For the second of my reviews focused on the new collectible LEGO® Star Wars Helmet Collection sets, it’s the turn of the iconic Stormtroopers. These faceless grunts have been loyal to the Empire since the end of the Clone War. The original Stormtroopers have inspired numerous variations to the armour worn by Imperial forces, but it’s the classic bucket which is the muse for this particular LEGO set. But is it a fun build and does it manage to capture that iconic look of a piece of cinematic history? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
Product Description
Test your construction skills and spark memories of epic Star Wars™ scenes with this super-detailed LEGO® Star Wars Stormtrooper Helmet (75276) building set! The Stormtrooper’s sinister look is reproduced in detail with LEGO bricks plus graphics stickers, and the helmet comes with a base and nameplate to show it off at home or as an eye-catching office desk ornament.
Collectible series
This Stormtrooper Helmet model kit is a great gift idea for Star Wars fans aged 18+ and offers a fun challenge for any experienced LEGO builder. It’s part of a new-for-January-2020, collectible series of cool LEGO Star Wars build-to-display model kits, including the Boba Fett Helmet (75277).
- Set Name: Stormtrooper Helmet
- Set Number: 75276
- Pieces: 647
- RRP: £54.99/$59.99/59.99€
- Measurements: measures 18cm) high, 13cm wide and 3cm deep
- Availability: LEGO.com, General Retail
The Build
I have to admit when the three LEGO Star Wars helmets were revealed, the Stormtrooper looked the least appealing. The actual helmet which has inspired it, is incredibly curvy, which is not normally a favourable shape for LEGO bricks. But a clever mix of bow elements, layered plates and other pieces have managed just about pulled it off. As I mentioned in my review of Boba Fett’s helmet, the inner core is best described as being very similar to that of a BrickHeadz set. In fact, the special 1x2x2 side studded bricks, introduced with the BrickHeadz are a key element to allow these helmets to exist.
The innards of the helmet feature a mix of those side studded bricks and an array of surprisingly colourful bricks. I say surprisingly as you would expect to be greeted by such a rainbow palette of elements by looking at the end result. But this merely acts as a base for the outer detailing, added via a series of plated sections. Similar to Fett’s helmet build, some sections are connected via clips. The familiar sloped mouth section of Stormtrooper’s helmet is such a section and this connection allows the section to be angled. The mouth section features a couple of printed tiles and oddly stickered elements as well, but more on that later. These help to perfectly capture grated grimace of Stormtrooper.
Of the three helmets, the Stormtrooper’s is still the least favourable. But the final build and overall appearance are nicely done. I think the issue many are finding is perceived colour difference between the dome of the helmet and the sections around the base of it. Because the top has a studded surface it makes the white look a little off compared to the smooth surface of the bow elements. There are also stickers lining the neck tube, which stand out like a sore thumb. More on that below.
Overall
Although I’m pleasantly surprised by the end result, especially after the initial images didn’t show the set off in the best way, I have an extremely irritating issue with this set – STICKERS! Yes, the set, unfortunately, has stickers and there is no way I can defend their inclusion. Stickers are often used to provide much-needed detail on elements which mostly can’t be printed on. However, every single element which has a sticker could have and should have been printed. These elements include a couple of 1×2 plates and a series of 1×4 bow plates. Why they have not been printed is impossible to decipher, especially since the same box elements are printed in 4+ sets, so it’s possible to do. As a high-end collectible aimed at adults and with a high price tag, stickers seem a lazy path to take on what is such a great idea for a displayable LEGO model.
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This set was provided to BricksFanz by the LEGO Group for purposes of review. The thoughts within this review are that of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
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26th August 2020
Regarding the LEGO Stormtrooper stickers….LEGO could have at least put them in the bag. I went crazy trying to figure out that step until I read this article…then even crazier trying to find them until I located them at the bottom of the box.