Review: 76286 The Milano Spaceship
Posted by CapnRex101,
The Guardians of the Galaxy have piloted three incredible vehicles across the Marvel Cinematic Universe, each inspiring fantastic LEGO models. Nonetheless, the Guardians' original spaceship remains my definite favourite and provides the basis for 76286 The Milano Spaceship.
This vehicle mirrors the style of 76193 The Guardians' Ship and features an equally extensive interior, as well as looking fantastic from the outside. Much like the Benatar, the level of brick-built detail is stunning, although I would expect nothing less for £159.99, $179.99 or €179.99.
Summary
76286 The Milano Spaceship, 2,090 pieces.
£159.99 / $179.99 / €179.99 | 7.7p/8.6c/8.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
I expected great things of 76286 The Milano Spaceship and I am not disappointed!
- Superb for play and display
- Near-flawless fuselage shape
- Bold colour scheme and accurate patterns
- Ample interior space
- Minifigures could be better
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
The minifigures are dressed in their Ravager clothes from the conclusion of Guardians of the Galaxy, which is a fine choice, given these designs have not been available since 2014. Star-Lord and Gamora both look excellent, featuring lots of intricate buttons and accurate reddish brown piping on their torsos, with identical printed legs.
Star-Lord's double-sided head has appeared many times before and includes plenty of detail, but this facial hair is not really appropriate for Peter's appearance in the first Guardians of the Galaxy film. Gamora's head has been updated though and her silver facial markings look nice, as do the magenta highlights in her hair.
Gamora is equipped with a pearl silver sword and Star-Lord wields a pair of quad blasters, as normal. However, his helmet is not included, which is disappointing because this was an ideal opportunity to reintroduce the specialised helmet component from 2014.
Debate continues to surround the best colour for Drax and LEGO returns to the standard light bluish grey here, after attempting sand green in his two previous appearances. Neither colour looks entirely correct, but I am satisfied with grey and the complex tattoos on Drax's torso are stunning. I love the minifigure skulls in particular, cleverly translating details from his onscreen appearance to LEGO form.
Rocket returns from 76278 Rocket's Warbird vs. Ronan, again wearing his Ravager uniform. The golden symbol on his chest looks perfect and I like the pearl dark grey details across the torso, differentiating Rocket's garb from his fellow Guardians. I wish the legs had been printed though, as they were on 5002145 Rocket Raccoon a decade ago.
Also, I think dark bluish grey would be a better colour for Rocket's fur than reddish brown, but the same head and tail have been used since 2021, so this is not a surprise. At least the brick-built weapon looks good, featuring some nice dark orange accents, while Drax is armed with a pair of knives.
Baby Groot completes the Guardians' original roster and I am delighted to see this piece from 2017 again, moulded in dark tan to match Groot's recent minifigures. The decoration is superb and features green accents across the top of his head, again reflecting other versions of Groot. Moreover, the hands are ingeniously designed at the width of standard bars, so even this small figure can grip accessories.
The Completed Model
Although past designs have been impressive for their respective sizes, the Milano is a difficult subject to recreate in LEGO, so it certainly benefits from a bigger scale. This model measures 64cm across, so it looks marvellous on display and faithfully recreates the gentle curves of the onscreen vessel, which has been more challenging for smaller versions of the Milano.
76286 The Milano Spaceship matches 76193 The Guardians' Ship perfectly, as their sizes are near-identical and both vehicles are presented on black display stands. However, whereas the Benatar can rotate on its stand, the structure beneath the Milano is simpler and more similar to display stands from the Ultimate Collector Series.
Nevertheless, you can display the Milano in four directions, as the stand is angled very slightly and slots into a square hole on the underside of the spacecraft. The downward-facing position suggested in official images is more stable than others and emphasises the texture across the top of the fuselage, although the vessel also feels stable at a banked angle and looks stunning.
Ideally, the display stands for the Milano and the Benatar would be essentially identical, but I think a more rigid design was necessary here, as the Milano is rather nose-heavy. In addition, the black colour looks nice and I like the smooth finish across the base, using various tiles and curved slopes, which does match the Benatar's display stand.
The nose is probably the most familiar section of the model, compared with its predecessors. Two panels are attached at a 90-degree angle, nestling against a series of wedge plates and tiles on top. The orange and light bluish grey patterns across these panels appear accurate to the source material and the many exposed studs do not bother me.
However, the transition between the forward panels and those behind could perhaps be better, as there are gaps. Fortunately, these are only obvious from a low angle, which is unlikely to be seen on display. The tiled patterns look splendid though, recreating relatively minor details from the spacecraft in the films.
A new trans-light blue canopy has been produced specifically for the Milano, hence its curved shape is completely accurate. Furthermore, the metallic silver decoration looks lovely and this canopy is packaged in its own paper bag, so it should arrive in perfect condition. I hope this will become common for larger windscreens and canopies in all sets.
The canopy is connected using clips and three dark orange seats are found inside, flanked by various controls. I especially like the levers in front of the pilot and co-pilot, nicely represented by zip-line handles. There is ample space for the minifigures to sit in their respective positions, including Rocket Raccoon, who still fits beneath the canopy, standing on his short legs.
A stickered 2x2 round tile forms a tribal symbol beside the cockpit, but the surrounding stripes are completely brick-built, comprising a selection of tiles and wedge plates. Their shape looks superb and I like the different textures between the plates and tiles, creating an impression of armour plating. Also, the 2x3 curved wedge slopes forming the leading edges of the wings are very effective.
Furthermore, the bodywork accurately flares towards the wing tips, protecting the adjustable winglets' joints underneath. Their movement is more restricted than on smaller models of the Milano, although even their limited motion is welcome for display. Once again, the stripes and other surface markings look great, constructed with wedge plates and tiles.
Even the undersides of the wings are reasonably detailed. The circular thrusters are correctly positioned and I like the colourful parts inside, but the connection points for the lower winglets are not ideal. Like the aforementioned gaps in the fuselage, however, these awkward joints are completely hidden from most angles.
Another sticker is placed on a 3x3 round tile beneath the starboard wing, recreating a symbol from the vessel in the movies. I am impressed with this attention to detail and the bodywork is finished quite nicely, with relatively smooth seams, considering this part of the model is usually not visible. The continuation of the blue stripes is particularly striking.
The Milano's hull is quite smooth, but some mechanical detail is visible on top and looks good, comprising a shield, a gold bucket handle and three shovels at the back. The bodywork angles are accurate and the transition between the forward and rear armour is very smooth, as 1x1 and 1x2 slopes come close to sealing the gaps.
Four articulated thrusters are positioned near the back, flanking the primary engine and a large window. The combination of trans-light blue, yellow and trans-orange pieces on the engines is appealing and the trans-orange accents beneath the window also look excellent, providing an extra splash of colour and mirroring the 2x2 trans-orange dish inside the engine nacelle.
The window is perhaps too prominent, relative to the onscreen spacecraft, but I like its shape and the size means you can see some detail inside. Moreover, the 1x1 round plates with bars placed beside the window correspond the source material. I think these are light laser cannons, even though I cannot recall seeing them in use during the films.
A large panel is removable from the top of the spacecraft, revealing its extensive interior. This panel is only attached to two studs, just behind the doorways, although it still feels reasonably strong and slots back into place easily. Also, I am impressed with the amount of room available inside, even with those doorways dividing the space into two halves.
The cockpit contains three main seats, with two for the pilot and co-pilot in front and another above them. A fourth seat is positioned further back, so there is comfortable space for all the minifigures and Groot on board. Ideally, the Technic elements inside would have been hidden behind the cockpit walls, but at least their grey colours blend in.
There is a stud included specifically for Groot too, in front of a fittingly retro poster. Additionally, clips are provided for Drax's knives and Gamora's katana slots into a 1x2 grille tile, which is an unusual storage method, though an effective one. I like the dark orange bands across the walls, matching the upholstery on the seats.
Yondu appears on a screen opposite the weapon storage, represented by another sticker. It would have been fantastic to have a Yondu minifigure actually included because he has only appeared once before, in 76080 Ayesha's Revenge, but this holographic screen is a welcome alternative. The studs on the floor are also useful, so minifigures can stand securely.
Star-Lord's bunk is found at the back, occupying quite a small space. Access to this area is not as easy as the cockpit, but you can still place a minifigure on the bed. In addition, a pair of clips are included to hold Star-Lord's quad blasters, while Rocket's weapon can be attached to any of the studs on the floor because the barrel integrates an anti-stud.
Of course, the Milano would not be complete without Peter's tape deck. The printed cassette tape returns from 76231 Guardians of the Galaxy Advent Calendar and looks great, with light bluish grey flowers representing dials underneath. Maybe another couple of screens or a shelf with some little accessories could have been included, but the tape deck was most important.
Overall
I was delighted with 76193 The Guardians' Ship in 2021 and 76286 The Milano Spaceship is outstanding too. The model looks marvellous on display, recreating the complex shape of the onscreen spaceship with brilliant accuracy and relying almost exclusively on brick-built details, which is always preferable to stickers. The orange and blue bodywork is really stunning.
The interior is excellent too, particularly towards the front, where access is much easier than it was in 76193 The Guardians' Ship. The only real weakness of the set is its character selection, which feels a bit sparse. The individual designs are good, but I wish Yondu and perhaps Kraglin were also provided. Even so, this is an impressive model and the price of £159.99, $179.99 or €179.99 represents fair value, in my opinion.
146 likes
28 comments on this article
Beautiful! Awesome! Great review!
It’s a phenomenally impressive model design wise, but I’ll always be a fan of the original LEGO Benatar and secondary pod on the basis of interior space. 8 minifigures in one ship…
Is it possible to get comparison pictures with 76021 as well?
@Mister_Jonny said:
"It’s a phenomenally impressive model design wise, but I’ll always be a fan of the original LEGO Benatar and secondary pod on the basis of interior space. 8 minifigures in one ship…"
I see you are a man of culture, just like me. One the few superheroes sets that I still have built and on display.
Nice looking build but gee those figs are boring. I'm not sure who else they could have included that we don't already have but yeah. Still boring.
Good job comparing with the Benetar. Most other LAN reviewers failed to do this and it's the best next-to comparison people will want to see. Some loser compared it next to the Dark Falcon lol
Good review of a great ship, thanks.
I also appreciate the relevant comparison with the Benatar.
If Brickset reviews 76273, please compare it to the 76240 UCS Tumbler for scale. I have not seen anyone from LAN do this yet.
What a beauty of a model this is! Spectacular attention to detail and this color scheme is so close to classic space! Sadly it's out of my budget :(
Still waiting for the paper bags to show up in America...
Thanks for the review! One of the few sets I want to get this year. I was hoping we'd get a better selection of figs too, but at least Drax is grey, so I can live without adult Groot and a more interesting Gamora. This set is all about the set, anyway.
It's unfortunate that the 2x3 curved wedge slopes don't quite match up, but I understand why.
Anyway, perfectionism aside, it's a great model that looks perfect for zooming around.
@KyloBen1012 said:
"Good job comparing with the Benetar. Most other LAN reviewers failed to do this and it's the best next-to comparison people will want to see. Some loser compared it next to the Dark Falcon lol"
They're the same price, so I think it's a reasonable comparison.
Can’t believe they’re still using that hairpiece for Gamora. It’s never looked right. I wish they’d make the switch to the Lobo/Momoa Aquaman one.
The Milano Spaceship sounds like a local newspaper.
I don't watch much Marvel, but I have seen all the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, and they are awesome. And so is this set! I kinda want this set, but I won't get it, because of my budget.
Needs more fantastic ass goats!
I have 76193 and I am 100% buying this because I was not into Marvel when the first GOTG wave released way back when (and now I'm not into Marvel anymore, how the turn tables…)
This is an outstanding model. I don't have a Drax figure yet - Grey is superior to Green for his colouring tbh.
Looks like a terrific set.
I wish Marvel had kept this ship around throughout the entire GOTG series, instead of giving them a new ship in each film, as it's a very cool design. I think the Milano could have been an iconic sci-fi ship, had it only managed to stick around longer. Imagine if Han and Chewie had ditched the Falcon after A New Hope and got a new ship for ESB. Ridiculous, right? Not sure why Marvel didn't have the same foresight. If you want stuff to stick in people's imaginations, you need to keep it around long enough to do so!
@Andrusi said:
"The Milano Spaceship sounds like a local newspaper."
Also that Pepperidge Farm cookie.
All this needs is tall Groot and Starlord's helmet. I think that can be fixed easy enough.
@Modeltrainman said:
" @Andrusi said:
"The Milano Spaceship sounds like a local newspaper."
Also that Pepperidge Farm cookie."
Now I want to see somebody make a giant Milano cookie, add thrusters and weaponry to make it a spaceship, and put it on this stand as a joke.
The way the stripes are brick-built is fantastic! What a great set, comparable with the superb Benatar set.
@JDawg5 said:
"Looks like a terrific set.
I wish Marvel had kept this ship around throughout the entire GOTG series, instead of giving them a new ship in each film, as it's a very cool design. I think the Milano could have been an iconic sci-fi ship, had it only managed to stick around longer. Imagine if Han and Chewie had ditched the Falcon after A New Hope and got a new ship for ESB. Ridiculous, right? Not sure why Marvel didn't have the same foresight. If you want stuff to stick in people's imaginations, you need to keep it around long enough to do so! "
But this way, Marvel gets more money from merch!
That version of starlord/Peter Quill looks like a sketchy camp counselor
Swooshability score........?/10 ?
Great review thank you.
Is the building experience very similar to the 76193?
@Andrusi said:
"The Milano Spaceship sounds like a local newspaper."
Clearly the newspaper also has an advertisement to the Milano Cortina Olympics 2026.
what a great set! good review..