Review: 75274 TIE Fighter Pilot
Posted by CapnRex101,
Imperial Stormtroopers and Boba Fett are both undoubted icons within the Star Wars saga and their Helmet Collection counterparts are very appealing. TIE Fighter Pilots are less prominent during the Original Trilogy, although 75274 TIE Fighter Pilot looks marvellous.
The flexible breathing tubes appear impressive and I think the black colour scheme might help in disguising any potential shortcomings with this model, if necessary. However, the possible similarities between 75276 Stormtrooper and this helmet have elicited some concern among fans. Hopefully these interesting Imperial creations will prove more distinctive than expected.
The Completed Model
Each model from the Helmet Collection is constructed at the same scale, measuring 18cm in height. However, the TIE Fighter Pilot model is bulkier than its counterparts, thereby reflecting their onscreen sizes as these helmets should be comparatively large. Nevertheless, I think the three models look excellent when displayed together, especially given their varied colours.
Bright colours dominate the internal structure of this model, corresponding with other helmets from the collection. These are completely concealed once construction is complete and some unusual elements are found inside, including blue 1x1x1 2/3 bricks with studs on the side that only otherwise appear in 60244 Police Helicopter Transport from earlier this year.
Elegant plinths are provided with each helmet. This example corresponds predominantly with the other sets, although breathing tubes are connected around the display plaque. The design looks fantastic and I love how the tubes have been constructed, comprising train wheels which are arranged along flexible cables. The resultant texture seems extraordinarily accurate.
Assembly of the mouth grille and lenses is almost identical to 75276 Stormtrooper and I think this result appears equally impressive. I love the angular design across the front and the dark bluish grey grille certainly stands out among the black elements. Stickers are required at both ends which is unfortunate but the central parts are printed and applying these stickers is quite simple.
Despite their external similarities, 75274 TIE Fighter Pilot features significantly more exposed studs than 75276 Stormtrooper and these are distributed more widely. However, that design is effective in my opinion, particularly because the smooth ridge across the top seems even more pronounced when surrounded by visible studs.
The aforementioned studs become even more apparent when viewing the model from either flank and this is probably my least favourite section of the helmet. 4x4 curved corner tiles are placed here and they somewhat reflect the source material, although I think these could have been integrated more seamlessly. The light bluish grey highlights are accurate though.
Curved slopes continue the ridge which surrounds this helmet. Once again, these are clearly separated from the studded surfaces and the resulting shape appears exceptionally accurate. Moreover, I am impressed with the 2x2 tile located where the ridge terminates, corresponding with the onscreen helmets that include a similar elevated panel.
Imperial insignia decorate the TIE Fighter Pilot's helmet and these look absolutely wonderful. Each printed dish is securely connected using ball joints inside the model and they slot nicely into position between the angular panels. Furthermore, the metallic silver printing is extremely shiny, contrasting sharply with the black elements that otherwise dominate this menacing helmet.
Overall
Despite sharing similarities with 75276 Stormtrooper, 75274 TIE Fighter Pilot looks absolutely fantastic on display and is certainly a worthy addition to the Helmet Collection. I love the black colour scheme which contrasts with other models and assists in softening any edges that may otherwise appear excessively sharp. The metallic silver Imperial symbols look particularly nice as well.
However, my favourite aspect of this model is undoubtedly the unusual breathing tubes. They are ingeniously designed and closely resemble the source material, despite consisting entirely of past elements. I would therefore recommend this helmet and I feel more comfortable with its price of £54.99 or $59.99 than I have with the other sets, due primarily to its superior size.
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.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review is an expression of my own opinions.
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23 comments on this article
Should come with a warning not to be viewed from the side!
But apart from that what a cracker!
Love the printing on those dishes.
Nice, thorough review! Thanks for that.
It is an interesting topic regarding “stud exposure” though. I personally like seeing studs on display models. To me this shows that it is from the Lego brand that I love, which creates display models from a subject matter that I love as well.
Studs + display model = win
IMHO of course :)
Yup, only good one is Boba.
"Helmet collection" …….. seriously, what is everyone smoking? What next, a boot collection?
Very interesting building technique for the helmet vents! Would never have thought these are actually train wheels...
Cool set, but it still puzzles me that they did this over Darth Vader, the main villain of Empire
Best looking one of the bunch, so long as you ignore the sides
Definitely my favorite of the bunch, but holding out hope for a phase 1 clone
This question (and possible answer) may have been brought up before: Why do many LEGO sets utilize randomly colored elements in areas that are eventually concealed?
I wish that the eye parts were metallic dark grey
Of the 3 helmets, this one of the TIE Fighter Pilot is my favorite. Thanks for the review!
@Harken_X - Coloured elements can make the build process simpler are they are easier to spot in a pile. I'd also guess that availabilty of stock elements comes into it a little, but certainly in the build instructions the specific placement of parts can be identified easier. Might be less relevant on this particular build but I know it's made my life easier before when lining up studs etc.
This is what my father likes the most.
@aleydita said:
""Helmet collection" …….. seriously, what is everyone smoking? What next, a boot collection?"
These are some of the most recognizable icons in popular culture. Boots can't compare to something like a stormtrooper helmet.
Probably my favorite of the helmets, although I also really like the Boba Fett helmet. However, it does look pretty bad from the side.
Yeah , definitely don’t like the side view but overall pretty good.
My favorite and the only one I’ve purchase so far. I love the printed insignia. I like Boba’s helmet, but am holding out hope that the Mandalorian’s helmet may be released in the fall.
So, an +18 yrs old model for $60 which has stickers?
I thought the justification for stickers was to encourage children to rebuild and make new things with the same parts with the purpose of fostering creativity.
A model geared towards grownups doesn't meet that criteria (especially with the packaging and price point that has been determined).
Also, the mismatched interior pieces don't allow for much in the way of a cohesive re-engineering of what to portray.
Please know that I like the model (other than the stickers) and appreciate the concept/designs. I just don't the execution. Still, a really neat line for LEGO to release. Hoping for a Mando and some Rebel pilot helmets. Ooh, and an AT-AT driver!
@aleydita:
I think it was Gentle Giant that released a line of miniature helmets. These were highly-detailed, scale replicas, and generated a lot of positive buzz. I don't remember how many they did before the line ended, but I snagged the Boba Fett helmet. I wanted to pick up the Biker Scout as well, but I don't remember if they released one.
@The_Toniboeh:
Figure it this way. This wave you get a named villain and two goons. Vader will probably headline the next wave, and come with another pair of trooper helmets. There are only so many major baddies they can pull into this thing, so I'm sure they don't want to burn them all off right out of the gate.
@Harken_X:
I know of six distinct reasons why they do rainbow barf interiors. The first is that someone decided that making a set all one color is boring, and felt that it was important to offer some varied color even in sets that are fairly monochromatic on the outside. Second, they occasionally use multi-colored internals to make it easier to tell what goes where (like the red vs blue parts inside the BttF DeLorean which are used to indicate which end is the front and which is the rear). Third, set designers often hail from countries other than Denmark, so many of them like to sneak a "signature" in there by incorporating the colors of their national flag. And fourth (though I believe this is exclusive to SW sets), I learned from one of the Friends designers that if the SW design team manages to sneak a pink brick into any set, they all get cake (I'm not sure if the SW Brickheadz count, because they may have been developed by a different design team). Fifth and sixth are somewhat related, which are that some parts are being produced in a limited range of colors and it's easier to use one of those vs calling for that shape to be made in a new color, while other parts are color-locked and they don't have a choice in the matter.
Looking forward to building this, especially after the review. Waiting patiently to receive...
@aleydita said:
""Helmet collection" …….. seriously, what is everyone smoking? What next, a boot collection?"
Soooo.... Where's that dislike button?!? You got more dumb remarks like that?
These "unicorn vomit" pieces inside really hurt the eye. Fortunately they can't be seen once the helmet is complete.
Something which unfortunately can't be said for the new UCS Star Destroyer where quite a bit of the ghastly coloured interior structure is still visible on the completed model.
@AustinPowers said:
"These "unicorn vomit" pieces inside really hurt the eye. Fortunately they can't be seen once the helmet is complete.
Something which unfortunately can't be said for the new UCS Star Destroyer where quite a bit of the ghastly coloured interior structure is still visible on the completed model. "
Agreed. I understand why the colors are used, but when they’re visible they really hurt the model.