What has inspired Battle Pack vehicles?
Posted by CapnRex101,
Battle Packs have become an important feature of LEGO Star Wars, introduced during 2007 and traditionally containing four minifigures beside an appropriate vehicle.
However, surprisingly few options are available for those vehicles because Battle Packs are invariably small. Some interesting sources have therefore inspired these models, including extremely obscure subjects from different video games, comics and even concept artwork!
7654 Droids Battle Pack
Origin: N/A (influenced by Trade Federation Patrol Boat)
Despite performing the same transport role as the prominent Platoon Attack Craft, the vehicle from 7654 Droids Battle Pack instead loosely resembles the obscure Trade Federation Patrol Boat. This vehicle appears during the Star Wars: Starfighter video game and incorporates an unusual conical cockpit, which presumably influenced the LEGO creation.
7655 Clone Troopers Battle Pack
Origin: N/A (influenced by BARC speeder)
Surprisingly few speeder bikes are designed for two occupants, hence this craft is an original creation. However, I imagine its shape was somewhat influenced by the BARC speeder and LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary identifies certain similarities. Even so, the influence seems relatively limited.
7667 Imperial Dropship
Origin: N/A
7667 Imperial Dropship was designed by Bas Brederode, who confirms that this Imperial craft was an original creation on his BrickList.
7668 Rebel Scout Speeder
Origin: Imperial Repulsor Scout
The corresponding Rebel pack was also developed by Bas Brederode, although this speeder originates from an Imperial vehicle. Among several potential candidates, I think the Repulsor Scout most closely resembles the Rebel Scout Speeder, integrating the same rear-mounted turret and comparable hull shaping. While the original vehicle is enclosed, excluding the roof seems appropriate for a Battle Pack.
8014 Clone Walker Battle Pack
Origin: AT-RCT
The celebrated 8014 Clone Walker Battle Pack also takes inspiration from an obscure vehicle, appearing in the concept artwork and comic adaptation for Revenge of the Sith! The unique All Terrain Riot Control Transport, or AT-RCT, integrates the same tandem cockpit configuration as the LEGO Clone Walker and its weapons are similarly distributed.
8015 Assassin Droids Battle Pack
Origin: N/A
Copious speeder bike designs have appeared throughout Star Wars movies, television series, video games and other sources. However, none resemble the streamlined speeder from 8015 Assassin Droids Battle Pack, which is an original LEGO creation.
8083 Rebel Trooper Battle Pack
Origin: Rebel cannon sled
Unlike earlier Battle Packs, 8083 Rebel Trooper Battle Pack contains an interesting canonical vehicle from The Empire Strikes Back. The cannon sled is present in numerous shots on Hoth, although only in the corners or deep background of each frame. LEGO drawing some attention to lesser-known subjects is appreciated.
8084 Snowtrooper Battle Pack
Origin: 74-Z speeder bike
The corresponding 8084 Snowtrooper Battle Pack includes the canonical 74-Z speeder bike, predominantly comprising white elements to reflect the Hoth environment.
7913 Clone Trooper Battle Pack
Origin: BARC speeder
BARC speeders were introduced during Revenge of the Sith and appear throughout Star Wars: The Clone Wars too. This ubiquitous vehicle was therefore the perfect selection for 7913 Clone Trooper Battle Pack, given its importance to Republic forces.
7914 Mandalorian Battle Pack
Origin: Balutar-class swoop bike
Death Watch employs numerous distinctive vehicles, including light Balutar-class swoop bikes. One such vehicle is therefore provided with 7914 Mandalorian Battle Pack, capturing the small size of the onscreen bike.
9488 Elite Clone Trooper & Commando Droid Battle Pack
Origin: AV-7 antivehicle cannon
While smaller subjects are preferable for Battle Packs, reducing the scale of bigger structures can prove effective. This set accordingly includes a small AV-7 antivehicle cannon, identifiable from the angular legs and offset control position.
9489 Endor Rebel Trooper & Imperial Trooper Battle Pack
Origin: 74-Z speeder bike
Another rendition of the 74-Z speeder bike became available during 2012, succeeding 8084 Snowtrooper Battle Pack. This version features the more recognisable reddish brown colour, rather than white.
75000 Clone Troopers vs. Droidekas
Origin: Forward command centre
LEGO took obvious inspiration from the forward command centre which appears during Attack of the Clones when designing 75000 Clone Troopers vs. Droidekas. The command centre was substantially reduced in scale, but retains the distinctive rounded shape of the source material.
75001 Republic Troopers vs. Sith Troopers
Origin: Rendili Vehicle Corporation hoverbike
Numerous hoverbikes and speeders appear throughout The Old Republic, including variants manufactured by the Rendili Vehicle Corporation. The craft from 75001 Republic Troopers vs. Sith Troopers takes inspiration from one such vehicle, although its colour is unique.
75034 Death Star Troopers
Origin: SB-920 laser cannon
The original Death Star contained 10,000 SB-920 laser cannons, which are intended to target starfighters. This emplacement seems accordingly appropriate for 75034 Death Star Troopers, following the rendition from 10188 Death Star.
75035 Kashyyyk Troopers
Origin: Infantry Support Platform
Infantry Support Platforms, more commonly known as Swamp Speeders, have appeared in various LEGO sets. This rendition is substantially smaller than others, but includes splendid detail and ample space for two minifigures.
75036 Utapau Troopers
Origin: Octuptarra Combat Tri-Droid
75036 Utapau Troopers is unique among Battle Packs, featuring opposition for the minifigures instead of the conventional vehicle or turret. The powerful Octuptarra Combat Tri-Droid seems perfect for this role and I am surprised the concept has not returned subsequently, since many potential subjects are available.
75078 Imperial Troop Transport
Origin: Imperial Troop Transport
As the name suggests, 75078 Imperial Troop Transport provides a substantially scaled-down model of the Imperial Troop Transport. This vessel was reintroduced during Star Wars Rebels, having originally been developed for Kenner toys during 1979.
75079 Shadow Troopers
Origin: N/A (possibly influenced by Galactic Solutions Industries speeder bike)
75079 Shadow Troopers contains an intriguing speeder, without any obvious source material. However, I wonder whether this creation was influenced by the Galactic Solutions Industries speeder bikes which appear during The Old Republic video game, given the distinct engine configuration and shaping shared by that vehicle and the LEGO model.
75088 Senate Commando Troopers
Origin: N/A
Turrets have accompanied several Battle Packs and this model shares certain similarities with another creation from 9488 Elite Clone Trooper & Commando Droid Battle Pack. However, the differences are sufficiently noticeable to consider this an original design, in my opinion.
75089 Geonosis Troopers
Origin: N/A (influenced by AT-RT)
The two-legged walker from 75089 Geonosis Troopers also resembles a previous Battle Pack vehicle, albeit featuring a substantial six-stud shooter rather than the lighter weaponry of 8014 Clone Walker Battle Pack. Despite exhibiting some features from the earlier vehicle, I think the Geonosian walker lacks any specific inspiration.
75133 Rebel Alliance Battle Pack
Origin: N/A (influenced by 74-Z speeder bike)
Corresponding with the earlier 7655 Clone Troopers Battle Pack, this twin-seat speeder bike represents no particular source material. However, the outriggers, steering vanes and colour scheme undoubtedly originate from the 74-Z speeder bike.
75134 Galactic Empire Battle Pack
Origin: N/A
An unusual Imperial command centre accompanies 75134 Galactic Empire Battle Pack, with control stations accommodating two minifigures. This model is another original LEGO design.
75131 Resistance Trooper Battle Pack
Origin: Gian-211 patrol speeder
Following an appearance from similar craft during The Phantom Menace, the Gian-211 patrol speeder is shown briefly at the Resistance base during The Force Awakens. That vehicle was accordingly chosen for 75131 Resistance Trooper Battle Pack, albeit with a large laser cannon situated behind the cockpit.
75132 First Order Battle Pack
Origin: N/A (influenced by Starkiller Base missile batteries)
Starkiller Base is defended by countless missile batteries, exhibiting unmistakable similarities with the turret from 75132 First Order Battle Pack. The angular structure and weapon position, that passes through the rotating support, closely resembling the onscreen missile batteries. Of course, the Imperial XX-9 turbolaser presumably influenced both the First Order weapons and the LEGO model.
75164 Rebel Trooper Battle Pack
Origin: N/A
Countless speeder bikes have appeared throughout the Star Wars universe and this design borrows features from numerous sources, but cannot be identified with any specific speeder bike.
75165 Imperial Trooper Battle Pack
Origin: N/A
75165 Imperial Trooper Battle Pack includes another walker. Once again, the vehicle features two articulated legs and familiar proportions, but bears no resemblance to anything which has appeared onscreen, in video games or in published development artwork.
75166 First Order Transport Speeder Battle Pack
Origin: Light Infantry Utility Vehicle concept
Numerous concepts were proposed for the First Order Snowspeeder, including this example published in The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Despite not appearing onscreen, this artwork eventually provided inspiration for 75166 First Order Transport Speeder Battle Pack.
Thanks to James Burns from Jedi News for this image.
75167 Bounty Hunter Speeder Bike Battle Pack
Origin: N/A
The designer of this unusual Battle Pack, César Soares, has confirmed that the supplied dark azure speeder bike was not based upon any specific vehicle. However, it did provide the basis for a bike featured in an official Star Wars comic, released after the set in 2018.
75197 First Order Specialists Battle Pack
Origin: N/A
Similarities between this turret and the creation from 75088 Senate Commando Troopers are obvious, including the four angled supports and weapon configuration. This design seemingly received no onscreen inspiration though.
75198 Tatooine Battle Pack
Origin: N/A
This vehicle was designed for interaction with 75220 Sandcrawler and vaguely resembles the Jawas' mobile workshops, including an elevated cockpit with simulated treads. Any inspiration taken from the traditional Sandcrawler was relatively abstract though.
75206 Jedi and Clone Troopers Battle Pack
Origin: N/A
The popular Republic Gunship undoubtedly influenced the shape of this vehicle, inspiring the colour scheme and angled wings. Nevertheless, such influences are extremely subtle, so this must be classified as another Battle Pack model without identifiable source material.
75207 Imperial Patrol Battle Pack
Origin: C-PH patrol speeder bike
Solo: A Star Wars Story introduced another speeder bike, which seems ideal for Battle Packs. The impressive C-PH patrol speeder bike accordingly appears in 75207 Imperial Patrol Battle Pack and achieves surprising accuracy.
75225 Elite Praetorian Guard Battle Pack
Origin: N/A
75225 Elite Praetorian Guard Battle Pack is the only Battle Pack without any vehicles and the guards' training platform is definitely an original creation.
75226 Inferno Squad Battle Pack
Origin: N/A
Star Wars Battlefront II provides limited inspiration for smaller vehicles, hence another original design accompanies the minifigures in 75226 Inferno Squad Battle Pack.
75262 Imperial Dropship - 20th Anniversary Edition
Origin: 7667 Imperial Dropship
LEGO produced an updated version of 7667 Imperial Dropship during 2019, celebrating the twentieth anniversary of LEGO Star Wars. This vehicle was therefore inspired by an existing LEGO model.
75266 Sith Troopers Battle Pack
Origin: Light Infantry Utility Vehicle
Three renditions of the Light Infantry Utility Vehicle have been released, beginning with 75100 First Order Snowspeeder which was oversized. 75126 First Order Snowspeeder Microfighter accordingly achieved greater accuracy in some respects, while the creation from 75266 Sith Troopers Battle Pack featured reasonable proportions, alongside somewhat unusual colours.
75267 Mandalorian Battle Pack
Origin: Balutar-class swoop bike
Matching its predecessor from 2011, the modern Mandalorian Battle Pack contains another Balutar-class swoop bike. This example is considerably larger than the previous design and features earthier colours, which suits the Nevarro environment perfectly.
75320 Snowtrooper Battle Pack
Origin: 74-Z speeder bike
Appropriately, the newest Battle Pack is another which contains the most common vehicle among these sets, the famous 74-Z speeder bike.
Among the 39 different Battle Packs released between 2007 and 2022, fifteen portray subjects originating from canonical films or television series. They are certainly my favoured sources for Battle Pack designs, although taking inspiration from obscure vehicles has produced appealing models as well.
Despite limitations upon their size, numerous potential subjects for Battle Pack vehicles remain. Another article discussing those possibilities will therefore be published shortly.
What are your favourite LEGO Star Wars Battle Pack models? Let us know in the comments.
182 likes
44 comments on this article
I love this article, great work.
My favorite category is "unspecified generic speeder"
And here was me thinking they were inspired by the need not to violate Kenner's Star Wars figure licence!
To my eyes, 75198 bears a strong resemblance to the old Kenner Droid Factory play set. http://www.rebelscum.com/Kenner-PS-DroidFactory.asp
I'd always assumed that they were all made up apart from the obvious ones like the Kashyyyk swamp speeder. And I was basically right, altho there are a couple here of interest
Wow this is weird and cool! Constructive feedback: add pics of the Lego version and the in universe version, incase anyone is unfamiliar with either. Otherwise, a great informative article! I love these!
Ah yes, 75206 my favorite "Battle Pack"
The bike in 75167 was created by Lego, but has since been canonized in one of the comics!
@Cardinal_Brick:
I thought it was because minifigs in foot get exhausted trying to keep up with the large vehicles.
The mouse cursor being able to hover over set numbers to have the set image appear is such a nice feature.
Love these kinds of articles!
@Mynatt said:
"The mouse cursor being able to hover over set numbers to have the set image appear is such a nice feature.
Love these kinds of articles!"
Ah, that would explain why there’s no pics then of the other Lego versions. Unfortunately not really a feature on mobile.
Excellent article. I also see strong similarities between this line and the Kenner mini-rigs, see
https://www.starwars.com/news/offscreen-but-not-forgotten-mini-rigs-body-rigs-and-other-kenner-vehicles
@Goujon said:
" @Mynatt said:
"The mouse cursor being able to hover over set numbers to have the set image appear is such a nice feature.
Love these kinds of articles!"
Ah, that would explain why there’s no pics then of the other Lego versions. Unfortunately not really a feature on mobile.
"
I've found that on mobile long-pressing a set number and then tapping outside the "Open in new tab, open in incognito tab, etc" window will bring up the preview. That might not work on every OS and browser though.
Money in Lego’s view haha
I thought 'the inspiration' was because of the 'Hasall' lawsuit...:|
Santa's sleigh was a good enough vehicle for the reindeer battle pack. Now we just need some excuse for a Lego Friends sloth battle pack!
@Vladtheb said:
"The bike in 75167 was created by Lego, but has since been canonized in one of the comics!"
Hah, which one? I always like how much cross-referencing there is in Star Wars, fans picking up on stuff other fans did
2014 was a great year for battle packs, not only for the minifigures but because all vehicles and builds were canon. Why can't they do that more often?
It should be noted that the final First Order Snowspeeder is actually just the concept version but backwards, with some details changed. The windscreens became backrests, etc.
@Brickalili said:
" @Vladtheb said:
"The bike in 75167 was created by Lego, but has since been canonized in one of the comics!"
Hah, which one? I always like how much cross-referencing there is in Star Wars, fans picking up on stuff other fans did"
An issue of the Star Wars Adventures comic created for Free Comic Book Day during 2018. You can view it on the third page, shown here: https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-adventures-free-comic-book-day-2018-exclusive-preview
75164 and 75165 are in my opinion perfect examples of the best and worst battle pack builds!
The rebel pack includes a small, but very detailed and great looking speeder bike, alongside a trench with a function turret! Both builds are very nice for their size, and are easily massable.
On the other hand, the imperial pack has a ridiculous looking slapdash walker that is strangely proportioned, unfinished looking and sparsely detailed. It barely even looks like a Star Wars build.
I'm thrilled that the Snowtrooper battle pack is following suit with a speeder and trench builds, rather than the random made up vehicles. I love that it can be incorporated into any Hoth display, and that definitely encourages buying multiples!
Also, I think this article mistakenly excludes 75037, which is a battle pack in everything but name, and includes probably the best looking BARC speeder so far!
The speeder bikes in 8015 Assassin Droids Battle Pack could be based on the charge of the black Assassin Droids in the original Clone Wars micro series, although the ones in the cartoon are rusty brown in colour and single seaters.
@CapnRex101 said:
" @Brickalili said:
" @Vladtheb said:
"The bike in 75167 was created by Lego, but has since been canonized in one of the comics!"
Hah, which one? I always like how much cross-referencing there is in Star Wars, fans picking up on stuff other fans did"
An issue of the Star Wars Adventures comic created for Free Comic Book Day during 2018. You can view it on the third page, shown here: https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-adventures-free-comic-book-day-2018-exclusive-preview "
I see it lurking in the corner there! I wonder if that means the other sets without a source will eventually work their way into canon
Great coverage and research in this article. Thanks! I like a lot of these sets. I have only 4 of these sets, lol. The first one on the list was a gift from my mom. Because of this article, I know now that the craft is inspired by the TF Patrol Boat in the video game. Very helpful. Again, wonderful article and many thanks!
Whether the side build in a battle pack closely resembles something from the Star Wars canon is quite important to me as I part out every side build that doesn't do so. I have most of these battle packs and the only ones I haven't parted out are the BARC speeder from 7913, the command centre from 75000 and the Octuptara droid from 75036 because they look decent, and also the builds from 7655 and 7667 because they're classic and have nostalgic value from when I used to play with them.
I liked the patrol speeder in 75207 but I made a MOC of it that is much better.
It is cool to see all the ones that were inspired by more obscure source material. Nice to know that the designers are at least putting some effort into it. I have to admit I have often thought I could come up with something better than some of the lower-quality builds that have appeared in battle packs recently.
Thanks for this article.
@bassplate said:
"Excellent article. I also see strong similarities between this line and the Kenner mini-rigs, see
https://www.starwars.com/news/offscreen-but-not-forgotten-mini-rigs-body-rigs-and-other-kenner-vehicles"
Thank you so much for this link. I now know the origin of several of my childhood Star Wars vehicles that I always wondered about!
I dunno, if you ignore the giant rotary stud launcher, the rest of the walker in 75089 Geonosis Troopers is pretty clearly an AT-RT. Personally I like the rotary launcher, it's the right kind of silly.
Nah, 8083 is clearly just a militarized zamboni. What about taking inspiration from the tons of small Lego classic space sets? Lego can copy themselves if they ever run out of ideas for battle pack vehicles.
Great article, but I wish the Lego set images were displayed in the article for every set mentioned...not just the ones where there's no official source of inspiration. I know I can hover over the Lego set numbers, but that becomes tedious and simply including the set photo would have been nicer. (I mean, who DOESN'T want to be reminded what the Lego set looks like in order to compare to the on-screen vehicle?!)
@tjarrett said:
"To my eyes, 75198 bears a strong resemblance to the old Kenner Droid Factory play set. http://www.rebelscum.com/Kenner-PS-DroidFactory.asp"
I had that set as a kid. Fond memories
@OldschoolFan74:
Like just about anything with the SW logo slapped on it, I wanted that (there’s a lot of truth to the Spaceballs merchandise scene). But I probably wanted this more than most of the line. I always liked the action figure toys that gave you parts you could use to build stuff, like Zartan’s swamp bike. Hasbro released at least one form of buildable droid, but all I can recall is a run of action figures where you got the head, body, or L/R leg for a series of astromechs. In this case, I think it was buildable astromechs that had components randomly packed with various action figures, making it difficult to complete the set without rebuying at least a few characters, and probably ending up with a few duplicate components along the way.
@CapnRex101 said:
" @Brickalili said:
" @Vladtheb said:
"The bike in 75167 was created by Lego, but has since been canonized in one of the comics!"
Hah, which one? I always like how much cross-referencing there is in Star Wars, fans picking up on stuff other fans did"
An issue of the Star Wars Adventures comic created for Free Comic Book Day during 2018. You can view it on the third page, shown here: https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-adventures-free-comic-book-day-2018-exclusive-preview "
And (although not cannon) it also appeared in the Lego Star Wars free makers adventures (during the chase on the wheel)
75001 Republic Troopers vs. Sith Troopers - vehicle is from The Old Republic MMORPG. It was a pre order bonus. That’s where the picture comes from too, although not credited.
I like speeder bikes because they are easy to replicate with spare parts. They are small and you can use one-off parts with out worrying about symmetry, which many of us Legofans suffer from.
Thanks for the article, it was well researched and interesting!
OMG!!
Some seriously impressive research here, by someone who seriously knows the Star Wars universe in intimate detail!!
And I had no idea there have been 39 battle packs over the past 15 years!
Wow
The inferno squad build is confirmed to have inspiration from a TIE interceptor/fighter, albeit very loosely
Just like @HandofBobb I've always had a feeling that the walker from 75089 is clearly an AT-RT. Sure, there's an addition of pillion, but when you look at the side panels, bottom turret and rear antenna it's clearly AT-RT inspired.
@CapnRex101:
No mention of where the Jeep from the Green Army Men battle pack is from?
@Data_2006 said:
" @CapnRex101 said:
" @Brickalili said:
" @Vladtheb said:
"The bike in 75167 was created by Lego, but has since been canonized in one of the comics!"
Hah, which one? I always like how much cross-referencing there is in Star Wars, fans picking up on stuff other fans did"
An issue of the Star Wars Adventures comic created for Free Comic Book Day during 2018. You can view it on the third page, shown here: https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-adventures-free-comic-book-day-2018-exclusive-preview "
And (although not cannon) it also appeared in the Lego Star Wars free makers adventures (during the chase on the wheel)
"
I'm so happy somebody else remembers that show! It has been referenced in several ways in the Christmas and Halloween LEGO SW specials. If ever somebody needs something to watch and has a Star Wars-itch, go onto Disney+ and watch the two seasons. (There are more specials from The Clone Wars era "Yoda Chronicles" that all tie it together as well. Makes more sense to watch them in order of release for context later on!)
Seeing the Imperial Troop Transport reminded me of the old Kenner Mini-Rigs. Future inspiration for Battle Packs, perhaps?
The dropship from 7667 (and, by extension, 75262) is very reminiscent of the LAAT/le patrol gunship (https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/LAAT/le_patrol_gunship) – which is quite curious considering the set predates the vehicle's first appearance by 5 (!) years! I have to wonder if it was ever an inspiration for The Clone Wars designers.
As for the Hoth hover-sled, the wonderful youtuber ECHenry recently did a ton of research on this extremely obscure vehicle and did a detailed render of it: https://youtu.be/pa3vDAB47f4
And the funky walker from 75165 could perhaps been somewhat inspired by the open-roofed AT-DT from the game Star Wars: Commander (https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/All_Terrain_Defense_Turret)
Given how prevalent scrapyards like the Jawa's and Watto are in Star Wars and how things like Anakin's Podracer or L3-37 are just slapped together using existing machinery it wouldn't surprise me if some of the "generic speeder bikes" are custom models thrown together by the battle-pack's figures with their low funds.