Review: 7127 Imperial AT-ST
Posted by CapnRex101,
LEGO Star Wars frequently revisits memorable subjects, allowing simple comparison to reveal how products have developed since 1999. 7127 Imperial AT-ST neatly illustrates these changes and demonstrates considerable variation from subsequent creations.
The welcome announcement of 75322 Hoth AT-ST presents an opportunity to examine LEGO's original AT-ST, produced during 2001. Two decades have passed between these designs and the developments are instantly identifiable.
Minifigure
The dedicated AT-ST Driver minifigure was introduced with 7657 AT-ST, released during 2007. Chewbacca therefore accompanies this vehicle instead, featuring the textured element which remained in use until 2013. The component includes excellent moulded detail and the metallic silver bandoleer looks good, continuing across the reverse.
However, the omission of decorated eyes is noticeable, especially since Chewbacca's nose is defined with a black highlight. Otherwise, the minifigure comprises brown elements, preceding the introduction of reddish brown during 2003. No accessories are provided which would seem unusual today, but was relatively common when LEGO Star Wars began.
The Completed Model
LEGO has produced six minifigure-scale renditions of Imperial AT-STs, including the upcoming 75322 Hoth AT-ST. This example is smaller than its successors, measuring 16cm in height. Nevertheless, the vehicle recreates several essential features of its onscreen counterpart, achieving an accurate stance and appropriate asymmetrical armament.
The footpads and legs appear simplified when compared with the source material, but their standard position seems reasonable and provides adequate stability. Unfortunately, brown and tan elements are employed extensively here, contrasting beside the surrounding grey shades. These colours reflect the environment on the Forest Moon of Endor, but more accurate tones would have been preferable.
Furthermore, the articulation is noticeably restricted as neither leg can be adjusted as though stepping forwards. However, they are connected using Technic beams, which enables a basic walking motion. While the visibility of these Technic parts is disappointing, the resulting function works nicely and is arguably more realistic than the exaggerated movement of the AT-ST from 8038 The Battle of Endor.
The function is enjoyable, but prevents the cockpit module from turning. However, the weapons are adjustable and their different designs correspond with the original vehicle, including blaster cannons, light laser cannons and a grenade launcher. The viewports also look excellent, while the colours outside the cockpit are appealing and improve upon the legs.
Three decorated elements are fixed across the exterior, depicting cooling fans and the access hatch. These provide splendid detail, although viewing the walker from behind reveals its most noticeable flaw as the engine housing is missing. The proportions therefore seem odd, although including the walking function was evidently considered more valuable for play.
Even though the printed access hatch cannot open, seating Chewbacca inside the cockpit is easy. The rear opens in two sections, as demonstrated below. Various colourful elements are present inside, but they are completely hidden from the exterior. Moreover, a detailed screen is situated above the driver, showing another AT-ST within the targeting reticle.
Overall
Despite lacking the detail and authenticity which distinguishes modern LEGO Star Wars sets, classic designs are consistently charming. 7127 Imperial AT-ST certainly presents that charm and integrates various features which exemplify models released during this period, including relatively simplistic construction techniques and decidedly unusual colour choices!
Those outlandish colours and design inaccuracies are indisputable weaknesses, by modern standards. However, they also encapsulate how sensibilities have developed as past models routinely prioritised function and value above accurate detail, hence the set cost only £8.99 or $9.99 when originally available! 7127 Imperial AT-ST was therefore an enjoyable set during 2001 and remains appealing today, for different reasons.
Our review of 75322 Hoth AT-ST will include a comparison between Imperial AT-ST models, published next month.
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60 comments on this article
Thank you for this throwback tuesday review. It's fun to look back this way.
Behold the AT-AT I built during the 80s...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/threedadventures/39738799325/in/dateposted/
I love these retro reviews! Please keep them coming :D I'd love to see one for Harry Potter, or other themes as well. The pictures you provide of these old sets are very valuable, as the available photos at this point are usually limited to the front of the box or instructions.
Someone said the walking mechanism is identical to that of 4940 The Granite Grinder, right? Only except the latter used two thin beams of different colors for aesthetic purposes.
When I bought this set in 2001, I was amazed at the articulation they were able to achieve. My feeble attempts at building mechs during the 80s and early 90s paled compared to this, even as simple as it is.
@benredstar said:
"Behold the AT-AT I built during the 80s...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/threedadventures/39738799325/in/dateposted/"
That is OUTSTANDING.
I loved this set as a kid. It may not be all slick and sophisticated like the modern AT-STs, but it's instantly recognisable and incorporates every play feature you could really want. It's impressive how much was achieved with so few pieces!
This AT-ST stepped in bantha poodoo.
Amazing how this still has better walking simulation than the chicken walkers we get nowadays.
Ha! I thought this was one of the newer simplified line and was going to say it sure looks like it was designed around 2001... I must be losing my touch--the 7xxx series set number really should have clued me in.
@benredstar said:
"Behold the AT-AT I built during the 80s...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/threedadventures/39738799325/in/dateposted/"
I love that.
@benredstar said:
"Behold the AT-AT I built during the 80s...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/threedadventures/39738799325/in/dateposted/"
The legs actually look great!
Early SW sets are hideous by today standards but that fact that Lego was able to accomplish them with the piece molds that were available at the time and in the era where they didn't release dozens of new molds every year, is a testament to their success.
Cool. While I already had this set just got another unboxed one in a recent lot :)
Shooks! I thought it's a new set.
I can remember that one vividly! I was so disappointed with the official one, I made this the same year: https://brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=29318
I find it so interesting that the shuffling little walking motion of this set, which was used in all sorts of sets back in the late '90s/early '00s, has pretty much completely vanished in modern sets. A lot of "gimmicks" that disappear from sets do so because they required dedicated parts that are no longer produced, but in this case, the function just uses common parts—I suppose the only reason it no longer appears is that it's a little bit underwhelming, especially compared to modern forms of articulation.
I picked this up as soon as I saw it and even had it sitting on my desk at work. Everyone instantly knew what it was.
It was a great conversation starter.
@benredstar said:
"Behold the AT-AT I built during the 80s...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/threedadventures/39738799325/in/dateposted/"
Parts list for Bricklink please!
I bought this when it came out and I absolutely appreciated the low cost. A lot can be forgiven in a set when you're poor and the cost is only $10.
I love these classic reviews! Please bring More.
Ah, my own AT-ST. It might not be as accurate as modern ones, but it's so charming and such a quaint build :)
My beloved! This is one of my all-time favorite sets from my childhood.
The classic Chewbacca mold in the old brown is still the superior version of Chewbacca in my opinion. The printed eyes and mouth and the fur gives a bit of an uncanny feeling to me. This version is Chewbacca to me, he can't even be Reddish Brown, it absolutely must be the classic Brown.
This AT-ST is wonderful. No, it's not accurate, but the playability with the shuffling motion is something that is so much fun. You can rotate the blasters, you can easily place the figure inside, and the AT-ST in the sights on that inverted slope is fantastic. It's just one of the best things to have when you're 5.
I love this set, and I defy anyone who does not own a copy that besmirch it.
My Most Wanted Star Wars set for so long when I was a kid! Never did get it, either... and eventually I got a Chewie minifigure in 7260, so my interest in hunting down this set petered out until after I emerged from my 'dark age'.
I don't care what anyone says about it, this is the only Lego AT-ST I want to own! Sure, the others are more detailed and more accurate, but the charm of this rendition... and Chewbacca being the driver is absolutely *essential*, in my book.
...though I admit, it does probably help that I saw this set when I was just poking at the Star Wars fandom, but before I watched any of the movies, so I had no frame of reference other than THIS LOOKS COOL and CHEWBACCA. And then RotJ was the first Star Wars movie I ever watched, firmly cementing everything related to it, as much as existed at the time, to a permanent spot in my Lego favourites.
@Lyichir said:
"I find it so interesting that the shuffling little walking motion of this set, which was used in all sorts of sets back in the late '90s/early '00s, has pretty much completely vanished in modern sets. "
I recognized the movement from an earlier 1999 set, 4940 indeed! Are there more?
@peterlmorris said:
"I picked this up as soon as I saw it and even had it sitting on my desk at work. Everyone instantly knew what it was. It was a great conversation starter. "
Try 75313 (if your desk is big enough)
No mention of building this and then destroying Mos Eisley in the game?
@Potters said:
" @Lyichir said:
"I find it so interesting that the shuffling little walking motion of this set, which was used in all sorts of sets back in the late '90s/early '00s, has pretty much completely vanished in modern sets. "
I recognized the movement from an earlier 1999 set, 4940 indeed! Are there more?
@peterlmorris said:
"I picked this up as soon as I saw it and even had it sitting on my desk at work. Everyone instantly knew what it was. It was a great conversation starter. "
Try 75313 (if your desk is big enough)"
6882 Walking Astro Grappler is the first. 6878, 5151, 2152, 6876, 6940 came after.
@Potters said:
" @Lyichir said:
"I find it so interesting that the shuffling little walking motion of this set, which was used in all sorts of sets back in the late '90s/early '00s, has pretty much completely vanished in modern sets. "
I recognized the movement from an earlier 1999 set, 4940 indeed! Are there more?"
2151 and 2152 spring to mind as examples from my own childhood, but there were also some much earlier sets like 6876, 6878, 6882, and 6940 (a rare four-legged example) that had a similar function built with System plates and turntables instead of Technic beams.
There is at least one LATER set that has this same shuffling feature: 4789 from LEGO Alpha Team. But later two-legged mechs and walkers have mostly opted for individually articulated limbs instead of functions like this one. And even other mechanical walking functions in subsequent years typically opted for a mechanism that allows the legs to raise and lower, as opposed to just sliding back and forth.
I got this set along with a bunch of other small SW sets during a trip to Montreal and later made a YouTube video of the haul. This one I remember was a nice build; I really liked seeing the retired parts and colours in it.
I loved this set as a kid. Only thing that bothered me was that it didnt include an imperial. Very few of those in the early star wars sets.
@benredstar said:
"Behold the AT-AT I built during the 80s...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/threedadventures/39738799325/in/dateposted/"
Has not every child tried to build an AT-AT at some point?
@Darth_Mule said:
" @benredstar said:
"Behold the AT-AT I built during the 80s...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/threedadventures/39738799325/in/dateposted/ "
Has not every child tried to build an AT-AT at some point?"
Indeed. Unfortunately I never took a picture of mine (I rarely took pictures of my creations - remember, film was expensive back then, and with only 24 pictures per roll one tended to be very careful what subject to choose), and the parts have been repurposed decades ago. But still, it looked quite similar to the one by @benredstar .
@Norikins said:
"No mention of building this and then destroying Mos Eisley in the game?"
I think that one was completely gray; more in line with the 2007 version.
@Potters said:
" @peterlmorris said:
"I picked this up as soon as I saw it and even had it sitting on my desk at work. Everyone instantly knew what it was. It was a great conversation starter. "
Try 75313 (if your desk is big enough)"
Oh I got laid off from that job in early February of 2002. That AT-ST has moved I don’t even know how many times since. I should dig out the parts and rebuild it.
@RaiderOfTheLostBrick said:
" @Norikins said:
"No mention of building this and then destroying Mos Eisley in the game?"
I think that one was completely gray; more in line with the 2007 version."
Yes, it was this exact set with the colors corrected.
@mr_Fikou said:
"Amazing how this still has better walking simulation than the chicken walkers we get nowadays."
Looks more fun to play with as well.
@Norikins said:
" @RaiderOfTheLostBrick said:
" @Norikins said:
"No mention of building this and then destroying Mos Eisley in the game?"
I think that one was completely gray; more in line with the 2007 version."
Yes, it was this exact set with the colors corrected. "
Nah it had totally different legs. Very similar head though.
I miss classic star wars sets. They're not meant to be collector's scale models, they're toys. They capture the AT-ST's essence, while providing plenty of cool bricks to make your own creations. I love the modern sets too, but unless you like grey plates they're quite limited.
I added a 1 x 1 plate to each foot to make the minifigure taller. Looks better.
@Lyichir:
It could be as simple as personnel changes. As older designers get reassigned, move on to new jobs, or retire, they take their personal design aesthetic with them. New designers hired to replace them are likewise bound to come with new ideas for how things should work. Maybe there was one designer who really championed the shuffle-walk feature, and they got replaced by someone who values screen accuracy more.
@Darth_Mule: I didn't. But then I didn't actually watch the trilogy until Lego SW came out, by which time I was an adult.
I'm surprised no-one's mentioned the main draw of this set, Cheap Chewbacca! Considering the only other way to get him at the time was in 7190. (Well, and 3342, but that wasn't in any stores near where I live, and as far as I know had a generally narrower distribution.)
Great review, although I own the original Lego AT-ST 6882.
This...needs two HUGE logs on its sides, and faaaast...my Dad loved that scene...
@PurpleDave :
Your assessment of 'personnel changes' isn't wrong, but other reasons for...well 're-sets' (sorry, couldn't resist :)) is newer parts and better part usage. I mean look at say: Ninjago's 'Boulder Blaster'. The original one is outright primitive compared to the new 'Legacy' (although Jay's original 'Storm Fighter' is still 'Gold Standard' in my eyes:)). Same w/Star Wars: I have the original Speeder Bike set, they pale compared to this one...
Damn I have the parts somewhere just give me a year to find them.
First x-wing or droid fighter next?
I wonder why this set has no any Ewok minifigures.
I still have mine. What a mission in 2004 it was to pick this one up.
70351 uses a similar technique to open the wings, and Nexo Knights in general always struck me as a homage to 80s CS. In terms of set designers Mark Stafford seems to take the 80s building methods and modernise them, so I wasn’t surprised that wasn’t one of his.
This set has aged very well. If it would be on shelves right now I would very tempted to buy it even though I am not a big SW fan.
The head design of this AT-ST was also used as the basis for the model that appeared in the 2006/07 video game, although the legs were different.
@benredstar said:
"Behold the AT-AT I built during the 80s...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/threedadventures/39738799325/in/dateposted/"
I think we were all dreaming Star Wars when we got those space models. I bet some of the designers were too.
@TheOtherMike:
At the time, it was certainly significant, but as time passed, he became far more ubiquitous, and has probably had less variants than even R2 and 3PO (brown, reddish-brown, Newbacca, Old Newbacca, Christmas, and now Frosted makes only six that I’m aware of). At this point, it’s not really something anyone thinks about. Even the Frosted Chewbacca is going to loss some luster for anyone who wants to army-build the new AT-ST.
Compare him to Leia, who was also exclusive to 7190, and whose minifig was fetching $100 prices at one point because she did not appear in a second set until three years later (4480, 10123), she didn’t appear in a second (barely) sub-$50 set until three years after that (6212), and she wasn’t really inexpensive to obtain until three years after that when she appeared in her first magnet set (852552), and a year after that was the first time her iconic outfit that she wore for most of Ep4 was available in anything sub-$99.99, which was, again, a magnet set (852843). And I’m not sure those last two count, because I can’t recall when they started gluing the legs to the magnet bricks. Her first Ep4 minifig to appear in a regular retail set (albeit the ceremonial gown from the awards ceremony...with a blaster rifle) that came in (again, barely) sub-$50 was 12 years after her first appearance (9495), and her first truly affordable regular retail appearance in that iconic white gown wasn’t until two years ago (75229), 20 years after the theme started.
In that time, several of her many outfits have made but a single appearance (Padmé is even worse, as she probably had even more outfits, and many of them have yet to appear in minifig form). And in that time, most serious LSW collectors have accumulated a box full of Chewbacca minifigs. The average price of his appearances is probably under $100, while hers is likely closer to $150. So, no, this being a cheap alternative for a Chewbacca minifig that’s old enough to drink isn’t really something that gets much attention these days.
@brick_r:
Yeah, new parts do have an impact on how things are built, as is evident with the evolution of the X-Wing across several only slightly different variants, culminating in the X-mas Wing (the current version looks like a complete redesign). As new parts were introduced, the basic X-Wing design would be tweaked where they could improve it. But play features are more generational. Nobody could incorporate flick-fire missiles until the parts were created. Same for stud-shooters. And designers who like those will probably strive to include them in as many sets as they can justify. When they go away, it either means the designs have been retired and nobody can use them, or the designers no longer want to use them. This could be due to someone leaving the design team, and anyone who’s left not favoring those features, or it could be that the designer who used to include them finding something new that they prefer.
Look back over the entire run of Space themes. The separating vehicle function originated with Classic Space, peaked with Blacktron and Super “B” Blacktron Cadet/Target Corps, and still popped up periodically through most subsequent Space themes. This shuffle function dates back to the early days of Space themes, too, and pretty much ended with the early days of Star Wars (which feel more like the old Space themes than modern Star Wars sets). The parts still exist, and no replacement function has been introduced. We know they’ve been hiring from the AFOL community over the last two decades, and I kinda have a feeling that the shuffle fan retired. It’s been about four decades since the first shuffle Space set debuted, so anyone who was designing sets for the company back then would be approaching 60, at the youngest.
@Givememorebricks:
Short legs were introduced with the first Yoda and Ewok minifigs in 2002, which is why 1st Year Harry Potter students we’re all full-grown adults. 2002 is also the year Ep2 premiered, so we can probably chalk the introduction of short legs up to Yoda’s duel with Count Dooku (can’t make a set based on their right if you can’t make minifigs of both characters).
I have a soft spot in my heart for the AT-ST design that was in Lego Star Wars II and The Complete Saga. That one actually used the head of this version, but it had entirely different legs that were never released as part of an actual set. It was a really nice update of this model and one I wish we'd gotten in brick form.
I may have to see if I can reverse-engineer it myself. Would make a nice addition to my AT-ST collection.
Yes, the colors a bit awkward but I'm happy with what I got and I've never thought about getting any of the updated versions.
The screen is a printed inverted slope, exclusive to this set!
This is a sentimental set for me. It has that charm of being simply designed but functional and fun to play with. One of my personal favorite nostalgia sets
"Lego Star Wars frequently revisits memorable subjects." Like the flash speeder that we saw the back of for 3 seconds, the imperial landing craft that was in the background of the special edition for 3 seconds, Luke's Landspeeder nobody cares about...
I own this guy, it might be all over my collection but it is there.
@HBBGDFJMOUQUDUY:
Luke’s landspeeder had a lot of fans back in the day because, for a few years, it was the most affordable canon vehicle Kenner produced. The dropship, likewise, was the first new vehicle to appear on the big screen in 14 years, so it garnered a lot of interest early on. The Flash Speeder, which I think appears at least twice (when the Jedi encounter the Theed forces for the first time, and sometime around when the Theed forces meet the Gungans), is always gone in its own name, though, so I’m thinking that has to do with the fact that it’s not-grey.
@PurpleDave said:
" @HBBGDFJMOUQUDUY :
The Flash Speeder [...] I’m thinking that has to do with the fact that it’s not-grey.
"
Yet the coruscant car chase in AOTC is a prominent part of the movie with infinitely more interesting designs and colors, and it's only had one release when the movie first launched 20 years ago.
@HBBGDFJMOUQUDUY:
Yeah, I don’t understand why those, and Jango’s Slave I, have never been repeated. Those sets are old enough to vote, and nearly old enough to drink. It’s not like they don’t have ideas for how to build a better version of Jango’s ship, since they’ve made several new versions of Boba’s over the past 19 years. And given how detailed other stuff is, I think they could do a much better job on Zam’s speeder (one where the cockpit canopy works as designed, maybe).
My guess is they figure there’s no point in making Slave I in Jango’s color scheme if it’ll appeal to more customers with Boba’s design. And the Coruscant speeder chase probably loses out to the Flash Speeder because the latter is armed and can be army-built, where the speeder chase involved two unique civilian vehicles.
Then again, the Twin-Pod Cloud Car is from Ep5 (widely considered to be the best of the SW films), it’s colorful, it’s (lightly) armed, and it can be army-built. And it got one minifig-scale set way back in the day.