LEGO Star Wars X-Wing 75218 Vs Modified 9493

Lego updated original X-Wing to become 75218. The last set 9493 was quite old. 9493 used the old transparent cockpit window. Starting from Poe's new X-Wing in The Force Awakens, Lego X-Wing used a new and better cockpit window. I also wanted to buy that part to update my 9493 (but I didn't have time to order). Let's jump to conclusion first... I like 75218 and I think it worth to get a copy.

This new set came with 6 bags, 1 instruction booklet and 1 piece of label sheet.



Let's take a look at the new and older set side by side. The main difference was the structure of 4 engines. The way of building the engines was about the same as the Rogue One U-Wing set. The red color is different too. 75218 used deep red which made it look like the UCS X-Wing version. 75218's 4 cannons at the wings were not well designed as what 9493 did. However, you would be impressed by the new way to open the X-Wings (Battle mode) and the hidden white rubber bands.



75218 had two rubber bands on each side and they were well hidden.









9493 had smaller engines and Lego didn't design it very well. Many people modified the engines as mine (a common way).



75218 had larger engines. They looked closer to the actual model. Well done, Lego.



Let's take a look at flight mode. 75218 had smooth surface wings. At the same time, 75218's X-Wing droid (R2D2) can stay inside facing the front instead of side way (R5).

75218 with 730 pieces was over-priced just like the rest of new Star Wars sets.

I think I should modify the 4 wing cannons later when I have time.

*Aliexpress sellers, please don't steal my photos because they are modified. Your customers may complain about the product photo accuracy.

Aliexpress Seller Likes (Stole) My Photos Again :-)

I found Aliexpress sellers really like my Lego modification photos. This time they stole my mod X-Wing and used their logo to cover mine. Maybe I should make my logo larger. Haha...

My original post is here

Removing Stud Shooters on TIE Fighters

All recent Lego TIE Fighters' front cannons are build like the same way... two stud shooters. If you follow this blog, you should know I don't like shooters. I remove them at once or wait until I have time. You may keep it in red or make it more like in movies.. grey color.

Before LEGO Star Wars X-Wing (75218) Arrives

Lego is going to have a new X-Wing in Minifigure scale soon this year (The last photo of this post). Before I can see the actual set on shelf, I want to take a look at the previous one in my storage. The old one originally has a bad cockpit window then I change it into a shape closer to the cinematic model. The 4 engines are using stickers originally and I change them into more 3D.

From the photo of 75128 box, I can see the engines are built like what U-Wing set does. The surface of the wings are covered by tiles to make them smooth. Cockpit window uses the one from The Force Awakens version X-Wing. It also comes with the "play feature" shooter (The thing that I don't like.. will take away at once). Let's see what it looks like later :-)

*Update: Lego officially released the photos of the set right one day

You can see the actual thing from this link
https://www.brothers-brick.com/2018/05/17/lego-star-wars-fall-2018-sets-unveiled-in-new-york-including-classic-x-wing-news/lego-star-wars-fall-2018-fb/

Raymond

LEGO Star Wars: The Phantom II (75170) Modification

I missed The Phantom I's release and I didn't buy The Ghost too. Totally regret that :-(

This Phantom II is well made from Lego although it smaller than it should be. It's not as wide as original design. So, I add some width to the front and "neck" part. Nothing complicated.

Raymond

Lego Marvel Super Heroes: The Hulkbuster Smash-Up (76104) - Modification 2

A lot of people messaged me about how I did the mod. I don't have time to do make the instruction but I can show you some close ups. Take your Hulkbuster 76104 out and compare with my model, then you will know how easy to DIY. Basically, I just rearranged the bricks in this mod.



1) I shortened the body by one stud. The golden part was taken out



2) The legs were in one piece at L-Shape before. You can just take them apart into two parts. I use two small joints in one leg but there is a better way to do it... I will come back to work on it when I have time.



3) The most important thing is the upper body width. I extended each side by one stud. I also replace the original black arm armor with deep red one.







If you have question, please let me know. I will try to check the comments more often now.

LEGO Star Wars: The Recent Imperial TIE Fighter models

I can't wait to get the TIE Bomber in Summer 2018. I guess we have to use the recent TIE Fighter to modify as TIE Interceptor.

P.S. I forgot to put the TIE Striker together. Maybe next time.

LEGO Star Wars: Han Solo - TIE Fighter

The new TIE Fighter is like a small UCS version. I think it's much better than the First Order version from The Force Awakens.

LEGO Star Wars Poly Bag BB-8 (40288)

LEGO Star Wars: Kessel Run Millennium Falcon (75212)

Han Solo: A Star Wars Story is coming. Lego's Kessel Run Millennium Falcon (75212) (I will call it Solo version) is now on shelf. In Canada, it is $199.99 which is $20 more expensive than The Force Awakens version (TFA version). The main difference is the extra escape pod (maybe something like Rebel Series' The Phantom attaching to The Ghost). Other than the white color, Solo version is almost 95% the same as TFA version in the structure. The cockpit position issue (too close to the front), the two front triangles' angle/size issue, lots of gaps between sectors, unfinished side docks, etc are not fixed. The white color makes the dark gaps more visible than TFA version (Mine is patched).

However, it is fun to modify as the older ones. I think Solo version Falcon will be another long project to play with.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes: The Hulkbuster Smash-Up (76104) - Modification

The Hulkbuster Smash-Up (76104) is a cheap set at Canadian $40 for 375 pieces. It's an ok fair price in 2018. It has a gear triggered right arm. The huge turning knot is at the back of this Hulkbuster. Maybe it is the reason why the shoulders are way apart from the body. Quite horrible when you look from the front... Like the arms are going to fall off. Lego set's "play value" is always a problem to many Lego model's shape.

The set comes with instruction booklet, 4 bags and a sheet of sticker. I think it is about the same as the hulkbuster from Age Of Ultron.

*I didn't follow the instruction fully in the first build.

When I open the instruction booklet, I study the structure of the gears inside the body and the arms. Because of the simple structure, I can change the shoulders easily. At the same time, I move the shoulders one stud out to make it wider.

The original legs are quite weird but.. quite impressive for the Lego designer to use less pieces to build the legs. I modify the legs into 3 sections instead of 2. I really like the original design of the lower part of the legs. I haven't touched the back of Hulkbuster because I don't even know what it looks like at this stage. All film photos and toy photos from Marvel are front view only.

I don't think I will spend money and time on buying the UCS version. It's all gone in every where.