Has pros and cons...
LEGO Star Wars Imperial Shuttle 10212 is a mixed bag. It looks great, has a LOT of pieces, and scales very well with the regular minifig-type Star Wars Lego starfighter sets (not the faux-scale capital ships though of course). It is very big. The exterior look of it will really put all your other Lego sets to shame, which isn't exactly a bad thing. From many angles it doesn't even look that much like a Lego, more like a scale model.
Structurally it could be better, but if you are just displaying it then you shouldn't have any major problems. The top fin is a little wobbly (the connect wasn't designed well), and getting the side wings to sit properly when folded upright without outright resting against the top fin requires some finesse, and is not a problem that should exist with this set. Before you get a sense of where to grab it, you will likely grab it by the sides of its hull which generally fall off easily if you do so.
Like many Star Wars Lego sets, this set lacks much critical inner detail. Although the cockpit is well designed with many consoles, the cockpit does not connect to an interior of the ship, which itself doesn't really exist. There is no main storage area in the rear of the ship (although there is a bit of space for it if you wanted to adapt it as such). More significantly, there is no access for/to it; the main body is totally sealed up with no access doors - in particular no opening ramp at the bottom as seen in the movies. Also, the landing gear just pins on if you want to use it. Otherwise it is a separate section that is removed and doesn't fold into the ship.
Personally redesigning the interior of this set would be a major undertaking as a great deal of the main section is structural support and gears for the folding wings, in generally inconvenient places. Structurally (with regards to some of the Technic skeleton), it would need a major redesign to make this thing a proper cargo vessel, which is what it is supposed to be.
So, in general, it looks and displays great, but isn't very playable. Also, as usual, LEGO is EXTREMELY stingy about hooking you up with enough minifigs to make your collection fun, which also hampers playability.
James
P.S. If you get it used in one bag of mixed pieces, it is going to take a long time to build/find the pieces you need. You should inquire as to the skill with which the stickers were applied (consoles and information plate). Also, remember to protect it from dust and keep it out of direct sunlight!!!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
