Set ID: 75091 Flash Speeder
Number of Pieces: 312
Year of Release: 2015
Minifigs: 5
Purchased Price: About SGD 70
Over the years, almost all the sets in my LEGO Star Wars collection have been re-released. Some just once, others many. While many collectors lament on the lack of exclusivity due to the multiple re-releases, such decisions by LEGO are actually beneficial for those who have missed the earlier versions. Of course, it benefited LEGO's profit margin too. I am an avid collector of the movie series so I have to admit I will buy regardless of which version (unless of course if I go broke) So is there any joy in owning another re-release?
Yes. The joy comes in the form of:
1) Better brick selections
2) More detailed designs and movie accuracy
3) More interesting building techniques
For this Flash Speeder, it has been 15 years since the first version was released. As it does not enjoy as much air time in the movie as compared to, say, the Millennium Falcon, its popularity (or lack of) is clearly defined by a much delayed re-release of version 2. Despite its insignificance in the 2015 Spring lineup, I must say for a set of this size and this price, I was impressed by how it has evolved over the last 1.5 decades, partly due to the fact that the original version has set a pretty low benchmark.
The Completed Set
The Flash Speeder is primarily used for peace time patrol by the Naboo Security Forces. As such, it is not meant for hard core aggression nor does it require armoured plated type of protection. According to it's technical specs, the Flash Speeder should only have a mounted blaster behind the cockpit but in this LEGO version, it has the said blaster PLUS three menacing spring loaded missiles! The movie accuracy was compromised as soon as I realised that the 2 side missiles are positioned at where the engine cowlings are supposed to be. Guess it is a case of playability vs accuracy and the former prevails.
This version of Flash Speeder has already made significance improvement to streamline the nose and and bulk up the body a little. More curvatures can be found and proportions of various parts of the Flash Speeder are in better order too. The vehicle now seats four comfortably and I found the seat design pretty interesting.
For years, LEGO has also used the traditional 2X2 stud up design to keep the passengers in their seats. In recent years, there are also the Friend-inspired leg clamp and SNOT designs too. This one has a 2X1 stud up design and the studs are aligned to the centre of the seats, making the minifigs sitting slightly off-centred. I really wondered why this was the case until I start to populate the cockpit with the minifigs. The Eureka moment: Sitting off-centred prevents the hands of the minifig from getting into the way of the swinging cockpit door. With this design, the minifigs can also sit closer together, thus keeping the width of the vehicle narrower and sleek. Clever!
Speaking of the door, this Flash Speeder comes with 2 upward-swinging doors to allow access for the passengers (think Mclaren MP4). Not that we need this to place the minifigs in as the cockpit is very open for easy access. The hovering effect of the vehicle is achieved through the use of 6 transparent 2X2 round bricks at the undercarriage. It is a good design intention, but the hovering effect is actually quite minimal.
Building Experience
This is one of the smallest set amongst its peers in the same wave of releases and the box is appropriately sized for the 300 bricks within. The box art in the front features the Flash Speeder in battle mode against the helpless Battle Droids. Captain Tarpals can also be seen joining the fray.
The bricks are distributed over 3 packs and the content also include 2 similar sticker sheets. Only one is used and the other is the extra. I am not too sure about this unusual gesture of generosity from LEGO but I guess they can afford to (there are only 2 decals on the sticker sheet anyway ...).
Although a straightforward built, the mixture of different techniques and brick assortment did make the whole 30min a little more "exciting".
Minifigs
The new and unique minifigs are usually labelled with the wording "NEW" on the box art, but I found out that the box designer has instead use a different "glow" colour to represent the exclusivity of the minifigs. The new Naboo Security Officer and Captain Tarpals are featured in golden glow while the other 3 minifigs are covered in blue coloured glow.
Captain Tarpals - This minifig shares the same head piece as Jar Jar Binks albeit in a different colour scheme. Tarpals does come with a purple hue around the eyes and wears a mask to match his brown outfit. A feature that is missing in the head piece is the drooping whiskers near his snout, a feature that sets him apart from the other Gungan warriors. Without the whiskers, this minifig could not fully exhibit the sense of seniority that he possesses in the movie. His torso are printed on both sides although the designs on his back can hardly be seen as his long ears have totally covered his rear. His leg piece is also printed with details which can't really be seen clearly against the dark brown colour.
Naboo Security Officer - A brand new minifig to add to the collection of the Naboo population. The NSO comes with a well designed cap with excellent details and level of accuracy. It is worn on a double printed head piece. I am especially impressed by the colour accuracy of this minifig and the details found on the torso and leg piece.
Naboo Security Guard - A rank below the NSO, the NSG was previously found in the latest MTT and can be distinguished by its signature yellow and brown uniform. His peak cap is lesser elaborate than that of NSO but accurate nonetheless. Insignia on the cap are printed rather than "pop-up"version on NSO's. Only one side of the head piece is printed as there is no way for the cap to conceal the alt face.
Battle Droids - The two common battle droids provide the little resistance to the Naboo platoon and also comic relief.
Conclusion
This is a set that will be forgotten before you can finish pronouncing "Star Wars". If you need a set that is easy to build, relatively cheap, and to appease your child who has no preference for any particular theme, this set will be a good candidate as a filler.
+ Helps to kill time, all 30 min of it
+ Interesting swinging door and seat design
- Movie inaccuracy: Since when is the Flash Speeder so heavily armed?
- Pricey for its size
Yes. The joy comes in the form of:
1) Better brick selections
2) More detailed designs and movie accuracy
3) More interesting building techniques
 |
| Flash Speeder comes with doors! |
The Completed Set
This version of Flash Speeder has already made significance improvement to streamline the nose and and bulk up the body a little. More curvatures can be found and proportions of various parts of the Flash Speeder are in better order too. The vehicle now seats four comfortably and I found the seat design pretty interesting.
For years, LEGO has also used the traditional 2X2 stud up design to keep the passengers in their seats. In recent years, there are also the Friend-inspired leg clamp and SNOT designs too. This one has a 2X1 stud up design and the studs are aligned to the centre of the seats, making the minifigs sitting slightly off-centred. I really wondered why this was the case until I start to populate the cockpit with the minifigs. The Eureka moment: Sitting off-centred prevents the hands of the minifig from getting into the way of the swinging cockpit door. With this design, the minifigs can also sit closer together, thus keeping the width of the vehicle narrower and sleek. Clever! |
| Additional storage spaces included |
 |
| Transparent 2X2's for minimal hovering effect |
Building Experience
This is one of the smallest set amongst its peers in the same wave of releases and the box is appropriately sized for the 300 bricks within. The box art in the front features the Flash Speeder in battle mode against the helpless Battle Droids. Captain Tarpals can also be seen joining the fray.
Although a straightforward built, the mixture of different techniques and brick assortment did make the whole 30min a little more "exciting".
Minifigs
The new and unique minifigs are usually labelled with the wording "NEW" on the box art, but I found out that the box designer has instead use a different "glow" colour to represent the exclusivity of the minifigs. The new Naboo Security Officer and Captain Tarpals are featured in golden glow while the other 3 minifigs are covered in blue coloured glow.
 |
| Impressive minifig lineup |
Captain Tarpals - This minifig shares the same head piece as Jar Jar Binks albeit in a different colour scheme. Tarpals does come with a purple hue around the eyes and wears a mask to match his brown outfit. A feature that is missing in the head piece is the drooping whiskers near his snout, a feature that sets him apart from the other Gungan warriors. Without the whiskers, this minifig could not fully exhibit the sense of seniority that he possesses in the movie. His torso are printed on both sides although the designs on his back can hardly be seen as his long ears have totally covered his rear. His leg piece is also printed with details which can't really be seen clearly against the dark brown colour.
Naboo Security Officer - A brand new minifig to add to the collection of the Naboo population. The NSO comes with a well designed cap with excellent details and level of accuracy. It is worn on a double printed head piece. I am especially impressed by the colour accuracy of this minifig and the details found on the torso and leg piece.
Naboo Security Guard - A rank below the NSO, the NSG was previously found in the latest MTT and can be distinguished by its signature yellow and brown uniform. His peak cap is lesser elaborate than that of NSO but accurate nonetheless. Insignia on the cap are printed rather than "pop-up"version on NSO's. Only one side of the head piece is printed as there is no way for the cap to conceal the alt face.
Battle Droids - The two common battle droids provide the little resistance to the Naboo platoon and also comic relief.
Conclusion
This is a set that will be forgotten before you can finish pronouncing "Star Wars". If you need a set that is easy to build, relatively cheap, and to appease your child who has no preference for any particular theme, this set will be a good candidate as a filler.
+ Helps to kill time, all 30 min of it
+ Interesting swinging door and seat design
- Movie inaccuracy: Since when is the Flash Speeder so heavily armed?
- Pricey for its size
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