Review: 75271 Luke Skywalker's Landspeeder
Posted by CapnRex101,
Luke Skywalker's X-34 Landspeeder is definitely among the most recognisable vehicles from the Original Trilogy. LEGO has accordingly designed various renditions of this vessel and 75271 Luke Skywalker's Landspeeder seems rather unusual beside its predecessors.
The design of this vehicle has remained notably consistent since 4501 Mos Eisley Cantina was produced during 2004 as each model features similar proportions and flexible tubes that represent the repulsor vents. The latest rendition departs from that standard though, featuring new aesthetic features and magnificent detail.
Minifigures
Numerous sets contain Luke Skywalker wearing his Tatooine garb. However, this minifigure also sports a fabric poncho with brown trim that covers the torso, matching the character's appearance in promotional images for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and deleted scenes from the movie. The hat and goggles which are traditionally associated with this clothing have been omitted though, unfortunately.
Removing the poncho reveals Luke's loose-fitting shirt. The creasing seems realistic and the metallic silver belt buckle corresponds precisely with the source material. Furthermore, the bands around the boots look superb and I like this double-sided head, featuring cheerful and determined expressions. Luke carries a pair of macrobinoculars and his hunting rifle, both of which take inspiration from the film.
While this depiction of Luke Skywalker is unique, C-3PO has remained unchanged since 2016. The pearl gold components look marvellous and I love the colourful powerbus cables which are visible between external panels. The circular recharge coupling seems equally accurate and similar printed detail continues across the legs, although I think the right leg should have been dual-moulded as the pearl silver decoration terminates abruptly.
Several different Jawa minifigures have been produced and this example is shared with two earlier sets. The tattered robe includes brilliant detail and I like the colour combination of reddish brown with dark orange. Dark brown pouches and straps also decorate the torso, corresponding precisely with the onscreen Tatooinian characters.
Jawas have consistently worn reddish brown hoods, covering their black heads and striking yellow eyes. However, the original minifigures from 10144 Sandcrawler made effective use of fabric capes and I think similar capes would have been appropriate here. This design looks reasonable though and the Jawa is equipped with a simple ion blaster, corresponding with many previous sets.
The Completed Model
Luke Skywalker's Landspeeder is certainly the focus of this set but an interesting section of scenery from Tatooine is also included. This structure is quite simple but the tan and dark tan colour scheme works nicely, alongside some medium nougat highlights. There is adequate space for a minifigure to stand inside the cave and the Jawa's ion blaster can be attached to the wall, as demonstrated below.
7110 Landspeeder was released during 1999 and numerous subsequent models of this prominent vehicle have been produced. This rendition measures 20cm in length which is similar to past designs and the accurate nougat bodywork remains unaltered, although many other aspects of its construction have been updated since 75173 Luke's Landspeeder became available in 2017.
The most significant such change focuses upon the forward repulsor vents which have traditionally been represented by flexible tubes. Stickers are applied instead on this occasion, achieving greater accuracy than the earlier models but not exhibiting the same ingenuity. Nevertheless, I do think this design looks attractive and the dark red details across the top are superb, including the elevated communications receiver.
One pearl silver roller skate forms mechanical detail near the windscreen, replacing a 1x2 grille tile which appeared on the 2017 model. The curved windscreen has not been adjusted though and looks splendid, despite deviating slightly from the onscreen vehicle. Moreover, I like how dark red 1x4 tiles and black 1x1 half circle tiles have been integrated, generating texture along each side.
Similar detail appears inside the cockpit. The seats seem remarkably authentic and I like the sticker which forms a control console between the driver and the passenger. The control lever also appears accurate. Additional dark red tiles are attached behind the seats, replicating the interesting paintwork that decorates this X-34 Landspeeder onscreen.
Luke Skywalker's hunting rifle is stored beside the cockpit, corresponding with its position during Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. The engine nacelles are assembled using Technic components which provide adequate support and I like the 2x2 truncated cones situated here. Stickers adorn each engine nacelle, depicting subtle details and realistic damage that closely resemble the original craft.
The asymmetrical engines look marvellous, particularly across the port side where a light bluish grey spool depicts exposed mechanical detail. The central engine are reasonable too, although its support structure could have been improved. However, I appreciate the storage area below the engine and the dark bluish grey 1x2 grille slopes which represent repulsor generators are perfect.
Overall
Many interesting renditions of the X-34 Landspeeder have been produced since 1999. This model deviates further from its predecessors than I envisaged, featuring outstanding detail and comparing favourably with the original vehicle. The engines appear particularly impressive and I appreciate this updated Luke Skywalker minifigure, although his hat would have been welcome too.
However, only twelve months have passed since the previous set was retired and this update seems accordingly unnecessary in my opinion. The price of £24.99 or $29.99 feels expensive too, especially because 75173 Luke's Landspeeder was significantly cheaper. 75271 Luke Skywalker's Landspeeder does improve upon its predecessors though and complements 75270 Obi-Wan's Hut nicely.
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.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review is an expression of my own opinions.
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46 comments on this article
I’m not thrilled about this set, for many reasons, some of which you touched on.
My main issue is the overall lack of design love for this vehicle. It’s so iconic and I’d like to, as a fan of both Star Wars and LEGO, like to see a fully realized and explored vehicle rather than a bare bones version. But hey...that’s just me. Also a Landspeeder floats...so...
Another issue is no hat with goggles with hair on the bottom. C’mon...for 30 clams the omission of this is Bantha poodoo.
This vehicle feels like it should have been included in the Obi-Wan hut, as one set. I wonder...
Thanks for the detailed review! I agree with you, this set is a bit overpriced, but it also has some interesting pieces and I see some great building techniques in it too, so I think I'll try to find it for a better price, together with Obi-Wan's hut. :)
Clint Eastwood poncho... Very nice
Far better than I thought at first, mainly due to the interesting parts included, but still very expensive.
They really need to start dual-molding Threepio's leg.
I'm excited for the poncho to recreate the deleted scene with the WED treadwell droid. However, I have the two prior speeders, so I'm not too excited about that.
A NEW "HAT" :D
Thanks for the great review as always. The pancho is cool, I guess you could try the CMF farmer's floppy hat on Luke. As for the speeder, seems too long, more like a stretch limo version. I still like the flex tubes instead of the stickers from the older versions as well.
I think I still prefer the front of the 2017 version, but I like the back of this one a little more. Probably not enough to warrant buying another version of the set so soon, but it might be interesting to see the two halves combined sometimes.
Good review, as always, but IMO typical LEGO SW formula: Less parts; more price
I like the poncho and cave but that is about it, does the cave clip with the hut?
I understand why there's no cape for the Jawa, since they don't actually have capes like that. More accurate robes would require their feet to be covered, like with a shorter version of the dress piece or a wraparound skirt.
So, the reviewer finds it ATTRACTIVE when brick-build (here: tube-build) details are replaced with stickers.
Do agree ... NOT.
Another rehash without much innovation on preceding versions. Just a new Luke to entice people to spend 25£. Expensive minifig
Personally I find the build of this version no less ingenious than the one that used flex cable—in fact, I think the use of SNOT techniques to get the proportions just right is arguably even more impressive.
Good review! The Lars family landspeeder is always a fun, nostalgic build, and it's awesome to see the designs continue to evolve since that classic version from 1999.
I can't say I agree about the forward vent design lacking ingenuity — even if it relies on stickers for the actual textured appearance, I was very impressed at how this design uses SNOT elements to really make some nuanced updates to the proportions and fill out the sides more solidly than the tube-and-panel design we've been seeing since 2004!
I also love that the engine construction has become so much less reliant on stickers and prefab jet engine pieces. In the future, I do think it would be interesting to see macaroni bricks or tiles used to construct not just the hood pattern, but also the linkages between the engines and fuselage, which have a much curvier look in the film than the straight 30° or 45° slopes used in these last couple LEGO renditions.
The comfy-looking cushioned seats here are pretty impressive, but they also seem like a bit of a departure from the film prop, which had more of a rounded trapezoid shape than a semicircle shape.
Between the remarkably solid-looking cave/cliff backdrop and the increased size of the model, I feel like the price hike is at least somewhat justified. According to BrickLink, the previous iteration (minus box and instructions) weighed about 134 grams, and this new one (minus box and instructions) weighs about 178 grams.
By that metric, the new set is about 33% heftier. So the USD price is only about $1.50 higher than it would be if it had simply been raised in proportion to the increased weight plus three years' inflation, and the GBP price is £3 LESS by those same terms.
But of course, value is subjective. I can definitely see how this set having one fewer minifigure stifles the perceived value. I suspect that choice was at least partly motivated by making this a more obvious "companion set" to Obi-Wan's hut, since between the two sets you have most of the characters you need to "complete" the scene. But even so, a fourth figure would have made the price hike a lot easier to swallow.
That poncho thing is hilarious, obviously a hand-me-down that he’ll “grow into”.
Needs to have “The End of the Empire is Nigh” chalked across it.
Tail end of the speeder is cool, esp. engines and seats.
@Aanchir said:
"Good review! The Lars family landspeeder is always a fun, nostalgic build, and it's awesome to see the designs continue to evolve since that classic version from 1999."
Actually, this is Luke's own Landspeeder, an X-34. The Lars Family Landspeeder was a V-35 Courier, and looks quite different. Would be great if we got a release of that one day:
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcRG15uiRDUz4x9eMkEBKSmXZurSMAdf1EnYEi7UkbTsMGdr6s8r
But really, neither is in demand anymore since the XP-38 came out.
Probably would have been more appropriate to include R2-D2 in this set and C-3PO in Obi-Wan's Hut given the choice of adversaries - the little cave harkens to the scene where R2-D2 hides from and ultimately becomes captured by the Jawas, and then there's the Tusken Raider surprising C-3PO causing him to tumble off the hill ridge before Obi-Wan shows up shortly thereafter.
Of course if someone were to purchase both sets, they would have all the actors to play out both these scenes.
I also agree this set should of included two Jawas for the price.
I do like the detailed engine build here, and pretty much every update from the windscreen back. However keeping the flex tubes or something equaling innovative not involving stickers for the front build would have been perfect.
Luke looks like a moldy Pop-Tart in that poncho.
I mean I appreciate the effort, but something went horribly wrong.
It seems that Lego used to make remakes of sets every 5 or more years. Now they're remaking designs every 3 or so years. I think that's a little too much. However, I do like this set and if it goes on sale I might consider getting it. I have the 2009 version, though. I am more looking forward to getting Obi-wan's hut!
@darkstonegrey said:
"Probably would have been more appropriate to include R2-D2 in this set and C-3PO in Obi-Wan's Hut given the choice of adversaries - the little cave harkens to the scene where R2-D2 hides from and ultimately becomes captured by the Jawas, and then there's the Tusken Raider surprising C-3PO causing him to tumble off the hill ridge before Obi-Wan shows up shortly thereafter.
R2 is included in Ben's hut because he projects the Leia hologram in that scene.
Why another Landspeeder? Thing is ridiculously overproduced. There are so many better models LEGO could make that would easily fit into this price range.
Love this set. Will be buying Obi Wan's hut soon to go with it. I really think LEGO need to release a UCS Landspeeder.
Isn't this, like, the 500th version of the Landspeeder? I feel like we see a new one of these every five minutes, you know, how often we see a new Milennium Falcon.
There are 11 movies, 4 shows, and a ton of books and comics, and Lego makes another landspeeder. There are so much untouched content to explore and yet they decide on another landspeeder. Seems very lazy to me.
@StarWarzFan7777 said:
" @darkstonegrey said:
"Probably would have been more appropriate to include R2-D2 in this set and C-3PO in Obi-Wan's Hut given the choice of adversaries - the little cave harkens to the scene where R2-D2 hides from and ultimately becomes captured by the Jawas, and then there's the Tusken Raider surprising C-3PO causing him to tumble off the hill ridge before Obi-Wan shows up shortly thereafter.
R2 is included in Ben's hut because he projects the Leia hologram in that scene."
Yes, that is a very good reason to include R2 in the hut. Having the adversaries included complicates things with the two builds as separate sets (not to mention duplicating Luke). All the more reason to have just made these two sets into one, or alternately lose the Jawa and only included two Tusken Raiders in this set.
Luke missing his hat is disappointing but I like the detail on the Landspeeder. Using stickers on the front is ridiculous, tho. I can't understand why TLG keeps coming up with sets including this craft. Hello! How about something else?
It is time for TLG to produce C-3PO with dual molded leg for his right leg
@8BrickMario said:
"I understand why there's no cape for the Jawa, since they don't actually have capes like that. More accurate robes would require their feet to be covered, like with a shorter version of the dress piece or a wraparound skirt."
Completely agree. The silhouette of LEGO’s jawas has always misrepresented them both with and without capes. They should be more like this: http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/AmperZand/Fantasy/jawa.jpg . LEGO will get them right eventually.
@8BrickMario said:
"I understand why there's no cape for the Jawa, since they don't actually have capes like that. More accurate robes would require their feet to be covered, like with a shorter version of the dress piece or a wraparound skirt."
I’d like to see LEGO tackle a kind of Kenner style molded enrobed lower body. It’s not like these legs are super articulated anyway. Besides, it could make for a unique deco piece.
"Why do they keep making landspeeders (or X-Wings, or Millennium Falcons, etc.)?" Um, maybe because... they sell?
The hood is too studdy, but it looks like a decent upgrade over the previous. Great job on the interior. Just not an interesting enough model for me, though.
I have always been pretty understanding of LEGO's need to have popular vehicles in circulation and remember being annoyed as a kid, for example, when I wanted a TIE Fighter but couldn't find one, but I do think this was a very quick rotation on the previous design and that if LEGO had waited another year or two people would be less surprised. I still have the 2008 edition and haven't had much desire to upgrade, though the 'new' orange shade (not new anymore lol) does look attractive. The new engine design is good but does look like it needs a little refining yet.
I’m not bothered.
I own 8092 Luke’s Landspeeder and it just looks the same. You get 5 minifigs- Old Ben, Luke, C3-PO, R2-D2 and a sand stormtrooper- and a smaller imperial search droid. You also get a small cargo space in the back.
A Jawa wasn’t the best choice and his den is a bit small and lacking detail. The poncho is a bit uncalled for.
The only thing that is better than the older version is the engine detail.
It isn’t worth the money.
Thanks for the review though!
I like the chairs in this speeder. They look comfy. :)
I've got the 2017 version and am absolutely happy with that. One more minifig as well.
But the new one is absolutely fitting for TLG's motto in recent years "less value for more money".
How could be with pouncho but without no goggled helmet? ;)
I wish they will do that someday but when could be except for this set?
Decent set, though I’m not really interested.
here it's apparently the same price as the previous one.
Other than the Poncho, is Luke unique?
@ronvining said:
"Other than the Poncho, is Luke unique? "
Yes. There are currently 47 different Luke’s and most only appear in one set, if not, a couple.
if you combine few of them, you can get the ideal version.
In ANH Luke wears that poncho after he sells his speeder and sees the falcon for the first time so not a deleted scene only poncho!!!! still want the hat n goggles tho!
Stickers are a huge step backwards. This set is a pass from me.
If i didn’t have two sandspeeders already, and a few tatooine Lukes i would buy this set in a heartbeat. It does feel odd we get C3-PO in this set, but it makes sense when you see the Obi One set. I really like the many tattooine sets.