Lego 7250 - Clone Scout Walker

This set was released in 2005 as part of the Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith line. I bought this as a brand new set from Toy Station in Serene Centre for S$19.90. There are 108 pieces in all, including some unique printed bricks.

The walker is based on the All Terrain Recon Transport (AT-RT) seen in several Star Wars films, comic books and video games. It features an open cockpit for a single driver and cannons which swivel. Unfortunately, it is not to scale and is much larger than it should be.

One mini-figure of a clone trooper in Episode III armour is included. A unique feature of this figure is the 91st Recon Corps. markings consisting of a red circle and a sword pointing downwards through it which is only available from this set. It would have been more appropriate for a Kashykk trooper to be riding this as portrayed in the film.

Overall, it is well-designed. You would be able to build a whole division of walkers if you buy several of these sets.


AT-RT with clone trooper (91st Recon Corps.)


AT-RT (front)


AT-RT (side)


Swivel cannon


Clone trooper (91st Recon Corps) - front


Clone trooper - rear


Alternate modes you can build with the same set


Box design


Instruction booklet

Air Jordan Force IV (4), Air Jordan Force V (5)

I've never owned a pair of Air Jordans when I was playing basketball actively many Earth orbits ago. This changed in the last two years on vacations to Japan and Taiwan where the prices are low and the shoes are pretty. The following are a couple of pairs of fusion sneakers, combining the best features of two iconic basketball shoes, namely the Air Jordan and Air Force 1.

The Air Jordan Force IV (AJF 4) is a combination of the classic Nike Air Force 1 and the legendary Air Jordan 4, which was released in 1989. The shoe features the typical Air Jordan 4 straps on the side, the plastic net at the side panel and the grey eyelets. The AJF 4 has black suede upper, a big air sole with a transparent window at the heel and the classic Air Force 1 outsole.

The series of commercials featuring Michael Jordan and Spike Lee (as Mars Blackmon) asking "Is it the shoes?" that allows one to fly like Mike is the inspiration for the Air Jordan Force V (AJF 5). This is a fusion of the Air Jordan 5 (my favourite in the entire Air Jordan line) and the Air Force 1. They feature a black, red and white colorway, reflective tongues, along with a clear sole and lace locks, "23" stitched at the heel and inserts on the toe box, quarter panels, and lacing tabs with all over print which says "Is It the Shoe?".

The shoes both come in a nice collector's box, where you can find the following explanation of AJF:

"Air Jordan and Air Force I. The ultimate collaboration! A rare opportunity to see these two titans as “the best of both worlds”, unite as one. The Jordan Brand is celebrating year 23 just as the Air Force I is coming off its 25th anniversary. As these two franchises join forces for the first time, the new visual expression is destined to become the ultimate statement for sneaker aficionados around the world.

The vanguards of high performance and artistic expression have never been more united, but for every masterpiece, for every true expression of authentic merit, there are a dozen pretenders wanting a ticket to the dance. The result: an uncompromising path with access only authenticity can grant.

The shoe game stands upon yet another threshold of change and this is your opportunity to be a part of the change to come. The Air Jordan Franchise and the Air Force I are joining forces, ready to establish new precedents for the future. Pushing the limits of what’s possible. The big question is will you be ready?"

With beauties like this, I really feel like I can fly. "It's gotta be the shoes!"


Box (top exterior) featuring the Jordan brand's Jumpman logo


Doing my bit for charity



AJF 4 in sz 10 and AJF 5 in sz 9.5 respectively


The ultimate collaboration!


AJF 4 (side)


AJF 4 (front)


AJF 4 (rear)


AJF 4 (soles)


AJF 5 (side)


AJF 5 (Is it the shoes? panel)


AJF 5 (tongues)


AJF 5 (lacing tabs)


AJF 5 ("23" stitching)

Lego Star Wars Convention 2010 Celebration V exclusive Cube Dudes

This is the second set of Cube Dudes to be released by Lego following the exclusive SDCC 2010 Clone Wars set. Designed by Angus Maclane, this set was released exclusively at the Star Wars Convention which took place in Orlando, Florida earlier this year. Also known as Celebration V, the convention marks the 30th anniversary of the theatrical release of arguably the best Star Wars film in the sextology. I am referring of course to "The Empire Strikes Back". It was a fitting tribute that this set contains five of the six bounty hunters hired by Darth Vader to hunt down the Millennium Falcon, in Angus Maclane's Cube Dudes style. There were an estimated 2000 sets produced.

Needless to say, I did not have the privilege of attending this great event, which is where eBay comes to the rescue. This was purchased off a UK retailer at a price slightly more than what I paid for the SDCC 2010 Clone Wars set.



Cubic package. Unfortunately, the package it was mailed could have been sturdier. As a result, it arrived slightly crushed at various points. Like before, you can see the front and back of the built figures portrayed on different sides of the box.


Box (top).


Box (bottom).


Numbered seal. Mine's a nice #1208.


Recommended for ages 12 and older due to the 496 small pieces contained within.


Instruction manual (in black with glossy silhouettes of figures).


Contents were packed separately in Ziploc bags with ID cards



Bossk (front and rear). Nice sturdy design.



IG-88 (front and rear). Cool character let down by weak structural design. You'd have to work hard to keep its head and arms from falling off. Rifles are also loosely held in its hands.



The infamous Boba Fett (front and rear). Comes with a blaster assembled from bricks and a great looking rocket pack.



Dengar (front and rear). Nice design for the bandages around his head.



4-Lom (front and rear). Nice sturdy design, especially the bug-eyes.


Full line-up (l-r) - Bossk, IG-88, Boba Fett, Dengar, 4-Lom


I've included the respective mini-figures for scale comparison.

Lego 8684 - Minifigures Series 2

Lego released Minifigures Series 2 within 2 months of the popular Minifigures Series 1. Similarities abound between the two series - 60 packs per box, S$3.90/pack and 16 different figures in each set. Each mini-figure comes with its own unique pieces and accessories offering a multitude of combination options.

Once again, the barcodes on the packs indicate the mini-figure contained within, which suits me fine as I am no longer in school to trade my extras with my buddies. This set was put together courtesy of fellow collector, Randy, who utilised a barcode scanner on his mobile phone to conduct a mass order. Sources indicate that each box of 60 packs would yield at least three complete sets with some extras.

Overall, I prefer the designs in Series 2 compared to Series 1. Take a look at the following pictures and judge for yourself.


Lego Minifigures Series 2 box (contains 60 packs when sealed)


Complete set of 16 (MISB)


Packs (front and back). Narrow barcode on the left indicates contents.



Each pack contains a glossy sheet with a checklist on the front and instructions on the back


Mariachi


Spartan warrior. Imagine accummulating 300 of these beauties. Also my favourite figure in the series.


Ringmaster


Witch (doesn't have the usual legs but a static printed slope brick)


Vampire (really elaborate cape)


Traffic Cop (issuing a traffic summons)



Explorer (with real magnifying glass)


Lifeguard (ala Baywatch)


Mime (with two other interchangeable heads)


Weightlifter


Pop Singer



Skier. I love how the equipment fits into the mini-figure's hands.


Disco Dude (with "Brick Fever" LP)


Karate Master (comes with 2 mini-figure trophies)


Surfer


Pharoah


Spare bits (although I forgot to include the Karate Master's spare trophy)



All 16 assembled