Explode your LEGO Star Wars 75178 Jakku Quadjumper

The recently released LEGO Star Wars 75178 Jakku Quadjumper looks perfectly fine on the shelf, but to really capture its role in The Force Awakens, there is only thing to do with it…

Since the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the LEGO Group have dug around in the movie’s designs to find new vehicles and locations to represent in brick form. 75178 Jakku Quadjumper appears in the film for just a few seconds, Rey and Finn’s first choice escape vehicle before they have to settle for the fastest hunk of junk on the galaxy.

The set looks perfectly fine sat on display alongside other LEGO Star Wars sets, but it doesn’t stand out too much. An exploding play feature is included, but it fails to capture the thoroughness with which its onscreen counterpart blows up at the hands of the First Order.  So utilising smoke technique and some strategically placed mini ball and socket joints, Brick Fanatics sought to show a way of displaying this set in a way that reflects its role in The Force Awakens.

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Billowing smoke is fairly simple to construct out of LEGO bricks, the version used for this build contains only three different parts – 2×2 round plates, 2×2 round bricks and 1×1 rounds all in white. Stacking and interspersing those parts creates a very effective smoke effect – check out these additional images from different angles, which provide some hints as to how to position the pieces.

The engines of the exploding Quadjumper were bent into their positions using mini ball and socket joints first introduced in Mixels. Where needed, smoke was supported using clear components to make sure it stayed in place.

This would be a great jumping off point to build to a Jakku diorama, making for a perfect starting corner. Especially with a First Order TIE Fighter streaking in from above to fire the decisive laser bolts. A UCS Millennium Falcon sat alongside this would really add to the scene – let’s hope it is not long until that rumour becomes reality.

75178 Quadjumper is available now from shop.LEGO.com. You can help support Brick Fanatics’ work by using our affiliate links.

 

Author Profile

Daniel
When I was 3 years old my dad bought home 6659 TV Camera Crew as a gift — he had no idea what he had just unleashed. Three decades and no dark age later, I am still going strong. My love of LEGO led me to a career in Civil Engineering and I am now raising three budding LEGO lovers with my lovely wife who is, bless her, a huge supporter of my brick addiction. When not writing for Brick Fanatics or fulfilling my duties as the U.S. Editor of Blocks Magazine I enjoy collecting, MOCing, exhibiting, as well as running, climbing and home improvement.

Daniel

When I was 3 years old my dad bought home 6659 TV Camera Crew as a gift — he had no idea what he had just unleashed. Three decades and no dark age later, I am still going strong. My love of LEGO led me to a career in Civil Engineering and I am now raising three budding LEGO lovers with my lovely wife who is, bless her, a huge supporter of my brick addiction. When not writing for Brick Fanatics or fulfilling my duties as the U.S. Editor of Blocks Magazine I enjoy collecting, MOCing, exhibiting, as well as running, climbing and home improvement.

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