LEGO Star Wars 75413 Republic Juggernaut has caused quite the controversy as reviews start to appear – and for once, not about the price.
The LEGO Star Wars August wave has already been catching some criticism when it comes to the prices, but now an issue in one of the sets might leave you wondering whether to pick it up at any price. LEGO YouTuber Solid Brix Studios shared a review showing how 75413 Republic Juggernaut reportedly falls apart when you pick it up from particular – and fairly obvious – spots.
"As I was playing around with the set, just doing what I normally do for any other review, I quickly noticed that the stability and design of this set is very poor," said the YouTuber. "The biggest issue that I discovered with the design of this tank is that if you pick up the top anywhere on the first half of this section, it can completely fall apart if you're not careful.
"There's no grab handle and no clear point of contact, so a kid or an adult can make this exact mistake. It is unbelievable that the quality control is just abysmal."
Solid Brix Studios went on to say that this wasn't a one-off event but happened eight times while filming his review. He went on to compare 75413 Republic Juggernaut to 2016's 75151 Clone Turbo Tank, picking it up in the same ways (from the top and side panels) – but this time with no breaking.
"This shows that the LEGO Group didn't do its quality control, like it's done with previous LEGO Star Wars sets," he concluded.
Other reviews have turned up the same issues, suggesting it's not a one-off problem with Solid Brix Studios' copy or the way that he's built it. Brickset wrote: "75413 Republic Juggernaut definitely has stability issues. I think the best way to describe the issue is not necessarily as a fundamental flaw with the model, but an annoying weakness.
"Handling the vehicle by the side panels or roof is likely to cause problems and I can easily imagine children trying to grip it from the roof, in particular."
Later, Brickset notes that holding the set around the middle or from below doesn't pose any issues. "Even so, the roof is unusually thin and made even more fragile by a removable panel in its centre," the review concluded.
The verdict is not unanimous, however. Another review from LEGO YouTuber AshnFlash ends with a segment addressing the widespread stability criticisms, arguing that the set is just as stable as any other LEGO set.
"Is this a perfect set by any means? No, far from it," said AshnFlash. "I think it's definitely on the bad side because of the scale and the designs here, like the watch tower or certain gaps and pieces just not lining up.
"But is this as weak as what's being portrayed and spread around online? Absolutely not, it's perfectly normal, just like any other LEGO set. It may not be as strong as the predecessor, but, for what it is, it's fine."
AshnFlash also took to X to weigh in on the discussion further, reposting a clip user PenPlays had taken from Solid Brix Studios' review and writing: "Since when are we measuring sets by grabbing them from doors and moving panels?"
In another post in the same thread, AshnFlash added a video picking up LEGO Marvel 76248 The Avengers Quinjet by the wing and having it break off, adding in the caption: "Here’s an example of a ship without a handle telling a child where to hold the set. Please don’t make me break more sets to prove that you just shouldn’t grab a set from panels or wings."
The issue is so contentious that it's even sparked an apology from LEGO YouTuber Bricksie, who at first shared a review stating that the set did have the usual structural integrity you'd expect from an official LEGO set. However, not long after, he was back on his channel with another video, highlighting that the concerns around stability were valid.
"I played around with the new LEGO Star Wars Republic Juggernaut a bit more...and it turns out you're right," he wrote in the description. "It does fall apart pretty easily. I am sorry if my original video misled you or ruffled any feathers."
For a set that was already thought to be overpriced at £139.99 / $159.99 / €149.99, concerns around stability and quality control are valid ones to have. A large part of why LEGO fans put faith in official products is due to the typically very high standards that the company holds itself to, so a set that seemingly falls short of those standards is sure to be a concern for the community. Keep an eye on Brick Fanatics for our own review of the set, coming soon.
Thank you for supporting the work that Brick Fanatics does by buying your LEGO sets using our affiliate links!
Comments
Be the first to comment!