Review: 75265 T-16 Skyhopper vs. Bantha Microfighters
Posted by CapnRex101,
Many strange creatures populate the Star Wars universe, although reasonably few are available across the LEGO range. Banthas are particularly prominent throughout the entire saga but have been conspicuously omitted from previous Star Wars sets, unfortunately.
75265 T-16 Skyhopper vs. Bantha Microfighters rectifies that omission, albeit falling short of true minifigure-scale. Nevertheless, I anticipate this set proving extremely popular and the bantha definitely looks good. The accompanying T-16 Skyhopper seems impressive too, including the essential features of its source material.
Minifigures
Each previous rendition of this nimble airspeeder has included a T-16 Skyhopper Pilot and 75265 T-16 Skyhopper vs. Bantha Microfighters continues that tradition. This minifigure is exclusive, sporting a detailed dark red uniform with a dark bluish grey flight harness. The contrasting metallic silver buckles look brilliant and I like the subtle creasing which is visible on the reverse.
Unfortunately, the legs lack decoration but this helmet features an attractive design, taking inspiration from the helmet worn by Luke Skywalker during his lightsaber training aboard the Millennium Falcon. I appreciate the tinted visor which is printed across one side of the head while the other displays a smile. This character is not based directly upon an onscreen character but resembles the earlier figure from 75081 T-16 Skyhopper.
Tusken Raider minifigures have appeared in several earlier sets but this example is only otherwise available with 75270 Obi-Wan's Hut. The head component includes fantastic textured detail, featuring dark tan bandages and moulded spines. I am similarly impressed with the metallic silver breathing filter and circular lenses which correspond with the movies.
However, this Tusken Raider does not wear a moisture trap around its neck, thereby differing from previous minifigures. The bandoleer has also been updated and seems more faithful to the primitive creatures from the Prequel Trilogy than those featured during Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Furthermore, authentic creasing decorates this entire figure and it carries a deadly gaderffi into combat.
The Completed Model
Despite appearing relatively briefly onscreen, the angular shape of the T-16 Skyhopper is well known. This design looks excellent, faithfully replicating the smooth transition between the dorsal airfoil structure and its flanking wings. The building techniques also seem familiar as 75265 T-16 Skyhopper was reliant upon Technic beams passing through its centre, much like this miniaturised Microfighter.
Several different weapons are fixed to this model, corresponding with the onscreen vehicle which is heavily armed. These include an enormous laser cannon alongside two pneumatic cannons. The stud shooters have been integrated effectively but I think the cockpit appears slightly awkward. No controls are provided and the distinctive windows are missing, although such compromises are inevitable when reducing the scale of a vessel to this extent.
The triangular wing structure appears perfectly accurate though, making excellent use of light bluish grey flags which form the fuselage. The red highlights are marvellous too and I like the trans-pink ion engine. However, numerous Technic elements are visible when this vessel is viewed from behind and the blue components seem particularly obtrusive so concealing those would improve the model.
While the T-16 Skyhopper is appealing, the new bantha is undoubtedly the highlight of this twin pack. Recreating the hairy texture of these creatures must have been challenging but I like how 1x2 angled curved slopes have been integrated along either flank. This model appears smaller than the onscreen banthas when placed beside minifigures, befitting a Microfighter. Nevertheless, it could easily represent a juvenile animal and the Tusken Raider looks reasonable when riding the bantha.
Curled horns are among the bantha's distinguishing characteristics and textured horn elements seek to replicate them here. Unfortunately, the blue pins which link these horns to the head look totally out of place. The dark tan lips also appear slightly awkward but I am pleased with the printed eyes, returning from 75228 Escape Pod vs. Dewback Microfighters which complements this set.
Dark brown, reddish brown and medium nougat elements have been combined to generate shaggy bantha hair. The result seems quite effective across the body and the contrasting saddle looks great too, offering storage for the gaffi stick. Each leg is fixed in place while the tail and head are both articulated. I think the ball joint which connects the head to the body could have been hidden more tidily, although that may have reduced its range of motion so this design feels appropriate in my opinion.
Overall
75265 T-16 Skyhopper vs. Bantha Microfighters has exceeded my expectations, due primarily to the excellent design of the T-16 Skyhopper which was overshadowed by the bantha upon initial inspection. Both models include wonderful detail and are suitably balanced between authenticity and exaggerated Microfighter proportions. I am particularly impressed with the triangular shaping of the airspeeder.
The bantha looks excellent too, capturing the dense hair of these animals with remarkably accuracy. I am not completely satisfied with the design of its head, although improving that would risk introducing other issues. The accompanying minifigures are perfect though and I think the price of £17.99 or $19.99 feels reasonable, yielding an enjoyable addition to the enduring Microfighters range.
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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22 comments on this article
Getting this for the juvenile Bantha and a new T-16 for display.
@CapnRex101 "Despite appearing relatively briefly onscreen"
No kidding. It's in a back area of the garage hut where Luke services the droids (and then again in a flypast at the end of the Return of the Jedi extended edition).
Still a great set, though I prefer the full-size one myself.
Best set of this year's Star Wars line up so far, just because of the Bantha.
No banter. Bantha rocks!
What happend to the new helmet introduced in 75218. Never showed up again. It‘s fine for me. But: Why?
For £17.99 I would have thought they could have managed leg printing on the T-16 pilot.
When is LEGO going to start making various technic pins in less obtrusive colors? Come on folks, you’re the biggest you maker in the world. I’m sure you can afford the process.
The number of great models marred by glaringly obvious blue or tan pins isn’t insignificant.
I want that Bantha, he can frolick with my Dewback :)
Anyone for a UCS Bantha?
I'd rather have technic pins in just one color each than each pin in many colors. It can be hard to tell what's needed for a step when sometimes the printed colors are a bit "off": is that black or dark grey?
I think LEGO pins remain standardized in color so they can mass produce the same plastic/stiffness and easier to sort.
Heard that's the case for those mixel balljoints as well.
I was hesitant about this set, because if I buy it it would be just for the first Lego official rendition of a Bantha, canon amidst the canon to me. Your in depth and good review has convinced me. Will be ordered with next bigger set (new Poe's X-wing). Such mind turns often occurred with Jangbrick's video reviews to me... hope to see him cope with all his changes and concerns and come back soon.
Lovely review!
Just a quick heads-up, LEGO: if you'd released the dewback and bantha as individual sets, I would have bought as many of each as I did of Benny's Space Squad.
Will get it for the Bantha and the Tusken.
@TeriXeri said:
"I think LEGO pins remain standardized in color so they can mass produce the same plastic/stiffness and easier to sort.
Heard that's the case for those mixel balljoints as well."
Yep, apparently the ball joints have VERY tight tolerances. Like, some of the tightest of all Lego pieces. The plastic colours all behave slightly differently as they age, and that might be enough to through off the tolerances over time, so Lego just produces them in neutral grey. It's not ideal in some cases, but reengineering them for a bunch of different colors is almost certainly not worth it.
21 years for Lego to make an iconic Star Wars beast, out of Lego bricks, and charge money for people who want nothing more than to buy brick built Star Wars things with money.
It's as though they never thought of this before.
We need a UCS Bantha now that they realize it is popular.
@Khanivor said:
"When is LEGO going to start making various technic pins in less obtrusive colors? Come on folks, you’re the biggest you maker in the world. I’m sure you can afford the process.
The number of great models marred by glaringly obvious blue or tan pins isn’t insignificant. "
I could not agree more. It is beyond ridiculous.
Yes, why not make all the blue technic pins light bluish gray ("again")?
And give the Bantha a regular tan snout for supplying parts in different colours for once's sake.
Great set!
The T-16, when shrunk down, looks a lot like a Classic Space set (in gray, no less!)
Will buy.
And just think, LEGO could had gotten away with throwing a cloth tarp over a DUPLO elephant and called it a Bantha, just like George Lucas did. Very cool set, going to pick this one up.
@brup77 said:
"What happend to the new helmet introduced in 75218. Never showed up again. It‘s fine for me. But: Why?"
Shhhhhh!!!!! I'm hoping Lego has forgotten about them. Don't remind them!