LEGO Star Wars 2008

After almost a decade of releasing LEGO Star Wars Building Sets based on the 6 films, LEGO was about to expand their Star Wars Universe to include the more recent animated Clone Wars. The popular Star Wars cartoon would open up a brand new batch of vehicles for LEGO designers to build sets around.

Anakin’s Jedi Starfighter

Item #: 7669
Affiliation: Clone Wars
Ages: 7-12
Pieces: 153
Minifigures:

1. Anakin Skywalker (Clone Wars)
2. R2-D2

The Delta-7 Aethersprite-Class Light Interceptor was known as the Jedi Starfighter, because of its heavy use by the Jedi during the Clone Wars. This yellow colored starfighter was featured prominently in the films and animated cartoon. It would be the first LEGO set to contain the Clone Wars Anakin Skywalker minifigure. The set still had the original R2-D2 minifigure and he could be launched out of the starfighter by pressing a transparent blue cone on the back of the ship. The model had working landing gear and flick-fire missiles.

AT-AP Walker

Item #: 7671
Affiliation: Episode III
Ages: 8-12
Pieces: 392
Minifigures:

1. Shock Trooper (2)
   

The All-Terrain Attack Pod was used by the Republic during the Clone Wars for attacking larger objects at long range. However, it required a support group traveling with it for close combat protection. This LEGO model used TECHNIC pieces, so the legs could move like a real AT-AP Walker. The centre pad was capable of being moved up or down to stabilize the walker, when it fires its large cannons. Since this vehicle is all about firepower, the upper cannon can rotate independently of the walker and allow for a wider firing range. The top and side panels can be lifted to allow minifigures access to the controls inside. The AT-AP came with two Shock Troopers, but it can hold three. The Shock Troopers come with blaster rifles, even though the box shows them holding small blasters. These minifigures had white hips, but normally they would have been colored black.

AT-TE Walker

Item #: 7675
Affiliation: Clone Wars
Ages: 9-14
Pieces: 798
Minifigures:

1. Anakin Skywalker (Clone Wars)
2. Ahsoka Tano
3. Rotta The Huttlet
4. Captain Rex
5. Clone Trooper
6. Battle Droid

The All Terrain Tactical Enforcer lives up to its name. The AT-TE was used by the Republic during the Clone Wars as a troop transport and attack ship. Their ability to climb vertical cliffs and function in space combat made them extremely effective, especially when they were deployed in overwhelming numbers. This would be the second LEGO building set of the AT-TE Walker. This one was meant to be played with and not just displayed. The front and back hatches could be opened to put minifigures inside. The large top cannon could rotate, while the front and the rear had movable ball turrets. The front of the walker contained two spring-loaded missiles that could be fired by pressing down the back two covers. This is a nice improvement from the flick-fire missiles used in most previous sets.The six legs moved to simulate walking and the model could be picked up by the Republic Dropship with AT-OT Walker 10195. (Just make sure not to have the AT-OT already attached.) Sticking with the Clone Wars theme, this walker came with a blue STAP.

Droid Gunship

Item #: 7678
Affiliation: Clone Wars
Ages: 7-12
Pieces: 329
Minifigures:

1. Battle Droid (3)

The Heavy Missile Platform Droid Gunship was used by the Confederacy of Independent Systems late in the Clone Wars. This high flying hovercraft was designed to fly high enough to stay out of blaster range and low enough to avoid anti-aircraft artillery. To replicate the vehicle's firepower, the front blaster turrets rotated and bombs could be dropped by turning a mechanism located in the center of the hull. The model also had retractable landing gear and an opening cockpit. The set comes with three Battle Droids; one with hands positioned for piloting the craft and two with hands for holding blasters. Initially you could only get this set at Walmart, LEGO.com or the 2008 San Diego Comic Con, but it was later sold at Toys “R” Us and Woolworths.

Hailfire Droid & Spider Droid

Item #: 7670
Affiliation: Clone Wars
Ages: 7-12
Pieces: 249
Minifigures:

1. Battle Droid Commander
2. Super Battle Droid
3. Battle Droid (2)

LEGO gave people a quick way to build up their droid army with this building set. It comes with the IG-227 Hailfire-Class Droid Tank and a DSD1 Dwarf Spider Droid. The Hailfire was quick and packed a big enough punch to take down a tank. The Spider Droid could easily maneuver around cliffs and walls to eliminate lightly armored vehicles and troops. To create the distinct wheels of the Hailfire Droid, LEGO had tiny tread pieces interlock around a transparent wheel. The wheels could actually roll and the missile racks held a total of 8 flick-fire missiles. The Spider Droid’s legs could be moved up and down to simulate walking and the large cannon under the eyes could also move in an up and down motion.

Imperial Dropship

Item #: 7667
Affiliation: Expanded Universe
Ages: 6-12
Pieces: 81
Minifigures:

1. Stormtrooper (3)
2. Shadow Stormtrooper

The Imperial Dropship was a light vehicle designed to get troops into the battlefront quickly. It could either land and let the troops exit the vehicle or detach the troop compartment and get itself out of the combat zone quickly. This vehicle does not exist in any of the Star Wars films, television shows or books. It was designed by LEGO to sell as a Battle Pack, because LEGO could not sell the stormtrooper minifigures individually without them being considered action figures. Hasbro has exclusive rights to Star Wars action figures and LEGO needed a way to help people build their stormtrooper army. By including this vehicle, it was now considered a building set. The Imperial Dropship “Building Set” had an opening cockpit, engines that could tilt up or down and a detachable platform. The set came with three Stormtroopers and a Shadow Stormtrooper, but the vehicle could sit five minifigures.

MagnaGuard Starfighter

Item #: 7673
Affiliation: Clone Wars
Ages: 8-12
Pieces: 431
Minifigures:

1. MagnaGuard (2)

The Rogue-Class Starfighter was a modified Utapauan Porax-38 Starfighter used primarily by the MagnaGuard in their battle against the Jedi, during the Clone Wars. The MagnaGuard Starfighter’s came with a huge hidden arsenal. The sides opened up to deploy its pop-up launchers and the back concealed a flick-fire missile. The cockpit could be opened by pushing a lever on the vehicle. This would be the first LEGO Star Wars Building Set to include the MagnaGuard Minifigures.

Republic Attack Gunship

Item #: 7676
Affiliation: Clone Wars
Ages: 9-14
Pieces: 1,034
Minifigures:

1. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Clone Wars)
2. Plo Koon
3. Asajj Ventress
4. Commander Cody
5. Clone Trooper

The Low Altitude Assault Transport/Infantry was used by the Republic during the Clone Wars for air support and transportation. This workhorse of the Grand Army of the Republic could carry up to thirty troops or four speeder bikes. However, the LEGO Republic Attack Gunship building set only comes with one 74-Z Speeder. Since the Gunship was used for shipping troops and supplies, the model has lots of opening doors and storage compartments. The two side doors fully open to let troops out or offer cover fire and the back ramp lowers to release the speeder bike. To fulfill the assault function, the two front and one rear anti-personnel laser turrets can rotate in all direction. The Command Center can be removed from the ship and placed anywhere in the field of battle. The gunship also comes equipped with spy droids and a Bacta Tank. The Bacta Tank was designed to hold one minifigure inside and give the appearance of being used. This was the first official Clone Wars Star Wars Building Set released. The Commander Cody, Plo Koon and Asajj Ventress characters would see their first appearance in the LEGO universe as minifigures and this is the only Asajj Ventress minifigure to have a skirt.

Rebel Scout Speeder

Item #: 7668
Affiliation: Expanded Universe
Ages: 6-12
Pieces: 82
Minifigures:

1. Rebel Trooper (4)

This was another vehicle that was imagined and built by LEGO to get around Hasbro’s exclusive Star Wars action figure contract. Its design closely resembles the SoroSuub-Produced Rebel Combat Speeder. This speeder was a repulsorcraft used by the Rebel Alliance in their battle against the Empire and was able to quickly move troops around the battlefield. It was armed with a heavy blaster cannon that required a gunner sitting on top to operate, but the cannon could detach and become a stationary ground turret.

Republic Fighter Tank

Item #: 7679
Affiliation: Clone Wars
Ages: 8-14
Pieces: 592
Minifigures:

1. Clone Commander
2. Clone Trooper

The TX-130 Saber-Class Fighter Tank was used by the Jedi and the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars. Its speed, maneuverability and firing range made it ideal for use as an anti-vehicle ship and and escape vehicle. The Republic Fighter Tank was a Target exclusive and available for less than four months. Although the actual vehicle had two pilots, this model only had room for one minifigure. Minifigure space was limited, but it had a lot of other goodies hidden inside. The top of the vehicle could be removed to show the cockpit controls, the front hatch opened to reveal the engine and the wings contained weapon storage lockers. The hatches on the side flipped around to ready the flick-fire missiles and the three cannons rotated 90 degrees. LEGO achieved a hovering effect by hiding the wheels under the tank.

Rogue Shadow

Item #: 7672
Affiliation: Expanded Universe
Ages: 8-12
Pieces: 842
Minifigures:

1. Darth Vader (Battle Damage)
2. Galen Marek
3. Juno Eclipse

The Rogue Shadow was the personal transport of Galen Marek/Starkiller in the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video games. This main vehicle of the popular video game was based on Darth Maul’s Sith Infiltrator. The ships heavy firepower, extremely fast sublight engines, hyperdrive and a cloaking device made it the perfect vessel for Darth Vader’s secret apprentice. This would be the first LEGO Building set based on the Force Unleashed series. The model had some impressive firepower hidden away; a fireball cannon in the left compartment could be fired by using a lever under the ship, another lever was used to open two laser cannons hidden in the back, and a front compartment held the crews blaster rifles. Four rectangular legs are used for the landing gear and the wings rotate between flying and landing mode. The Battle Damaged Darth Vader, Galen Marek and Juno Eclipse minifigures were all sold for the first time in this set.

Separatist Spider Droid

Item #: 7681
Affiliation: Clone Wars
Ages: 7-12
Pieces: 206
Minifigures:

1. Commander Fox
2. Clone Trooper
3. Battle Droid Commander
4. Super Battle Droid
5. Battle Droid

The OG-9 Homing Spider Droid was also known as the Spider Walker or Separatist Spider Droid. Its long legs allowed it to cover large areas of a battlefield quickly. Its heavy artillery was effective at destroying ground and airborne vehicles. They were not the most rugged weapons, because the legs were extremely vulnerable to attack and the volatile reactor in the main body created a huge explosion when damaged. To create the unique design of the Separatist Spider Droid a lot of TECHNIC pieces had to be used in its construction, especially the legs. The top laser cannon could rotate 360 degrees and the bottom gun was able to move up and down. This was a limited edition building set and could only be found at Toys “R” Us, LEGO.com and the 2008 San Diego Comic Con. The Commander Fox minifigure would make his first appearance in this set.

The Twilight

Item #: 7680
Affiliation: Clone Wars
Ages: 9-14
Pieces: 882
Minifigures:

1. Anakin Skywalker (Clone Wars)
2. Ahsoka Tano
3. Rotta
4. R2-D2

Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano stole a Corellian Engineering Corporation G9 Rigger Freighter, when fleeing Asajj Ventress. It would become Anakins favorite ship, after he made some slight modifications. LEGO would have fun with the design of this building set. The opening cockpit could sit two minifigures and Rotta. The laser cannon on top moves to stand upright or lay down against the top of Twilight’s roof. The cargo bay has a working door that can be moved up, down or locked into position. A grappling hook can be released or wound up using a winch, just make sure those cargo doors are open. The real Twilight has a landing pad for small vehicles, like a Jedi Starfighter, but this model is not built to scale, so only mini building sets are cleared for landing. Like many vehicles in the Star Wars Universe, the wings can be moved into a flight or landing position and the landing gear could be retracted. The starboard wing has rotating flick-fire missiles and the bottom wing has a laser cannon. If things should go bad, there is a detachable escape pod that fits one minifigure. The Twilight was a Limited Edition set, it was only available at Toys “R” Us in the United States and LEGO.com in the United Kingdom.

V-19 Torrent

Item #: 7674
Affiliation: Clone Wars
Ages: 8-12
Pieces: 471
Minifigures:

1. Clone Pilot

The V-19 Torrent Starfighters were widely used by the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars. These fast and maneuverable fighters were heavily armed and a formidable weapon in the hands of their Clone Pilots. This building set had three adjustable wing positions for landing, flight and attack mode. It came equipped with the standard flick-fire missiles. The unique feature of this model was the sliding cockpit canopy. The window could be pulled forward or slid back to allow access to the pilot’s seat.

Mini Building Sets

Mini Building Sets use fewer pieces than a standard building set. This makes them smaller and a lot cheaper. They are perfect for the LEGO fan without a lot of money or space.

Clone Turbo Tank

Item #: 20006
Affiliation: Episode III
Ages: 8+
Pieces: 64
Minifigures: N/A

The Heavy Assault Vehicle/Wheeled A6 Juggernaut received its nickname because of its extensive use by the Clones during the Clone Wars. This slow moving vehicle was effective in open terrain where its heavy weaponry and strong armor could safely support and transport 300 troops or a few small support vehicles. It required a crew of 12 to operate, but this is a mini building set and you will not be getting any minifigures inside. It did have lots of guns, by using binocular and hose nozzle pieces. This was the second LEGO model of the Clone Turbo Tank and a LEGO Star Wars Brickmaster Exclusive. These sets could only be found with the November 2008 issue of the LEGO Magazine.

Snowspeeder

Item #: 8029
Affiliation: Episode V
Ages: N/A
Pieces: 66
Minifigures: N/A

The T-47 Airspeeders were originally designed as a cargo haulers, but redesigned by the Rebel Alliance for combat. They became famous after its successful use against the AT-ATs in the Battle of Hoth. You probably missed this one on store shelves, because it was never released. It was available as downloadable instructions from LEGO.com in 2008 (and now seen here). All you had to do is have the spare pieces lying around.

Tie Fighter

Item #: 8028
Affiliation: Episodes IV-VI
Ages: 6-12
Pieces: 44
Minifigures: N/A

As the main starfighter in the Imperial fleet, what these ships lacked in armament they made up for in superior numbers. That is why having them in mini form is more feasible in creating your own swarm of fighters. The TIE Fighter Mini Building set would get a lot of re-releases and see itself being given away several times as a promotional product. It was even used as the set included in the LEGO Star Wars Essential Minifigures Book Collection.

Han Solo / Indiana Jones Transformation Chamber

Item #: promosw005
Affiliation: Episodes IV-VI / Indian Jones
Ages: N/A
Pieces: N/A
Minifigures:

1. Han Solo
2. Indiana Jones

100 guest of the LEGO Toy Fair Collectors Party were in for a treat when they received one of these very rare pieces. This set paid tribute to Harrison Ford and the two iconic movie characters who have become a part of LEGO history. Han Solo and Indiana Jones are not only popular minifigures, but have been main characters in 4 LEGO video games.

V-19 Torrent

Item #: 8031
Affiliation: Clone Wars
Ages: 6-12
Pieces: 66
Minifigures: N/A

2008 was the year for the V-19 Torrent. It came in both the regular building set and the Mini Building Set. With only 66 pieces, this one was much easier to put together. However, the tail pivot mechanism did give a lot of builders trouble. In order to prevent the tail from falling down, you must change one of the white spindles with one of the blue ones. The model also had working landing gear. This set would be given away the following year in the UK Daily Mirror on September 10, 2009.

Ultimate Collector’s Series

The Ultimate Collector Series were designed for the more advanced LEGO builders. These sets have a lot more pieces and are significantly larger in scale.

Death Star

Item #: 10188
Affiliation: Episode IV
Ages: 14+
Pieces: 3,803
Minifigures:

1. Luke Skywalker (Tatooine)
2. Luke Skywalker (Stormtrooper Disguise)
3. Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight)
4. Han Solo (Brown Pants)
5. Han Solo (Stormtrooper Disguise)
6. Chewbacca
7. Princess Leia (Senator)
8. Ben Kenobi
9. R2-D2
10. C-3PO
11. Darth Vader
12. Palpatine
13. Grand Moff Tarkin
14. Stormtrooper (2)
15. Royal Guard (2)
16. Death Star Trooper (2)
17. Death Star Droid
18. Assassin Droid
19. R2-Q5
20. Mouse Droid
21. IT-O
22. Dianoga

This UCS would represent both the Death Star and Death Star II. At 41 cm high and 42 cm wide, it would contain almost every room that appeared in the films A New Hope and Return Of The Jedi. While most UCS are meant for display, this Death Star was designed for play. Builders could recreate their favorite scenes or make up new ones in the Detention Block, Trash Compactor, Tractor Beam Generator Room, Conference Chamber, Laser Turrets Room, Missile Launcher and Gun Room, Super Weapon Firing Room, Emperor’s Throne Room, Droid Maintenance Room, Crane Room, Hanger Bay (with Vader’s TIE Advanced Fighter), Chasm for Luke and Leia to swing across, and the room R2-D2 and C-3PO hid while our heroes ran around the Death Star. To incorporate all these rooms, this model is three stories high. Minifigures could move from location to location by doors, ladders and working elevators that moved using a pulley system. Many of the rooms contain controls to move different devices. The Trash Compactor has a hole for your minifigures to fall in from, trash and moving walls. A TECHNIC cannon can be moved up, down and rotated around and the crane can be manipulated to pick objects up. The Conference Room has 7 swiveling chairs to discuss blowing up Alderaan and the Emperor’s Throne also rotates to witness the destruction of the Rebel Alliance. With a total of 24 minifigures, this would be the most ever released in a set not specifically dedicated to minifigures.

General Grievous

Item #: 10186
Affiliation: Episode III
Ages: 14+
Pieces: 1,085
Minifigures: N/A

Standing 18 inch (46 cm) tall, General Grievous would be one of the few possible UCS sets. This was accomplished by having him mostly constructed of TECHNIC pieces. Grievous’ head has a slight range of motion and his chest place can open up to reveal his heart and internal organs. However, it is his four arms and hands that have the most articulation. The arms can be rotated at the sockets and his hands can hold the lightsabers. Unfortunately, his grip is loose and the lightsabers tend to fall out. When they do stay in his clutches, they drag his arms down. The knees and hips bend, but design flaws plagued the the lower half of this model. The feet do not make balancing the figure easy and are liable to fall apart. This LEGO set was not around for very long. It was discontinued the same year it was released.

Promotional

Promotional sets and figures can not be purchased at any store, instead they are found at special events or locations. There are far fewer produced and that makes them highly collectable.

Clone Wars Exclusive

Item #: comcon001
Affiliation: Clone Wars
Ages: 6-12
Pieces: 351
Minifigures:

1. Captain Rex
2. Clone Trooper (4)
3. Battle Droid Commander
4. Super Battle Droid (4)
5. Battle Droid (6)

To promote the beginning of their Star Wars: The Clone Wars line of toys, LEGO released this set on July 24, 2008 at the San Diego Comic-Con. This was two days before the official release in stores. They only made 1,200 of these sets and each included an exclusive double-sided poster. One side of the poster had the minifigures of the year on it and the other side had a comic adventure. The set included Hailfire Droid and Spider Droid 7670, Droids Battle Pack 7654, four extra Clone Trooper Minifigures, and Captain Rex Minifigure with grey ARC gear.

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Sources

www.brickset.com

www.legowikia.com

www.wookipedia.com

Watching Star Wars way too many times.

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Comments

LEGOdomenick on June 15, 2014:

I think I will try to build the 8029 Snowspeeder.

Geekdom (author) on October 22, 2013:

They are still a lot of fun at any age. But, yes convincing the wife to let you have a large X-Wing LEGO set displayed in your "adult" living room can be a sell. or so I have been told. :)

rcorcutt on October 21, 2013:

This article made me very happy. I remember having the Star Wars sets from the late 90s and this really makes me want to get some of the newer ones. Next step- Convince wife to let me buy.