Review: 9499 Gungan Sub

Set ID: 9499 Gungan Sub

Number of Pieces: 465

Year of Release: 2012

Minifigs: 4

Purchased Price: About SGD112

The predecessor of this set was released in 1999. Yes, that was the year when the first sets of LEGO Star Wars were launched. Other than the submarine itself, the older set came with a one-piece stingray and an underwater cove, even complete with seashells! The latest set is much simpler - no frills, no extras. Just the submarine. Somehow, even when I pay more for less, I am a happier collector. For now I do not have to worry about losing the extra pieces (such as the seashell) or mixing them up with other adjacent sets on display. 

13 years separate the two versions of the Gungan Sub and I was surprised there were hardly any obvious changes to the design or colours. Honestly I don't even remember how the sub looks like in Episode I, as most of the time the camera angle was taken from within the sub, closing up on the terrified look of its occupants while being chased by underwater monsters of odd shape and sizes. One thing I am sure, it looks like a stingray from the outside, with a trailing tail-like rotating motor at its rear. And the latest version succeeded in replicating the shape and improved on the slickness of the design. At least many of the odd angles in the older version are now absent in this flatter new one.

With so much danger lurking in the water, this sub needs to be equipped with an escape pod. Unfortunately, while the Gungan sub is designed to carry three passengers, the escape pod is only designed to take one during the time of an emergency. Well, the other two passengers will be better off dead, given that the escape pod (carrying the lucky escapee) will be detached from the main sub and propelled by the rotating rear engine. That will practically leaves the sub without any propulsion and possibly ending up in the stomach of a hungry sea monster.

Larger front cockpit to accommodate more minifigs

The sub comes with three independent cockpits, not unlike the 1999 version. Key difference is with the main cockpit at the front, large enough to accommodate three minifigs. Although a little tight for space, at least the three passengers can sit together and brave the adventure as a team. That leaves me with a question - so what's the other two cockpits for? According to the box art, one can be used to store the capes of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi (otherwise they cannot fit into the main cockpit together) and the other is for a (my best guess) underwater mine. My preference will be to keep Jar Jar Binks in one of the rear cockpit alone as I do not want to deprive the Jedi masters of their signature capes.

Besides the underwater mine that is stored in the cockpit, this Gungan sub is also equipped with a couple of flick missiles, located on the bottom of the sub. A couple of well concealed containers at both wings carry a single blue transparent brick each. From the look of its colour and its resemblance to those ammunition used by the Gungan patrol, I can only assume that those are part of the Gungan Sub's armoury. How this weapon can be deployed is a mystery to me though.

Building Experience

This set was a 1.5 hour effort for me. Without any distraction, it is not a difficult set to build. Five packets of bricks and two building manuals can be found inside the unique square box. It seems that LEGO is starting to explore beyond the conventional rectangular boxes in recent years, testing water with such design. While I am not resistant to it, the shape does pose a challenge when I have to store them with the other sets. At least for now, this Gungan sub will have the recently-released TIE Fighter (9492) for company. Expect more of such boxes in the future.

One of the reasons why this new Gungan sub can look "flatter" and sleeker than the earlier version is  the extensive use of curved bricks for its peripheral design. Years back, most of the sets were usually built by the "bottom up" approach, i.e. build the base first and upwards from there. However, such an approach usually pose a constraint for those vehicles that are more curvy in design (think Sith Infiltrator) and the end product will look a huge departure from its original.  To overcome this, many recent sets have adopted another approach - by building the peripheral walls as a flexible part and assemble that to the main body, creating a much more aesthetic representation of the vehicle. This Gungan sub is yet another example of such design.

The completed sub does look smaller than what I expected, defying the rule that the bigger the better. I did wonder where did those 465 bricks went to, and the answers lie within the sub. There were many small bricks (and single studded ones) used in this set, found mostly on the inside of the vehicle. Built with care and precision, this vehicle is one sturdy product, allowing you to play with it (you just need to imagine the chasing monsters) and perform a few barrel rolls without the fear of falling parts. Having said that, the bomb containers on the wings are not THAT secured so they do come off if you invert the sub. Remember to remove them during "rough play".

Minifigs

The two Jedi masters and Jar Jar Binks minifigs offer little surprises, except that Qui-Gon Jin and Obi Wan do comes with 2-faced heads. One side showing the normal, calm expressions and the other with a breathing apparatus, for the Jedi masters to survive in the water when they abandon ship. 

For collectors, the Queen Amidala minifig is almost the sole reason why this set should be bought. Being unique to this set aside, the details that go into the design of the head piece and gown was breathtaking. I will even go as much to say that there is a certain look in the minifig which resemble Natalie Portman. Perhaps it is the face paint. Perhaps its the elaborate head gear. Or perhaps I am thinking too much. The long gown of the Queen offers an opportunity to design the minifig with a large base, allowing it to be more stable than a conventional minifig. I just hope this minifig will not be over produced and start appearing in many other future sets. Over exposure = lower collector value. I am sure LEGO will agree with me on that.