Review: 10026 Special Edition Naboo Starfighter
Posted by CapnRex101,
This article includes information about The Book of Boba Fett episode five.
10026 Special Edition Naboo Starfighter seems decidedly unusual within the Ultimate Collector Series. Beyond including remarkably few pieces, vehicles chosen for this range are usually more acclaimed than the beautiful Naboo Starfighter.
However, this graceful starfighter has now returned to the spotlight, replacing the destroyed Razor Crest as Din Djarin's chosen vehicle! That presents the perfect opportunity to examine this outstanding model, which was released during 2002 and remains consistently influential.
Summary
10026 Special Edition Naboo Starfighter, 187 pieces.
Buy at LEGO.com »
This model set the standard for N-1 Starfighters and arguably remains unsurpassed!
- Accurate shaping
- Beautiful chrome elements
- Substantial improvement over 1999 design
- Heavy reliance upon stickers
The Completed Model
N-1 Starfighters prioritise beauty, distinguishing these ceremonial vessels from more utilitarian examples while reflecting the culture of Naboo. Fortunately, this display model also prioritises beauty and undoubtedly succeeds, capturing the flowing bodywork and elegance associated with the source material. Of course, the chrome finish is extremely helpful!
Ultimate Collector Series vehicles traditionally benefit from increasing the scale and therefore including greater detail than their minifigure-scale equivalents. However, this model measures 39cm in length, only narrowly surpassing subsequent renditions. The display stand associated with this enduring series is provided though.
This presentation stand includes the requisite information plaque, displaying specifications for the vehicle. Moreover, the sticker covers several tiles which was common until 2010, although this example is noticeably smaller than others. However, I appreciate the consistency between display stands and plaques throughout the Ultimate Collector Series.
Unfortunately, several dark grey elements are distributed among the black. They seem rather strange, especially considering the Technic lever arm assembly at the centre. These elements most commonly appeared in BIONICLE sets during 2002 and 2003, but provide ample stability and multiple display options here. As shown above, the Naboo Starfighter can be positioned in different ways to create the impression of motion.
Without the display stand, the aforementioned chrome parts are the only feature immediately distinguishing this LEGO Naboo Starfighter from others. The colour scheme of chrome silver and yellow corresponds precisely with the movie, while the proportions also appear accurate. Furthermore, this model includes brilliant flared bodywork beside the cockpit, which has been missing from later designs.
7141 Naboo Fighter was released during 1999, only three years before 10026 Special Edition Naboo Starfighter. Nevertheless, the difference between them is astounding, partially because the 2002 model was among the first to include both 2x6 curved wedge slopes and 3x10 curved wedge slopes. These elements are integral to authentic curvature and have appeared on each subsequent minifigure-scale N-1 Starfighter.
Only twelve chrome silver parts are actually included, faithfully recreating the onscreen craft's colour combination of yellow and silver. Scattered light grey elements are visible and those around the nose appear somewhat awkward, but they are inevitably overshadowed by the surrounding chrome. This colour continues onto the engine nacelles, accurately interrupted by two yellow rings.
The underside lacks a chrome finish, but does include additional elements introduced during 2002. The central 6x8x2 inverted shell appears particularly effective and includes the fighter's distinctive single proton torpedo tube, represented by a sticker. Otherwise, the underside of the fuselage and engine stanchions seems suitably smooth.
Unfortunately, the model requires fourteen stickers in total, which is a considerable number relative to its size. The decoration looks marvellous though, including accurate laser cannon grooves and Futhark script beside the cockpit. By contrast, the cockpit comprises two printed elements with a metallic silver finish. These were arguably unnecessary, but look nice!
Given the scale of this starfighter, it is perhaps surprising that the designers decided against including minifigures or an interactive cockpit. That was definitely a good decision though, as accommodating a pilot or complete Astromech droid would compromise the exterior shape. In fact, I think new N-1 Starfighters should integrate the same technique for the Astromech droid, perhaps storing the body elsewhere in the fuselage.
Overall
10026 Special Edition Naboo Starfighter completely deserves its position within the Ultimate Collector Series, despite defying expectations for such products! This model looks absolutely spectacular on display and includes those vital chrome silver components, which are relatively few but exceptionally important to the appearance of the Naboo N-1 Starfighter.
Furthermore, the diverse selection of wedge slopes introduced here ensures that subsequent Naboo Starfighters closely resemble this model, which I believe remains the definitive version. The set was notoriously expensive when originally sold, costing $39.99, but examples in great condition today rarely appear for below $400. Nevertheless, I consider this an impressive and delightfully odd addition to the Ultimate Collector Series!
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66 comments on this article
For a second there, I thought this was a brand-new model - so the inclusion of reddish grey sure did throw me.
I do love those chrome plates, that just looks luxurious.
I know some people like larger UCS sets, but I hope that Lego does more things like this in the future. These types of models are a lot easier to afford and store, which makes them ideal for anyone who doesn't have the money or space for a product with thousands of parts.
Although the real trick at the time was to get hold of 3 of these and build a chrome 918 with the wings...
Ah yes, one of several sets I regret selling...
Luckily have this & seem to remember there being a delay in releasing it due to an issue with the chrome plating not meeting standards. Seriously good investment mind!
let's hope for an updated version this year. The Din Djarin version!
Definitely the odd ball in the UCS world, but for it's time, this was a nice set and those chrome pieces were well done. I sold mine on my BL store, but I would anticipate Lego releasing a revision based on Mando's new ride.
Still have mine, and I just pulled it out of the garage. I did make a point of gutting my cockpit and swapping out a few parts so it could hold a minifigure.
The only thing I hate is that it really shows the limitations of the parts that were available in 2002. The Naboo Starfighter is very sleek and the blocky nature of Lego, even with the curvier parts included here, still don't quite capture the shape. Are there any modern, post-2002 parts in yellow which might better capture this thing?
Distinctly remember not buying this one when I had the chance. Seriously regret it now. Chrome is one of the things I miss most from the 90s.
Mind you, with the amount of drum-lacquered bricks in some sets lately, I think we're long overdue a new shiny N1.
Also: wow, 7141 does not look good these days. Great printed console in the cockpit though.
@Romans122 said:
"I know some people like larger UCS sets, but I hope that Lego does more things like this in the future. These types of models are a lot easier to afford and store, which makes them ideal for anyone who doesn't have the money or space for a product with thousands of parts.
"
It took a reread to see that this set is 20 years old. I agree with you that bigger isn't better, just more expensive. If anything, I admire the artistry and plain cleverness of smaller builds vs "brute force" solutions engendered by a scale at which you can get every last detail down to the greeble, which feels less like Lego and more like 3D printing.
At any rate, I hope TLG is paying attention to real estate prices and realizing that even for more affluent Lego fans, there's a tradeoff between more house and more Lego. And the ability of more people to buy more house to house their Lego is not something they want to test, I don't think!
I'd like to see a redo of the N-1 for the UCS Series. It's one of my favorite starfighters from the Star Wars universe, along with the A-Wing and the Jedi Delta Starfighter (Episode II).
This is the one that got away when I was a kid -
What do you want for Christmas?
The new Lego Naboo starfighter!
You already have a Naboo fighter made out of Lego.
Yes, but this one is better!
Off topic, but I was not fond of the episode referenced. I love The Mandalorian, but I was under the impression I was supposed to be watching a (still excellent mind you) series about Boba Fett.
It just felt out of place. If it had been an episode of The Mandalorian, I would have loved it.
By the way: if you look at photos of an astromech in an N-1, it's physically impossible for it to be in there, because the "neck" where it sits can't accommodate the shouders/legs of the droid. Artists' cutaways of the N-1 show that the droid's body sits much lower, and its head is literally pulled up to the neck behind the cockpit.
So yeah, either storing the body elsewhere or just putting it aside is consistent with the actual design.
NOT a fan of The Phantom Menace...but I must say:
* $39.99 for this set is IMPRESSIVE and I would jump on that today!
* I love that a UCS-level set can be under $100 (and even under $50 in this case)
* The chrome is beautiful!
I regret not getting this. Unfortunately, it was during my Second Dark Age. I have NO sets from 2001 or 2002. (I need to pick up some used just so that gap is filled...but at $400 on the used market, it sadly won't be this one.)
This looks way too simple for a UCS special edition.
Perhaps now is the time to update and reissue the N1? Back when it first came out I modded my 7141 to be more accurate, masking and painting the front plates and nose cones with chrome silver and going as far as to drill a hole in the fuselage to fit a torpedo launcher. It wasn't perfect but, I thought it was an improvement at the time.
If he does continue with it, the one problem I see with Mando's N1 is, where's he going to hang his carbonated bounties?
Did you shine this up just for display?? It looks brand new, so shiny and glowing! I had to re-check the article to make sure I was looking at a 20 year old set.
For a moment I thought that set was re-released.
@Maxximus said:
"If he does continue with it, the one problem I see with Mando's N1 is, where's he going to hang his carbonated bounties? "
That’s what the “back seat” turret is for!
@Maxximus said:
"If he does continue with it, the one problem I see with Mando's N1 is, where's he going to hang his carbonated bounties? "
If you subscribe to Star Wars Explained's theories, it's a symbol of the fact he was never meant to be a bounty hunter, he's meant for more, same as Fett is.
This ship almost looks like it should be flying the opposite direction, and would look much cooler if it did, but the location of the cockpit window indicates otherwise. It sort of resembles a backwards X-wing.
Why won’t they bring back chrome pieces?
An excellent rendition of my favorite starfighter. Always wanted this, definitely a most holy of grails.
It's so nice and sleek, wish they could make a playable one that looks almost like this
@MasterjediLEGO08 said:
"Why won’t they bring back chrome pieces?"
They have some in the new mando helmet
The lack of a cockpit is kind of lame. I expect that sort of detail out of a UCS set, even if it's not exactly minifig scale.
Is this Brickset giving us a subtle hint of an upcoming set? :)
The N-1 was the single redeeming thing (ok, I know that's not quite true...) to come out of ep 1 and I absolutely love that fighter. The recent Fett ep was as if it was made exactly for me. 10026 is a great model and I would love another--but I have zero faith in them making the proper chromed parts for a new one. I get the feeling this model will remain rare and unique due to those chromed parts. As I mentioned in my own review, I think it's a fantastic model but probably not worth the price now due to those parts so I'm very glad I got mine when I did.
I expect that little domed window replacing the astromech slot to be for Grogu. Do we know if his ears clear a 2x2 dome? If not, the ears on that figure may dictate the scale of whatever Lego gives us later on down the line.
I just watched about a minute of the Book of Boba Fett episode on YouTube... Apparently, it's impossible for a vehicle on Tatooine to have all its skin panels properly installed. ;)
I've always been intrigued by the design of this ship, and now that it's Mando's new ride I'm gonna need one ASAP. I'm really hoping LEGO gets one out late this year for Season 3 of The Mandalorian, but even when they eventually make it, it's sad to know we won't have any chrome silver. I really miss chrome pieces even though they were a bit before my time. They just look so nice here!
@560heliport said:
"I just watched about a minute of the Book of Boba Fett episode on YouTube... Apparently, it's impossible for a vehicle on Tatooine to have all its skin panels properly installed. ;)"
Shouldn't they end up having them all installed? I think it's the reason Anakin didn't return past ep 2, as it's coarse, and rough, and gets everywhere.
This was a white whale of mine as a kid and I managed to get one a number of years ago. I recently decided to replace the peeling and crumbling stickers with aftermarket stickers, so it looks good as new!
Coincidentally, I was just about sourcing all the chrome parts needed for this, which is a bit of a struggle, since most of them are in the USA and Canada, and they don't all ship to Europe by default.
But now it gets so much attention that all these parts are gone.
Well, then I'll just have to settle with some aftermarket chromed parts...
^ That's a good point, the renewed attention on this ship has gotta be hard on people looking for these parts. Good luck in your hunt!
@ra226 said:
"^ That's a good point, the renewed attention on this ship has gotta be hard on people looking for these parts. Good luck in your hunt!"
Thanks!
@BulbaNerd4000 said:
"It's so nice and sleek, wish they could make a playable one that looks almost like this
@MasterjediLEGO08 said:
"Why won’t they bring back chrome pieces?"
They have some in the new mando helmet"
The pieces in the mando helmet are not chrome, they are silver.
Spoilers in the first two paragraphs, so it shows on the front page? Even with a warning up top, its quite a spoilery topic.
@MasterjediLEGO08 said:
"Why won’t they bring back chrome pieces?"
Production issues and durability.
Generally chromed pieces are both expensive and difficult to produce consistently.
And LEGO being a toy thats prone to scraping (by both play and storage) the chrome layers on bricks get damaged very quickly and easily.
But considering that they're giving the display market a bigger niche recently, I don't think the possibility of a return is entirely out of the question, altough they might internally consider drum-lacquered pieces an adequate replacement.
All this discussion of chromed pieces is making me want a Naboo Royal Starship set.
Right, I keep forgetting I own a UCS set.
It's the reason I've never bought another version of the N-1; setting aside the part where it doesn't seat a minifig, this is still the best model of it they've made. The subsequent System-scales ones (7660, 7877, 75092) are all awkwardly shaped on account of shoving the full droid in there lengthways, and are too large and clunky overall.
@CapnRex101, I see that yours, like mine, has the regular hyperdrive engine. But there were some luckier (or not?) ones that had got the mighty hyBerdrive version :)
https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=10026stk01&T=C&C=0
@ResIpsaLoquitur:
Prequel starfighters have a troubled relationship with astromechs. I don’t think R2 can fit in the Ep3 Jedi starfighters, and I’d assume the Ep2 craft have similar issues.
@Maxximus:
Tether them to the antennae. Let them clank together behind like tin cans on a newlyweds’ car.
@MasterjediLEGO08:
Chrome parts require new molds so the blanks can be molded just a bit smaller than regular parts. The chroming process adds a layer that’s thick enough to affect clutch, so you have to build up to the correct dimensions. So they had to make potentially eight new molds just for the chrome parts in this set. Maybe less, as not all of them have studs for other parts to attach to. And that mold difference means if you do a subpar job of adding the chrome layer, it won’t have the clutch you expect. I bought a bunch of gold chrome 1x2 tiles off Bricklink, years ago, and when I got them I found between 25-50% of them would fall off anything you “attached” them to because they didn’t get as much chrome on the inside as they intended.
@TheOtherMike:
So...many...scratches...
Why not compare the other naboo starfighters as well, even with just side by side photos are good enough...
@vader11 said:
"Why not compare the other naboo starfighters as well, even with just side by side photos are good enough..."
I do not have immediate access to all five sets, otherwise I would have compared the whole group.
Should LEGO release another Naboo Starfighter in future, I will make sure to gather them all in advance for comparison photos.
I want to see a comparison shot of this with 9674, 75223, 30383, 911609, and Day 7 of both 9509 and 75213.
@PurpleDave:
The Delta-7 from Episode II does not accommodate a full droid, just the head as a fixed installation. That's why The Clone Wars came up with the Delta-7B (e.g. set 7669) which bulks up the centre of the ship and thus makes room for a full droid slot there – now Jedi and their droids can go on adventures with nothing but the starfighter.
The Eta-2 from Episode III can actually fit a droid pretty well, there are boxy protrusions under the wings that will easily hold the body. The legs will have to compress a little, but that's harmless compared to the contortions required for the N-1.
So sets like 75281 are accurate in this regard, though it wouldn't work as well if the ship was actually to scale, due to how oversized Lego astromechs are.
Weren't the chrome(d) pieces also prone to flaking? I seem to remember this being a problem with the old, non-drum-lacquered gold as well. I also seem to remember those pieces being slightly less durable than other LEGO pieces, although in fairness, I played pretty rough with my toys.
Although in fairness, that does mean they'd be perfect for a UCS-set, which you probably wouldn't hand over to a five year old for rough and tumble play.
@Ridgeheart said:
"Weren't the chrome(d) pieces also prone to flaking? I seem to remember this being a problem with the old, non-drum-lacquered gold as well. I also seem to remember those pieces being slightly less durable than other LEGO pieces, although in fairness, I played pretty rough with my toys.
Although in fairness, that does mean they'd be perfect for a UCS-set, which you probably wouldn't hand over to a five year old for rough and tumble play."
I have no problem with flaking chromed parts from that period (having been handled with care), but the stickers from that era flake all over.
From $40 to $400 in one hyper jump!
@Rob42 said:
" @PurpleDave:
The Delta-7 from Episode II does not accommodate a full droid, just the head as a fixed installation. That's why The Clone Wars came up with the Delta-7B (e.g. set 7669) which bulks up the centre of the ship and thus makes room for a full droid slot there – now Jedi and their droids can go on adventures with nothing but the starfighter.
The Eta-2 from Episode III can actually fit a droid pretty well, there are boxy protrusions under the wings that will easily hold the body. The legs will have to compress a little, but that's harmless compared to the contortions required for the N-1.
So sets like 75281 are accurate in this regard, though it wouldn't work as well if the ship was actually to scale, due to how oversized Lego astromechs are."
I think that's actually not true about the Eta-2, the boxes aren't deep enough to actually hold the astromech. I forget where I read that, might have been the making of book back in 2005.
@MisterBrickster:
The body fits, the legs don't quite:
https://i.imgur.com/aWWHncl.png
https://i.imgur.com/bkvXe0v.png
I never planned on getting this set, but about 5 years ago a buddy found a bin of LEGO at a garage sale for $20 and gave it to me for helping him with some minor house project.
You can't imagine my surprise when I found chrome pieces in that bin, along with yellow pieces with stickers. I pulled them out, assembled them, and found I had a 100% complete 10026 UCS Naboo Starfighter. It is proudly on display with the other sets in my collection.
I honestly feel let down by Brickset over this article (yeah, I know, woe is me).
Not only was the initial reaction to the title & picture one of awe that the set was being re-released, but spoilers were present in the first few sentences, which I scoured hoping to find out information about the 'new' set. If I hadn't just seen episode 5 of TBOBF I'd have been disappointed to learn here of what craft was to be revealed (incidentally, my first thought on seeing the tarp-covered craft was that it might be the same model of ship as The Soulless One!).
Please make it clearer in future (and even modify this article) by including an indication that this is a retrospective review, add a clearer SPOILER WARNING, and bury the actual spoiler further down.
First world problems and all.
@bananaworld
You are completely justified. In fact the situation is even stranger - nothing but spoilers above the break, no spoilers or mention of anything but the model itself after the break.
@bananaworld said:
"
I honestly feel let down by Brickset over this article (yeah, I know, woe is me).
Not only was the initial reaction to the title & picture one of awe that the set was being re-released, but spoilers were present in the first few sentences, which I scoured hoping to find out information about the 'new' set. If I hadn't just seen episode 5 of TBOBF I'd have been disappointed to learn here of what craft was to be revealed (incidentally, my first thought on seeing the tarp-covered craft was that it might be the same model of ship as The Soulless One!).
Please make it clearer in future (and even modify this article) by including an indication that this is a retrospective review, add a clearer SPOILER WARNING, and bury the actual spoiler further down.
First world problems and all."
To be fair, at this point the official Star Wars and Lucasfilm social media accounts have been posting far more flagrant spoilers from the previous episode.
@MisterBrickster said:
" @Maxximus said:
"If he does continue with it, the one problem I see with Mando's N1 is, where's he going to hang his carbonated bounties? "
If you subscribe to Star Wars Explained's theories, it's a symbol of the fact he was never meant to be a bounty hunter, he's meant for more, same as Fett is."
Are you perhaps suggesting that he is meant to be the ruler of Mandalore? If you are I hope you realize that he’s gonna need to have the dark saber.
@CapnRex101 said:
" @vader11 said:
"Why not compare the other naboo starfighters as well, even with just side by side photos are good enough..."
I do not have immediate access to all five sets, otherwise I would have compared the whole group.
Should LEGO release another Naboo Starfighter in future, I will make sure to gather them all in advance for comparison photos."
I never really thought about this before reading this comment, but you must have thousands of Lego sets. So it got my wondering what your house must look like. I’m imagining that instead of furniture you only have Lego sets and you probably have to sleep in a tent in your backyard. I know it’s personal, but it would be really cool to have an article about how you are able to store, and I assume find and access, all these Lego sets.
So a few years ago I found someone selling a Republic Gunship 7163 for $25. However when I opened the box I got a bit of a surprise. Besides the gunship, it also included this Naboo Starfighter, Jango’s Slave I, and several other sets. In total I got 7 sets for $25. Of course I went back the next day to purchase their other 3 sets, and a few weeks later when I finally got everything built I had 33 sets from the years 1999-2007 all for only $100!
I’ll just say one thing about this review, those pictures don’t do the chrome parts justice. I’ve always thought about selling this set so I can get some larger UCS sets instead, but this set is a work of art. I know that if I ever were to sell it I would instantly regret it.
@TheMikeStrikesBack said:
"Ah yes, one of several sets I regret selling..."
I've had it for years stored in boxes. Then I decided to sell it but I had to build it first. Yes, it looks so much better in person. I was kind of regretting selling it once I saw it built but then I think Lego will make an update sooner or later with more details.
This is my favourite ship in star wars. I have had this set from release and it is proudly displayed. I don't have all of the other sets since this released. But I do wish they released a new version of this set. I think it is quite iconic an iconic design. A new design of this UCS set would be amazing and they have been going back through so maybe with the recent inclusion of it in the Book of Boba. There might be a good chance to see this set again all the new parts since it was released.
To be honest, I just don't think this article is a spoiler- an older ship showing up in the SW universe? What, exactly, is spoiled? And "This article contains information about The Book of Boba Fett episode five" is plenty clear.
@560heliport:
The fact that the article contains a spoiler is not the issue. The fact that the spoiler was on the front page, instead of requiring you click through to read it, is the issue. And the spoiler is not that an existing starship design showed up in the series (people expect that, though maybe not one that’s normally limited to use by a single planet). It’s the identity of the pilot.
@PurpleDave:
If you read farther than "This article contains information about The Book of Boba Fett episode five"... you deserve to get spoiled.
@560heliport :
Sure. Now avoid seeing the picture. Or the title of the article. Considering how old this set is, any review that includes spoilers for current material would ideally put it “past the fold”, and carve out a chunk of space with headers and footers that will catch your attention so you know how much text to skip over, and you can avoid accidentally reading any of it before you read that there’s a spoiler present.
With it on the front page, there’s a good chance someone accidentally scans across it before they see that there’s a spoiler warning. Whose fault is that? And yes, this is especially possible given how Bricklink tends to shift up and down on the page on a mobile device with a slow connection, as images have no space reserved for them on the page until they start loading, but they appear to be granted more space than they sometimes need right when they first start loading.
If anything spoiler-ish is such a problem for you, go hide in a cave- and don't bring electronics with you.
An excellent set where, thanks to the chrome details, we can say with confidence that the author has a red T-shirt in his closet. =)