gratefulnat

This looks a lot better than the first. You're on the right track here... EDIT: Removal of non-LEGO related comments. Apologies.

No problem - we'll work something out.

Superb review of a fantastic set. Thanks. I've had this monster displayed for about six years now, and have not run into any problems with the strength of the magnets. If the lower wings get bumped towards the back end, then yes, they do tend to unattach at the rear (heavy) end, but that doesn't really bother me as all you do is push them back up to connect. Much more predominant in terms of a construction flaw is the sagging of the nose. I dismantled the set after about 1 1/2 years (before building it again - although I left the 32+ greebled plates built, wasn't going to do that twice ) to check out the structure, and was very alarmed at the dramatic 'bending' of four 16 stud technic beams (those that ZO6 highlighted in his review as the place to pick up the structure). Putting the beams on a flat surface, I measured 2.5-3mm of air between the middle of the beams and the surface. The weight of this beast exerts enourmous pressure, and due to the fact that the two support-feet are relatively far back, causes those beams to bend. So the sagging of the nose actually takes place between the two support-feet. I added a third small support-foot (only had to shift a few plates 2 studs out on the lower wings to make space for the attachment to the internal skeleton), and four years later the structure is still straight as an arrow. By placing the mini Tantive on this extra support, it really isn't all that visible. Otherwise excellently constructed and stable, just don't try and swoosh it . For those of you still thinking of getting it, well...if you have the cash, I cannot imagine you'd be disappointed. It really is awesome, after six years I still enjoy admiring it

The summer SW sets are now available online and in-store at TRU in Switzerland (). Plus they still had quite a few chrome stormtroopers on offer for SFr. 12.95 (). Cheers.

When the first pictures of this showed up, I wasn't sure what to think. I knew I was going to get it (collector's addiction), but now I can't wait to get this set into my hands and to build it as well, thanks to your review. I have to admit, Grievous's figure is different (remember aldar beeto (7186) and sebulba (7171) - now they were , to put it mildly, although I 'have a warm spot in my heart' for them as well), but I'm sure I'll like it much more once he's standing on my shelf than just from the pictures. My son as well...his first LEGO star wars gift was the first grievous fighter when he was six. Which was (and is) a great set as well. But the remake just looks even better.

Just love the snowtrooper throwing his arms up in glee as his partner sleds down the incline. All the pictures are really fun - thanks for a good laugh.

Legostein, I really appreciate your work, absolutely amazing. As Palms said, the way you have connected the binoculars is just genius. I'm always excited when I see you have posted a new topic, just to see what kind of ways you have found to connect the bricks... Thank you.

With a little pleading, I've gotten a few replacements over time. The idea of TLG offering a replacement sticker service I really like a bunch. But I can imagine the logistics involved in this would cause them costs not making it worth their while (I'm not an economist, so it's just my two cents). So how about TLG putting in a second 'reserve' sheet in each set they produce with stickers. That would probably be cheaper in the long run. Or they could offer the possibility of downloading sticker scans (for all sets) through LEGO.com, of course, maybe this is where certain litigation problems would arrise with liscensed sets depending on the prints? I think this idea is an absolute runner in whatever form, though, and maybe it's something an ambassador could bring up with TLG.

Thanks so much for pointing this out. Loved watching it, and have shared it with a few of my family/friends as they sometimes think I'm the only adult LEGO fan, even if they are very accepting of this hobby/passion. Great stuff, and numerous really awesome MOC's, particuarily that huge praying mantis (at least that's what I think it is) towards the end of the video.

Now get those LEGO out of the closet as well!

Well, I budget about 1'000 Swiss francs per year based on my income and the family's needs. I'm into star wars, and would love to diversify into other themes like pirates, castle, AFOL sets, technics but my budget won't allow it. It's tight enough as is just with star wars. I have hit on my friends who have kids whose interests have changed from LEGO to other things, and have picked up quite a bit of second hand LEGO very cheaply like this (although it's a limited source). I also put up flyers at universities/schools once a year, offering to buy students' LEGO. Nearly everyone has some, and sometimes I get quite lucky. The time it takes to sort, clean, etc is immense, but the money I make selling sets I put together allows me to be able to spend about Sfr 1'000 more per year than I otherwise could. So in total about Sfr 2'000 per year. And that pretty much covers the cost of a years worth of star wars sets here in Switzerland, with a little extra left over. As for my son's LEGO, he gets about two or three smaller sets per year and usually a big one at Chritsmas. This comes out of my LEGO funds, but his interest is slowly dwindling , but that means I'll probably be able to get it back for myself . If it wasn't for my son, though, I'd probably be a lot less responsible with the amount of money I spend on LEGO.

My whole family knows of my passion (I'm 40), but only when my folks visit me and my son do they come up up with strange remarks. My guest room is my LEGO room, so understandably when sleeping amongst 100'000 plus bricks do I get wierd remarks. On the other hand, my parents picked up all the star wars specials offered by the daily mirror in the UK last year, and gave them to me at christmas. Thanks Mom and Dad! My brother and sister help me out with stuff exclusive to the USA (where they live) but certainly aren't above teasing me about it, which is nothing new, and actually quite fun. I certainly don't make a big deal of it at work, but when sharing personals tidbits I have no qualms about mentioning my hobby, and have had only positive feedback. A lot of colleagues even want to see pictures. I think nearly everyone (at least in the western world) has some connection to LEGO through childhood memories, and these are then fondly shared. For a while I ran a large supermarket, and when I stopped my co-workers (slaves, as I called them ) pooled some money and got me a SW set (7259), which was very sweet. I already had it, but now I have two . My friends all know about me and LEGO, and besides from the normal 'what kind of wierdo are you' remarks, can't stop checking out my collection when they stop by (there's always something new ) As a single (father) though, I've certainly had quite a few experiences where the fire of passion was extinguished at the sight of my LEGO. My son's comments after those few encounters was 'Dad, build a woman friend out of LEGO' . My colllection used to be in my bedroom, now it's in my guestroom, much better! So all in all, being open about loving LEGO, or about loving one's hobby, really is the way to go.

I've been following your work for a number of years, mostly through the BrickTime, and have very often been so impressed. I must say I really like this coastal line, and as my parents live on an island in Ireland, I can nearly here the roar of the waves looking at this. If you could find a way to make the water/waves more 3-dimensional when they break along the coast (and I certainly don't know how), the scene would be even more perfect. We'd be able to taste the salt and feel the breeze through our computers. Nathaniel

Just absolutely wonderful to see this. The patrol car and the safe are the two elements that really got me, the rest just only... blew me away. Superb!!

All except Boba Fett and Han Solo (these are new) have been available from LEGO S@H since January 2009, at least here in Switzerland. The metal tins they come in are quite nice, the watches themselves (I have 'em all) are just larger versions of a LEGO kiddie watch. There are extra links so as to be able to adjust the size of the wrist band, as Alldarker pointed out. Darth Vader's watch comes in a tin with his picture on it, the other three tins are all the same with a picture of a stormtrooper. Don't know about the two new watches. I had first ordered DV and the Stormtrooper one, and as a collector really liked the tins, so I ordered the two others, and was dissapointed that they didn't each have their own picture on the tin. As for the quality, I took the batteries out of three, the fourth has kept time for the past year without having to reset it. The plastic casing seems a little cheap to me, I wouldn't want to wear it while working outside or some such. But this is only my subjective opinion. According to LEGO they are also waterproof to 50m. If anyone gets the Boba Fett or Han solo watches, it would be great to know what the tins look like. Edit: On the back of the watch it says: Japan: Movement China:Assembly

At the top of the page, right side, click on the drop down 'Options' menu. Set 'Display mode' to Standard, then you should be back to normal. Cheers! Edit: I was too slow, sorry for unnecessary post

Whenever you go shopping in general and end up converting all prices into how many bricks that would equal.

What a great mini set. I built it with spares (except for the 1x3 tile) back when the first pictures appeared. Thanks to your review and pictures Big Cam I now changed some of the colors I got wrong - hadn't been aware of the silver stud for example. I'd love to see more mini's of this design quality from LEGO. LEGO has probably been peeking at LEGOSTEIN's great mini's and been inspired.

Nice pictures Big Cam (always enjoy your reviews by the way). I do think the wings are just a bit too big, otherwise a very cool mini set.

Hi BlueDragonZ Thanks for your interest. Well, I'm not sure you have anything I really want. I'm also interested in a second pit droid 8000 and battle droid 8001 with boxes ( missing those boxes...), plus what I mentioned above. And that's it... Once again thanks, if you got an offer let me know (and 20009 & 20010 are still available at S@H Switzerland as of right now). Edit: tried to link my wanted list from brickset, but woops, didn't quite work.

Hello all The other day I found a Pirates advent calender in my local toystore (in Switzerland) and bought it for Swiss FR 30.- (ca. 20 Euro), it's MISB. I'm a LEGO Star Wars freak so I'm hoping maybe there's someone who would be willing to trade (no selling) for it. I'm searching for all LSW pens (not necessarily MISB, but in good condition with original packaging) from 2002-2005, Luke keychain from 2000, set 7262, set 65153 (Jango's Slave with carrying box), and - to really really stretch things - a gold chrome c-3po (I won't even mention gentle giant maquettes...) I have nearly all of the first wave of IJ (built once, stickers not applied in most cases, boxes), PF bulldozer 8275 (built once) with box that I would also be willing to trade, all in great condition. Plus a MISB chrome vader and my first Lego set 171 (1973/1974?) train Locomotive with wagons and large amount of the old blue train tracks, no box and very tattered instructions. Any interest?

Around 85000 pieces, 530 minifigs, all star wars (thanks brickset). Plus anotherr 2000-3000 SW extra's, maybe 5000 from childhood days, and about 10000 in complete sets wanting to sell at some point if I can convince myself to part with them. Way too much but never enough. Plus my son's LEGO (all dinosaurs, many bionicle/city) but he'd kill me if he knew I was calling it mine or pilfering from his sets if the need arises (Late night raids for missing parts ).

Loved the review. Straight from the heart yet objective. It was a pleasure to read and look at, thanks! You managed to aptly convey my feeling of the loss of magic involved with SW LEGO back then and the drive to produce the 'perfectly designed and cost effective product' today. During first few years the designs weren't at all as amazing as they often are today, but they had a certain charm, and that is absolutely what 7110 Landspeeder is about. After reading this, it makes me love my LEGO all the more , the old and the new.

Yes, it's exactly the same.

The first time I saw this smiley face stamp was back in 2004, after opening Millenium Falcon 4504. There was this smiley face in the middle of the box. Needless to say, my feelings at that moment were absolutely reflected by the smiley face. I've seen it again in one of my indiana jones boxes from summer 2008, can't remember which though. I think it could be just a happy LEGO employee joking around, trying to have a little fun, as it seems to randomly appear in boxes of many different themes.