Millennium Falcon
Review by AJProDie-Cast
Time is a weird thing. You turn around and months have passed, summer has expired, and you have little to show for it and no reviews in a loooong time.
This review is of the Code 3 Millennium Falcon. It was bought after an exhaustive search post-release and found brand new and never opened online for below MSRP!!!. I knew I wanted to review this baby, but I put it into a closet eight months ago and then with summer almost over I finally broke it out.
It comes in the typical dark black and graphic box of the other Code 3 items I have reviewed. If you need some context for the line you can see the Rebel Gunship, Darth Vader's Tie Fighter, X-Wing, and Slave I for the whole series.
The Code 3 Millennium Falcon lies in the typical styrofoam tray with a certificate (with patch), accessories case, acrylic and pewter plated base, and a felt stand.
It is around twelve inches long, over 80% diecast (all the Code 3 items weigh a ton), and finely detailed. The exposed areas can be left or can be covered with diecast plates.
It has a grooved stand that the ship can rest in at a "flying" angle.
Each plated is not only metal but finely detailed. The quad laser cannon cover has a clear plastic window, a black swivel gunner seat, and a 360 degree turning turret. The radar dish also has a full range of movement.
The cockpit area is wonderfully detailed and the cockpit (plastic, unfortunately) rests on top.
The other panels are all metal and lock in place with a combination of gravity and magnets.
Another cool feature is that you can swap either flat panels or landing gear for the Falcon.
You can display the Millennium Falcon in either stationary (I love the down ramp!) or flight looks.
I am not a huge fan of the clear plastic back for the engine exhaust (would have liked red).
That is a minor annoyance, however, in an otherwise great piece for my collection. I did add my little diecast guys for the last touch in my displaying it.
It is a high end collectible, no "playing" involved and very pricey. Around 295.95 MSRP. and now can go all the way up to 400 dollars (never mind shipping... the box is huge and the thing is very heavy.)
For me, it is everything I love, an icon from my childhood, finely detailed and crafted, and (of course) mostly wonderful and glorious diecast. The Code 3 Millennium Falcon is not for everyone, but for me it is one of the gems of my collection.
End Transmission
| Posted 26 August, 2012 - 22:34 by AJProDie-Cast |
Comments
4 comments postedYour Code 3 reviews have almost inspired me to try and hunt these down. Such great pieces. Hard to believe they didn't catch on. I guess they got lost in the tidal wave of Star Wars products.
Skimming the pics at first, I was going to comment on how the mirrored base is a great addition, but I take it the mirror is something you added yourself, right? So many great pieces have details hidden because of lack of a mirrored base or back plate. :-)
Thanks for sharing these. Very nice work.
Thanks for the comments and I am always amazed they did not catch on better. The vader ship goes for like 80 dollars and is a metal ship the size of a volley ball...I will say the quality on vader and gunship is less (their bases are not a shined black acrylic but a dust gathering cheap black felt)
Yeah they are separate (i should have written a note) 12" rotating bases by AutoArt. can get pretty cheap ( i got mine for around 5 bucks each in a batch auction)...see around 15 commonly. They are for die-cast cars but work great for anything vehicle like.
An excellent thorough review.
While I love the diecast, something very basic prevented me from getting this - it looks like the MPC kit, which is not very screen-accurate.
For accuracy the assembled and painted Falcon from Fine Molds easily takes the cake, and comparing the two really brings out the differences, but for neatness and sheer mineral content, the Code 3 looks well-fortified.
Hi AJ,
I can't seem to find a Code 3 Falcon. Been searching for some time now. Where did you find your items?
Thanks