UPDATE: Pictures of Republic Bricks Version 1 now included...UCS style Mandalorian Kom'rk-class fighter/transport (Gauntlet Starfighter Mark 3)

[mink66]

5 hours ago, Csaba said:

That looks really nice. Are the instructions available on their own or do you have to buy the full kit? I can't see a link to the instructions on the site.

I bought the whole kit.  Inside the box with all the parts Republic Bricks provides a QR code with the link on how to download the instructions.  I don't think they sell just the directions by themselves.

[monkypaws]

Cheers for posting the pics and review of the build. I ordered the V2 which doesn't post out till end of the month. Design seems 90% the same except for expanding the cargo area and the added back ramp you noted was missing from the V1. First time I've tried buying moc set, as normally buy as much as I can new and the idea of someone else deciding what condition is acceptable makes me nervous. The price of this though seemed to good not to give it a punt and if I have to swap out the odd brick then not too bothered. Reassured by your pics, condition of bricks seems good, can't see any obvious issues. If no-one else does before I get mine will post up pics of the V2 for comparison. Can see in the pic you posted of it with wings parked up that they are splaying a bit which indicated they are under a degree of stress. Will look at a solution for that once I get it built.  Regardless, it is by far the best rendereing of the Gauntlet I have seen.

 

Edited May 18, 2023 by monkypaws

[Csaba]

Nice studless Fang Fighter MOC here.

[Shiva]

Not bad.

[Csaba]

Review of the Republic Bricks set here.

 

It looks very flimsy.

[monkypaws]

Well, took me a while longer to get round to building the Republic bricks UCS Gauntet V2 but all done now and can feed back. MandRproductions above did a good job of walking you round the model so doTn't really think that more photos are going to add much at this point. I also agree largely with their review. This is a very fragile build, obviously the wing connctions and the rear assembley. However the choice has clearly been made to render a great looking model that is designed to be looked at not fiddled with. It does that in spades, looks amazing from any angle. There were some interesting building techniques and over all the build was interesting and enjoyable. I would definately recommnend puchasing this though I do have a couple of caveats.

The first is that while the build is well done,  the instructions are not. Some of the worse I have used. The model is moved around way more than in needed, so you are constately re-orienting the section you are working on needlessly to match what is happenning. While doing this, a number of times the section that is being worked is obscured, and in three cases completely covered by the step parts list. On one occasion parts simply appear having not been included in a step. These are annoying, but just that, niggles, the more irritating detail is that there has seemingly been little thought given to progression. You get half way through a section only to find that a piece needs to both stud in and attach via a pin. This led to a number of deconstructions and much cursing. As I got used to the instructions I began to notice when this was on the cards and skipped ahead to work out, ingnoring instructions, how I should order construction to make things come together without constantly stressing parts. This is also true of the old floating parts, that are included but have no connection until they are finally articulated to, often a good number of steps away. Much more use of submodels would have helped enourmously. Felt like no-one had been given the instructions to build from and trouble shoot.

The second was missing parts. Before I start, I will note that Republic Bricks does give advance instructions about what to do if you have missing parts and I am sure they would have happily replaced. However being in the UK this would all have taked to long for me once I start building. Also I would note that I was very happy with the condition of the bricks I received, no discolouration, or marks, most everything looked as good as new. I was missing a total of 21 parts, mostly small stuff, nothing high value and eaisly replaceable from my stock, such as pins, 1x1 plates. The only annoying part was a 6x6 round plate used visibly in the rear assembly. I only had this in azure but just tacked it onto another bricklink order as am starting Jerac's T65 and 70 next.

These are only small quibbles and I would happliy buy from Republic bricks again, their UT-AT is one that I do want in the collection.

 

[mink66]

Great review monkypaws!  I shared a lot of the frustrations you mentioned as well, except for the missing parts.  All the parts were present in the batch I received.  As you mentioned, the instructions could have benefited greatly from the use of subassemblies.  I was also disappointed by the wing attachment technique, and as you can see in the video review they are quick to fail. I had to add some extra supporting structures under the fuselage and wings to make the model stable to display in "flight mode."

[monkypaws]

I know, you can't move the model very easily at all. I noticed in the MandRproductions video, that he positioned the supplied supports way further back than the instructions suggested. Used his positioning and the two of them held everything level really well. Also, when the wings are in landed position they tend to pitch in towards the body of the ship. It only takes one plate width under the base of the cockpit to correct this. I did see some pictures of someone on Euroricks putting together a great looking model trying to get round the delicate wing attachement. He had the wings made but I can't for the life of me find it again. If anyone knows, drop a link in please.

Edited August 25, 2023 by monkypaws