Review: 75152 Imperial Assault Hovertank
Posted by CapnRex101,
The release of the first wave of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story sets is now just a week away and Brickset has been able to purchase some of them in advance so we can start publishing our reviews today!
75152 Imperial Assault Hovertank is the smallest of the five sets, containing 385 pieces and priced at £29.99 or $29.99, but was one of my immediate favourites when images were revealed a few weeks ago. The tank looks splendid and it also offers some excellent minifigures at what seems to be a very reasonable price. Read on to find out whether my excitement proved founded...
Minifigures
Chirrut Îmwe has featured heavily in much of the promotional material and it is delightful to see him appear in the least expensive of the five Rogue One: A Star Wars Story sets. This minifigure is extraordinarily detailed and wears an unusual fabric element around his waist which is printed with a dark red and black pattern. The white eyes look a little strange but I cannot think how else Chirrut's blindness could have been represented and I like the expressions on either side of his face.
His torso is printed with a simple tunic and some straps on the front and back, all of which is accurate to the film. He even has a white glove on his left hand which represents the armour worn in the movie.
He is armed with a long staff and an ornamental bowcaster which is formed around a standard rifle. Either of these weapons can be clipped to his back but both are rather large and look a little awkward to me. Nevertheless, it is nice to get two accessories and I appreciate the effort of the designer to ensure their accuracy to the film.
A pair of Imperial Hovertank Pilots are also included and these figures are even more impressive than Chirrut in my opinion. The new helmet looks great, with a narrow visor and some silver air filters which are faithful to the source material as well as intricate moulded details on the back. The typical Clone Trooper head is found underneath the helmet which is slightly disappointing but I think most people will leave the helmet on anyway.
The torso is highly detailed on the front and back. I love the small patches of sand on the armour and the design continues onto his hips and legs which is brilliant to see. The figures are equipped with a pair of macrobinoculars and all three types of blaster, although one of these is primarily intended to be attached to the tank.
The Completed Model
The Imperial Assault Hovertank is quite substantial, measuring just over 20cm in length which roughly corresponds with 75100 First Order Snowspeeder from last year. The exterior of the model is nicely detailed using a combination of light and dark bluish grey pieces, many of which include some sort of texturing. The use of so many textured bricks, with the most prevalent being the 1x2 brick with groove, gives the impression of mechanical details and avoids the need for stickers altogether.
I love the low profile of the tank when viewed from the front and the simulated hatch looks fantastic, recalling a similar feature of real tanks. It would have been wonderful to see some means of actually poking the head of a minifigure through the open hatch but this might have spoiled the appearance of the model so I am satisfied with the 2x2 round tile which is used instead. Twin blasters are slung beneath the driving compartment and there are two spring loaded shooters hidden underneath as well.
These are activated by twisting the dark bluish grey gears on either side of the vehicle, as shown in the image below. The blasters situated in front of these gears can also be manually rotated and layers of plates are used to recreate the ridged shape of the hull at the front of the tank.
There is room for two minifigures to sit inside, with one acting as the driver and the other as the gunner. It waits to be seen how many troopers are required to man the vehicle in the film but I think two is sufficient and I appreciate the opening panels which allow easy access to the interior. Furthermore, any spare weapons can be clipped to either side of the craft so the pilots can arm themselves should they need to abandon the tank.
The rear section forms a cargo bed with room for two crates, although only one is included. This provides an area to stand some extra troops if you wish and is not lacking in detail despite the fact that it will often be covered by the cargo as some 1x2 grilles and jumper plates are used to create some texture.
The tank seems to be capable of hauling more than two of these orange crates in the film but I think the space has been used satisfactorily and I love the splash of bright colour which this introduces. It contrasts brilliantly with the dull colours of the tank and I think it would look even better when fully loaded with a second crate, although the presence of only one does not bother me as the set offers excellent value for money in its current state. I also happen to know that another orange crate will be appearing in an upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story set which has yet to be revealed.
The crate contains only two accessories, a blaster pistol and a pair of macrobinoculars, which is somewhat surprising given its size. However, the accurate shape and detailed exterior more than makes up for the lack of actual storage space in my opinion, particularly given the clips which can be used for additional weapons on the sides of the crew compartment.
Four trans-clear wheels are hidden underneath and these allow the tank to roll around as though it were floating. They can hardly be seen so do not impact upon the appearance of the model but I think 2x2 slider elements are slightly more effective for repulsorlift craft as they allow vehicles like this one to travel in any direction, just as they do in the films.
Overall
I am absolutely delighted with this set. All three minifigures are marvellous and the Imperial Assault Hovertank is also very impressive, with some lovely details and lots of play features packed into a relatively small model. Moreover, the price of £29.99 or $29.99 seems very reasonable, particularly since 75100 First Order Snowspeeder contained the same number of minifigures and a similarly sized model but was significantly more expensive.
My only minor suggestion relates to the minifigure selection. I think this set is ideal for multiple purchases and it may therefore have been nice to see a generic Stormtrooper included in place of Chirrut Îmwe. Perhaps he could instead have appeared in 75154 TIE Striker which lacks any of the major characters. Nevertheless, this is a truly fantastic set and I highly recommend it.
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your thoughts on the set in the comments below.
Plenty more Rogue One: A Star Wars Story set reviews will be published over the coming days along with the final instalment of our current What's Missing? series, focusing on Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
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49 comments on this article
Wonderful review! I can't wait to get this whole wave.
Looks like a definite pick up for me. Great review!
The set is only $30USD? That's a steal with so many pieces and three mini figures in a Star Wars ship. It's not the best looking ship, but I give them points for having something different (Yay for no X-Wing!)
I like this tank, it's a good (canon) alternative to the old TX-130T.
I wasn't impressed when I first saw this, but after seeing more of it, and noting the price, I will more than likely be buying (at least) one!
I'm sort of conflicted on whether to buy this or the AT-ST alongside the U-Wing to push my October 1st purchase of the $100 needed for the promo. Actually I'm also conflicted over whether to make the bulk of the purchase the U-Wing or Krennic's Shuttle. These sets are just too good!
Nice set, but a good price!?! This set costs €44,99 in the Netherlands. Ridiculous!
Wow, neither Lego or Disney seem to be that bothered about early release.
Excellent review. Purchased one of these sets this afternoon at ASDA Poole!
Amaizing review, could you offer any hints as to what is that mysterious unannounced set you are referring to?
This is a day one purchase for me. I love Star Wars land vehicles - they offer a lot more potential to me from dioramas than star fighters. I also love the generic imperial figures and it's great to get a main character in a set of the price.
Capnrex - could you estimate the consumer of plates clearance from the top of the gunners head when he's seated to the top hatch? This is one area I'll want to MOD a bit to give a more realistic top hatch and I want to see if my current plan will fit!
^lordmoral - I think they'll be one of those crates coming with the imperial bunker set after Christmas.
Hmm...this got me thinking..I still don't really like this set but the price and the minifigs are pretty nice...I'm definitely getting the at-st, which has Baze.
^^Went to the Internet to check those rumors and that I like (depends on the price that is).
Oooh.... I should probably prioritize this. Um, what do you guys think, this or the AT-ST? I could get either.
This makes me wish even more that they made the tank from the Last Crusade in 2008.
This was always the Rogue One set I wanted, and I hope this next week flies by! :)
Excellent review. I agree. I can't wait for when you do the AT-ST. You do really great reviews and What's Missing Articles! Keep it up Capn Rex! You have definatly convinced me this is a good set
PicnicBasketSam, I think you should get both as they are excellent sets. If you are short on money, look out for the review on the AT-ST and decide for yourself which you'd rather have more
I agree with Ninja's advice above.
What a great set with that price. I never shy away from gray pieces, the tank looks sturdy, and the minifigs are really neat. I, too, am contemplating about an AT-ST purchase along with this set.
Brilliant review, as ever. I love this set and will be picking it up on day one, perhaps along with the U-wing so I look forward to that review.
Don't worry, guys. I, LegoFan2623, will start doing "What's Missing?" articles, starting soon after the 7th of October. They'll be over Marvel and DC movies. I, however, like the rest of you guys, will miss CapnRex101's.
And also, CapnRex will be called out of retirement to do a "What's Missing?" article on Rogue One.
@Richpepperell - You can fit a single plate between the gunner's head and the underside of the hatch but even that is a tight squeeze.
@Legofan2623 - I am certainly intending to write some more 'What's Missing?' articles for other properties at some point but will probably take a break after Star Wars: The Force Awakens. There will be one for Rogue One but I will wait until a couple more waves of sets have been released.
Wow, toys on shelves already?
Release embargo limits are so relaxed for this film compared to The Force Awakens, which was bordering on ridiculous.
The price in British pounds is the same as in US dollars? Literally, they just changed the symbol? Wow, Lego is becoming as bad as Apple.
Really liking the looks of this wave of sets. Fantastic, original designs all around, reasonable prices, awesome minifigures, etc. Personally, I think that the Rogue One line-up is stronger than the TFA one was.
On a related note, great work, as usual, on the review. This set looks like it lives up to the coolness that the product photos suggest, and I look forward to the review of the U-Wing, as that is probably the one I'm most interested in.
So, yeah, this is awesome.
*sighs* Just take my money already.
Anxious for the AT ST review as well. That build looks better than what's come before.
That price, that quality, those figs...no way this is a Star Wars set. :)
*I should clarify that by "quality" I only mean this is a very-well built set for the price.
$60 AUD is just way too much for this
Does anyone actually like the TFA first wave better than this one?
So its $60 AUD, what that's the same price as the FO Snowspeeder! No one will pay that much!
Guess ill wait for the chismas sales before I buy it!
Whats worse is the AT-ST will cost more!
Nice review
Fantastic review as always. This is by far for me the most appealing Rouge One set. The detail that has gone into such a neat little set is great. Love the price and the number of minifigures included. Hopefully the film will live up to everyone's expectations but I doubt we need worry about that. Again thanks for the great review.
^^ the TFA first wave did have the millennium falcon but after seeing the right one movie I'm sure this one will be just as good
I like the figs but the vehicle design doesn't inspire me at all. Hopefully the troopers will be available in a battle pack
Nope, sorry, it's still an ugly lump. I've tried to like it but just can't see much (if anything) to impress. I have 75100 (bought new, half price, £20) so i suppose I'm making a judgement on comparison to that. For me, this is the worst new SW release and I don't think I'll be picking this one up, not even at money-off.
HOWEVER, the other new ones are growing on me, Krennics is bigger than i thought (but doesn't the trailer version have 4 'wings'?), Tie and walker are both nice and i like the U-wing a lot more now i understand the underslung bay.
Sorry Capn, but I seem to be the only person who doesn't like this set :(
With all the whisper about Rogue One having had last minute-changes, I sense a TFA-Snow-Speeder debacle here. The remarkable low price for this set may indicate that it has no or very few screen time at all. And the lack of an Force-Friday-Embargo this year, may point to low expectations of Rogue One on the manufacturers side.
^^the landing craft with 4 wings is a different ship - although Krennics shuttle does have a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance in the trailer. Hopefully we'll get the landing craft at some point in the future.
@BusStopWilly - you're not alone... I don't like it either, and the price seems to be the worst of the bunch for me. Plus it's just another box of light grey Lego which gets really tiresome. £20 max and I'd get it. Krennic and the tie will probably be my day one purchases.
I love it. Prioritising Nexo Knights at the moment, but I wouldn't rule out pouncing on it during some future sale...
This is the set I want the most, I'll most likely ask for it for my upcoming 18th Birthday.
@Shirhac We already know that it does get some screen type. It's been in both trailers.
Great review! I have my eye on this set, but I'm not sure if I'll get it. The Super Heroes line wins out over Star Wars for me.
Thank you for the good review CaptainRex.
Still not a fan of the look of that tank, but I must admit that the build by itself is very good. Very nice minifigs too!
The price in Europe is unfortunately ridiculous...40 euros, come on! With current EUR/USD rate, it should be 29.90 euros. Even 31.90 or 32.90 euros would be acceptable, but 40 pfff
As always, nice review!
I don't know what to expect from this movie but this set seems really nice!
"The crate contains only two accessories, a blaster pistol and a pair of macrobinoculars, which is somewhat surprising given its size."
I was surprised it had *any* storage and wasn't completely solid!
Great review. I'm definitely buying this!
FYI, just noticed one of these on the shelf at my local Big W... bought it, $49 AUD. Shouldn't have been on the shelf according to a staffer (Saturday release apparently).
Had one in my hands as well as a walker but the Wal Mart register wouldn't sell it! Guess I'll have to wait till Friday...
Nice Set