The Tantive IV, while is not one of the most popular in the Star Wars massive library of starships, is probably one of the most important ships in the Star Wars franchise. The first ever starship to appear in the first Star Wars, responsible for transporting the Death Star schematics *cough macguffin* after the Battle of Scarif, any semblance of hope for the Rebel Alliance would have been extinguished if not for this plucky, odd-looking spaceship.

Classified as a ‘Rebel Blockade Runner’, there aren’t many Tantive IV sets out there compared to say, the more popular X-Wing or TIE Fighter. The most recent release was in 2019 – the 75244 LEGO Star Wars Tantive IV – which came with six minifigures.  So having this iconic ship released as part of Lego’s Starship Collection Series is great news for those who missed out on the retired Tantive IV sets due to space or monetary reasons.

Plot Device

654 pieces of Lego separated into seven separate bags make up this relatively easy-to-build set and it should take a seasoned Lego builder well under two hours to complete. Newcomers would also not encounter any issues, as long as they pay close attention to the instructions. Like the previous Lego set under the Starship Collection Series which we reviewed, the Millennium Falcon, the instruction booklet for the Tantive IV was well laid out and filled with additional info which any Lego and Star Wars fan would appreciate.

Four loose 2×16 planks form the spine and chassis of the space ship as you work through the first three bags. The next three bags focuses on the body panels, the engines and overall outer shape of the Tantive IV while the super sturdy stand rounds up the build experience in bag #7. However, unlike the Millennium Falcon which didn’t have any stickers, applying stickers is back, part of the Tantive IV building experience. Thankfully, there’s only ten of them, all situated on easy to access locations. Nonetheless, we are not fans of stickers on Lego and since they have showcased their ability to provide printed bricks in the Millennium Falcon, this should be the way forward.

Just like with the Falcon, there’s a hidden Easter Egg in the set in the form of the reenactment of the scene where Princess Leia recorded her message for Obi-Wan Kenobi. While this portion isn’t visible once the set is completed, it is still a fun nod to the iconic scene from the movie. The build process is very streamlined and once completed, is sturdy enough for swooshing about. We didn’t find any loose pieces falling apart and even for parts that do fall off, they can be easily reassembled without too much hassle.

Overall, the building experience for the Tantive IV was fun throughout which keeps builders constantly engaged. The size is perfect for any desk decoration and for size comparison’s sake, here’s how the completed Tantive IV set (without the stand) laid next to an Xbox controller.

Iconic to all Star Wars fan, the Tantive IV makes a great gift for your Star Wars-loving significant other, or even as a starter set for younger ones planning to up their Lego building experience. It’s Star Wars month anyway so if you happen to read this anytime before the 5th of May 2024, check out Lego’s special Star Wars setup at Sunway Pyramid in Malaysia. LEGO Star Wars Celebrates 25 Years Of Galactic Fun At Sunway Pyramid.

PROS

• Detailed for its scale.
• Fun build experience.
• Sturdy for swooshing.
• Good size for display in limited space.
• First Tantive IV set in five years.

CONS

• Stickers instead of printed parts.

FINAL SCORE: 90/100