Lego continue their releases from The Clone Wars movie with this brilliant reproduction of the Republic V-19 Torrent Starfighter. The kit is a nicely detailed and faithful representation of the ship and is actually better than the official V-19 from Hasbro in its construction and design.
The cockpit canopy slides along the front and hinges up to allow pilot access. Each wing has a holder for a flick missile which can be launched by pushing the bar at the back of the wing. The best feature of the ship, one that is sadly lacking from the Hasbro version, is the mechanism that works the wings and landing gear. Under the aft of the tail fin there is a lever which slides across. When you move this it allows the tail fin to rotate from the top, around the hull and underneath to act as the ventral stabiliser fin. As the fin moves round the two landing legs automatically fold up against the hull and the port and starboard wings fold from a vertical to lower angled position.
The use of technic gears and pneumatic cylinders (without the air system) is very well done to create the mechanism.
The kit also comes with a brand new figure, a Clone Pilot. He is armed with a black heavy assault rifle.
The kit comprises 459 pieces (not including the pilot, rifle and four flick missiles), is 23 cm long, 24 cm high and has a great wingspan of 55 cm. There are three decals to apply and it's ready for combat.
A very impressive craft and a must for any Star Wars fighter collection.