This is the best LEGO X-wing to date and one of the greatest sets of all time. It delivers on so many levels, being a wonderfully accurate display model and a joy to LEGO and Star Wars fans alike.

Display value

The set looks amazing on display. The overall silhouette is extremely accurate and upon getting up close you notice a variety of minute details, including:

-differently coloured patches, the most impressive of which are the dark grey ones on the right of the fuselage. The one near the cockpit even includes a weird angular shape towards the top

-precise greebling and creative use of pieces to represent mechanical details

-fully decked out cockpit, including foot pedals!

R2 is not too small, but rather sits too low inside the fuselage. I'd suggest raising him up by 1 or 2 studs, it really makes a difference.

When closed, there is a gap between the wings. This can only be avoided by placing the model on the ground. The wings then sit flush, but the nose tapers towards the front due to the lack of landing gear.

Admittedly, the front section is too thick. The designer had to compromise some sleekness in order to achieve the hexagonal shape. However, the X-wing remains proportional and the thickness of the fuselage isn't too obvious from most angles.

The cockpit piece is the wrong shape. But it is integrated so well into the design, which makes use of some sand blue elements around its edges, that it feels appropriate.

The stand does a poor job at conveying the majesty of the X-wing in its default form, because the top is way too raised. However, you can place the ship sideways on the stand and get a dynamic flight pose. This makes a major difference and greatly improves the look of the set.

Play value

This set packs a lot of play features for an UCS model. The S-foil mechanism works flawlessly. It is quick and easy to set the wings to any configuration. The cockpit features a retractable targeting computer (although the canopy can only close when the computer isn't retracted). There is a way to place Luke inside, in front of the chair. That way, the cockpit can close with him inside. He is undersized, but minifigure proportions are wonky, and the head looks decently sized inside the cockpit. There's an opening storage compartment underneath the canopy, as seen in The Empire Strikes Back. I like storing Luke's lightsaber there.

Build

Building such a large and accurate X-wing was a joy. The angular main fuselage makes use of clever LEGO engineering. Towards the end, the build gets a little repetitive because of the four wings. However, the brick-built details such as the five red stripes provide interest. And I must say: placing tiles in between studs in an official set is an interesting feeling!

Minifigures

Luke is the most detailed rebel pilot to date and a welcome inclusion. Too bad the helmet doesn't feature more printing on the sides, as seen in The Skywalker Saga video game. However, this minifigure is still incredible. R2 thankfully features back printing.

Overall

This set is simply amazing. It has quickly become one of my favourites, surprisingly so. I was very skeptical when first seeing images online. However, thanks to my experience with LEGO box art, I realised the depictions on the box didn't do the set justice. After seeing more images from different angles and after seeing the model built in a LEGO store, the design grew on me. I did not let all the negative remarks online change my mind and I bought this set on release. I wholeheartedly recommend this X-wing. Next to the UCS Death Star (2008) and the UCS Millennium Falcon (2017), I consider this one of the greatest sets I own.

75355 X-Wing Starfighter, despite varying opinions, is a very solid Ultimate Collector's Series set.

The build starts with the X-Wing fuselage, which feels very secure and is mostly built with Technic locking mechanisms. Before adding any external plating or details, the cockpit is built. The set is larger than minifigure scale, so more detail can be added, including a semi-retractable targeting computer, and a pilot seat with some pretty good detail using grille pieces. A throttle lever is also included and can be manipulated up and down.

The build continues down the fuselage towards the nose of the craft, and some stickered details for the front of the cockpit, showing some intricate wirework and electrical panels. From here on, the building system for the S-foils, which is a really intricate build. It utilises two small rubber bands, so the wings will move at the same time, which is all caused by turning a small wheel on top of the back of the ship, which locks the wings into place at various stages of opening. I would recommend keeping it displayed at the same level, as moving the wings together and apart repeatedly could put stress on the rubber bands.

Building the S-foils is somewhat repetitive, as they all appear mostly the same, but mirrored across the back of the X-Wing and are unique. The KX9 laser cannons look pretty good, but the pieces sliding on the technic axle are somewhat free to move. A common critique of the set is that the engines are too big, but personally I believe the rest of the set makes looking past that fine.

Another criticism of the set is that there are too many exposed studs along the fuselage, and this I agree with. There are plenty of available pieces in production that could have avoided this.

As for the minifigures, I think this is the definitive pilot Luke Skywalker. He has printed arms with pockets and code cylinders, printed hips as well as dual moulded black legs to represent boots. There are flares along one of the legs, and the printing overall is fantastic, with the common helmet mould, as well as a printed visor on the face. He comes with a lightsaber, which was not included in any of the scenes inside the X-Wing, but it's nice to have it. The R2D2 included is the same one as in 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor, with back printing. I was fortunate enough to have good printing on the head dome, but there is still an issue with it being off center at times.

R2D2 can be placed on the ship just behind the cockpit, but a minifigure placed in a scaled-up ship looks awkward and out of place. I think maybe a 3x3 dome piece with R2D2 printing could have fixed this issue, but as is, I keep my R2 figure displayed along Luke at the bottom of the base.

As for the base, this is the first UCS set that uses a printed plaque rather than a stickered one! I, for one, hope this trend continues with future sets. There is a typo on the plaque however, reading "Incom GBk-585 hyperdrive motivator" rather than the plural "motivators". The black technic base feels very strong, but two curved slopes near the top of the spine can break off when the X-Wing moves, but they're easy to put back on.

75355 X-Wing Starfighter, despite some minor flaws, is a solid UCS build, and though repetitive sometimes, was a fun experience. The minifigure selection is perfect, and I think this version of Luke Skywalker is one of the best Star Wars minifigures ever made. The price of $239.99 / €239.99 / £209.99 seems pretty fair for this set, again despite its handful of flaws. I would totally recommend this set!