The #75144 LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector’s Series Snowspeeder is the latest in the special line of movie-accurate display-models meant for adult LEGO fans and collectors. It was released at the beginning of the month, and it is already gathering very positive reviews. So let’s take a look at the LEGO version of this iconic vehicle. 🙂
First of all, it is worth mentioning that this is the second snowspeeder released in the LEGO Star Wars UCS line. The first one was the #10129 LEGO Star Wars Rebel Snowspeeder from 2003, with 1,455 pieces for a price of $130 (see below). And, of course, there has been many more smaller and simpler versions of the snowspeeder in regular LEGO Star Wars sets. This makes discussing the #75144 LEGO Star Wars UCS Snowspeeder even more interesting, as we can see how LEGO designers address various design challenges in different ways.
The box of the #75144 LEGO Star Wars UCS Snowspeeder is large and heavy (almost 6 pounds!) filled to the brim with all the pieces, the 300-page instruction book, and the sticker-sheet. The box-art is quite minimalist, focusing only on the iconic vehicle, with two pictures at the front, and some highlight pictures at the back. The golden LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector’s Series badge is displayed at the lower right corner of both the front and the back of the box. The instruction book includes some interesting details about the snowspeeder, along with interviews with the designers.
While the #75144 LEGO Star Wars UCS Snowspeeder is larger than minifig scale, LEGO did include two minifigures with the set that you can place next to the informational plaque on the display-stand. (The set description does say that the minifigs are meant to be placed in the cockpit, but this is kind of misleading.) The two minifigs are not named on the box, however in the instruction book it states that the pilot is Zev Senesca and the gunner is Will Scotian. The two minifigures are identical except for their helmets. You can give them different facial expressions, if you like, as they have dual-sided heads.
The informational plaque is the usual large 8×16 stud tile with a very large sticker. The stand itself is a simple, but very sturdy design, with some adjustment options, so you can display your snowspeeder in a couple of different angles. Speaking of stickers, while they are high quality, I’m disappointed that the backing is white. The color difference of the white stickers and white pieces is already visible in a brand new set. With age, the LEGO pieces will darken further, which will make the stickers stand out even more. Clear stickers with color printing would have been a much better choice for most of the decorations in this set.
The shaping of the #75144 LEGO Star Wars UCS Snowspeeder is gorgeous and quite accurate compared to the original design. While there are so many angles, there is very little gap between them, creating an almost seamless body. And the model is surprisingly sturdy because of the solidly built core. The windshield and the side windows are new pieces, with stickers added for additional shaping. The set is also an excellent example of greebling; using little pieces to look like mechanical details. And, you will find a very interesting use of rubber bands.
While the #75144 LEGO Star Wars UCS Snowspeeder is mostly a display set, it does have some very nice play-features and working mechanical details. The cockpit is fully accessible and very detailed, the gun at the back can rotate, the airbrakes open, and there is also a little landing feet if you want to display the model on a flat surface.
No matter how great a LEGO set is, there are usually some inaccuracies when a model is based on something from real life or a movie. Most often, these have to do with the limitations of LEGO elements, or the choices LEGO designers make. In the case of the #75144 LEGO Star Wars UCS Snowspeeder, I could think of only a couple of issues. The shaping at the back with the downward angled wings should have been straight across the top (see reference here), and while the new windshield is very nice, it makes the cockpit a bit tall. And, as I mentioned above, I would have much preferred clear stickers, especially where white goes on white.
All in all, the #75144 LEGO Star Wars UCS Snowspeeder is a fantastic model that truly deserves the Ultimate Collector’s Series badge. There are a few minor details that could have been more accurate, but overall it is a very pleasing set both in terms of looks and engineering. Below is the full review of the set by JANGBRiCKS, so you can see the set in more detail.
And here is the official description of the set: Collect a true Star Wars classic: the T-47 Snowspeeder. This LEGO interpretation of the iconic airspeeder that fans will remember from Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back has all the details you’d expect, including opening airbrakes, rotating rear gun, and an opening cockpit with space for the included Rebel Snowspeeder Pilot and Rebel Snowspeeder Gunner minifigures. This model also comes with a display-stand and fact plaque, so it can take pride of place in any LEGO Star Wars collection. Includes two minifigures: a Rebel Snowspeeder Pilot and a Rebel Snowspeeder Gunner. Snowspeeder on display stand measures over 8” (21cm) high, 15” (39cm) long and 11” (29cm) wide, and over 4” (11cm) high without stand. 1703 pieces. Price: $199.99 – BUY HERE
What do you think? How do you like the new LEGO Star Wars UCS Snowspeeder? Do you think it is a worthy addition to the LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector’s Series? How do you think it compares to the previous version? Are you planning to add it to your collection, or did you get it already? Feel free to share your thought and own review in the comment section below! 😉
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Helpful review. Thanks. If someone already has the previous UCS version, is it worth to get this one?
Hm… both versions of the Snowspeeder are very nice. The first one is a great model, and if you already have it, I don’t see why you would need to get the second one, unless you are really into Snowspeeders. The new version is a bit more accurate in some details, but it’s not like there is anything majorly wrong with the first one.
After the Hoth set, I’m glad that lego went back to more traditional UCS sets. I’m very impressed by the tightness of the seams and all the angles. I agree about the stickers though. The parts should have been either printed or on a clear backing.
Yeah, the seems are indeed impressive, and the techniques used to achieve them are equally so. I’m not really sure what to do about the stickers. You could leave them off, but they are really needed in some places. They are not that bad when the set is new, but with age the difference between the sticker color and the brick color will definitely show up. Tough decision…
I heard some people are complaining that this is a rehash of a previous set, but I’m very glad as I missed out on the first one. Looks really good.
Some people have been collectors for so long, they forget that not everyone has what they have. So yes, some re-releases are nice, especially of the most iconic and popular vehicles. LEGO has a very long partnership with Star Wars, which likely won’t ever go away, as long as Star Wars is around, so they have plenty of time to release other vehicles as well. But the classics will always remain classic. 🙂