Customer Reviews

Lego Stories and Action Star Wars Episode III TIE Fighter (7263)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being that I didn't get into the Star Wars Lego line until early 2003, I missed out on a huge number of sets. Now, I am not a big fan of re-releases--mainly because I was able to get about 85% of all the Star Wars sets I wanted thanks to [...] anyway, and also because the originals then become sort of obsolete. But the #7146 TIE Fighter was one I failed to obtain (at first; I have it now), and I was glad to see Lego changed almost nothing from the original. And what they did change was for the better (although they did get rid of the Stormtrooper).

The sleek look of the TIE Fighter is exactly the same as before, the colors are all identical, and they enhanced the Vader minifig by giving him an illustrious light-up lightsabre. I believe this was the first set to include that detail. And while they replaced my favorite minifig, the Stormtrooper, with a TIE Pilot, they also did away with that ridiculously unsteady stand thing (the main reason there's 10 fewer pieces on this set). Had they included that again, the durability would've been about a two, at best. The TIE stands better on its own anyway, although it is still a bit unstable. Oh well. Putting this set together took no longer than a half-hour, which is pretty average for a piece count of 159. It was a very easy set to assemble, with most of the building time going into the two (identical) wings.

The TIE Fighter is one of the most recognizable ships in the Star Wars universe, since it appeared in episodes IV-VI and is set to appear yet again in Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith. Although I don't consider this set to be part of the Episode III line, it was released at about the same time and compliments a Lego collection very nicely either way. If you already own the original TIE Fighter from back in 2000, ask yourself whether or not a light-up lightsabre is worth the price of an almost-identical set. Otherwise, pick this up before you miss out on it. Again.

This is a fun and very easy kit. I don't have many objections but I would prefer not a light up lightsaber. it makes darth vader's head turn really easy. you cant take away his light saber or take him apart plus his cape doesnt stay right. It is still very fun. if you like to play with your set instead of putting it on display i think it is good that the wings come off. over all this is a very good set. i mostly collect sets for the mini figures but the ship is awesome too.

This starship from the original trilogy is a must have for any lego starwars fans. some people say that it has incredibly wobbly wings but when your building it just put the pieces on tight and you should be fine. It is very impressive for 159 pieces and hooks you right away. unlike the wookie attack set this set is fun to play with. when you finish it you cant resist picking it up and making those swooshing noises. it make an awsome display for a shelf especialy if it's next to other star wars legos. its colors are mainly black blue and grey. it come with a darth vader with a light saber that lights up and the tie fighter pilot. it has one door that opens in the center to let the tie fighter pilot in. it stands up on the two wings. it is defenitly worth the twenty dollars. a tip for you if get it is that you should never put darth vader in the cockpit because it will make the operation of the door a little harder. thats the tie fighter for you . bye

This TIE Fighter is the best toy I've ever had. At first some of it kept falling apart. But then I tightened it the best I could. So now, I can play with it as tight as can be.

The other day I wrote about the rebel snowspeeder being the "most delightfully ineffective piece of Star Wars military hardware." That's not specifically true - the title of Most Ineffective Military Star Wars Hardware (given out at the MIMSWH awards, this year hosted by the delightful Billy Crystal) should be bestowed upon the Twin Ion Engine Fighter.

If not the most ineffective (TIE Fighters have, on occasion, actually shot down an X-Wing or Y-Wing here or there), the TIE is certainly one of the most iconic Star Wars vehicles. From the hexagonal solar plate "wings" to the whine it makes in flight, the TIE is immediately recognizable and familiar. And LEGO has done its best to capture the familiarity in this set. While a good set and a nice tribute to the TIE, there are some small issues any prospective TIE Pilot should know.

The set is a quick build, and true to LEGO form, the minimum amount of pieces are used to bring the concept into block life. Since even the most creative LEGO master must be given fits by that ever-elusive shape, the sphere, a little cheating takes place for the TIE's cockpit. It's not quite a sphere, but close enough. The bubble canopy opens wide to place the TIE Pilot where he belongs, and he even gets a little control panel. The wings are attached to the bubble with some Technic know-how, providing excellent stability to the model - if you want your TIE in pieces because the LEGO X-Wing reprised the classic conflict and blasted it to smithereens, the wings detach easily.

The set comes with two minifigures, the TIE Pilot and our twisted friend Darth Vader. The TIE Pilot is basically a stormtrooper in black, and I think he's swell. Maybe it's because he's doomed, but I feel for the little guy. He follows LEGO's direct interpretation of the point George Lucas was trying to make in the films (that stormtroopers and Imperials in general are a faceless, compassionless bunch), and has no face. Curiously, where an all-black head would have sufficed, his faceless head is brown. Perhaps to make sure the TIE Pilot does his job, you also get Mr. Vader. Darth is still Darth, though this is the 2nd Generation Darth (he looks more surprised than angry, more scars), and he gets the "light-up" lightsaber.

Now, you might wonder, what are the "small issues" I spoke of? Well, it comes down to color. This set captures the look and feel of the TIE, but not the color. Maybe LEGO felt the gun-metal gray and black of the movie version was too boring, so instead of gray, the TIE is black and blue. You know, thinking about it, blue is one of the least used colors for anything military in Star Wars - R2D2 had a little blue, and some clone troopers in Episode III had some blue, and some lightsabers were blue, but a blue TIE fighter? The blue notwithstanding, LEGO didn't do their Star Wars homework on a tiny detail - in all the films, the TIE lashes out ineffectually at rebels with what color laser blasts? That's right, day-glo green. The `laser' hardpoints are red. Oh well.

In summary, this is a very good set and I can't imagine any Star Wars/LEGO fan getting by without one. For only $20USD, you can act out all the TIE's greatest moments - crashing into the walls of the Death Star trench, crashing into asteroids, crashing into a Star Detroyer, getting blasted by the Millenium Falcon, escorting the Emperor's shuttle, and getting replaced by the TIE Interceptor. Or, you can make up your own adventure, where the TIE actually shoots down an enemy starfighter and saves the day...

My brother got this toy with his pocket money. He is 7 and really into Star Wars. He has alot of LEGO Star Wars toys which he loves. He thinks this toy is fun and everything, but gets irritated when it CONSTANTLY falls apart. He asks Dad to fix it but then it breaks again! This doesn't teach him anything for school but it does provide minutes of fun, not hours though

This toy is an ok toy. I had a fun time puting it together. I put it together in about 10min. I would recomend it to anyone who likes star wars. I say that a 8 year old and up could do it.

This toy is awesome! I got this for the pilot, but it's better than I expected. It's really fragile, but it is really cool. I was dissapointed when I saw the pilot. It has no face! I feel sorry for him.

I only have one issue, Darth Vader can't move his hand. He can't come apart either. But thats just me.

I have a little boy as obsessed with Star Wars as his Daddy. (ok, Mommy likes it too.)This is super easy to assemble, unlike some lego sets. It does not stay together well, but what was a tie fighter today is a blaster tomorrow, right? As I said SUPER EASY to put together.

I really like the Tie Fighter in this set. I don't really like the Darth Vader light-up light saber. It's one of the strongest sets I've ever built. This set has a great form and also can be a link to Death Star II or the Imperial Star Destroyer.