Random set of the day: AT-AT
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 4483 AT-AT, released in 2003. It's one of 20 Star Wars sets produced that year. It contains 1068 pieces and 4 minifigs, and its retail price was US$100/£89.99.
It's owned by 3607 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
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33 comments on this article
Wow, that's pretty well-detailed for an '03 set!
^ Especially considering this was LEGO's first ever AT-AT at this scale. It seems to have set the go-to formula for all future models.
I still have mine packed away somewhere. I kind of dig the white speeder bike that comes with it.
This one is the best of the AT-AT models.
A friend of mind found one of these for $10 at a garage sale. I asked if he would accept the same amount for it.
I was promptly refused.
^ Some people can be so unreasonable.
Old dark grey pieces too, Yum!
This is agreed to be the best AT-AT they've ever done - size, look and printed parts. Its one of those weird ones where the subsequent models have looked worse.
This was the best rendition of the AT-AT in my opinion. Though the motorized one was a lot of fun!
To everyone who thinks this is the best AT-AT Lego released: you have the correct opinion! But seriously, sometimes, you nail it the first time around, and 4483 is a prime example of that. This was the first set to give us Snowtroopers and allow kids to finally replicate the Battle of Hoth! From a design perspective, the only real weakness is the neck. It holds together fine, but is finicky to put together on account of just being held by an axle to the main body. And sure, in retrospect, I'll knock it a bit for the cockpit only being able to hold one pilot when any Star Wars fan worth their salt knows there are two, but this is LEGO, not a 1:10 scale replica by Hot Toys. I'll allow it.
Everything else is glorious though! The new click joints introduced in the AT-TE earlier in 2003 did wonders for providing stability and flexibility for this model. I could make so many poses with the AT-AT! Then there is that excellent color scheme, keeping true to the film prop with nothing but greys and some black. The snowspeeder in the back hatch is an inspired addition, a little EU flavoring of sorts. And of course, who didn't replicate Luke taking down the beast with his trusty lightsaber and a thermal detonator (not included) whilst hanging from the underside?
It all looked and felt so true to The Empire Strikes Back; it was magical to hold and be amazed by. Some aspects of it have never been repeated, like the printed joint dishes at the knees and hips, and for that alone, later versions have been lackluster. Speaking of certain parts, the variety of pieces in this set was astounding even to 15 year-old me (I got this set for my 15th birthday) and it was my first set over a 1000 pieces.
I guess Lego can keep trying to remake this set every so often. But I'm afraid none of them short of a proper UCS treatment will ever eclipse the glory of this one, a true jewel in the Lego Star Wars crown.
This was the set that got me into collecting! It was my first LEGO set! My Grandma purchased for me and from then on I have been collecting almost nonstop! I absolutely love this set and even though the head can fall off quite a bit, I still always find myself coming back to this set and admiring it amongst all the other sets in my collection! Truly a great a classic set!
The first "regular" Star Wars set to cross over the 1,000 piece threshold. Nowadays, the biggest sets in each of the SW waves will often cross that number, whether they are a walker, a Falcon, or a down-scaled cruiser. But this was a step forward for sets with minifigs and a big model meant for play. As others have said, the design really holds up well. It conveys the bulk and heaviness of the walkers from the films. The head section was pretty fragile, and sometimes the body would separate too easily from the legs, but the main armor panels and legs themselves felt substantial and formidable. I also remember being surprised that Lego actually went ahead and created a new mold for Snowtroopers. Nowadays new helmet molds are common, but certainly not back then. The AT-AT pilot was also an impressively detailed fig for the time.
The box art makes it look like the AT-AT is puking.
What a classic! And this AT-AT is very detailed for 2003!
Yes, love this version. While some early SW sets had vastly improved later versions, I think the AT-ATs after this were merely different rather than better
My favorite ist still 10178 because of the cool motorization (plus it is the only other one that includes the printed dishes), but in terms of overall looks, nothing beats this one.
Weird. I have literally just finished Bricklinking the motorised version. May have to see if I can cobble this together
It's not only the tallest AT-AT of all versions released but still the best! As much as I do hope for a UCS minifig scale version - a new playable but slightly larger update would be great.
OK. I can believe you all saying that this is probably the best AT-AT rendition ever. It looks great and detailed on pics. I can't compare, don't have it. But I still love my 75054 (mainly thanks to the pilot minifig).
It is great, and still my favourite, but the head is so fragile it makes play very annoying.
Not only does this have printed dishes on the legs, but also a printed windscreen. Great set. Managed to wrangle this as a wedding present back in 2004. The AT-AT and I are still together even if my (first) wife and I aren't!
I've had my first of this model built and on display since '03 and it still looks fantastic. Newer models have in my opinion not been worthy of replacing it. Love this model and everything about it so much.
By far the best AT-AT to date, I particularly love the view low down from the front! Printed parts, everything, just the total business :)
Oh, I'm building that speeder, asap, and in red!
The one time I'm not here right when the new set of the day is uploaded, it turns out to be one of my favorite sets ever. Everyone that has been saying it is the best is 100% right. I remember saving up my $1 a week allowance and birthday money to get it and then eventually it was given to me as a gift one year. The thing cost $100 back in the day and my parents used it as a way for me to understand the value of things, like my trumpet back in 4th Grade. When I was first starting band in 2003 and we were buying one, they said I had to be very careful with it because it cost 9 AT-ATs. That definitely stuck, but to this day that AT-AT has always been in better shape. XD
So many likes, I have this set in my desert diaroma (there is no space with the rest of my Blizzard Force) and along with the Desert Foxes I watches over the industrial area of my City as well one mine. I am actually looking for another of these awesome walkers (a motorized one for example) and an AT-ATC.
I like to collect the AT-ATs, and I think this one is the best. Sure the head’s a little fragile, but it just looks right. I think it’s also the tallest so it’s properly intimidating.
Oh boy, this is a good one indeed. Luke hanging down there... so iconic!
Who here wants a UCS AT-AT?
I must be honest: I DO!
While the proportions are not as accurate as those of the last two LEGO AT-ATs, I still like the look of this version the best.
"From a design perspective, the only real weakness is the neck. It holds together fine, but is finicky to put together on account of just being held by an axle to the main body. "
Yeah... the neck is a sour spot. I've had the neck pop off a few times while handling this set and it and the head just go crashing down onto the floor. The head also is a very loose set of panels that tend to wiggle free quite easily.
The body is pretty solid though. Good detailing, and nice use of space keeping a speeder bike stored inside the AT-AT alongside seats for the troopers.
I have this, and my biggest gripe was how the head attached to the rest of the body. Unless I somehow built it wrong, it was very flimsy and I found myself with a decapitated AT-AT more often than not.
It's currently stored away, but I'll have to dig up the instructions and reassemble the thing. Maybe I can find a way to strengthen the neck/head area.
I have this one, and never been tempted to buy any of the later versions.
As others have said the head is a bit fiddly, but it’s definitely the best looking version they’ve made. Those printed dishes on the legs are great, shame they subsequently used plain ones.