LEGO designer explains changes to LEGO Star Wars UCS AT-ST
A LEGO designer has explained the changes in the new LEGO Star Wars UCS AT-ST, revealing differences that you may not have spotted.
The latest LEGO designer to take to social media and offer insight into an upcoming build is none other than Niels Hamann Bundesen, who you may know as the designer of 75375 Millennium Falcon and 75408 Jango Fett Helmet. They’ve taken to Instagram to explain some of the changes in the new 75417 AT-ST Walker compared to 2006’s Ultimate Collector Series AT-ST.
We analysed some of the more noticeable differences in a comparison guide yesterday, and this new insight only adds to the comparison, including one change we didn’t spot.
“When it came to the development of this model, one thing was for sure,” writes Niels on Instagram. “Having a big, heavy ‘head’ way up on skinny legs was not going to be easy to make! The old model solved this by having a hollow head, fewer elements, and making it look upwards. But we wanted an interior, a more natural pose, and more detail for this new set.
“With some time, we managed to get all this done, and even with thinner legs! The legs are also posed slightly outwards to give a more dynamic look than the old one had. The feet might look similar when compared, but on the inside, they are wildly different! Mainly because they have to stabilise so much more weight.”
It’s interesting to hear just how much needed to change in the new set after it was determined that 75417 AT-ST Walker required an interior. Looking at the two sets side by side in the provided images, you can more closely spot the differences in the poses, too. The newer set, without a doubt, looks more accurate to the vehicle seen in the films, with the head looking down – something that you might not have even realised was the case in the 2006 set.
“We also added some rust/dirt details to the model, as this gives some life and slight contrast to the model,” added Niels.
This particular comment reveals a change that we didn’t spot in our comparison guide, and the rust details are subtle, consisting of just a few small tiles on the back of the build. It will be interesting to see if there are any other details not featured in official imagery when the new set launches.
LEGO Star Wars 75417 AT-ST Walker will be released on August 1 for £179.99 / $199.99 / €199.99 with 1,513 pieces and one minifigure. It joins the long list of LEGO Star Wars AT-ST sets.
Featured image: Niels Hamann Bundesen
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