Review: 75249 Resistance Y-wing Starfighter
Posted by CapnRex101,
BTL Y-wing starfighters were introduced during the Clone Wars, although their robust structure allowed continuing deployment by Rebel forces against the Galactic Empire. This steadfast craft returns during Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker with some interesting alterations.
75249 Resistance Y-wing Starfighter feels quite distinctive, not only because it incorporates unique red and white decoration but also based upon the extensive use of curved tiles. Furthermore, some brilliant exclusive minifigures are provided so I have been looking forward to constructing this addition to the Resistance fleet.
Minifigures
Several renditions of Poe Dameron have been released and the latest example differs considerably from its predecessors, wearing casual attire that corresponds with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This double-sided head has remained unaltered since 2015 and looks reasonable, although I believe the facial hair appears slightly too prominent. Poe's textured hair component is perfect though.
The patterned neckerchief is similarly impressive and I appreciate the intricate detailing on the torso. Moreover, this medium nougat satchel looks excellent, despite lacking pouches across the front. The decorated legs appear accurate though, featuring reddish brown straps and metallic silver buckles. A pearl silver blaster pistol is also provided.
New droids have been introduced within each Star Wars movie and D-O appears prominently during trailers for the upcoming film. This character is represented by an element that was created specifically for D-O so closely resembles the original droid. The central wheel cannot actually roll, unfortunately, but the printed designs are outstanding and I like the useful stud on the back of its head.
Little information has been revealed concerning Zorii Bliss and this enigmatic character looks great, featuring an unusual helmet which appears somewhat reminiscent of the Rocketeer. This pearl gold component incorporates extensive moulded detail on every side and I like the enormous visor which dominates the front. A plain black head is found underneath, heightening the mystery that surrounds this masked figure.
Zorri's dark red clothing and the associated holsters are excellent too, matching promotional images which have been released. I am particularly pleased with the traditional patterns on her holster straps and this minifigure carries two pearl dark grey flintlock pistols, representing her peculiar blaster pistols from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
This mysterious minifigure is accompanied by an Astromech Droid. Similar characters are prevalent across the Star Wars range but this figure has attracted notable attention, due primarily to the striking teal colour scheme! The contrasting white panels are excellent and I love the metallic silver highlights, although some printing on the reverse of the cylindrical body would have been welcome.
Despite their apparently limited significance, First Order Snowtrooper minifigures have appeared in sets based upon each Sequel Trilogy movie. However, this figure is distinguished by an elegant cloak that corresponds with other products but supplants the survival backpack. In addition, the fabric kama found on previous First Order Snowtroopers is omitted on this occasion.
Otherwise, this trooper matches earlier minifigures precisely. The helmet design is fantastic, featuring metallic silver breather tank inlets, while the torso and legs are both perfectly detailed. I am especially satisfied with the contrast between armoured and padded sections of the uniform. As usual, removing the helmet reveals a Clone Trooper head and this minifigure wields a black blaster rifle.
The Completed Model
LEGO has produced various renditions of the BTL Y-wing starfighter and this creation shares multiple design features with its predecessors. However, some interesting alterations have been introduced as well, particularly around the cockpit which now includes red stripes and different shapes. The resulting model appears relatively sleek, as though its owner has upgraded an existing Rebel Alliance craft.
Comparing this set with its Rebel Alliance counterpart uncovers additional differences. 75172 Y-wing Starfighter measures 41cm in length while the Resistance vessel includes elongated engine nacelles, reaching 43cm in length. The depth of the fuselage has been reduced too, further distinguishing their respective profiles as the new Y-wing seems more aerodynamic than the Original Trilogy model.
Various curved slopes dominate the cockpit, forming an attractive shape that seems most impressive above the laser cannons. The red stripes also look marvellous, although this pattern is interrupted by 1x2 curved slopes with angled cutouts on both sides. Despite their awkward appearance, this design seems authentic when compared with other merchandise that includes the same gap.
Unfortunately, the white printing on the canopy does not match surrounding elements which is rather disappointing, especially since similar issues have appeared previously. The interior looks wonderful though, including an upholstered seat and printed controls for Zorii Bliss. Furthermore, I like the dark bluish grey 1x1 round plates which represent radiator grilles behind the cockpit.
Twin ion cannons are also situated here. They offer excellent articulation as these weapons can rotate and elevate to target opponents so differ from previous designs. The droid socket remains unchanged though and I think the Astromech Droid looks marvellous when positioned inside, standing out among the neighbouring white and light bluish grey pieces.
Heavy armour protected Y-wing starfighters during Star Wars: The Clone Wars but those panels were absent throughout the Original Trilogy, thereby exposing mechanical details underneath. Similar detail is visible between several curved tiles. Those tiles are remarkably prominent and streamline the entire fuselage structure. However, some Technic bricks remain visible underneath which is frustrating.
Three bombs can be loaded from above before being released separately by twisting a Technic gear behind the fuselage. This function works nicely and I like the decorative white frame which surrounds the aforementioned gear. Additional projectiles are positioned beneath the engine pylons and landing gear extends from the underside, corresponding with 75248 A-wing Starfighter.
Each engine is connected to the fuselage using two Technic pins. That connection seems somewhat fragile in my opinion, although the vehicle feels satisfactorily robust during play. Steering wheels form sensor equipment on the engine nacelles but the protective domes have been removed. The updated design appears attractive and I like the stickers, although the underside of each engine is blank which looks odd.
The curved exhaust nozzles are similarly appealing but my favourite details are undoubtedly the new support pylons. These make ingenious use of click hinge links which replace Technic parts from other models and appear more closely integrated with the central engines. The thrust vectral rings also look nice but lack holes through the centre, instead featuring trans-pink 2x2 dishes that depict engine glow.
Overall
75249 Resistance Y-wing Starfighter has exceeded my expectations, offering greater innovation than was anticipated when compared with previous Y-wing designs. Its aerodynamic bodywork looks great and I like the combination of white and red, despite the reliance upon stickers for that decoration. The model includes some enjoyable functions too, the most notable of which are the dropping bombs.
Moreover, the minifigure selection is impressive and I am particularly satisfied with Zorii Bliss, whose distinctive helmet has been replicated beautifully. This set costs £59.99 or $69.99 which feels slightly too expensive, although this compares favourably with 75172 Y-wing Starfighter which cost £64.99 in the UK. I would therefore recommend this Resistance craft but potential for improvement remains.
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your opinion of the set in the comments below.
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18 comments on this article
There's something amusing to me any time a Star Wars minifigure has a plain, unprinted head. These days that only tends to happen with characters whose faces/identities haven't been revealed, but even so it brings back memories of back when unprinted heads were the standard for the majority of Star Wars characters with helmets and black visors (Boba Fett, Royal Guards, TIE fighter pilots, Stormtroopers, Clone Troopers, etc).
Anyway, this is a pretty neat set design! It's wild to think that the already scrappy-looking Y-Wings could be even more stripped down after the Original Trilogy, and in truth it would be surprising to see such an old-fashioned starfighter still in use from a narrative standpoint if it weren't for The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi establishing just how desperate the Resistance has gotten at this point in the trilogy.
The bomb dropping mechanism was an impressive surprise to me when I gave this set's instruction manual a quick look-through, since it's so very simple and compact, yet seemingly effective for what it sets out to do. On reflection, the Rogue One version featured a similar mechanism, but I guess I never paid enough attention to the instruction manual or reviews when that set was released.
I'm sure some people who have been dedicated to collecting Star Wars sets in recent years are probably harder to impress than me. In my case, though, the last time I was heavily invested in the LEGO Star Wars theme was probably in 2005 when the last installment of the prequel trilogy came out. Between that and having started collecting LEGO Star Wars when it first began, I can't help but marvel at just how far the designs have come since the blocky, simplistic, and often highly inaccurate versions that I enjoyed in my childhood.
I would definitely be thrilled to get some of these sets if I were a kid today… but alas, as an adult, I know from experience that LEGO Star Wars collecting would be a goal that knows no end. There are simply too many iconic scenes, characters, and ships make up the Star Wars universe to ever hope for a sense that my collection is "finished" to my satisfaction.
Plus, there is seemingly no limit to how much LEGO designers can refine sets even beyond what might seem close to flawless at first glance, meaning that no matter when I resumed collecting, it would only be a matter of time before those sets that reignited my passion for LEGO Star Wars paled in comparison to their newer counterparts!
Good review overall!
Interesting set but in Canada it's $15 more and has 100 less pieces than the 2017 version so overall feels quite disappointing, especially since the main play features are the same on the previous model
Another year, and yet another Y-wing...
Despite having 75152 y-wing I will still have to get this version eventually because I love the y-wings and the styling and color on this one looks better that the other one. But I think that the price is to high and will probably wait for a discount.
I really appreciate the subtle changes in shapes, this sleek front part, touches of colours, and overall "coming right out from manufacturer" look of this new one. And that minifigs/ characters selection is a full win for any collectioner, with at least new version for Poe to brand new moulds for two or never seen color on one. So this updated Y-wing, which IMO brings a bit of fresh air and novelty in the theme, will come to join my display soon- as soon as first worthy discount. That teal astromech alone and first D-O minifig are my favourites along with Z Bliss and the great helmet dual moulding. Thank you for this new, complete and detailed review.
zorii's helmet is one part rocketeer to one part daft punk
I still don't own a minifigure scale set of the Y-Wing. This one's a good one. The nacelles seem a little bent in the comparison photo. However, I really like its front shape and the colors. And the Zorii Bliss minifig is excellent.
I have to admit that the front landing gear is much nicer than in the RO version. Having said that, I'm gonna stick to the classic one.
Also: Nathan Drake minifigure.
I really like this set! I have the Rogue One variant, and seeing the two together emphasized why I need to get this one. Saw it today in a store but didn't have enough money on me to buy it :(
I am a fan of the new color scheme as well, and I like the minifigs. One question though: Is D-O's head molded into his body or is it a separate piece (if so, does it rotate too)? The changes to the front of the engine nacelles seem accurate, as numerous sources have indicated that sensor antennas were hidden behind the domes, and I am pleased to see that LEGO chose to follow that. Even though the silhouette is very similar, the overall aesthetic of the fighter/bomber craft is much different from the Rogue One version and all the prior models. Speaking of that...
"Heavy armour protected Y-wing starfighters during Star Wars: The Clone Wars" was a phrase in the article above. While this makes sense, in reality the ships were merely covered with smooth cowling panels. Rebel mechanics eventually grew tired of having to remove and reattach said panels for (rather frequent) maintenance and repair, and eventually just left them off for good. Thus, no real safety or structure was lost on the Y-wing vessels by removing the outer shell, only an aesthetic (and frankly I like them better without the cowling anyway).
Another great review as usual. Keep them coming!
Really nice addition to the Lego Star Wars fleet. Probably not going to get it, though, since I'm almost out of room on my Lego shelves and I already have the superb Rogue One version.
I want that teal R5 unit, though!
@SeekerBear - D-O is one piece so there is no articulation, unfortunately.
The idea that Rebel mechanics removed the bodywork to maintain the underlying systems was originally true. However, I believe the canon explanation is now that the Y-wings from Gold Squadron were in the process of being scrapped when they were stolen by the Rebel Alliance, hence the armoured bodywork had already been removed.
@CapnRex101
You are correct - the theft of the Y-Wings as they were in the midst of being scrapped by the Empire was covered in an episode of SW Rebels. Which begs the question, how are these ancient relics still even able to fly, much less be useful in battle?
I really like the set, especially as I like all the star wars ship designs and appreciate getting them in new unique colour schemes. Though I am really disappointed that for a red and white ship there are only 4 red bricks, with all other red highlights done by stickers and am most likely going to mod it slightly, replacing the white stickered curved slopes on the front section with plain red versions.
@Aanchir I couldn't agree more with what you said when it comes to the ships and the quality of design through the years.
The sets that attempt to recreate a scene though tend to be awful.
Also I do have some issue with the pricing of ships nowadays, dizzyingly high in most cases.
I got frustrated when I couldn't even manage to keep up with the astromech collecting. Always one with each £90+ set that I wasn't wanting.
I still crave a complete astro mech collection but alas that dream must die.... and with it too went my interest in buying any starwars Lego in the end.
I do however enjoy a browse of the new sets at least.
@apedemaks comment however does shine a light on a major issue with today's designs though, sticker use is rampant and many of these sets will not look great in several years when stickers are peeling and cracking.
I know the drums broke we've beaten it too much already but when will we see more printing take over, surely there's a way to make it a bit more cost effective so we don't have to rely on stickers for proper detail.
The longer pylons really make quite a difference in overall aesthetics. The older version woud've looked great with elongated pylons as well, though it is an easy mod.
Really like the sleek look of the cockpit, though the interruption in its flow should be further back. Maybe this can also be modified by moving the second 2x4 curved slope 1 stud forward and the red piece 4 studs backward, along with further modifications.
A fine model of a ship that goes perfectly with the OT variant.
@CapnRex101 I had not heard that the Y-wings were in the process of being scrapped. That's interesting to learn, and I think that both stories have some impact on the canon storyline. Good to know!