Sandcrawler

[Vader]

Well i for one like both versions of the falcon, however i do prefer the latest one as i feel that its closer to the movie version than the first one. :)

[snefroe]

don't forget, the first Falcon was produced at the very beginning of the lego star wars story. Many parts weren't even specifically produced for the star wars line, like these four roof parts... Most parts belonged to old lego themes... sure, it looks a bit weird... especially after five years of lego star wars...

in my view, the second one looks a lot better, even though it still has unsolved problems, like the cockpit. but at that time, TLC already had an entire line of new parts with lots of new possibilities...

they both have their merit, they're both extremely important to TLC and Lego star wars, they just belong to two different time frames; as such, it's become impossible to have a fair comparison... it's like comparing a ford model of the 60's with the latest model...

[Vader]

Thats a very good way of putting it snefroe, both sets are good and have there + and there - im just glad that lego decided to give us another falcon as alot of people out there never got the first.

[xwingyoda]

Good analysis there (as usual) mr Pharao ;)

True, nothing can be compared to a classic '69 Shelby Mustang 500 *satis*

Snefroe, would you have the same analysis concerning the scouter bikes??? Do you think they have any merit, even for the very first SW line???

[Vader]

That is a good question :/ i think that with some models lego have done such a good job that theyve left themselves with no room for improvement and i think that with the scouter bikes this is a prime example.

[snefroe]

i think you're both refering to the scouter bikes in set 7128 (speeder bikes) of 1999 and set 7139 (ewok attack) of 2002, right?

i think what makes the original set (7128) so great is that you've got two bikes and two troopers, for only 10 dollars. that's a brilliant army building set if you're interested in setting up a large scale fight with scout troopers, At-st's... After all, there aren't many sets with more than two troopers of the same rank, especially scout troopers.

the second set is a brilliant addition to that, because this time the main focus is on the other side, the ewoks. Put these two sets together, buy a couple of each and you've got quite a potential diorama. in other words, they complete each other. smart thinking, TLC :P

the models of the bikes... hm... i prefer the 2002 version, because of the lines of the model, but as vader316 said, there's hardly any room for another improvement. the thing is that it wouldn't cost you much to change either one of them into the other... that's the difference with the Falcon

[xwingyoda]

A good explenation as always snefroe1 ;)

The only good part about set 7128 (speeder bikes) are the two scouties, the bike design is just terrible :'(

If you take the example of the Falcon, scout bikes and X-Wing, imagine how awsome would be the A-Wing and B-Wing if they were modified by TLC (that is if they respect this trend).

Once again we can only dream and hope ;)

[The Middleman]

is your cockpit a little loose, as well?

The cockpit is loose, and the figs just barely have a place to sit. I like the detailed window though.

The ship was fun to build. I've made an Imperial Shuttle Bay on a bookshelf covered in photo quality pictures designed in Power Point (with some real pictures of Ties for viewing screens) - didn't come out so bad (at least to my standards). I've got a small army of imperial troopers marching along.

Now my next ship (probably from E-Bay), might be a Sith Infiltrator (probably not the best model), but I've always wanted one. Anyone out there have it?

I have one. It sucks. Don't spend over $20 for it.

[xwingyoda]

I do agree 100% with Bloody Jay,

The Sith Infiltrator is one of the worst ship ever produced by TLC (with that crappy sub): its not well designed, its shaky, it looks horrible.

I bought on on sale in the US, build it and dismantled it in no time ;)

Get it only if you have a great deal on it ;)

[The Middleman]

I do agree 100% with Bloody Jay,

The Sith Infiltrator is one of the worst ship ever produced by TLC (with that crappy sub): its not well designed, its shaky, it looks horrible.

I bought on on sale in the US, build it and dismantled it in no time ;)

Get it only if you have a great deal on it ;)

The Bongo thing was OK. I kind of liked it.

[xwingyoda]

What do you mean by Bongo Thing Bloody Jay?????

[The Middleman]

What do you mean by Bongo Thing Bloody Jay?????

The sea craft... thingy.

[xwingyoda]

I see, how can you say that: the design is horrible, not accurate at all (and I dislike this blue) and you have another creepy Jar Jar creature.

Dismantled this one as well ;)

[The Middleman]

I see, how can you say that: the design is horrible, not accurate at all (and I dislike this blue) and you have another creepy Jar Jar creature.

Dismantled this one as well ;)

But it has some great blue pieces.

[xwingyoda]

True if you're a fan of blue ;)

[Vader]

Those first few ep 1 sets were horrible and the infiltrator was by far the worst IMO, its one set that i got and then sold asap to me it really was that bad *sick*

[snefroe]

If you take the example of the Falcon, scout bikes and X-Wing, imagine how awsome would be the A-Wing and B-Wing if they were modified by TLC (that is if they respect this trend).

i think they will modify them, but probably next year, because TLC will be needing hot sets to turn the star wars sales into a success after the movie hype is over... a modified A-wing and b-wing might just be these hot sets ...

TLC has already indicated that she will continue to remodify old sets. I can't think of many sets that size to modify. the Falcon has already been modified, we've also seen a Imperial inspection, snowspeeder, slave I, tie-fighter... there really isn't much left... (AT-ST would be nice as well, but I think it might be larger and more expensive than the original one) The question is, how far is TLC willing to go with these sets? are we talking about an entire remake, or just a rerelease? My guess is that it's just going to be an "imperial inspection" kind of remake... There's also a rumour about a rerelease of the AT AT in 2006 or 2007...

we also don't know what TLC is planing for the EpIII sets in 2006.

I never bought the sith infiltrator... it just looked like crap... it seems that it was...

[Vader]

A new bwing would be good and i fully suspect that we may get a rebel collection of some sort with a bwing, awing and xwing included.

If they did something like this it could be good as long as they redesign the bwing and awing, they both really need it.

[WesternOutlaw]

Well I may forget about the Infiltrator based on all of your comments. I saw it several years ago on many clearance shelves and didn't buy it because I thought it looked way too "blocky"; only until now, do I have an interest in it because I like Darth Maul.

I think that the possibility for Lego reproducing some of the older sets as well as making new classic sets are endless. I would never have guessed that they would pick a sandcrawler of all things to make (didn't think this was very popular for SW fans which goes to show they could do anything). What I'd really like to see is some bases/scenes (like Hoth, Endor, or Imperial Shuttle Bay), where one could land some ships. Some fig packs would be nice too and would only require new packaging.

[snefroe]

i just built my Falcon and i have to say it really looks good! :oo the upper side of the ship is great! if you add all sorts of detailed pieces you can turn it into a real space ship.

the front section (the wing parts), however, needs some reparing. these two "wings" need to be a little bit larger and higher

the cockpit is a nice, but failed, attempt from TLC. the problem is threefold: 1) the interior is not stable 2) the canopy easily moves from left to right 3) the entire cockpit, including the roof, moves up and down. i think it is possible to get two figs next to each, but that would demand a lot of changes...

I also would have liked retractable landing gear. there is room for it, i think... the underside needs to be redesigned as well

the collection of parts is really great. you get plates, small and detailed pieces, bricks, even unique, or almost unique parts. all parts i can use for other models

It's not a display set, but it's a great basis to start from to build your own customised Falcon.

[etcknight]

the cockpit is a nice, but failed, attempt from TLC. . . .  i think it is possible to get two figs next to each, but that would demand a lot of changes...

Actually, it's not that difficult to mod the MF 4504 to fit two mini-figs. I"m sure some other people have already done it; but here is an image of my simple mod. This is the easiest way I figured to mod the cockpit. MLCAD didn't have the modified 2x2 plate w/ closed ends; but you get the idea. If you want a extensive really cool-looking redesign, you should check out "Flail" on Brickshelf. Hope this helps! :)

[xwingyoda]

Actually, it's not that difficult to mod the MF 4504 to fit two mini-figs. I"m sure some other people have already done it; but here is an image of my simple mod. This is the easiest way I figured to mod the cockpit. MLCAD didn't have the modified 2x2 plate w/ closed ends; but you get the idea. If you want a extensive really cool-looking redesign, you should check out "Flail" on Brickshelf. Hope this helps! :)

Thanks for the pointer etcknight!! ;)

I'll modify the cokpit as well as the front wings some day ;)

[The Middleman]

Yeah, the cockpit is the worst part. I also didn't like the lack of a passage. Any mods for that?

[xwingyoda]

Yeah, the cockpit is the worst part. I also didn't like the lack of a passage. Any mods for that?

And also the emptiness in the front wings :'(

[Ras 74]

You can see on Flails mods from fbtb:

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=86875

Well, here you can see all the mods he done.

Pretty nice ones >-|