Droid Escape (#9490)

This set comes to us 11 years after the original version of the Droid Escape (#7106). For some reason, I never picked this one up when it came out the first time.

The escape pod looks fairly basic and is more movie accurate with the cone-shaped pieces than 7106 was with the straight cylinder pieces.

C-3PO and R2 get to sit in relative comfort. The top comes off very easily and isn't actually secured in place. Normally this could be a problem, but since it probably won't see very many aggressive flight manoeuvres, the droids aren't really in danger of falling out.

Speaking of 3PO, he gets a new torso design this time. The colorful wires look very nice, as do his colored eyes.

The real draw for me was the new stormtroopers. The set comes with two (the orange shoulder pad and the light tan), the other two were purchased off Bricklink. The little speeder bike in the back didn't really add much too the set and wasn't in the movie, so it'll probably end up in my spare parts bin. I'm very impressed by the detail Lego put into the stormtroopers. They have printed legs (previously only available in the #7264 Imperial Inspection set), and I really like the sand discoloration on the armor and helmet. And, like the new TIE fighter pilot, these guys actually have faces under their helmets.

A couple more new stormtroopers and I'll have a full load for the Imperial Landing Craft (do I need to say it's not included with the set? I hope not...).

So, the model itself isn't really anything special, but the minifigs are the real selling feature on this set. It's a very nice suppliment to your Imperial army, and the droids are a nice touch too.