Albert Balanza, Author at The Brick Show

What We Know So Far About The New LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley (75978) Set

After the news came out of another LEGO Harry Potter set that is being still being kept under wraps, the LEGO fan community was quick to share several box art images of the LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley (75978) over unofficial channels (aka leaks). As always, we’re not going to share these images here out of respect for LEGO’s established embargo. However, these are some of the things that we know so far about this very exciting set.

It’s the second-largest, and next most expensive LEGO Harry Potter set as of to date.

Though the title holder for being the largest LEGO Harry Potter set in terms of piece count still belongs to the Hogwarts Castle (71043) coming in at 6,020 pieces, the latest brick rendition of the Diagon Alley comes in second place with a total of 5,544 pieces included in its set. What is interesting here is that the latter comes with a similar price tag of $399.99 even if it comes short of around 400 pieces. This is probably because a lot of baseplates are used in this set, especially when you realize that it is primarily a modular set, which leads us to our second observation.

It follows a modular design and plenty of baseplates.

If you were following the trail of bread crumbs over at Instagram (#legoleaks), you will immediately notice that this latest LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley (75978) observes a modular design that highlights the following locations. These shops are designed in pairs, giving the set four distinct modular builds.

- Ollivanders Wand Shop and Scribbulus Writing Implements
- Quality Quidditch Supplies and The Daily Prophet
- Flourish & Blotts Bookseller and Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor
- Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and Knockturn Alley

Each module seems to rest on a singular baseplate, which may be one of the reasons why it is similarly priced to that of the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle. It is also interesting to note how LEGO designers opted for this ‘dual’ approach in creating these shops to somehow maintain a balance between showing as many details as they can about the famous Harry Potter marketplace, and offering it within a reasonable retail price. This is a good decision, in my opinion, considering also that they were able to package this for LEGO fans 16 years old and above.

The Minifigures

The minifigures in this set does not disappoint as well. I’m personally glad that LEGO opted to offer actual minifigures in its LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley (75978), instead of opting for nanofigures as what they did with the Hogwarts Castle back in 2018. Based on what we’ve seen so far, these are the 14 minifigures included in this set:

- Rubeus Hagrid
- Fred Weasley
- George Weasley
- Molly Weasley
- Ginny Weasley (younger version)
- Ron Weasley (younger version)
- Hermione Granger (younger version)
- Harry Potter (younger version)
- Draco Malfoy (younger version)
- Lucius Malfoy
- Gilderoy Lockhart
- Garrick Ollivander
- Florean Fortescue
- Daily Prophet Photographer

Those who knew their LEGO Harry Potter minifigures will immediately point out that the last two in this list are first-ever LEGO minifig renditions of the said characters. It may be said that they only had a brief moment in the Harry Potter universe, but I love how LEGO pays attention to these details and even gave such random characters like the Daily Prophet Photographer the LEGO treatment that they deserve.

Will it come with a gift-with-purchase set?

Yes, the LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley (75978) will certainly come with a gift-with-purchase or GWP set like other new LEGO HP sets slated to arrive next month. As I’ve mentioned in an earlier report, these promotional freebies will come in the form of a polybag and the LEGO BrickHeadz Hagrid and Buckbeak (40412). There’s seems to be no specific freebie unique for the Diagon Alley, but having these promotional items thrown into your shopping carts are certainly a welcomed gesture.

As a final note, LEGO has not yet announced an official release date for the LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley (75978) as of this posting. I hope an official press release will be out by next week, and I’ll keep my radars up until then.

Are We To Expect A Couple of LEGO Harry Potter GWP Sets In September?

The leaky faucet is back and this time, the news is all about the next wave of LEGO GWP or gift-with-purchase sets that will arrive next month. It is no secret that LEGO will be putting the spotlight on its line of LEGO Harry Potter sets next month, with so much in store under this theme. Given that we will also be having the LEGO Harry Potter CMF Series 2 (71028) and a new, yet to be officially revealed LEGO Diagon Alley (75978), it is but expected that LEGO will also be offering a couple of LEGO Harry Potter GWP sets to sweeten the deal.

And though we’re just counting the days before the official release of the September 2020 LEGO Store Calendar, we can now confirm what next month’s promotional deals will be. As it turns out, we can expect two LEGO Harry Potter GWP sets to be offered at this time. And our sources indicate that it will be the following:

LEGO Harry Potter and Hedwig: Owl Delivery (30420) polybag

LEGO BrickHeadz Hagrid and Buckbeak (40412)

LEGO Harry Potter and Hedwig: Owl Delivery (30420)

- Qualifying purchases of LEGO Harry Potter sets worth $40 or more.
- Promo period will be from September 1 to 15 or while supplies last.
- Will be offered both in-store and online via LEGO Shop@Home.

LEGO BrickHeadz Hagrid and Buckbeak (40412)

- Qualifying purchases of LEGO Harry Potter sets worth $100 or more.
- Promo period will be from September 1 to 15 or while supplies last.
- Will be offered both in-store and online via LEGO Shop@Home.
- Valued at $19.99, this collectible BrickHeadz set comes in at 270 pieces.

These LEGO Harry Potter GWP sets are a great incentive in getting the next wave of LEGO HP sets, especially if you time your purchases just right. The price points for the qualifying purchases are also reasonable considering that you will be getting these two incentives for free if you manage to have single-receipt purchases from these licensed themes.

Be on the lookout at your local LEGO Store starting next week, especially when the next LEGO Store Calendar begins to roll out. So what do you think about our next LEGO freebies? Do you think its a great deal? Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

LEGO Harry Potter Collectible Minifigures Series 2 (71028) Now Up At LEGO Shop@Home

After their official debut a couple of days ago, LEGO has now updated their home shopping portal to now include the LEGO Harry Potter Collectible Minifigures Series 2 (71028). This latest magical wave of LEGO CMF series is scheduled to arrive on September 1st, retailing for $4.99 per blind bag. Check out the official product description below, and if you wish to add them to your LEGO wishlist, you may click on the following affiliate link as well.

LEGO Harry Potter Collectible Minifigures Series 2 (71028)

$4.99 per blind bag | 16 to collect | Launching on September 1, 2020

Magic can be found everywhere! Kids and fans will love these awesome LEGO® Minifigures (71028) Harry Potter™ Series 2 collectible bags. Each mystery bag contains 1 of 16 different toy characters from the Harry Potter series.

Amazing character lineup for creative activities
Fans young and old can collect, play with or display some great character toys from the Harry Potter series, including Harry Potter, Hermione Granger™, Ron Weasley™, Ginny Weasley™, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Luna Lovegood™, Moaning Myrtle, Griphook, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore™, Professor Sprout, Neville Longbottom™, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Bellatrix Lestrange, Lily Potter and James Potter.

Cool accessories and collectible toys
Each of the finely crafted, highly detailed minifigures comes in a sealed mystery bag with 1 or more accessory elements to add to the action, including some never-before-seen accessories for certain characters, plus a collector’s leaflet with character information.

Immerse fans in wizarding role play with these cool LEGO® Minifigures (71028) Harry Potter™ Series 2 sets. Play starts straight out of the bag! These make great gifts and collectibles for fans of any age.
What’s in the bag? Kids can find characters from the Harry Potter™ movies to add to their LEGO® Minifigures (71028) collection or Harry Potter sets. Each minifigure comes with 1 or more accessories and an information leaflet.
These awesome minifigures are great for imaginative play, where kids can adventure with their favorite characters in current sets that they own, make them part of new stories with other models or collect them to display.
Any Harry Potter™ fan will love these unique collectible toys. The detailed LEGO® Minifigures and their accessories will thrill any kid and make a great gift for boys and girls aged 5 and up.
Small yet mighty! These mystery bags each contain 1 of 16 awesome Harry Potter™ universe minifigure toys, complete with one or more accessories. Totally portable and ready for play or display.
Are you Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Gryffindor? Powered by a child’s imagination for hours of fun! Battery-free toys help boost kids’ creative and group play skills and lets them imagine new stories on their own.

New LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley (75978) Set Arriving Very Soon

Here’s another delightfully unexpected news coming from the LEGO Harry Potter front. In what seems to be an accidental listing over at LEGO Shop@Home Japan portal (the said listing has been taken down as of this posting), eagle-eyed fans caught glimpse of what seems to be this year’s largest LEGO HP set. Coming in at more than 5,000 pieces, the new LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley (75978) set is slated to arrive soon.

The LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley (10217) that was released back in 2011. The featured image used in this article is also from the box art of the said set.

If you recall back in 2011, LEGO has released it’s first, should I say, comprehensive rendition of the famous Harry Potter marketplace coming in at 2,025 pieces. This LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley (10217) consists of smaller brick builds of famous stores such as Ollivander’s, Borgin and Burke’s, and Gringott’s Bank. As impressive as this direct-to-consumer (D2C) set back during that year, there are still plenty of fascinating shops that we wish could have been included.

And after 9 years since its debut, it looks like we will be having our next LEGO version of this magical marketplace with an impressive piece count of 5,544 pieces. We do not have official images yet of this set understandably, but based on its now removed listing, we can expect the following shops to be included in this set: Ollivanders Wand Shop, Flourish & Blotts bookseller, Scribbulus Writing Implements, Quality Quidditch Supplies, Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor, The Daily Prophet, and my personal favorite Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. Though it would be nice if LEGO included a rehashed version of Gringot’s for good measure, I think with 7 shops included in this modular set, I certainly don’t have any qualms against it.

Here’s what we can find from the now-taken down description of the new LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley (75978). This set is expected to have a whopping price tag of $399.99 and is intended for builders 16 years old and above. I wouldn’t be surprised though if LEGO will opt to include it under its 18+ collection given its piece count and retail price. Be sure to be on the lookout for LEGO’s official announcement which may happen any time soon. Hopefully, the release of this new brick version of Diagon Alley will be released alongside that of the upcoming LEGO Harry Potter Collectible Minifigure Series 2 (71028) coming in September.

Special thanks also to The Brick Fan for the heads up.

LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley (75978)

5,544 pieces | $399.99

Iconic stores packed with authentic movie details

Measuring more than a meter wide, the impressive model captures the scale and ambiance of the bustling magic-supplies hub. Behind magnificent facades lie intriguing interiors, fascinating features, and familiar characters. Check out the wands at Ollivanders™; drop in on Gilderoy Lockhart™’s book-signing event at Flourish & Blotts™ bookseller; obtain a love potion from Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes™; and peruse the products and paraphernalia at Scribbulus™ Writing Implements, Quality Quidditch™ Supplies, Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor and the Daily Prophet™.

Cool collectible building toys
The extensive range of LEGO models and playsets provide fans of the Harry Potter Universe with endless imaginative fun and creative display possibilities.
This large LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley (75978) display model gives fans of the Harry Potter movies aged 16 and up a chance to recreate magical London’s most magical shopping street.
Includes Ollivanders™ Wand Shop, Scribbulus™ Writing Implements, Quality Quidditch™ Supplies, Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor, Flourish & Blotts™ bookseller, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes™ and the Daily Prophet™ entrance.
Authentic accessories and familiar minifigures from the Harry Potter™ movies make it possible to create a ‘living model’ with endless possibilities to rearrange and create new narratives.
This challenging and rewarding construction set makes a great Christmas or birthday gift for kids, Harry Potter™ fans, model enthusiasts, and lovers of LEGO® brick building aged 16 and up.
Measuring over 11” (29cm) high, 40” (102cm) wide and 5” (13cm) deep, this LEGO® Harry Potter™ Diagon Alley™ set is crammed to the rooftops with authentic details.
No batteries required. This modular construction set provides a hands-on, fulfilling building experience. Even the famous hat-lifting entrance to Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes™ is powered by hand.

LEGO Harry Potter Collectible Minifigures Series 2 (71028) Officially Revealed

LEGO has officially revealed its upcoming LEGO Harry Potter Collectible Minifigures Series 2 (71028) via its social media channels earlier today. Though this is not the first time that we saw this highly anticipated CMF series, it’s nice that LEGO has removed the embargo on these collectible minifigures allowing us a better appreciation of what to expect from them.

Attention witches, wizards, and Muggles alike! The new Harry Potter Minifigures are here!
Available from September. pic.twitter.com/hGZt9K7iVB

— LEGO (@LEGO_Group) August 17, 2020

Take a closer look at each of them as posted over on Facebook.

LEGO Harry Potter Collectible Minifigures Series 2 — Fred and George Weasley

71028 3 — Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter

71028 5 — Moaning Myrtle and Luna Lovegood

71028 7 — Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley

Missing from these images are those from the minifig versions of Lily and James Potter. They were probably left out unintentionally so I’m pretty sure that LEGO will issue an update very soon.

Needless to say, there are plenty of new and interesting pieces that are included in these series. On top of my list is that new and lovely Fawkes figure that comes with Dumbledore, the Sword of Gryffindor included with Griphook, Neville’s Book of Monsters, and those exquisite Butterbeer glasses. These LEGO pieces are very much desirable next to their minifigure counterparts if I may say so.

All in all, there are a total of 16 characters to collect, with 60 blind bags included in one entire box. It was also reported that the complete box of the LEGO Harry Potter Collectible Minifigure Series 2 (71028) may also follow a pre-determined sorting arrangement similar to its predecessor. Additionally, it looks like LEGO steered away from the idea of offering a sort of a chase minifigure in this series. I believe this is a good move from LEGO since this will allow more completionist fans to enjoy their complete collection of LEGO Harry Potter figures without resorting to those ridiculous aftermarket prices set by scalpers.

The LEGO Harry Potter Collectible Minifigures Series 2 (71028) is expected to arrive in LEGO Stores and over at LEGO Shop@Home this September, retailing for $4.99 per blind bag. And in case you missed out on the previous LEGO HP CMF Series 1 and other LEGO CMF series for that matter, I recommend that you check out what Collectible Minifigs has to offer.

Which LEGO HP character are you most excited about in this upcoming Series 2? Let us know in the comments below.

Take a Look at the LEGO Harry Potter CMF Series 2 (71028) Package Insert

Earlier this month, we had a fairly good grasp of what to expect from LEGO’s next Collectible Minifigure Series. Though the LEGO Harry Potter CMF Series 2 (71028) is still slated to be released in September, it seems that some retailers are already pushing for its sale as early as now. This is what Promobricks eventually discovered as they went out of their way to track down what probably could be the very first retailer that sold this highly anticipated minifig series. Their hunt eventually led them to Romania where local supermarket chain Carrefour, had the LEGO CMF series put on sale already.

71028 promobricks 3 — A close up of the new LEGO Harry Potter CMF Series 2 (71028) blind bag. Image courtesy of Promobricks.

71028 promobricks 4 — LEGO Harry Potter CMF Series 2 (71028) on display at a store in Romania. Image courtesy of Promobricks.

And since this is a legally acquired product, all is fair when Promobricks posted its full package insert, showing all the 16 characters in the series. Take a look at what to expect from its blind bag insert.

Looking at the above checklist, we can now have a better look at each of the characters included in the LEGO Harry Potter CMF Series 2 (71028). Beginning with:

Harry Potter with the Book of Potions
Albus Dumbledore with Fawkes the phoenix (this latest version of Fawkes is a must-have!)
Hermione Granger with a glass of butterbeer accessory (this is a new-for-2020 element)
Ron Weasley with a glass of butterbeer accessory.
Luna Lovegood with a lion topped hat accessory as first seen in the Order of Phoenix.
Griphook with the Sword of Gryffindor and a vault key. These are new LEGO elements as well.
Lily Potter with Baby Harry
James Potter with a printed tile showing a portrait of him and Lily.
Ginny Weasley in her Slug Club dress outfit, and what looks like to be a new chocolate sundae accessory. This minifigure is a reference to the Slug Club’s Christmas Party.
Fred Weasley with a cap accessory and his signature Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes case. The case itself seems to carry two unique 1×1 printed tiles based on the leaflet.
George Weasley with a similar cap like that of Fred’s and the famous Marauder’s Map
Bellatrix Lestrange in her Azkaban prisoner’s outfit, handcuffs, and prison ID as a new printed tile.
Kingsley Shacklebolt with broom accessory. The purple color scheme for his robes is visually appealing.
Moaning Myrtle with Tom Riddle’s Diary. The diary also features a unique 1×2 printed tile.
Professor Pomona Sprout with a mandrake and flower pot
Neville Longbottom with a Book of Monsters.

I’m pretty sure that this 2nd Series of LEGO Harry Potter CMF is winning the hearts of fans already. I also appreciate the fact that there is no chase minifig in this series, unlike the first where we have LEGO throwing in just one minifig of Percival Graves/Gellert Grindelwald in each box of 60 blind bags. It is also yet to be seen if this next Series will also follow a similar, pre-determined sorting per box as we’ve discovered from the first LEGO Harry Potter CMF Series (71022).

The LEGO Harry Potter Collectible Minifigure Series 2 (71028) is scheduled to arrive in LEGO Stores and at LEGO Shop@Home on September 1st, and is expected to retail for $4.99 per blind bag.

All images posted here are courtesy of Promobricks.

What’s Inside: Taking Apart the LEGO Super Mario Figure

The latest line of LEGO Super Mario sets are out now, and in case you have purchased your own LEGO Super Mario Starter Course (71360) already, you may have already taken notice of the pretty neat features that come with the battery-powered LEGO Super Mario figure. Beyond the Brick’s Boone Langston took it a level deeper by breaking down this latest piece of LEGO tech to see what makes up this LEGO-version of Mario. The result is both amazing and well, a bit creepy. Watch this.

First things first, Boone assured us that this particular LEGO Super Mario figure is a defective unit. It turns on with the flashes and Bluetooth indicator and all but fails to connect to its accompanying app probably because of software issues. From the get-go, it only requires a few pieces to be removed to access LEGO Mario’s battery compartment. However, things become trickier from there on if you intend to literally dismantle him. Just watching Boone pry open the sides of the figure and creating that irreversible damage left me a bit cringy. I’m sure Boone also felt the same in doing so, but for the sake of discovery, we have to press on.

If your heart breaks in watching this, then you may want to skip at around the 11:50 mark to see all the things that make up our little brick buddy. As you can see from the screengrab below, this particular unit can still turn on with its LED screen in perfect working order, after taking such a beating.

I find it find weird if not a bit creepy looking at LEGO Mario with his face removed from the LED screen. Frankly, I don’t know which is more weird-looking: the outer plastic shell or the lit-up LED screen. The former looking like a ghostly shell, while the latter looks like a jumpsuit-wearing skeleton that looks at you in a very creepy way. I guess will never look at this LEGO Super Mario the same way again.

If you’re still missing out on all the hype about this latest LEGO offering, be sure to check the rest of the LEGO Super Mario expansion sets, together with the theme’s nostalgic 18+ set, the LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System (71374) building set.

The LEGO Super Mario Starter Course (71360) is available now together with the rest of its expansion packs.

Thanks again to Boone Langston and Beyond the Brick for sharing this breakdown video and reviving the soul of this LEGO Mario figure along the way.

Here’s What to Expect From the LEGO Super Mario Character Packs (71361) Box Distribution

The full range of LEGO Super Mario sets are now available, and one particular set (or collection) that you might be interested in is the LEGO Super Mario Character Packs (71361). This line of LEGO Super Mario blind bags adds another level of play to your LEGO Super Mario Starter Course (71360) by adding more characters (and coins) into the fray. Now thanks to what Candidbricks have shared recently, we know what to expect from this collectible blind bag’s box distribution.

For starters, we all know that this is not the first time LEGO has delved into buildable blind bag characters. And perhaps learning from its relatively unsuccessful release of the LEGO Unikitty Series 1 (41775) blind bags two years ago, LEGO now seems to have it right with the offering of the LEGO Super Mario Character Packs (71361). More than just a way of expanding the Starter Course’s play features, the blind bag characters from this theme and how they were designed and built, are good enough to pass as collectibles in themselves.

All the characters included in the LEGO Super Mario Character Packs (71361). Upper row (L-R): Fuzzy, Bob-omb, Spiny, Blooper, Eep Cheep. Bottom row (L-R): Urchin, Bullet Bill, Buzzy Beetle, Peepa, Paragoomba.

With just 10 characters to collect and 20 blind bags per box set, Candidbricks points out that LEGO seems to make it easy for us to collect the entire set in one go. Because as it turns out eventually, each box contains exactly two sets of the Character Packs, plus there is no chase figure or character included in this series as well. The number of complete sets available per box was confirmed by LEGO Super Mario lead designer Jonathan Bennink via Rambling Brick. This is a welcomed move from LEGO, and I’m glad that the company opted for this approach.

Being assured of having two complete sets per box is also desirable, because feeling your way through each of the blind bags may prove to be difficult, if not, frustrating because of the number of varied parts per bag. All you need to do now is to grab a buddy and convince him or her to split the bill. The LEGO Super Mario Character Packs (71361) is currently available for $4.99 at LEGO Shop@Home together with the rest of the LEGO Super Mario sets.

Here’s More Info on the LEGO Star Wars Bespin Duel (75294)

Yesterday, I mentioned a new LEGO Star Wars set that was a long time coming. Building instructions for the LEGO Star Wars Bespin Duel (75294) set was made available online via LEGO’s Customer Service Portal, hinting on the fact that the set will be making a physical appearance anytime soon. However, as it turns out, the set itself will be available not at LEGO Shop@Home, but on another retailer’s website.

Toys R Us Canada (yep, TRU seems to be doing well up north) has now listed the LEGO Star Wars Bespin Duel set as a TRU exclusive. Retailing for $49.94, the set comes in at 295 pieces and interestingly carries the 18+ branding. This is by far the smallest set to be labeled and marketed as such with LEGO adult fans in mind. I also find it curious how LEGO determines when a set should be branded as an 18+ set. I always have this notion that it has to do with the complexity and size of its build, and the aesthetics that go with it.

But perhaps the larger question in my mind is that why would LEGO opt for this long-awaited set to be a regional and retailer exclusive? I’m no fan of such marketing strategies since I’ve always felt that it severely limits access for well-meaning fans, and it creates an artificial and a kind of exploitive inflation of its value for collectors and scalpers. I also feel that this is like backpedaling on LEGO’s part since they made it a point before to limit, or do away with regional exclusives. I also understand that this set may have been originally intended as an event-exclusive, but still, I think LEGO is capable of producing more of these sets for the benefit of the larger fan community. I just hope that LEGO will reconsider releasing this set over at LEGO Shop@Home to allow more fans to have access to this LEGO Star Wars gem.

Anyways, let’s hear what TRU’s Canada’s website has to say about the LEGO Star Wars Bespin Duel (75294). Please take note that as of this posting, this set is currently out of stock in just less than 24 hours after it was listed over at the site. So if you’re looking forward to this, then perhaps your last resort will be eBay for now.

Let me know in the comments below how you feel about this set, and if in case you spot this at your local retail stores.

LEGO Star Wars Bespin Duel (75294)

295 pieces | $49.94

R Exclusive, only available at Toys R Us Canada. Disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with nostalgic Star Wars memories with this detailed Bespin Duel build-and-display LEGO model (75294). Marking the 40th anniversary of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, it cleverly recreates the iconic Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader Cloud City duel scene. Build and display This fun, creative construction set features Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader LEGO minifigures with lightsabers. It also has a display stand with a 40th-anniversary nameplate to complete a wonderful centerpiece for your home or office. And don’t worry if you are a LEGO newcomer – step-by-step instructions are included so you can enjoy a stress-free building experience. Mindful relaxation The LEGO Group has been recreating iconic starships, vehicles, locations, and characters from the Star Wars universe since 1999. This building set for adults makes a super gift for yourself or Star Wars fans and hobbyists in your life looking for a mindful way to unwind from the daily grind.

Take time out to relax, reawaken nostalgic Star Wars memories and celebrate the 40th anniversary of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in LEGO style with this Bespin Duel (75294) build-and-display model
With this construction set, you can recreate the iconic Cloud City duel scene on a stand with a nameplate, adding lightsaber-wielding Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader LEGO minifigures to complete a classic display piece
This beautifully detailed Bespin building set makes a great addition to Star Wars fans’ memorabilia collections, and any LEGO enthusiast will love to show it off alongside their other creations
This 295-piece Star Wars construction kit is great for solo building or sharing creative fun with your friends. It also makes a super birthday or holiday gift for the Star Wars fan or hobbyist in your life
The buildable model measures over 8″ (20cm) high, 9″ (23cm) wide and 4″ (11cm) deep – it doesn’t need a huge amount of space for display, but its striking, authentic details are sure to grab people’s attention

How the LEGO Technic Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey (42113) May Be Saved

I’m not much of a Technic fan, and I even don’t claim to be an expert on the genre. However, LEGO’s recent decision to eventually pull out the LEGO Technic Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey (42113) from the market, days before its official launch, does not sit well with fans especially when we get to hear what LEGO has to say about it and what avid Technic builders learned about the set.

Just a few days before the LEGO Technic V-22 Osprey’s launch, everything seems to be running smoothly in terms of it’s scheduled debut, with retailers getting their copies of the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey set so that they can properly stock ahead before August 1st. However, due to a complaint by the German Peace Society regarding LEGO basing its latest Technic offering on a military vehicle. As you may know, LEGO has a longstanding policy of not producing military-inspired sets as guided by its corporate values. Eventually, LEGO decided to pull the plug on the LEGO Technic Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey (42113) just days before the building set is placed on retailers’ store shelves.

From a production and management point of view, I find this situation a bit odd. It is kind of baffling to hear how LEGO did not foresee this problematic situation involving a military-inspired set considering the many months involved in designing and producing a complex product such as this. Plus the amount of money wasted along the way.

Despite LEGO’s product recall, some retailers still went through with the sale of the LEGO Technic Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey, with some fans managing to purchase and bringing home the set. Huw from Brickset is one of those fortunate souls who were able to pick up a copy of this and he has done a thorough review of this recalled LEGO set. What we’ve learned is very interesting.

The core of the design problem of the LEGO Technic Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey (42113). Image via Reddit.

According to what Huw discovered, the LEGO Technic Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey (42113) has a major, fundamental design flaw. As I said, I’m not a Technic expert and if you want to read in detail the problematic building issues with this set, then I highly suggest that you read Huw’s article that I mentioned earlier. Needless to say, such a design flaw prevents this set to function as it intended to be. Sariel over on YouTube also did an excellent review, underscoring the issues behind the set’s design. I also recommend you take a look at this as well.

Again, here’s another case of poor quality control that leaves me scratching my head. So from both a management and design perspective, this particular LEGO Technic set has all the red warning flags to begin with. Thankfully, if you’re like Huw who managed to get a copy of this set, there’s still hope in saving this. By experimenting with some simple gears, Huw was able to fix the problem that was causing the set to malfunction, and his solution is remarkably simple. You can read about his simple fix right here. Again, this is another example of me asking, “How come the guys from the LEGO design team did not think about this?”

One couldn’t help but speculate if the real reason behind the recall of the LEGO Technic Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey is more of a PR issue or that of a design failure, or both. In the end, I feel that it is the fans that were on the losing end because of this, especially those who were looking forward to having this set. But I will not call it a complete loss either. I sincerely believe that LEGO will take all of these things into consideration with its next product development cycle to prevent another mishap like this. I am also thankful that there are dedicated LEGO fans like Huw and Sariel that are kind and creative enough to offer solutions to the LEGO community. Thanks to their efforts, this otherwise problematic Technic set is now saved from its undesirable condition and is now functional as it is supposed to be. LEGO also has its share of flaws that’s for sure, but I do hope LEGO will learn from this experience and will create the necessary steps to prevent this from happening again.

As a side note and in case you missed it, other LEGO Technic sets came out this month other than the brick-version of the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey. For the latest roster of Technic sets available, plus the newest sets that came out coming from other themes, you might want to check on them right here.