It’s finally official, after countless leaks and rumours, LEGO has unveiled 75144 Snowspeeder, the first UCS set of 2017! It’s been a long time coming and is an updated version of 10129 Rebel Snowspeeder which came out FOURTEEN years ago.
Most of y’all were probably still stuck in your dark ages then so I definitely feel that 75144 Snowspeeder is a great set to remake for this year. Hopefully this isn’t the only UCS set LEGO remakes this year. *wink*
This new and improved UCS Snowspeeder is made out of 1703 pieces, and will be priced at US$199.99, UK £169.99, CA $229.99 and DE 199.99€ respectively. No details of the Australian price but I’ll be sure to update this space when its revealed. As suspected, the Australian price for the UCS Snowspeeder is AU$330.
Here are the product pages for the UCS Snowspeeder by country
- LEGO 75144 Snowspeeder [US] – US$199.99
- LEGO 75144 Snowspeeder [UK] – £169.99
- LEGO 75144 Snowspeeder [AU] – AU$329.99
The release date for 75144 UCS Snowspeeder is 4th May 2017, aka Star Wars Day, but LEGO VIP members will receive early access to the set, starting from 29 April which marks the start of the May the 4th promotion.
The Snowspeeder or Airspeeder is one of the most iconic Star Wars vehicles ever, sealing its place in the hearts of Star Wars fans in Empire Strikes Back and for the most part, I’ll be definitely picking this set up to add to my modest UCS collection.
The dimensions of the 2017 UCS Snowspeeder are 8” (21cm) high, 15” (39cm) long and 11” (29cm) wide, and over 4” (11cm) high without stand.
That said, I do have mixed feelings about this set.
I am glad that this is going to be a return to form for the hallowed UCS label. Last year was a pretty terrible year for Star Wars UCS fans with the turd of a set that was Assault on Hoth, and the pretty underwhelming copy-paste job that was the Death Star.
It’s nice that LEGO are trying to redeem themselves with an actual UCS remake that people actually want.
I think the design mostly works – the Snowspeeder’s angular lines and shape seems a lot closer to the model in the movies than the previous UCS Snowspeeder, which should be a plus for fans.
There are some really cool designs like the detailed turbolasers, as well as the interactive air brakes that can be swiveled open when you twist the turbolaser knob at the back. You can see more of the play features in action in the designer video.
One of the highlights of the set is the brand new cockpit piece that was created just for this set, which you can see above which helps make it look more realistic compared to the previous one.
Like any good UCS set, you can see that it’s sufficiently large and looks like it’ll be a great display piece that will fit in with all your other UCS sets.
I can’t definitely tell you if it’s an actual good build or not until I get this set in my hands, but there are some elements that are pretty disappointing. Look at that sticker sheet!
For a UCS set that’s squarely aimed at adults and commands a premium price, it’s ludicrous that you’ll be forced to apply 31 stickers. It’s 2017 and we’ve seen that LEGO can and will print on elements if they really want to.
Having this many stickers in a UCS set is just plain frustrating, no matter how much the designers try to justify that it’s so that it looks a lot more movie accurate.
Sure, printed elements may drive the price of the set up, but the people who buy UCS sets typically have the disposable income to absorb an extra 20 or even 30 dollars which I assume is how much it would cost to have most elements printed.
I think LEGO have wasted a golden opportunity here, especially since this is a remake to signal that they do get the needs and desires of Adult LEGO/UCS fans. To put things into perspective, the original UCS Snowspeeder only had like 12 stickers.
There is one new printed computer console element, but we want more of this, LEGO.
While the official product photos look good, this shot from the designer video has me worried that the stickers don’t seem to blend in with the LEGO elements.
You can see that some of them stick out in such a glaring manner that makes them impossible to completely ignore. Now this could be due to prototype stickers used in the video, which is usually shot well ahead of time… but this worries me, and for most LEGO fans, I think they’ll opt to not apply the stickers to avoid this issue.
The set includes two minifigures, a Rebel Snowspeeder pilot and his Gunner, who are exclusive to this set. The minifigure on the left is going to excite many Star Wars fans as he’s (probably) the legendary Wedge Antilles, who comes with his trademark black helmet.
Edit: A more informed Star Wars fan has told me that the minifigure on the left is Zev Senesca, the Rebel Pilot who located Han Solo and Luke Skywalker in Empire Strikes Back.
I’m actually unsure who the other one is, so maybe someone can help me identify him! He could be an unnamed Rebel Snowspeeder Gunner for all I know.
Another way to differentiate the two minifigures in the UCS Snowspeeder set from various Snowspeeder Pilot iterations is that they both have arm printing – a first for Snowspeeder pilots!
Here are some additional photos where you can appreciate some of the finer design detail and features of the UCS Snowspeeder.
Don’t know if this is just me, but I also think it’s a shame that they didn’t include a mechanism to fire off a harpoon from the rear gun, preferably attached to a string. I mean, it’s only one of the most iconic Star Wars scenes ever…
Be sure to also watch the designer video to check out all the cool play features of the UCS Snowspeeder and to get some additional insight into the design process.
So there you have it, an official look at 75144 UCS Snowspeeder! I’d love to know your thoughts on the UCS Snowspeeder in the comments section!
Are you going to pick it up at launch? Do you think stickers belong in a UCS set outside of the plaque? Should it have come with more minifigures?
Hi! Have you gotten one one these 75144 s do you know the dimensions of the set?
No I haven’t but according to the product description, it measures 8” (21cm) high, 15” (39cm) long and 11” (29cm) wide, and over 4” (11cm) high without stand.
I have this set and it’s absolutely a masterpiece. As most people would agree the stickers are just really annoying to apply. Mostly because being a perfectionist.. it is really really hard to get symmetry to line up Correctly… it’s just hard. Especially the cockpit detail stickers. Having a resin and plastic modeling background.. I certainly don’t have a huge problem with decals. Just that in a set like this some stickers are okay but the many symmetrical needed cockpit details is very annoying because you need to really get it almost perfect to look right.. and that will be hard for most people. At the end of the day it looks great though. I just feel like the cockpit stickers are a bit much for most lego modellers. Traditional modellers may have more fun with it. But again yes that dreaded symmetry is hard to get perfect.
Yeah, hence my distaste with stickers on expensive models. I have clumsy hands and sometimes, when you apply them slightly wrongly, there’s no going back.
I love the idea of UCS sets, but they simply should not have stickers, but all printed parts.
I will likely not buy this set, because it simply has too many stickers.
I would have rather paid more for an all printed parts version. Stickers are just a pain to apply, deteriorate over time and look cheap…
Yeah, I agree. It’s probably much better not applying the stickers, lest they start peeling in a few years.
For those of you who’ve built this, I’m wondering if it might be possible to shoe-horn a couple of the 3.75″ articulated SW figures (who bend at the knee) into the cockpit? Maybe like the Black Series figures? Anyway…just curious.
Look at the box and art on Lego.com for 75180. In the background there is a Falcon. On the 3rd pic of the set the spotlight illuminates the cockpit from the top right corner. Another hint from Lego on a new possible UCS Falcon?
There’s been a few “hints” dropped by LEGO, so I’m fairly certain it’s coming. They’ve built up so much anticipation that it’s more a question of if, not when.
Nice spot of the Rather Escape set! Although that’s probably cause the Millennium Falcon was there in the holding bay during the movie.
You’re probably on to something.
Looks awesome. Maybe if the Falcon comes out too I’ll need two sets this year.
It’s definitely shaping up to be a VERY expensive year for LEGO Star Wars fans. Don’t forget The Last Jedi sets coming out at the end of the year too!
If the black helmeted figure is Zev Senesca (Rogue Two), then the unidentified one with the white helmet (his gunner) is Kit Valent who also died when they were both shot down.
Kit is first mentioned in: Inside the Worlds of Star Wars Trilogy & The Essential Guide to Warfare
Yup seems like you’re right. There was a display at Star Wars celebration with the names of the minifigs.
i like it and being a collector will obviously buy one., thanks for the description man., appreciate the help..
You’re welcome!
I just spoke with someone from Lego and they informed me that this set WON’T be available for preorder/earl purchase for VIP members. I was told it goes on sale to everyone on May 4th.
That is, in the US…
Nah, the date is global. I think the person confused the general release and the VIP one.
Hmm really? Where was that person from? The VIP release date information is straight from the press release.
Called the 1800 number and spoke to several online chat people. All said it will not be available for early VIP access and the earliest it can be purchased is on the 4th…
Hmmm… that’s really interesting. I’ve reached out to my contact at LEGO but they haven’t gotten back to me yet. Very curious.
It’s April 29th, 8AM for me, and it’s still not available for purchase ?
Are you in the US? Seems like they scrapped the VIP release for the USA.
Wow! That is a great looking set. I have always been a big fan of the Snowspeeder so I’m really happy to get a chance to pick one up. Not happy with stickers though. UCS sets should not have stickers. I don’t understand the designer’s claim about stickers being Included for “movie accuracy”. If the details were printed on to the lego pieces, wouldn’t it still be just as movie accurate? At least 2017 is off to a good start for UCS collectors. Lord knows we need it after the shambles that was 2016.
Yeah. I guess the good thing is that you can choose not to apply the stickers and I’ll still look great, which is testament to the great design.
It’s almost always a cost issue. If LEGO creates a printed element, it counts as a new piece, which is why I can understand that hey Resort to stickers. Not a fan of the decision but thats just now it is.
Yeah, they have a LOT to me up for!
Is there any evidence how limited this set will be? The Slave 1 is still on sale in Germany with second hand prices at 150 USD or less.
I will get this Speeder for myself, but thinking about getting a second for added value later on, but seeing prices for Söave 1 makes me thinking….
I don’t think it’ll be particularly limited, unless something unexpected happens like an early premature retirement.
Sets produced in this era are so numerous and are mass-produced, so there’ll be plenty to go around. It’ll still be a solid investment, once it inevitably retires but it won’t appreciate as much as the original, that’s for sure.
Thanks Jay. I missed the big UCS runs in the 2000s. I guess I just get one for myself and see what the prices do
Same here. I think my first UCS was the Red 5 X Wing? I hope LEGO goes on this run of remaking a lot of the older ones so I can catch up.
I may be putting myself out there against the vast majority by saying that it looks like Lego is losing gas when it comes to ideas for UCS versions of the classics – a 2nd Death Star 1, the sloppy mess called Assault on Hoth, and now UCS Snowspeeder 2?? Even though I won’t be buying this set, it does look awesome. I am a big Snowspeeder fan who loves my cheap, minifig scale version. And I understand the argument about having a 2nd chance to buy a set that is better than the previous version that may have been missed out on by fans the first time around. Heck, if Lego actually figures out how to make a Falcon that is both structurally stable and has a playable interior and also includes a plastic canopy for the cockpit, I will admit that I may be buying it up this time around. I guess my beef is with Lego, not this set. This set just makes me wish Lego would be more creative when there is more to make. Why don’t we get a UCS A-Wing for the first time? It received more screen time than TIE Interceptors and B-Wings.
There’s no doubt that last year was an awful year for Star Wars UCS fans, but I’m glad that they’re trying to make up for it with the Snowspeeder and (probably) the UCS Falcon later this year if the rumour mill is to be believed.
I do agree with you that they need to up their creativity and mix in some new models alongside the remakes. Personally, I’d love to see a UCS Kylo Ren Command Shuttle – in its proper colours, proportions and with the wings working as intended.
I completely understand the desire for the remakes but for us who have them all Lego needs to change them up more. The new X-wing was pretty good but the new Death Star play set wasn’t worth the repeat purchase. Sandcrawler was an improvement but I barely consider the non-plaques a UCS. I turned my focus a few years ago to the limited figs. Cloud City boba looks nice with UCS Slave I. They need to make a c3po bust like Darth maul to go with the chrome gold fig. Anyway they will get my money for the snow speeder and falcon but not my excitement.
As they come out though I encourage everyone to buy the new ones and put them together, leaving it in the box is a waste, the first time is a fantastic but the second time not so much. If you really want to do it like the originals open all the bags, dump them in a bucket, sort them by type then begin.
Finally some good UCS. I hope this is a sign of LEGO finally coming around to the fact that there are millions of us waiting for the remakes because, ultimately, it is about good business and it is an extremely good business for lego to re-release all these sets produced way more than a decade ago. It will fly off the shelves like hot cakes. Whoever got late into the game never had a chance for Tie Interceptor, Tantive IV, Destroyer or Millenium Falcon. It’s been so long now the kids who bought it 15 years ago are now parents of their own children and it is time to remake that stuff for the new generation and make some money. What is the point of UCS aftermarket with 3,000 or 4,000 price points per set if nobody is ever buying them for that reason…. Just to show it off?? that you have a set that you can list at thousands for whatever reason? Not true. Anything is only worth whatever someone else is willing to pay for it…. and 99.9 % of us are not willing to pay thousands for a lego set, no matter if it is legendary, unique, collector or whatever else you want to come up with. Sorry, but these are not vintage cars, swiss watches or single malts we are talking about here. Good job LEGO, keep it coming. Millenium Falcon next!!!
Yup, I agree. Like you said, it’s good business, especially now that Star Wars is extremely relevant AND pulling in legions of new fans!
I too missed out on those sets and refuse to pay hundreds of dollars just so I can catch up.
Man, I really hope the UCS Millennium Falcon rumours come true. At the rate the community has hyped itself up over it, it sure seems like LEGO has no choice but to re-release it- (which they totally will, unless they hate money!
Hopefully this should prompt all those resellers to reconsider their scheme of trying to sell these sets for ludicrous amounts of money, as we see that LEGO does re-do sets that were bygone. I also agree, that so many stickers to apply is not encouraging, I am all for awesome, custom printed pieces. But at the end of the day, the Snowspeeder is one of my favorite vehicles from Star Wars and this will fit in perfectly with my growing collection of Lego UCS sets.
My current collection if anyone cares includes:
UCS X -wing Red 5 (the new one delisted just last year)
UCS Tie Fighter
UCS Sandcrawler (the one recently delisted)
UCS Slave 1
Lego have it listed for $329.99
Priced a bit high I think
I think it’s all right – could’ve been worse. And we can always get it at a discount, so it works out for me. Much rather pay $330 than the obscene amount the original goes for.
LOL obscene is the right word! i hope LEGO remakes all of those old models and put that ridiculous after-market to bed
It’s pretty cool but not my thing
Fair enough 🙂 probably good for your wallet in that case!
This is great! I love the set, and great discussion Jay! I appreciate hearing other peoples viewpoints and concerns. 🙂
The stickers would be the only thing I could say is wrong with it. IMO, its Lego and it’s a toy. A lot of people were getting uptight about the blue rubber bands in 75102 Poe’s X‑wing. I liked it! It brought back the fact that it is a toy, and stickers (in a way) make it more fun! Yes this is UCS, and prints would be phenomenal, but when it comes down to stickers, I think they are ok the way they are. Even if they “look bad,” I will still be applying them because they are “Lego Issued” and are in the instruction manual. 🙂
Although…
I might want to hold off on purchasing this right away, in the case that there’s a UCS Millennium Falcon this fall/winter…
My best friend works for Lego supply chain and he tells me everything. UCS millennium Falcon *is* coming in Fall of 2017.. ta-da!
Thanks Josh! Yeah, it’s always good to get different perspectives.
My problem with stickers is that they sometimes get damaged, and you only get one shot with them, which sometimes makes me nervous. It would be great if LEGO would include 2 or 3 sticker sheets, so that we have spares to replace them if they get applied wrongly, or they deteriorate due to age/environmental factors.
Wow nice set. Finally something interesting for UCS. I still won’t buy this due to budget lol…..
Yeah, it’s a nice treat for Star Wars fans. I’ve always wanted the original so I’m definitely going to pick this up. I’ll uh… find the money and survive on Ramen or something.
Nice looking set, will definitely be buying this one. I would be guessing this will be either a Target or Myer exclusive? Surely they would have to give it to Target to make up for the poor exclusives they got last year.
Don’t really know unfortunately. My guess is that it’s going to be Target, as they tend to get most of the UCS Star Wars sets, from the UCS Tie Fighter onward.
Looks too much like a MOC to me. It is a good set but I will not buy this due to budget constraints.
“the stickers don’t seem to blend in with the LEGO elements.” How? Could you explain please 🙂
Ah sure. If you look at this photo: https://jaysbrickblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/LEGO-75144-UCS-Snowspeeder-2017-Glaring-Stickers.jpg
What I mean is that the stickers aren’t the same colour as the bricks they’re applied to, which creates a very jarring look. It’s especially clear with the stickers on the white bricks.
It’s strange, as this is an issue that could’ve been easily rectified if they had used the clear transparent decals…
When I get this set, I’m probably going to leave out most of the stickers.
I see. The white looks quite a bit off.
It’s $399.99 in New Zealand. Dafuq? LEGO is really expensive here, especially compared to U.S.
Yeah…. the pricing is super off, especially since the NZD is so close to the AUD? I feel for you guys.
I have to have this!
It’s going to sell like hot cakes. I think it’ll even sell out initially when it gets released.
Yep adding this to my ever expanding list of sets to purchase this year. If they bring out the Millennium Falcon too this year then I might have to take some of the wife’s disposable income or limit the kid to a small set for Xmas!!!
It looks great! I’ve got the previous one (10129) and paid quite a bit for it second hand, so I’m torn about buying this one. I agree that for UCS sets there should be no stickers, or at least keep the sticker to printed element ratio way down. Especially on that beautiful new canopy! There is nothing worse than trying to apply stickers to transparent canopies. I don’t bother any more. As for the minifigs, two exclusives is just right. The pilot and gunner is all you need. It’s not minifig scale so they are more just to increase display value on the stand. I’m hoping it will be $299 AUD and not $349. If it’s more than the Slave-1 it just reinforces what great value Slave-1 is, which has a higher piece count, more pieces in rare colours, arguably better (& more) minifigs and that gorgeous canopy. I realise Lego has increased prices due to inflation but the Snowspeeder UK price of “only” £169 suggests it could land at $299 AUD.
Ah, I’m not big enough of a Star Wars fan to pay the secondary market price, so I was pretty happy with this decision.
Man, canopy stickers are just the worst. I still have nightmares from the Red 5 X-wing cockpit. The problem is that if you mess it up, you’ve just ruined a very, very expensive experience.
I’ll be very surprised if it comes up to AU$299. I think it’ll end up somewhere in the middle, possibly AU$330.
What can I say, Snowspeeders are one my favourite SW ships and there was no sign that they would re-release an updated version when I bought the original. On the price, don’t Lego usually seem to go either $x49.99 or $x99.99 on UCS sets? “Somewhere in the middle” would be at odds with recent prices and $349.99 would seem overpriced to me.
I was right on the money! It’s $330! https://shop.lego.com/en-AU/Snowspeeder-75144
Well played Jay ? It’s interesting that that have moved away from UCS pricing convention from the past several years.
I read somewhere that this set is minifig scale, but maybe it isn’t, it looks pretty close though
Nah, it’s not minifig scale. The Snowspeeder set or the one from Assault on Hoth is minifig scale.
So excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You guessed it, I was in my Dark Ages when the original snowspeeder came out and being that Star Wars is my favorite theme to collect, I’ll be snapping this up! From a cursory glance, the design looks awesome! Yippee for adding another UCS to my collection!
Yup, lots of Star Wars fans who refuse to pay the ridiculous aftermarket prices will definitely be delighted with this set. The design is terrific as well, and I think it’ll look even better in the flesh.