Review: 75297 Resistance X-wing Starfighter
Posted by CapnRex101,
Star Wars vehicles traditionally comprise simple shapes which is superb for 4+ models, including 75297 Resistance X-wing Starfighter. This vessel features certain significant details, although the age recommendation has imposed unavoidable design restrictions.
Similar restrictions proved detrimental to 75325 X-wing Starfighter Trench Run during 2019 and the Resistance model integrates few changes when compared with that previous design. Poe Dameron certainly seems reasonable though.
Minifigures
Poe Dameron looks identical to the minifigure from 75149 Resistance X-wing Fighter, wearing his jacket and colourful helmet from the beginning of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. However, those components feature new part numbers on this occasion, presumably because they have not appeared since 2016. Both designs appear unchanged though, including great detail.
The dual-moulded helmet is especially impressive, featuring an intricate combination of black, blue, flame yellowish orange and dark bluish grey highlights. These correspond precisely with the onscreen helmet and the Aurebesh text, reading ROAEHAL, looks fantastic too, Moreover, the torso includes realistic creasing alongside accurate metallic silver highlights.
Poe's head has remained unchanged since this pilot was introduced during 2015, displaying cheerful and determined expressions which appear perfect. Unfortunately, no alternative hair piece is provided, although Poe does include a pearl silver blaster rifle. This bright colour has rarely been associated with members of the Resistance but works nicely here.
Of course, BB-8 frequently accompanies Poe Dameron during missions and the Astromech droid is accordingly included. The domed head received a minor update during 2019 and the photoreceptor is therefore slightly larger than it was originally, surrounded by intricate metallic silver and orange panels. Consistent detail continues around the body component.
The Completed Model
As their designations suggest, the T-70 X-wing Starfighter shares various similarities with the renowned T-65 variant which appeared during the Original Trilogy. 75297 Resistance X-wing Starfighter therefore appears extremely reminiscent of 75235 X-wing Starfighter Trench Run which was produced during 2019. In fact, the fuselage, cockpit and S-foil designs are almost completely unchanged from the previous model.
The colour scheme is quite different though, combining light bluish grey and blue which looks excellent when compared with the onscreen vehicle. The printed nose cone looks superb and two more printed elements are located along the fuselage, complementing the blue tiles which flank the cockpit. These stripes look perfect when compared with the source material.
Unfortunately, the cockpit represents an instance where simplification has gone too far, in my opinion. This canopy opens so provides immediate access to the minifigure which is welcome, although its rounded shape bears no resemblance to the original vessel. Admittedly, improving upon this design would probably necessitate an entirely new piece, given the small scale.
The scale has enabled the designer to include an exceptionally simple mechanism, including click hinges, which deploys the S-foils. The resulting design looks reasonable and these laser cannons are long enough to support the entire weight of this model, without needing a display stand. However, this wing configuration deviates from the T-70 X-wing, lacking an appropriate scissor action.
One important difference between this model and 75235 X-wing Starfighter Trench Run is the engine design, reflecting the variation between the onscreen craft. This example makes clever use of black wheel arches which have only appeared twice previously! These form an accurate circular shape when the wings are united and appear equally good when divided.
An identical combination of wheel arches is employed across the back, replacing appropriate engine nacelles. This is rather disappointing because the previous 4+ X-wing featured perfect wheel elements for that purpose. However, I certainly appreciate the addition of room for BB-8, despite the rudimentary design. 75235 X-wing Starfighter Trench Run lacked space for R2-D2.
Overall
75297 Resistance X-wing Starfighter includes an excellent Poe Dameron minifigure and BB-8 rarely appears in comparatively inexpensive sets. Otherwise, I am quite disappointed with this addition to the 4+ range. The model does capture some significant features of the T-70 X-wing but many are completely missing, including the distinctive wing structure and nose shape.
The colour scheme does seem reasonable and I like the front of the engines. Additionally, this model is extremely robust which is excellent for younger children, as the age recommendation indicates. However, its price of £17.99 or $19.99 feels expensive, even having taken the larger elements which routinely populate 4+ sets into account.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review represents an expression of my own opinions.
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39 comments on this article
Ah its a "hold your breath" type of spaceship is it? :P
It feels... incomplete.
Add a dab of yellow pieces, swap the canopy for a trans-yellow part and it could pass as a Classic Space follow-up. :-)
My son turns 4 early March and I think he'll love this. For one, he loves BB-8, but also he loves an X-Wing but finds my 75301 to be a bit unwieldy at times (and he's always breaking it, I don't mind, I get to build again). So I'll be adding this to 'his' portion of our LSW collection. Great review as always @CapnRex101
For some reason I feel that this model is intended for a different audience...
I find your lack of cockpit disturbing
I don't know how it can be $19.99 against 76158 Batboat The Penguin Pursuit + 76172 Spider-Man and Sandman Showdown for $9.99 + $9.99!
Or even just a 75268 Snowspeeder for $19.99.
Hey, @CapnRex101, when can we expect to see monkie kid reviews? I love the new wave!
I know this is a Star Wars set but this is what a re-imagined Classic Space set might look like.
Other than the open cockpit, I like the smaller more compact design. I think they'd be great in large Star Wars layouts.
@xboxtravis7992 said:
"Ah its a "hold your breath" type of spaceship is it? :P "
It's like those 3/4 scale replicas of WWII warbirds. If you squint a little, it looks the part, and it's much cheaper, but there's gonna be some limitations.
For the adults in the room: just call it a trainer model. Poe is either flying a mini-model for testing, or else it's a simulator at Resistance HQ.
Cheap(er) source of minifigs, anyway.
Oh, I can't unsee it, just like the new sw trilogy...
I really like what they did for the split circle engine intakes, but I have no idea why they replicated this on the rear. Couldn't they have just made engine exhausts out of wheel pieces like on the 2019 4+ X-wing?
@thatsaltyninja said:
"Hey, @CapnRex101, when can we expect to see monkie kid reviews? I love the new wave!"
Our MK reviews will commence shortly, so stay tuned!
I like the design, I liked the previous t65 as well and bought that, suppose I’d better get this as well!
It reminds me of my very first space set, vector detector! So I’m ok with the cockpit canopy design
for this set we need a DISLIKE button
I like the 4+ concept and bought many "juniorized" sets for my boys back in the day. Jack Stone was awesome! But the prices have gotten out of hand.
I get that this is not for adults and for 4 year old kids... but it's still crap. I was 5 when I got into Lego- I'd say "what is this- this ins't a very good X-wing!" More like 2+...
This doesn't look like much for $20 IMO.
@Daveismyhero said:
"This doesn't look like much for $20 IMO. "
Take a hard look at the Vidiyo beatboxes and then we'll talk again. ;-)
@Peter1999 said:
"I get that this is not for adults and for 4 year old kids... but it's still crap. I was 5 when I got into Lego- I'd say "what is this- this ins't a very good X-wing!" More like 2+..."
Actually, this looks almost exactly like the X-wings I tried to build when I was six or seven. I'll probably get it just for that reason!
@Daveismyhero said:
"This doesn't look like much for $20 IMO. "
Agree. Too expensive for 60 pieces. Better be $10-$15 max. Even the beatboxes have 70+ pieces each lol
I was only around four years old when I got 9493, and I was just fine building it. I understand that LEGO is trying to make products simpler for younger builders, and I respect that. But, I feel that this may be a bit too basic.
A price per piece of 33.3c!? This isn't even worth buying on eBay for half off.
Hard meh.
I actually like this. Not for me of course, but this is great for smaller kids. Good job lego
Because obviously smaller kids = crap model
LEGO, just give 4-year-olds a standard X-Wing. After all, isn’t the fun in the challenge of the build?
I know its for the 4+ line... but it's very drab and missing details.
Meh.
The simple design might be good for the 4+ model. However, it feels like it has just been a cheeped out version of an iconic ship. Would have been nicer if they molded the cockpit section with full windshield and then had the bricks assemble from there. Just my opinion.... : )
The ship uses Jimmy Neutron space travel rules.
This is the ugliest lego spaceship in a while, since that infamous freemaker adventures one.
It's weird to have a 4+ set for a PG-13 film
If you had not been given the title and didn't know that the wings moved you may have thought it was some sort of one man canoe with stabilizes for crossing the Atlantic. As others have said it does remind me of my first 4+ attempt at Star Wars spacecraft in the 1980's using 4-wide passenger plane parts before the official franchise began, so hopefully many a 4+ will have just as much fun.
@ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"For the adults in the room: just call it a trainer model. Poe is either flying a mini-model for testing, or else it's a simulator at Resistance HQ.
Cheap(er) source of minifigs, anyway."
Or it's the coin operated ride they let Poe play on, while the grown ups are talking
I unironicly want like 3 for pieces.
@AustinPowers said:
"Add a dab of yellow pieces, swap the canopy for a trans-yellow part and it could pass as a Classic Space follow-up. :-) "
That's exactly why I'm purchasing this. Make it a star wars- classic space mash up. I did the same thing with the micro fighters x-wing.
It's so strange how there is the whole Resistance and this is like the forth minifig Poe Dameron X-wing we get. We should also get some other pilots. And astromechs.
This really looks about right for my kiddos. After a taste of a polybag police helicopter over the weekend, I like that this passes as an X-wing and will be easy to quickly reassemble after being dropped, thrown, sat on, stepped upon, borrowed by toddler brother, etc., etc. The orange & black would have been splashier for sure but it's a good fit for 4+.