The Imperial Shuttle. A ship not seen in the Original Trilogy until Return of the Jedi (unless you count the 1997 Special Edition). The Imperial Lambda-class shuttle is first seen approaching the Death Star II, and is revealed shortly thereafter to be carrying Darth Vader himself. At first glance, the Imperial Shuttle is a departure from the typical industrial look of most Imperial craft. The elegance of its design is the first indication that this craft is not meant for run-of-the-mill Imperial Officers. No. The Imperial Shuttle is meant for high-ranking Imperials and their personal guard.

Darth Vader has his own personal shuttle, as seen in Return of the Jedi. The Emperor himself, Sheev Palpatine, has his own personal shuttle that is seen later in the film. Most notably, the entrance ramp of an Imperial Shuttle (presumably Vader’s personal shuttle) is the sight of the Sith Lord’s death in Luke Skywalker’s arms. As the franchise has grown, so too have the pre-Return of the Jedi appearances of the Imperial Shuttle. However, it is the version we see in Return of the Jedi that LEGO® has given us with the LEGO® Star Wars™ Imperial Shuttle™ (75302).  

design & build

The Imperial Shuttle captures the essence of the iconic Star Wars spacecraft with precision. Its sleek, aerodynamic design pays homage to the Galactic Empire’s engineering prowess. The build process itself is a blast and a testament to LEGO’s® craftsmanship. There are 660 pieces in this set, and the difficulty level is graded for ages 9 and up. The sturdy construction ensures the shuttle will stand the test of time. Whether displayed on a shelf or engaged in epic space battles, this set exudes quality from every angle.

features & functionality

What sets the Imperial Shuttle apart is its array of features and functionality. The cockpit opens to reveal space for a pilot. The shuttle also opens from the top revealing space for two minifigures. Meanwhile, the folding wings add a further element of accuracy to the kit. The Imperial Shuttle was never meant to be an attack craft, but it was equipped with front cannons for defensive purposes. This model recreates that with two front stud shooters, further adding to the accuracy of the kit.

As always, no LEGO® Star Wars™ set would be complete without a roster of minifigures, and the Imperial Shuttle does not disappoint. The set includes an Imperial Officer who comes with a blaster. Also included are Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, both with their lightsabers. Also included as an accessory are a pair of restraints. This leads me to the conclusion that this is the Imperial Shuttle that Vader used to bring Luke aboard the Death Star II. Of course, you can use it a general Imperial Shuttle, but I personally love that connection to the Trilogy.

conclusion

At its core, the LEGO® Star Wars™ Imperial Shuttle offers excellent value. The size of the finished model is impressive, and the inclusion of 3 minifigures (2 of them legendary characters) adds to the value. The number of interactive features is also worth highlighting. Beyond that, LEGO® lists this product as retired, adding to the collectability of the set. The Imperial Shuttle is the perfect addition to your collection.

Whether you’re reliving classic moments from the films or creating your own adventures in that galaxy far far away, the Imperial Shuttle is worthy as part of a collection or as a standalone piece. Add it to the Imperial TIE Fighter and the Imperial TIE Interceptor and begin building your own Imperial Navy, brick by brick. If you want to add a little more realism to the set, consider a light kit to add lights to the cockpit and to the yellow studs on the wings.

So, hop aboard the Imperial Shuttle (75302) and take flight across the galaxy. Fulfill your destiny and add this ship to your collection and your journey towards the dark side will be complete.   

Interested in other LEGO Star Wars sets like this? Check these out:

• Unleash the Force: A Review of LEGO® Star Wars Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing Fighter™ Set (75301)
• Building the Empire: A Review of LEGO® Star Wars Imperial TIE Fighter™ (75300)
• Battle in Space: A Review of LEGO® Star Wars™ Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs TIE Interceptor™ (75348)
• Bombs Away: A Review of the LEGO® Star Wars™ TIE Bomber™ (75347)