LEGO Finds - 2015 Week 19

Some delicious finds this week. A very large chunk of the Bat-Copter and a bit of Man-Bat's glider from 76011 Man-Bat Attack. Minus Bat parts, Batman, Man-Bat, and Bat stickers. Also a bald Karai from something something Ninjago Ninja Turtles*. The ever present Duplo and Bionicle did not disappoint. The Duplo car base looks like a dog or child took a bite out of it. The wheel still rolls though!

*edit: Thanks Brad!

Set Review - Batwing 30301

Again with the Toys'R'Ours.  This one came out of the blue.  I found a 3 day only 15% off coupon, plus they were offering the Batwing polybag free on in-store purchases of $30 or more.  I've got a target set right now that I'm trying to amass so this seemed like a good opportunity.  I walked up to the register with $100 worth of LEGO in my hand.  She rung it up and told me that I qualified for the free Batman polybag.  "Well, alright, I'll take it!"  Next I presented my 15% off coupon.  Price came down to $85.  Finally I presented a $5 Rewards'R'less-than-the-other-guys and ended up knocking my purchase down to $80.  For $105 worth of MSRP stuff.  Not bad.

I had been lusting after the mini Batwing for a while.  Of course, the same was true of the Batmobile and Tumbler, but those are other stories.  I could never figure out where the Batwing was going to land.  There'd be web rumors here and there.  Target was a bust.  Finally I saw it as a TRU promo and had to act (despite my feelings on the retail chain).


And I must say, I'm impressed.  The cockpit reminds me exactly of the Jedi Interceptor.  The shape of the bat-symbol is well done, despite the angles.  I'm going to give it a pass since curves are not an easy task for TLG's designers.  The attempt was fairly well made.  What's really missing though is not as forgivable.  Much like a fighter jet, the Batwing should have a vertical tail (double in fact) rising behind the cockpit.  Two more stabilizers should be underneath.  A fender piece is used to start to simulate some of this idea, but it's really not adequate.

The major test though is whether or not this looks right in the spotlight.  As we all know, Batman ends his movies by flying off into the sunset (or the moonlight).  Just before the screen goes black, he pulls hard on the stick and heads straight up, silhouetting his craft against the heavenly body.  The bat-symbol is then burned into our retinae as the theater lights come back on.  Everywhere we look for the next several days, the bat-symbol appears.

Now that's marketing!

Set Review - Batman Tumbler 30300

After the dismal failure of the Batmobile last year, we can only hope for better things from this DC Super Hero.  Thankfully, we have the Tumbler new for 2014.  What makes a good Tumbler model?  Black and chunky?  Check!  Large rear tires?  Checkity check!  Dual windshield?  Check diddley somewhat check!  Boat stud underneath?  Checka-wha?

So TLG certainly did much better with the Tumbler than they did with the Batmobile.  However with very little room left underneath pretty much anything would be better.  Now, please do not get me wrong as this is not a terrible rendition.  It's just that it doesn't completely grab me.  I might not be so much one to criticize except that I have a tendency toward things micro.  To that end I feel I have something along the lines of a niche or dare I say an expertise.  Or the ability to check Cuusoo.

Most of the model is done well.  But there are a few grievances.  First, the windshield just isn't right.  It should be down lower.  I swapped the trans-black cheese slopes with the black ones just above.  It's better but requires a redesign as the trans-black cheeses are now too far apart.  Second, the front wheels are connected as a normal car not from the outside as they should be.  Now, granted this is very difficult on a small scale but not impossible.  TLG has taken to many AFOL techniques lately but they still hold back on some key ones.  The smaller 8mm wheels are easily replaceable with 1x1 round plates, AKA dots.  This then gives an opportunity for some SNOT connections back to the main body.

Yes, these wheels roll

However some of the connections on here are quite fabulous and overall I am impressed with the size of the build and the general shape and features.  Technic bricks used for their hollow studs allowing offsets have been seen in other models and continue to be used here.

My biggest complaint though, as on the Batmobile, is color.  Isn't this the flagship ride of the Dark Knight?  Why then, pray tell, can I easily spy dark and light bley, as well as tan!?  And then there's this pearl gold bit across the top of the rear stabilizer.  Did they overproduce the 1x2 grille tile for Ninjago?  Really, all this color needs to go.

In all it's unglory

For those of you who are Batman fans, this is a no-brainer.  For the polybagger, you'll probably get this as well.  The occasional impulse purchaser may even pick one up.  The ever vigilant purist may be a bit disappointed though at the overall product and will likely take to modifying the official build.  Or see here for a much better overall build.

If you can't find this set elsewhere, I have a few extras for sale.

Other new Batman sets are available from LEGO Shop@Home as well: