Mini building sets

Back in the mists of Lego time (2003), a release of polybag "mini building sets" was released. As far as I can tell, barring a mini tie fighter in 2002, these were the ground breaking in that they were the first non-minifig Star Wars sets and pretty much laid the groundwork for all future polybag sets, the calendars and more recently the magazine "gifts".

There were three series.  The first comprised the following:

  • 4484: X-Wing Fighter & TIE Advanced
  • 4485: Sebulba's Podracer & Anakin's Podracer
  • 4486: AT-ST & Snowspeeder
  • 4487: Jedi Starfighter & Slave I
  • Plus a bonus Tie Bomber if you bought all four

These had some really nice printed parts and most of them really stand the test of time. I particularly think that the Jedi starfighter and Slave I are really good for their size.  

Series two concentrated on one larger model rather than two smaller ones:

  • 4488: Millennium Falcon
  • 4489: AT-AT 
  • 4490: Republic Gunship
  • 4491: MTT
  • Plus a bonus Y-wing if you bought all of them

Apart from the AT-AT, which I don't love, the other three sets here are all excellent.  In particular, the MTT is really nice for its size, though the printed 8x8 dish on the top of the Falcon provides tons of detail that is simply not available on other models of this size.


The final series was released a year later and consisted again of four single model sets.  The other big change, of course, is that these are in the new colours.

No bonus this time if you collected all four.  Again, some really nice models, which set the standards for the future.  The shuttle in particular has been updated at least twice if not 3 times, with very little change in the overall shape.

In summary, these are some really nice sets from the early years of Lego Star Wars, were trend setting at the time and have really stood the test of time!




 

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