Name: Cad Bane's Speeder (8128)
Theme: Star Wars
Year: 2010
Pieces: 318
Price: $39.99 CAN ($49.99 USA)
I was not planning on getting this set, as it is a Target exclusive (Target exclusive's sometimes end up at Zeller in Canada, but not always) and it was SUPPOSED to cost $69.99, but when it appeared on shop@home for $39.99, I bought 2. (As they say, pictures or it didn't happen). The box cover shows the gang of bounty hunters in action. It is labeled "Special Edition".
The back of the box shows the "flick fire head lights" and the storage compartment, along with some of the other sets in this wave.
The contents of the box. 5 bags (not numbered), the instructions, and the DSS. (Dreaded Sticker Sheet). I will not be applying the stickers during the build, so you will have to use your imaginations.
The cover of the instruction book.
Inside the front cover (the mini figure instructions).
A random page from the instructions.
The mini figures. There are five. From left to right we have the Senate Commando Captain, Senate Commando, Cad Bane, Shahan Alama, and Assassin Droid. I really wish they had given us someone besides the Assassin Droid, like Aurra Sing, but since we already have 4 rare mini figures in the set as it is, we should be happy.
The Senate Commando Captain and Senate Commando. The Captain's markings made me think they came from France, but besides that, they are quite nice.
The bounty hunters. Cad Bane's hat is HUGE. His coat is quite nice. The other guy Shahan, has the usual Weequay facial markings, and nice torso.
Only the commando's and Shahan have patterns on their backs. Also notice Shahan's golden arm, cybernetic?
The Commando's without helmets, same heads as the other clone's in the Clone Wars line.
Shahan and the Captain are only available in this set. The Commando and Cad Bane are available in other sets, but each one is over $100 (Venator and Turbo Tank). The Assassin droid is available in a battle pack.
Cad Bane is the man. At least so far, in every episode he's been in, he's won. His mini figure is equally impressive.
Now, on to the speeder. I found the build quite straight forward. Only a few steps were tricky, and those usually involved the technique pieces. Here is the speeder at step 10.
Here it is at step 20.
Step 30.
Step 40.
This is step 47, and will be attached to the bottom. Notice the mechanism at top, That is to fire the flick fire head lights. "Shoot at my speeder will ya? Wait till I fire my head lights at you!"
The final step, 50. You can see some of the new 2x4 tiles that are now appearing in sets along the center.
The completed speeder from the side.
The storage compartment open.
The extra pieces.
"Alright Shahan, we've got the prisoners on board, now get us out of here!"
Final thoughts. Had this set been the expected $69.99, I would never have bought it. Even at $39.99 I find it a bit pricey, but well worth it for the mini figures alone. The speeder itself is nice enough, even with the stickers, and does have some good play features. As mentioned, the mini figures alone (excluding the Assassin Droid) are almost reason enough to buy this sit, especially if you don't feel like shelling out for the Venator or the new Turbo Tank. The parts are ok, but it does contain a lot of technique pieces.
I give this a 8.5/10, losing marks for the Assassin Droid and for all the technique. I would definitely recommend this set.
