The Empire Shuttle, which debuted in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, is one of the Empire's most iconic starships, with foldable wings and towering white backs. It is also for this reason that Lego continues to introduce new models of this spacecraft, and the 75302 Empire Shuttle is the fifth LEGO model of the spacecraft, the set has 660 pieces of particles, the shuttle size: 25 cm high, 24 cm long, 35 cm wide, will be listed on March 1, the price is expected to be 699 yuan. So what about this set, let's follow The Brothers Brick to see it!
<h1>Packaging and parts</h1>
The box contains six numbered bags of different sizes (which also contain small parts bags), as well as instructions packed in the bag. There are no stickers in the suit, but there is a white ramp element printed with a vent pattern, which has appeared in every previous Empire Shuttle set. The back of the box has a close-up photo of the typical gameplay.
<h1>The building process</h1>
The model began to be built from the main body of the shuttle, and we got some relatively new parts: an upward bracket plate with two outward-facing studs, and some 1x1 technology axle bricks that first appeared in the recent 75300 Imperial Titanium fighter set.
Two sturdy snap hinges on each side of the body will later be attached to the wings.
Next, we start adding the lower half of the cockpit. Unlike previous shuttles, this place can only accommodate one minifigure. I think Darth Vader is going to have to put up with not having the co-pilot's help. The canopy is attached at the front and tilted backwards, forming the iconic angled cockpit.
Another thing to note is that, from the side, there is a very noticeable gap between the cockpit cover and the connection at the bottom. Also, there is no print or sticker in the cockpit to indicate the control panel, so it is doubtful that all drivers will drive in the Force, otherwise it seems that there is no other way to drive...
Now, let's look at the surprising part of the model, which at first glance seems like a technological framework, typical of the way to fix the larger dorsal fin, but the truth is that it can be used to lift the handle of the shuttle and can be used to lift the top to enter the passenger compartment. The mechanism consists of a 1x2 rubber part that maintains enough friction to prevent you from opening it yourself when you lift it. I tried many times, and even after all the models were completed, the connection remained here.
The fourth bag of parts included the main body of the shuttle, including the side circular parts that connected the wings. Unlike the 2015 edition of the Empire Shuttle, which used circular technology element stacking, and the 2001 and 2005 editions, which used standard white engine parts, this set used a combination of round particles and round panel elements to build, leaving enough space in the middle for mounting the snap hinges that hold the wings in place. When blended with the sloping side of the shuttle, the final result is a smoother appearance. The last shuttle released in 2015 used a tilting board here, which looks bulky.
Now the fifth bag of parts makes up the iconic dorsal fin. As in the previous two versions, the dorsal fin is made up of a tech hole arm and standard bricks, but with a small difference, the chamfered part at the front is shorter than in the previous version.
When we build the last bag of parts, we find that not many parts will be decorated on both wings, which is the only thing that makes the set slightly disappointing.
<h1>Finished product model</h1>
Now that the shuttle is finally complete, we can talk about the wing and the whole.
The wings that gave the Empire Shuttle its signature needed hinges that could support its weight while maintaining its smooth, thin shape. But compared to other Star Wars ships with folding wings, such as Kunnick's Empire Shuttle, I think the wings could have been stronger and still folded. At the end of the day, it's a matter of price and cost, but 700 yuan is not cheap. Thankfully, we can make up for this with a few wedge plates, or you can add a little support to the bottom while the wing is down.
<h1>The doll</h1>
The set includes three figures and a pair of handcuff accessories that can recreate what may be the most embarrassing father-son trip in history. Darth Vader is equipped with a two-part helmet that today's standard, and if there is a boarding ramp in the suit, it can recreate the scene where Luke's father saw him. The other was an Imperial officer.
This version of Luke has already appeared in four other sets: 75093 Death Star Ultimate Showdown (2015), 75146 Star Wars Countdown Calendar (2016), 75159 Death Star (2016), and 75291 Death Star Showdown (2020). This Darth Vader figure has appeared twice: 75291 Death Star Showdown (2020) and 75294 Bespin Duel (2020). This Imperial officer is the new minifigure.
<h1>Conclusions and recommendations</h1>
Aside from the complaint about the wings just now (which is easy to fix), I think it's a pretty good set. Similar to the X-wing fighters and titanium fighters previously reviewed, there are good proportions and finish details, and the pricing is decent. Another small problem was the bumpy launcher, the designer simply put it on the side of the cockpit, I think Lego should be able to easily replace the weapon in the wing with a catapult nail gun, that would be cooler.