays the order to attack. The gunner swivels the gun into position and commences fire while the heavy trooper prepares for the counterattack. There is no such thing as too much firepower, build your army today with the Imperial Artillery Battery and destroy the rebel base... includes Imperial Artillery Gun, power generator, Imperial gunner, Stromtrooper with pauldron, Imperial Officer, and Imperial Scout Trooper. Pieces: 69 (excluding minifigures but including Accessories and Helmets/Hair) Box Art: Minifigs: Sides: Inspiration: I really like the big guns Lego has been making on the clone wars vehicles, and thought they would be great on their own. Also I really want Lego to make and imperial gunner minifig, I have had to make do with a pilot. I want those helmets in Lego. Brickshelf Folder (when public) (includes some alternate thoughts on minifigures (also linked in post below) and a couple of additional images) What I really want for the imperial gunner is this guy here and here in lego I thought the tie pilot was the best substitute at short notice (although the links above show the other ideas I had). Also the gunner and the trooper would have fleshie heads under their helmets, which could be interchanged with the officers head to make a number of different looking officers from the same pack, both with and without helmets.

Top 5: 1.Imperial Shuttle by Baronsat 2.Plo Koon's Jedi Starfighter - by DutchRebel 3.z74 Speederbike by Lars 4.AT-RT Walker by Lars 5.Imperial Shuttle by Rufus

if anyone sees the V19 in Wellington at that price ($75) I'd like to know... Do you know if it's a special or an end of line price reduction?

When I first saw the previews of the MMV i said "I have just seen the coolest Lego set ever" so I know how you feel. I just don't know where I'll put it as it doesn't really go with all the star wars sets I have. I also really want the A-wing and the mini-figures from Home One, and possibly the A-wing more then the minifigures. I have a "b", an "x" , and a "y" wing so it's a big void in my collection. What kind of price did you get for your sets? I'm been very tempted by another endor too, possibly without the minifigures (largly for the AT-ST and the speeder bikes), but it'd have to be less then $100 all up and so far they've been a bit more then that on TM but not really selling. If anyone has one....

I think your right, as that had just recently occurred to me. The other thought is saving up for a RBR... but I don't think they'll be in stores till next year given it's not in the latest catalog and TLG's history with exclusive sets, so I may be ok to hold out. Now I need a 20% off sale at the warehouse when I'm near one and the wife is in a good mood (as she is usually with me when I'm near any of the warehouses likely to have a home one). MMV is also not really in keeping with what I've been collecting but I love castle and it's soooo cool.

- Farmers Cuba Mall had 2x Echo base yesterday, and is otherwise quite well stocked (and 20% off as stated already). - Toyworld Balance St (Wellington) has Medieval Market ~$200, Death Star ~$899, and Space Police and looks well stocked. - Moore-Wilsons has Space police, and has just been re-stocked recently. (I ran into the Lego rep there and asked him whether we would ever see the magnet sets in stores here, but he didn't know that they existed so hopefully I may have changed that...) I'm really undecided now about what I'd buy (if anything). I want Medieval market and home one, but I'm not sure which if I could only choose one.

Modelcrafts & Hobbies in Wellington said they could get it but it was ~$8 per A4 which seemed a bit steep. Available in white and clear tho I'm not sure what they stock if any. If you find a source I'd like to know.

Warehouse Lyall Bay had Home One (~$189) and Pirate Tank (~$75) on Sunday. The shelf tag on Home One said "Exclusive", didn't check the pirate tank though. Also, did anyone else see "Jango Fett's Slave I" went for $310. I'd be tempted to sell mine if I could get that price for it. I will admit that the Jango minifig is very cool and the colourings unique, but the build is not as good as the last "Boba Fett's Slave I".

just got 2 seconds to put in my 2 cents in to the recent topics. Trademe: Don't forget that when the DS first went up on S@H it was only $430 NZD. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few floating around for later sale and the ones recently could be an example. 7283 - USB: I'm pretty sure K-mart had Ultimate space battle once when I was in there way back in the day. I think it was either ~$130 or ~$170. It's a long time ago and I have a fuzzy memory as I wasn't buying much Lego and definitely no PT stuff then (A cheap V-wing seems to have been the downfall of that rule and has been a bain to my wallet ever since). my recollection is looking at it on the shelf and thinking that's a cool set but no way am I paying that much for so little Lego. I also remember not having seen it anywhere else and that I never saw it again (I think there was only one). Not as bad as passing up the UCS X-wing from K-mart when they had them for $100 but still a slight regret now. Enough Nostalgia anyway. @AoNZ: was the V-19 sale or clearance (do you know) and which Toyworld. I've been eyeing it up for a long time and still haven't got it. Kids, Lego, & their parents: for you youngsters, I have to say that it doesn't always get easier when you grow up. Wives have a tendency to tell you the same things. Particularly: "you don't need it"; "you spend too much on Lego"; "you have too much"; and the dreaded "you should sell some first" I can't wait for my daughter to be old enough to build Lego as it will somewhat justify parts of my collection (and future purchases). I have a feeling that, if I wasn't thinking of my kid/kids to come, I'd get rid of most of my PT stuff. (But OTOH, if it wasn't for Kids I'd have more money and space for my stuff.) As a Parent I will say they are probably right. There's a big difference between wants and needs, and Lego is addictive, especially with the way they are pumping out such good sets at such a fast pace in recent years... it's not until you pay all of your own way then they lose their say somewhat. P.S. if you guys are interested, for a bit of fun I've tried to catalogue my life-long Lego collection (to the best of my recollection) at brickset. I'm only sure about things that are post '99. While I've included pre '99 sets, it's all been in storage at my folks house since then, so I'm working from memory. Therefore there are a few sets I may have missed and not 100% sure that I have *all* of the older sets I've listed. anyway: http://www.brickset.com/search/?ownedBy=knightlyknight P.P.S. Huck, I would like the Juno eclipse and, as you know already, the Hoth troopers, I'll PM you an offer soon as I get stuff sorted round here. P.P.P.S *drool* @ the pics of the new RBR

I have to say that I totally think like you do most of the time. But I do keep an eye on trademe for those few things that I still want. I find that getting a good deal on Trademe is a lot about patience and waiting for/taking the good opportunities when they come up. There is defiantly that element of risk when buying things sometimes tho. But the only thing that is for sure is that if you don't look, you are guaranteed to miss out on the deals. However, while the bargains can be good, the amount of time that you have to spend checking trademe often isn't worth it, and you won't find everything at the price you want. It really depends how much of a cheapskate you are and how much time you have to kill whether it's worth it. Back on topic, am I correct in my understanding that those new kmart IJ prices are pre-discount?

The Warehouse Lyall Bay seemed to be the only one in wellington with Battle of Endor (I asked on Friday). At $239 with 20% off Lego over the weekend it's about as cheap as it's likely to get (so there is now one in my cupboard for Christmas), so they had 3 left yesterday. The only other set I have my eye on is Home one (no sign of it) but I've blown my Lego budget for a while now. Kmart Porirua had several Death Stars, LAAT/AT-OT, and Endors sets as advertised. The Death Star is nice and it was good to ogle but I've finally concluded that I can't afford it at $699. And a heads up for those of us from wellington (and into Indy), Moore-Wilsons on Tory St had on Friday a bunch of Fight on the Flying wing for ~$61.50 and Shanghai Chase for ~$42.50.

Actually my memory is that they were mostly 15% off sales with a couple at 20%. Toyworld 20% off was more common. The real saving at Kmart was their prices were about 5% lower in the first place. The Republic attack shuttle was practically a steal at $100 - 15% for a $140 set, and one of my favorate sets of the last year. So it's a shame to see them running with Lego RRP but not surprising. Yes the AT-OT price is very good. At that price it's actually worth it I think, except that I keep looking at it thinking that I could buy an Endor an a Home one instead. Pity Endor is only 20% off as at that price there isn't so much of an incentive to buy it now for me as there will probably be more 20% off sales and I don't think it's exclusive.

Kmart toy sale starts on the 2nd. Their toy catalogue is now up: http://www.kmart.co.nz/Catalogue/Catalogue...e!|20090629 15% off lego generally but Star wars Items of note: - Republic Dropship with AT-OT Walker $380 - Endor $199 - Death Star $699 (still pricey) - Battle packs $18.50 - Darth Vaders Tie $50

I'm pretty sure they had Drawbridge Defence, as I'm an old school castle fan, but not much else that I can remember.

Farmers Manners mall had 20% off Lego, and had the new Indy sets (except Cario) on the shelf. No Endor yet tho.

FYI, I was at Kmart today and they had a sign up that said 12 days till the big toy sale. (don't know if they'll have the death star yet or what it will cost), also shelves are fairly barren as they seemed to be in the middle of their stock take sales. Hopefully new stuff will hit shelves after the stock take.

Where are you from Fumoffu? Wellington like me? My understanding of that was it was extra stock that lego were trying to get rid of (and thus it wasn't a TW discount but a Lego NZ discount). They were doing it as a bulk lot sell off at TW Balance street and Moore Wilsons. I got one from MW for $50, not bad for a $189 set. It's one of the only times I've bought something to re-sell on Trademe. I was nice, and set a "low" reserve and sold it for $100 IIRC. I felt like I had both made a good profit and given someone a deal (thankfully they didn't know what I had paid). When I went back a week later they were sold out (I should have bought more the first time but wasn't sure of the market and had a Wife telling me I didn't need any more lego). I better start saving for the Death Star I guess. How I'm going to justify that one to the wife I'm not sure, she already wants me to sell some stuff (it's the space she has issues with). Maybe I'll have to sell the Exo-force stuff I have packed away for my kids when they get old enough (all bought at close to 50% off). I can't quite bring myself to sell the electronic R2-D2, I'm not quite ready to give up on my PT Star Wars sets, and I couldn't sell my OT sets as I've spent far too much time amassing my collection even if it is mostly packed away. And welcome Huck from a fellow Wellingtonian. P.S. you flicker link didn't show up.