Review: SW911612 Acklay Posted by CapnRex101, 12 Jun 2016 10:00

A monthly LEGO Star Wars magazine has been available in the UK and some areas of Continental Europe for almost a year now, with each issue including a small model based on a variety of vehicles and weapons from the Star Wars universe. Some of these have been identical to Advent Calendar offerings while others are larger and more impressive. The latest addition to the range falls into the latter category.

The Acklay has not been seen in a set until now, a disappointing absence which I mentioned in a What's Missing? article for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones a couple of months ago. It is a happy coincidence that LEGO have now filled this gap, even if it is only with a version of this ferocious beast which does not scale perfectly beside a minifigure.

The Completed Model

The Acklay is defined by its spindly limbs and neck plate, both of which are represented quite effectively here. The head is particularly detailed, with 1x2 clips used to form frills around the neck as well as a pair of trans-clear 1x1 round plates to create the eyes, although they are far larger than they are in the film. This entire section is mounted on a hinge so it can move vertically but there is no lateral movement unfortunately.

Dark green and sand green elements dominate the model and this is a fairly accurate choice of colour in relation to the beast seen in Attack of the Clones. Each leg has two hinged points of articulation which permit some fairly authentic walking poses and allow you to stab the claws into the ground just as in the movie. However, the mounting positions of the legs look a little awkward as they should really be spaced apart evenly. Moreover, it would have been brilliant to see some horizontal articulation at the hip as poseability is somewhat restricted in its current state.

The underside of the beast is primarily tan in colour just as it is in the film. However, it is the colours on top of the Acklay which are particularly exciting. Six 3x1 curved slopes are included in sand green, a piece which has only appeared once before in 41075 The Elves' Treetop Hideaway! In addition, the dark green 4x2 curved slope has only been included in 75090 Ezra's Speeder Bike previously. Both are potentially useful and it is pleasing to see them in such a tiny set.

Overall

If you have an opportunity to get this set then I recommend that you do. There are some minor issues with the model but the inclusion of something so unusual with a magazine costing just £3.99 in the UK is very appealing.

The selection of pieces available is equally impressive in my opinion. Several appear in rare colours and I can imagine people purchasing the magazine simply for the pieces which make up the Acklay. Whether you are interested in the model or the parts, SW911612 Acklay does not disappoint.

Thanks to Huw for the photos in this review.