Aeroeza

Wow! I turn my back for a few seconds and a new funky UCS turns up! (And to think that I came so close to building Lasse's masterpiece by taking advantage of his extraordinary hard work and sharing of knowledge). Assuming of course that this set is a traditional UCS vehicle and not some weird hybrid akin to the recent system scaled Tantive IV. I really don't want to see some half-baked 'cute' toy rooms inside my Executor for those minifig bounty hunters to hang out in and play 'Pin the Bounty on the Local Space Pirate'. It does have a UCS sticker so shouldn't be a system set in disguise. Still, it looks promising that UCS lovers have another wonderful model to look forward to and have sitting proudly by their UCS ISDs (especially if its in 'old gray'). I look forward to seeing more images and will refrain from speculating about its scale and proportions until we have something more to work with. The inclusion of minifigs is an interesting marketing ploy by Lego and if it encourages the release of additional traditional UCS sets in the future then I'm O.K. with it (even if it jacks up the price). You could always sell those figures someday and may recoup any increase in the cost or price per piece ratio of the set. Actually this could lead to a symbiotic market driven relationship between UCS collectors and Minifig fanatics whereby the AFOL community could finally live in peace and brick built harmony! (Apart from the odd MOCer who insists that every new UCS is an example of Lego stealing from the imaginary vaults of their dubious intellectual property claims). We are definitely no longer in Kansas Toto!

We're of like minds in what you and I consider 'iconic' in the Star Wars universe but if we'd been 12 when TPM was released then perhaps our idea of 'iconic' would be a little different. AFOL who remember seeing Star Wars in 1977 are a breed which have shifted not only into higher income brackets over the past 10 years but more and more must balance lifestyle choices such as owning a home and raising children with their weakness for Star Wars Lego. Their purse strings may not be quite as versatile as 20 somethings wanting a UCS Venator or Republic Gunship and perhaps 10215 is indicative of these considerations by Lego. Only six iconic OT designs come to mind (A-Wing, B-Wing, Tie Bomber, AT-AT, Slave 1 and Landspeeder- give or take some minor vehicles of course*) which could yet be released as UCS sets so a mix of OT and PT UCS' is a likely offering in the future especially if TLG are planning to run the license for 5+ years. If all they released were OT UCS' in this time period then we'd fast run out of OT models, alienate an emerging adult market in PT designs and over-saturate the existing AFOL market aged in their 30's and 40's with models they can't afford appearing in too short a time frame for their budgets! Of course I'm speaking very broadly in terms of demographics which I can only merely speculate about but the release of 10215 (the first 'true' UCS vehicle from the PT) did get me thinking... *Edit: Opps! Forgot the SSD

Didn't they use 'cats eyes' or reflectors in the original costumes? This would explain why not all Jawa eyes are glowing from every angle.

You overlook the UCS 10215 Delta 7 Aethersprite in your statement. It bucks the UCS OT trend so who knows what Lego is planning. Arguably, given its been 12 years since TPM perhaps a subtle shift in consumer demographics means we may be seeing more prequal vessels or sculptures (like 10186 and 10018) being given the UCS treatment in the future. 10215 suggests Lego has considered this scenario....

Nuts! I guess the Lego Republic Dropship can't pick this one up! Wonderful MOC. Can't wait to see how much further you push it....

It seems to me this SW forum is having to sincerely reflect on its methodology of critique and 'established rules of the game'. Its good to see this is being taken seriously by members given that the power of the written word can only be further complicated by the anonymity of the net. Criticism needs to be contextualized in order for it to really have any point and this discipline in threads of late hasn't always been employed effectively. Having an open debate on the concept of 'accuracy' is a refreshing reminder of just how subjective the word is for people. Myself? I like attention to detail and accuracy but also enjoy abstract forms which successfully suggest their subject matter. I'm not about to confuse the two approaches when considering the merits of a particular MOC. After all there's no point walking into an art gallery and criticizing a Van Gogh because it isn't enough like your favorite Hieronymous Bosh....

Bollocks to you BrickQuack! Mr. Man's X-Wing is far from perfect. Just for starters the internal structure hasn't even been considered! Also the S-Foil system is wrong, wrong, wrong! Omission of such detail means this MOC is beyond any redemption (according to my stolen ILM plans). I say Mr. Man should go back to his primordial 'brick' soup and start again. Use this reference page Mr. Man. Take special note of the fifth image down. It clearly states it all. All MOCers must use these references in the future or earn the just wrath of my scorn.

I'm not sure Lego ever advertised or admitted to a UCS' as being 'accurate'. I'd say you're paying extra for size and attention to detail rather than any claims to precision or accuracy. Instead terms such as 'larger and more detailed', realistic detail', incredibly detailed' and 'authentically detailed' are used in promotional material and product descriptions. That being said there is obviously a nod to accuracy with these sets but certainly there remains a scope for artistic license as well (the brick demands this). Many UCS fans evaluate a particular builds success based on some definition of 'accuracy' but given the source material is often contradictory or simply unavailable then these definitions become rather idiosyncratic and therefore awkward to debate when applied to a particular build. However, if all someone wants is accuracy above all else then there really isn't many Lego products out there for the proverbial Mr. 'Should be to Scale and Super Accurate' Pedantic Pants. A UCS tends to reflect a 'Near enough is good enough' approach but 'cool enough is near enough' also enters the equation and the UCS Y-Wing is a fine example of this ethos.

Hey! I'll jump on board the accuracy boat!! You aren't alone for admiring what Lego can achieve in recreating a studio model (within the limits of the medium). But I also enjoy what Lego can accomplish as an 'abstracted' sculptural tool- so I'm prepared to see a mix of both 'styles' within a set i.e. an appeal to accuracy merged with the abstracted Lego form. Most UCS' do this most wonderfully and although not perfectly proportioned will instead achieve their own appealing results which reflect the choices and preferences of the builder. I for one have a hard time picking a favorite model that I couldn't live without and would prize above all the rest. But in a pinch, like most who have answered here, it would be a UCS and it would probably have to be the Falcon... No wait what about the ISD? Dang it, the shuttle! Hang on, what day is it? UCS X-Wing day? ... or is it time to scare the young ones with the Maul bust? You know what? I give up. Put me down as someone who would get an anxiety attack if I had to choose.

No offense my friend but I'm fairly sure that no IP laws were breached as a consequence of 10212 being based in some part upon Dmac's work. I also doubt its price was influenced in any way by this similarity. Pictorial evidence of Lego's underhanded and morally bankrupt creative team exposed by intrepid AFOL reporter/builder. Lego executives refuse to comment. More Wikileaks exclusives to follow! BTW, is being 'nearly copied' somewhat akin to a 'near miss'? (Rhetorical question). I'm also looking forward to the comparisons! What the hey! I'll try and give you more reasons than it just having nice building techniques (and by no means am I meaning to come across as an apologist for TLC)... 1. Yes its a good build and its definitely in the style of classic UCS models in terms of complexity and clever use of bricks. The designer certainly hasn't settled for any straight forward answers. 2. As you probably know it has three printed pieces (two of them unique) as well as a number of small silver round 1x1 plates (I got alot of spares of these in my set). 3. The cost in $US (significantly) is basically equivalent to the UCS Tie Interceptor when it was first released in 2000. So TLC haven't set a new precedent with pricing 10215. This is hardly a happy fact when compared to other comparable UCS' like the ATST and Vader's Tie but still a consideration. Is it worth it? How long is a piece of string and how much do you like UCS'? I liked the build, I liked the design and I liked Lego making this product for AFOL even though its PT. Obviously I hope future models will be priced lower however its cost was mitigated for me by the following logic... First - I suspect 'this limited-edition collector vehicle' will not be around long and was never intended to be. Secondly - I'd certainly hate to pay even more for this one when its finished its 'limited' production run (that Astromech head could be a real draw card for future collectors who have grown up with the PT). That's my best shot! Hope it helps.

WTF!?!

Great interpretative greebling. It's really looking the business. Looking forward to seeing what your ideas for the cockpit are!

Try a small electro-static brush. They do the trick quite nicely!

Hope not! Mind you I'm happy with the options a rubber band lends to a builder when problem solving- though I can't help but feel I've cheated a little afterward... Mind you, life could be summed up as merely a succession of relationships on a day-by-day basis with much compromise traversing each so, on balance, I guess I can live with another rubber band to 'soil' a build.

I really look forward to seeing both of them! You guys do great MOCS and this is one of the reasons why I haunt this forum from time-to-time!

I tend to agree. All you've got to go off is a very low polygon model - probably no more than 200 faces, suffering greatly from pixel rasterization and fake composited film grain. That's tough reference material CG! I admire your tenacity though and it is looking mighty pleasing to the splinter in my minds eye!

Nice one! Although the scale looks completely out- the Sentinel dwarfs the troopers in this clip! Certainly shows how different the nose is to a standard shuttle. I like the side ramps also but with the scale reconsidered (i.e. smaller) they look as though they'd get in the way of any landing gear....

True! I was surprised to see the use of this tile in 10212 as well. The only problem with these pieces is they tend to be bent or distorted slightly straight out of the box. Using large standard plates as a solid backing to the tile should fix them.

You were joking? I wasn't. Guess I'd better stop as well then... A bonus venatus. Gratiae!

S@H just listed the price of the JSF for the Australian market... $174.99 AUS + $35.00 delivery. ... who'd have thought the Downunder dollar had parity with the greenback nowadays!

Quantum hilaris! It's all in the translation! ...and if I have to fight my way to a UCS Tie via Rocko's monster then so be it! I'm gauisus construo ullus imperiosus apparatus!!!

I feel a need to summarize because my brain hurts. This topic has discussed our hope for a new Lego Tie-Fighter be it system scale or a UCS release. Colour should be light bley or even white. Most importantly the model should be conceived with a more spherical-like cockpit in order for it to stand out from its earlier cousins. Numerous examples of fine MOCs have been posted showing us what is technically possible together with the observation that a UCS Tie-Fighter is long overdue but is not likely to be realized anytime soon despite the uncovering of an international conspiracy by TLG to control the minds of AFOLs everywhere with a mind-altering, airborne addictive substance. Average stuff really... In short- Don't hold your breath waiting for the new Tie but do hold your breath when you finally get to open one.

Good Lord! A Lego Company conspiracy with major pharmaceutical corporations on-board where they use an addictive 'state-of-mind' drug to control obsessive tendencies in Lego junkies you say? I'd never considered there to be a connection between my 'spurcus mens' dependence and TLC's rumored Tie Fighter development project before! Quiet! Be careful what you infer - you could contribute to a heightened state of paranoia amongst elements of the Lego community. Especially those who require regular courses of this behavioral modification medicine in order to be safe and sane contributors to society- so keep it under your proverbial MOC Brickdoctor!! Besides, 'they' might hear you... ...and the consequences of withdrawal? I'm just too ashamed to say it! Go ask any hamster if you really must know. (Besides they're always happy being the first to point their itty-bitty, gritty little paws and throw wet, rotten lettuce leaves at the likes of us dependents). Uh mm, as for staying on target I fear this post failed to be a direct hit and only 'impacted on the surface'. Oops! P.S. Which one of you larrikin hamsters just buggered my Lego Tie-Fighter when me back was turned?

Hard to say really... On the Nuremberg scale its only a 5.5 but the darn 'thingy' curve is exponential and I've always found non-linear concepts rather hard to fathom. Now the Camp X-Ray charts clearly indicate anti-cherry pie tendencies with an over abundant sub-Oprah reading of 'fish'. So... Your guess is as good as mine! At least building Lego Tie-Fighters keeps people who use 'spurcus mens' off the streets at night. This makes it vitally important TLC release another such set soon, especially with a very spherical-like cockpit. Such business decisions will keep hamsters safe for the duration of the build period (at least from me). Consequently the longer the build period the more protracted a time our hamsters will be safe in their little hamster homes. Logically then it should be a UCS Tie-Fighter- and a big one at that! Lego, for the sake of our hamsters everywhere- Just Do It! (Ha! Stayed on target).

I think my eyes see something a little closer to the reference model kit images you posted earlier- mind you I can't find anything in my own fridge unless it moves, wears flashing lights and shouts 'eat me'. But the fuselage is really looking the part and I say the more greebles you can find an excuse for then the better. So far so good! Looking forward to more updates!