LEGO Razor Crest 75292 Modification

 

I knew I didn't post new Lego sets in this blog as often as before. Yes... because I seldom had time to build/buy new Lego sets recently. At the same time, I felt Lego was re-making old sets again and again especially Star Wars series. I lost my interest in those new trimmed version X-Wing, Tie Fighters. Poe's orange X-Wing in The Rise Of Skywalker was ugly in my taste (but I liked its new structure). As a Star Wars fan, I felt this series just went crazy after The Force Awakens. No one could save this train going down the cliff until The Mandalorian this TV series from Disney+.

Unfortunately, a great TV series didn't have much iconic stuff from Lego except the Razor Crest. That was why I only ordered this set from the Lego Store. For what I got from the box, I thought it was a bit over priced at CA$180. The main problems that I found at the first look (from preview photo) was the shortened front and the small engines. I told myself I had to fix those things when I built it. So, after months... I finally opened the box and started building it.

Because of the limited time, my plan was extending the front part by 2 studs (original plan was 4 studs) without changing much of its original structure. I also planned to "wrap" around the engines to make them bigger then I didn't need to change too many stuff. Therefore, the engine width was increased from 6 studs to 8 studs. The rear landing gears were widened to the sides instead of hiding right under the bottom. The front of the engines was an easy fix.

At this moment, it was all I could build with my brick inventory. I needed more specific bricks to finish it.

Future plans on this Razor Crest:

When I have time again, I will get some triangle bricks in light grey for replacing the walls into vertical building walls (not using the plates) for maximum smooth looking.

*Recently, I bought a Vader Lightsaber (Aliexpress version) to build. It was surprisingly good in design. Strongly recommended.

*I guess this time Aliexpress sellers won't steal my photos because this is not a newest set. I hope they will not mislead the buyers with modified version.

Cheers,

Raymond

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 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 Star Wars: The First Order Walkers Updated

Updated a bit and took a photo as a reference only.

Lego Star Wars The First Jedi: The First Order AT-ST MOC

Lego doesn't give us a proper AT-ST from The Last Jedi. Instead, Lego makes a set with half of it but in full price. I think it is an insult to all Lego Star Wars fans/consumers. The people up there expect we will buy it anyway because of the mini figures included with that set. However, sorry Lego... Many people don't like what Finn and Rose did in TLJ. We have Captain Phasma and BB-8 minifigures in other sets. Basically, we don't need to force ourselves to buy that shitty set for the two meaningless figures. I know you may not agree with me. It's ok. If you think like me, please don't buy it or wait until it's dirt cheap on sale. Sending a message back to Lego for not making unfinished products to consumers and fans.

The way to get your The First Order AT-ST is getting Rogue One version (Lego already takes them from shelves). Basically, they are almost the same. Use your skill and imagination to rebuild it. It's easy.