Random set of the day: Trade Federation AAT
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 7155 Trade Federation AAT, released during 2000. It's one of 19 Star Wars sets produced that year. It contains 158 pieces and 2 minifigs, and its retail price was US$20.
It's owned by 4,999 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
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39 comments on this article
Okay, I know people are going to say that it's not very well constructed and the back of it is ugly or whatever, but dude, this panel pieces with the printing, there's never been a better AAT in my opinion. There's been some good attempts, some being very fun sets with wonky proportions, but in my mind, this will forever be the best AAT because of the wonderful printing on these panels.
I ended up with two of those curved panels in a used lot and had to part this set together. I think I'm technically still short (the brown isn't old brown and I'm missing one of the rarer tan pieces), but it's close enough to have an assessment of this set.
And... honestly, it's just as good an AAT as the 2020 model with Ahsoka. The fact that this is in Trade Federation (aka Phantom Menace) colours is a plus for me, and it reminds me of LEGO catalogues circa 2000.
The AAT isn't exactly Star Wars at its very best, in terms of model design, but as LEGO sets go, this one has a giant laser cannon and is a lot of fun. Also a bit a swooshable.
^ Have it. Like it.
Oh wow, nice RSOTD. Very nice indeed.
Roger...roger...?
Those round bits can be used for a surprising amount of things. ATTs, uuuum uuuuuh
@MCLegoboy said:
"Okay, I know people are going to say that it's not very well constructed and the back of it is ugly or whatever, but dude, this panel pieces with the printing, there's never been a better AAT in my opinion. There's been some good attempts, some being very fun sets with wonky proportions, but in my mind, this will forever be the best AAT because of the wonderful printing on these panels."
I agree completely. You can also MOD this up pretty easily to move the turret back and be even more accurate. I have all the AATs, and this is definitely the best.
Printed pieces!... when Lego cared more about product than their Ferraris and balance sheets.
The Phantom Menace AAT is by far my favorite version. (The TCW version is very different) And this my favorite version that LEGO has done. Definitely need to get it someday.
The only AATs I have are from Advent Calendars, so I just want a larger one. (I didn't even get the Microfighter.) While the newer minifig-scale ones are better scaled in my opinion, they're also too bulbous, and this one does have that early Lego SW charm.
That print is impressive.
This set was the starting point for one of my first MOC’s as an AFOL. I think I got it as close to screen accurate as you can get at this scale. Used curtain weights tucked into those beautiful printed pieces everyone is talking about in the comments above to balance out the cantilevered weight of the turret and enable cleaning up that poorly designed back section from the original set. It was a fun little project with very satisfying result.
No school like Old School...
@Quinnly said:
"Those round bits can be used for a surprising amount of things. ATTs, uuuum uuuuuh"
I actually used four of those “round bits” in my Carousel MOC as the canopy. I spray painted them medium blue and they are the perfect piece for that purpose. I realize that painting LEGO us a no-no in many peoples books (purists) but sometimes it’s the only way to get an element in the color you need for your MOC.
@Quinnly:
You figured out how to make a phone company out of those UFO panels? Prove it!
@Librarian1976:
Or you could have made your carousel in Trade Federation colors.
@Librarian1976 said:
" @Quinnly said:
"Those round bits can be used for a surprising amount of things. ATTs, uuuum uuuuuh"
I actually used four of those “round bits” in my Carousel MOC as the canopy. I spray painted them medium blue and they are the perfect piece for that purpose. I realize that painting LEGO us a no-no in many peoples books (purists) but sometimes it’s the only way to get an element in the color you need for your MOC."
Eh, one of the best builders I ever knew wasn’t afraid to paint parts, and his MOCs still inspire to this day!
I love this set. When Star Wars became evergreen and sets hit updated, I looked forward to the updates of the AAT, because I thought this set was so great! But like others here there’s just something missing from the updates. This set us amazing and it really set a high bar.
Make that 5,000 Brickset members, as I just updated my “sets owned” list to include this one. (I got a few random sets in the early 2000s, as I bid goodbye to my dark age.)
It’s a really good set for what it represents on screen.
Love it, bought two.
*Toy Story aliens* Ooooooooooohhhh
I know it’s fairly clunky by modern standards, and it looks kinda fragile…but damn a part of me still really wants this set, because it still looks like a pretty good AAT
Although I love my 8018 and still think that's a great one, the scale and simplicity of this one are great.
They knew what they were doing in 2000. Not just a good model, but a good toy with storage for the macrobinoculars and blasters.
Of the Trade Federation versions this one is STILL by far the best rendition. I'm a bit sad they barely ever tried again afterwards. The 2015 one (75080) is just too small and too bulbous. And it doesn't even have the six torpedo holes! 75283 isn't scaled right either. One with the 2009 style front skirt at a smaller scale in tan would be perfect.
The 2000 Star Wars line really showed that the large UFO pieces were not as useless as some people claim...
I remember getting this as a Christmas gift that year.
@Harmonious_Building said:
"Roger...roger...? "
We have clearance Clarence.
What's our vector Victor?
Oh sorry, wrong movie. ;-)
I don’t remember this set so well but I remember 8002 being released the same year. Wow, truly no equal and never done again.
Might just be me, but I'd take this AAT over any of the newer versions. It may just be nostalgia talking, but to me tan is the only colour for an AAT. The rougher look of these early SW sets is a huge part of their charm in my mind, too... including the way the battle droid blasters are made of megaphones with a cone stuck on the end!
Then again, seeing pictures of the 1999-2000 Episode I range was my very first introduction to anything Star Wars, so everything about these sets is HUGELY nostalgic to me. Right down to that logo in the top-right with the cartoony Lego versions of the characters arrayed above it; I wish they'd kept doing specialised logos like that for the subsequent movies too, I really liked them.
...though despite featuring in that logo, it took us over ten more years to get Queen Amidala in her royal robes realised in minifigure form in 9499; and we *still* haven't had a minifigure of TPM Sidious despite his inclusion there.
@ThatBionicleGuy: @MCLegoboy had a cool idea for a Sidious minifig when 7146 was RSotD.
@AustinPowers said:
" @Harmonious_Building said:
"Roger...roger...? "
We have clearance Clarence.
What's our vector Victor?
Oh sorry, wrong movie. ;-) "
"Excuse me, I speak Jive."
Still the best set of this vehicle. Recent ones miss the mark with the front curve, throwing the look way off.
@Atuin said:
"The 2000 Star Wars line really showed that the large UFO pieces were not as useless as some people claim..."
They worked great for the AAT, 7190 hasn't aged that wel.
Still my favourite representation of the AAT. The printed skirt panels haven't been beaten yet.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @AustinPowers said:
" @Harmonious_Building said:
"Roger...roger...? "
We have clearance Clarence.
What's our vector Victor?
Oh sorry, wrong movie. ;-) "
"Excuse me, I speak Jive.""
This isn't about the RSOTD is it? This is about the abortion.
@TheOtherMike:
Easter Bunny Batman and Baturion from the TLBM Bricktober 4-pack have heads that would kinda work for that. Both have exposed faces, so they just printed the cowl with white eyes across the face.
@kdu2814 said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @AustinPowers said:
" @Harmonious_Building said:
"Roger...roger...? "
We have clearance Clarence.
What's our vector Victor?
Oh sorry, wrong movie. ;-) "
"Excuse me, I speak Jive.""
This isn't about the RSOTD is it? This is about the abortion."
"Oh no! the autopilot... it's deflating!"
@ThatBionicleGuy said:
"(...)Then again, seeing pictures of the 1999-2000 Episode I range was my very first introduction to anything Star Wars, so everything about these sets is HUGELY nostalgic to me. Right down to that logo in the top-right with the cartoony Lego versions of the characters arrayed above it; I wish they'd kept doing specialised logos like that for the subsequent movies too, I really liked them. (...)"
I was wondering whether anyone else felt this way. The 1999 Lego SW line was what introduced 10yo me to the SW brand. At the time it felt so cool to have Lego sets officially tied in with a major movie franchise. The corner logos with the main characters, in particular, helped drive excitement, as I had not yet seen Episodes IV to VI. They helped create the sense of a world waiting to be discovered.
@Murdoch17 said:
" @kdu2814 said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @AustinPowers said:
" @Harmonious_Building said:
"Roger...roger...? "
We have clearance Clarence.
What's our vector Victor?
Oh sorry, wrong movie. ;-) "
"Excuse me, I speak Jive.""
This isn't about the RSOTD is it? This is about the abortion."
"Oh no! the autopilot... it's deflating!""
Surely you can't be serious.
This might be one of the few early Star Wars sets which look good even by today’s standards.
@AustinPowers: I am serious, and don't call me Shirley.
Still the best version Lego has released, hoping they will do a better/bigger one soon!
I agree with others that this certainly remains the best iteration of the AAT. The proportions and printed missile launch tubes are superb and elevate this design beyond others, despite the awkward colours visible from behind.