LEGO Star Wars Battle Droid with STAP Set Unveiled

The latest addition to the extensive LEGO Star Wars collection is the Battle Droid with STAP. This is a substantial, detailed model intended for both play (suggested by its 12+ age rating) and display (with the included stand and information plaque). Therefore, it's one of those versatile LEGO sets that appeals to children and adult collectors alike.

LEGO Star Wars - Battle Droid with STAP

$139.99 at Amazon$139.99 at LEGO Store

Price: $139.99Ages: 12+Pieces: 1,088Item #75428

The featured droid is a B1-series battle droid, a common sight throughout the Star Wars prequel trilogy. These droids have a sleek design, despite their notorious fragility in the face of blaster fire or a lightsaber. This LEGO version has a slightly sturdier build than its cinematic counterparts, a practical choice to ensure stability, as thinner limbs might not support its own weight.

Inside the box, you'll find 10 bags of LEGO bricks, a full-color instruction manual, and a sheet of stickers. The assembly begins with the droid's torso, followed by its legs, feet, arms, and head. The hands are particularly well-designed, featuring two fingers and a movable thumb, all articulated for gripping a blaster or the STAP's handlebars.

Building the LEGO Star Wars Battle Droid with STAP

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The legs, arms, and feet attach via ball joints, offering a wide range of possible poses. This articulation is essential for finding a stable center of gravity when displaying the figure in a standing position.

Having built several LEGO action figures with my son, such as Iron Spider-Man and the New Captain America, I can say this battle droid surpasses them in appearance. While the limbs are thicker than screen-accurate models, the difference is negligible unless directly compared. Details like the knee gears and the slender rods connecting the forearms to the elbows are excellent additions. It's a visually striking model overall.

Although most of the droid's detail comes from the brick construction, you'll need to apply decals to certain pieces. As with any sticker sheet, careful placement is crucial to avoid a sloppy, amateurish look.

After completing the main battle droid, you assemble its E-5 blaster rifle. Next is the minifigure, a skillfully scaled-down replica of the larger model that looks fantastic.

The final stage involves building the STAP speeder and its display stand (STAP is an acronym for Single Trooper Aerial Platform). In Star Wars, the STAP is a repulsorcraft used by the Trade Federation, most notably during the Invasion of Naboo in *The Phantom Menace*.

The STAP construction is fairly standard, beginning with an internal frame made from multi-colored bricks that are later concealed by the vehicle's uniform brown exterior. I appreciate when LEGO sets incorporate colorful internal bricks; it breaks the monotony of the build and makes it easier to identify parts in the instruction manual.

Once the internal structure is complete, you add the smooth, brown exterior plates. The final vehicle has a pleasingly sleek and curved profile. The STAP features handlebars for the droid to grip and footrests to secure its feet. It's a large, robust set with a base that provides adequate support. The finished product is truly impressive, and I would highly recommend it to any fan of the Star Wars prequels.