Here are some pictures of the ARC-170 Starfighter. I got the set for slightly above retail and with some trading with the local LEGO Bricks & Minifigs store. This along with the Republic Gunship are few of my favorite design from the Prequel. This ship is from Episode 3 but LEGO sort of thrown in Kit Fisto to increase the desirability (who want bunch of lame looking Clone Pilot. This is the phase where the pilot are a cross between Rebel and the later Empire pilot. Honestly I think they should have stick with the clone pilots wearing something closer to the later Tie pilots.
Anyway, the set is only 396 pieces but came in really large box (this was before LEGO small box size initiative I suppose) so most of the box is just empty space. The set looks impressive from the box top and pictures I saw on the net but upon finishing the set just doesn't seems all that impressive. The ship is pretty sparse as far as detail with a lot of unsightly gaps also the ship is small especially the nosecone and seems a bit out of scale. Like most of prequel ship, the design suffer from the fact that they were design and build digitally and as such lack that "real world" feel of the old trilogy.
I choose not to apply any of the few stickers the set came with but I didn't think it detract too much from the final product. (I wasn't planning to keep the set together very long but so far the ship has survive the dismantle process). I add small red piece to the nose in place of the sticker.
The cockpit is pretty bare and lack any details and actually sort of ugly but one have to keep in mind the set is from 4 years ago and it definitely shows its age compare to the newer recent set. I think LEGO have come a long way in set design in the last few years.
The ship has no landing gear and the engine nacelles and nozzles are not very details compare to the original. I really don't like the giant wheels for intake but that seems to be favorite go to part for LEGO. The ship has foil wings like the X-Wings and can be in open position using gears and rubber band (like LEGO X-Wings). Of course the wings can't be open when the ship is on the ground so I build a little stand for them (it's ugly compare to what Phone make but it did the job).
Overall it's not a bad looking ship but it does suffer somewhat from its age and lack of pieces. I think the nose is way too small and cockpits and engines leave a lot to be desire. I was hoping this is one of the ship that will get release next year (since 2014 suppose to be for now cancel 3D Episode 3). So far it has not show up on any of the leak photos but we still have summer and 2nd half of 2014. I don't know how far out LEGO plan their license stuffs but if they go out that far this ship has a good chance of getting a remake like the recent Gunship and AT-TE.
Nice assortment of mini-figures and including R4-P44.
