Review: 75234 AT-AP Walker
Posted by CapnRex101,
Updated renditions of retired sets have been an integral feature of the LEGO Star Wars range for almost its entire duration. Even so, the unveiling of 75234 AT-AP Walker was quite unexpected as two previous models were released during 2008 and 2014 and the vehicle is rather obscure, only appearing briefly in Episode III.
Moreover, this version seems incredibly familiar when compared with its immediate predecessor, surpassing almost every other updated set in that respect. The model looks impressive though and I hope to be pleasantly surprised by some innovative features, despite their apparent absence from the official images.
Minifigures
75233 Droid Gunship contains Tarfful so it seems sensible that Chewbacca should appear here based upon their association in the movie. This minifigure has not been updated recently but it looks fantastic, consisting primarily of dark brown parts but including some medium nougat highlights on the head and legs. Chewbacca's eyes look perfect in relation to the film and I like his white teeth as well.
Printed arms would be an excellent addition to future versions of this character but the metallic silver bandoleer is fantastic and he wields a pearl dark grey crossbow, representing his bowcaster. I like the stud-shooting weapon that was introduced a few years ago, although that accessory is really intended to represent the bowcaster from the original and sequel trilogies rather than Revenge of the Sith.
Commander Gree has appeared in several previous sets, as one might expect given his prominence in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. This minifigure is notably similar to the previous version but now includes a dark tan band around its left leg, replacing a dark bluish grey strap on the previous figure. Such attention to detail is appreciated but this alteration seems unnecessary, particularly as the the legs are not dual-moulded.
However, the camouflage pattern across the armour is outstanding and I love this pearl silver Phase II helmet which is faithful to the character from the movie. Removing the helmet reveals a Clone Trooper face underneath which is perfect and Commander Gree wields a blaster rifle. His macrobinoculars, on the other hand, are not included.
A similarly subtle alteration has been made to the Kashyyyk Clone Trooper. These minifigures were introduced in 2005 before receiving a significant update in 2014 and the latest design appears almost identical to its predecessor. The olive green helmet and torso design both remain unchanged which is perfect as I think those components look superb.
This minifigure also wears familiar camouflaged kneepads but the padding around its waist has been updated to include additional olive green highlights. Furthermore, the straps have been adjusted very slightly. Once again, accuracy is vital and I love this figure but see little justification for making such a minor change. There are many other minifigures more deserving of a new printed design.
A couple of Kashyyyk Battle Droids are also included. These are inspired by the AAT drivers which appeared in several episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, although the dark green and olive green highlights on their head and chest seem equally appropriate for the arboreal environment of Kashyyyk. Pearl dark grey blaster rifles are provided for each Battle Droid.
The Completed Model
Many different armoured walkers are found throughout the Star Wars saga and the AT-AP is probably among the lesser known examples, appearing briefly on Kashyyyk and Felucia during Revenge of the Sith. Nevertheless, three LEGO renditions have been produced since 2008 and I think the new model looks superb, faithfully replicating the distinctive shape and tripedal stance of its source material.
The hull is designed using wedge plates, emulating 7671 AT-AP Walker and 75043 AT-AP which both employed similar techniques. In fact, this area of the vehicle seems almost identical to its predecessor and is distinguished only by the addition of a 1x2 curved wedge slope in the corner. This does improve upon the version from 2014 and the Republic Navy symbols on either side are attractive, despite being stickers.
Another sticker forms a round access hatch at the front, although this cannot actually open. Minifigures must instead enter through the sides, as demonstrated below. These hatches have appeared on every rendition of the AT-AP and they look superb, although some of the internal Technic structure becomes visible when they are open. The windows are opaque which is unfortunate but integrating translucent windows would be extremely difficult without removing the opening hatch functions.
There are two seats inside the cockpit alongside control panels for both occupants. A larger console is situated between the driver and the gunner, featuring some Aurebesh letters which read 'target locked' beside a Droid Gunship. This sticker seems incredibly similar to the design found in 75043 AT-AP and even includes the same distance reading underneath the Droid Gunship image!
While the front and sides of the armoured cockpit are impressive, the rear includes several exposed Technic elements. This area looks considerably worse than the previous version but I appreciate the updated locking mechanism for the retractable leg which is hidden effectively. Another mechanism is included to secure the dorsal medium laser cannon.
This locks the rotating laser cannon in its forward firing position and works perfectly. A third minifigure can direct this weapon but the set only contains two Clone Troopers which is somewhat disappointing. However, I do like the firing spring-loaded shooter and the mass-driver cannon looks good, despite its inaccurate position. The barrel should really emanate directly from the hull rather than being mounted on top.
Separating the mass-driver cannon from the main structure underneath also confers certain benefits as its elevation can be adjusted. The surrounding armour plates slot together nicely on the whole but there are small gaps around the roof, unfortunately. That is frustrating as the previous renditions sealed these spaces almost entirely and their angular shaping was also superior in my opinion.
The legs have certainly been improved though. I like the wedge plates forming armour plating between the rounded joints and those areas of the walker are brilliant as well, even though there is only a single functional joint at the hip. Walking poses are therefore impossible but the central stabiliser leg is highly articulated and the diagonal orientation of the toes is a great detail, making ingenious use of octagonal parabolic rings inside each foot.
Deploying an additional leg provides support when firing the mass-driver cannon but it must be folded away should the walker need to change position. The leg slots neatly beneath the armoured hull and I am quite pleased with its appearance in the stowed configuration, although this leg does remain more visible than the design that appears in Revenge of the Sith.
Overall
I was extremely surprised when 75234 AT-AP Walker was announced as this vehicle is comparatively obscure and the previous version only retired towards the end of 2015. Furthermore, this model looks remarkably similar to its predecessors and the design has advanced little. In fact, the most significant adjustments are probably the angled toes and the stabiliser leg locking mechanism, both of which are subtle.
Nevertheless, this is an excellent model. It looks marvellous in relation to the source material and I love the olive green highlights against the grey armour. The minifigures are wonderful too but a couple more Clone Troopers would have been welcome. £64.99 or $59.99 is a fairly reasonable price so I think fans of the Clone Wars era will enjoy this set, although there is little to interest owners of 75043 AT-AP. Perhaps the vehicle could instead have been adapted for Felucia and come with Commander Bly as that would have distinguished the latest rendition from earlier designs.
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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20 comments on this article
I had the original version and it was cool. Probably won't get this one, but it looks much nicer.
Am I the only one who's worried that these Kashyyyk releases are only going to delay new Wookiee craft for another five years?
As someone who got back into Lego only a few years ago so missed the previous release, I'm happy to have this (building it at the moment too). It's a nice addition to the ever growing Star Wars sets in my collection. I know a lot of people may dismiss this or be unhappy as it's a re-release, but given it's 5yrs since the last rendition, for those adults like me that's come back to Lego and for children who have found Star Wars from the new wave of movies, it's a good move on the part of Lego. Now if only they update some more of the early USC sets!!
It might not be worth buying if you own the previous version, but I think this model makes enough changes to be considered a worthwhile update. The last one was already a very good rendition of it too, so it makes sense that there's not a huge amount of things to change (not unlike the Snowspeeder).
I personally think this one looks much better than the last one, even if a lot of the details/changes are very minor. It all comes down to personal taste though, of course, but I think everyone can at least agree that having the feet accurately rotated 45° is a pretty sizeable improvement.
I have to say, moving the hips back on this version compared to the 2014 version really changes its stance quite a lot. I love the 2014 version and the roof of the new one is quite a step back, but the angled tows and overall stance make the new one seem better actually. The 2014 version felt a little too tall.
Definitely room for improvement, but an excellent set for those who do not have its predecessor. I think it will go wonderfully with the droid gun ship and the 20th anniversary clone walker for those who want to start or add to their Kashyyyk collection.
So the AT-AP is the Prequel Trilogy equivalent of the Original Trilogy's B-Wing; very little screen time yet we get several models of it....what will be the Sequel Trilogy ship to get the same coverage by Lego?
I love the idea for this set to be adapted to Felucia. We need 327th Star Corps figures!!!!
Sometimes I wonder if LEGO has market data on which particular SW vehicles have the most market potential or if someone high up at LEGO simply has a few favorites from SW and that's what they keep making. Always so quirky what they make repeatedly and what never quite makes it into a set.
^If they have the market data I would love to see it. I think its obvious that X-Wings, Millennium Falcon variants, Tie-Fighters, etc. would be popular sets. But I think the Prequel/Clone-Wars/Sequel/Legends/Spin-Off material is a more interesting guessing game as to "what will sell" and what will actually be made. There are a lot of material from those that have yet to be made by Lego, and a lot of materiel *ahem* Jedi Starfighters *ahem* that get remade a lot!
I would like to get this AT-AP if my budget allows for it. I don't have the previous ones, so I can't complain that it is a remake. But compared to some sets from last year that I have yet to get (X-Wing, Imperial Transport Shuttle, AT-Hauler, etc.) and some sets coming up this year (Star Wars: Resistance sets, the eventual Episode IX set wave) its really hard for this set to stand out in my wish list.
I like the Droids and the kashyyyk clone troopers more than the vehicle,
Nothing beats the UCS Millennium Falcon or slave 1..
there ought to be more wookie based sets in lego star wars other than clone but i do like this one
My youngest son didn't get to watch TCW 5 years ago, but is deep into it now. The two sets he had been begging me for are this and the Droid Gunship (and everything else that has previously been released). Keep the remakes coming. The eight year old loves them.
I'm still reeling over the fact that 2014 was five years ago...
Me too. I read 2014 and thought 'a couple of years ago'. Then I did the maths.
Although isn't that 4 renditions of the Millennium Falcon ago?
I will get this if I can find it at a small discount(£50-£55) as I like walkers and don't have the previous versions.
What about the droid attack on the Wookies?
Also why does Lego not include the kashyykk battle droids in the 20th anniversary clone scout walker??
i really wish they make new republic gunship ... :)
^ @mathew1500
yeah, that should've been a candidate as well for the anniversary sets
Not gonna complain about the remake cos I missed out on the 2014 one. However, I'm annoyed that they switched Chewbacca and Tarfful round. I got the 2014 Gunship so already have Chewie but didn't get Tarfful so would have liked him to be included in the AT-AP again.