Review: 30496 U-wing Fighter
Posted by CapnRex101,
The UT-60D is one of the most prevalent new vehicles in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and it is therefore unsurprising that the vessel has already appeared at three different scales in LEGO sets. 30496 U-wing Fighter is the smallest of these but it is instantly recognisable despite consisting of just 55 pieces.
It is currently available in Wal-Mart stores costing $3.99 in North America and has also turned up at the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Manchester, UK. I like 75155 Rebel U-wing Fighter very much so am interested to see whether this tiny model is similarly impressive.
The Completed Model
At first glance I think it looks great, with an appropriate colour scheme and a fairly accurate shape. The hull is five studs wide which is perfect in relation to the dimensions of the cockpit in the centre and this design also works very nicely with the narrow S-foils. These extend a fair distance beyond the nose and look very sleek, just as in the film. Unfortunately, they are fixed in the forward position and cannot be switched into flight configuration, although I doubt that would have been possible at this scale.
The troop compartment is slung beneath the U-wing and this is simply represented by a couple of inverted slopes and a 1x3 plate. It looks good though, with open doorways to enter the vehicle on both sides and a reasonably streamlined design. The windows on the cockpit extend a little further back than they should and an opaque white 1x1 plate should probably have been used at the back, although this is only a very minor issue.
My favourite aspect of the model is the connection between the crew compartment and the engines. A click hinge joint has allowed the engines to be offset slightly, measuring a total of six studs in width against the five studs of the forward section. It works very nicely and I like the orange glow of the engine nacelles, not least because these trans-orange 1x1 round plates with a hole in the centre are exceedingly useful for your own creations.
Overall
This is a good little polybag and is certainly worth purchasing if you can find it near you. It would have been nice to see swiveling S-foils and a slightly smaller translucent area around the cockpit but the overall appearance and proportions of the U-wing are excellent, as is the striking colour scheme.
We will be publishing our review of 21309 NASA Apollo Saturn V later this week so keep an eye on the homepage and our social media channels where we will soon be posting some preview images!
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.
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10 comments on this article
Like it! I found the 2015 a-wing poly in the factory shop about a month ago, so here's hoping...
Pretty cool little ship. Just saw Rogue One yesterday and the buil looks really accurate. Polys are just so hard to find though.
It's a nice little thing but i'm especially stoked about the Saturn V review....
I like the look of this. I've been searching around for it. As mentioned before, I like the flow of reviews recently. Keep 'em coming!
Thanks for review. This polybag is available in France, in FNAC shops, free with any lego SW purchase, or 9,99€ bought alone. Nice little set for such a small scale but I 'm a little disappointed with the click hinge to hold the exhaust system to the hull, because it' s not sturdy enough. But you recognize the ship at first glance. Nice on display alongside 75155 version.
"It is currently available in Wal-Mart stores costing $3.99 in North America..." Canada too? I've never seen any polybags at my local Wal-Mart, but then again, it's Wal-Mart we're talking about here... in Manitoba...
Amaizing little polybag but I will be hunting for the City Hot Rod one, hope I can find either this or both in my are and I so looking foward that Saturn V review.
These are available in Australia with a kids magazine (K-Zone), picked it up for AUD5.99. Neat little set, very good for the scale
Good little set. Onto the Ideas Saturn V set though. I understand this is set for release in June. Where the hell is The Old Fishing Shop??? This was announced last year and no updates since! Surely it should be released before a set that was announced a month ago?
@Lordmoral - I've seen the city hot rod at Target. Unless it is a different one I saw.
I saw this at walmart, but put it back on the shelf thinking I don't actually need it. Too often, I buy polybags only to have them sit in a box since I never open or build them. I figure I'll start saving the money.
Thanks for the review though.