We review the new LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader Helmet which was released in April 2021.
Vital Statistics
Theme: Star Wars
Name: Darth Vader Helmet
Item: 75304
Price: £59.99 UK/$69.99 USA
Ages: 18+
Pieces: 834
LEGO Website Description
Pay homage to the Dark Lord of the Sith with this collectible LEGO® Star Wars™ Darth Vader Helmet (75304). Immerse yourself in the complex building process and relive classic Star Wars saga scenes as you recreate the iconic shape and sinister details of the helmet in LEGO style.
Designed for display
The Darth Vader Helmet is a compact size and has a display stand with a nameplate to complete a striking centrepiece that will enhance the decor of your home or workplace. And check out the other new-for-May-2021 LEGO Star Wars build-to-display helmet: Scout Trooper Helmet (75305).Special gift idea
Part of a collection of LEGO Star Wars building kits for adults, this premium-quality set makes a wonderful memorabilia gift for yourself, any Star Wars fan, experienced LEGO builders or someone who enjoys a fun, creative challenge.• Escape the stresses of everyday life for a while and enjoy some quality time recreating every menacing detail of Darth Vader’s Helmet with this collectible LEGO® Star Wars™ building kit (75304).
• The iconic design of Darth Vader’s Helmet is recreated in LEGO® bricks to spark memories of classic Star Wars™ saga scenes, and the display stand with nameplate completes an impressive centrepiece.
• This set is part of a series of collectible LEGO® Star Wars™ build-to-display helmet models – look out for the new-for-May-2021 Scout Trooper Helmet (75305).
• This 834-piece set offers a complex, rewarding building experience and makes a top birthday, holiday or surprise gift for any Star Wars™ enthusiast, experienced LEGO® builder or hobbyist.
• Measuring over 8 in. (20 cm) high, 5.5 in. (15 cm) wide and 5.5 in. (14cm) deep, this buildable Darth Vader Helmet model doesn’t need much space for display but makes a big visual impact.
• Buying this set for a huge Star Wars™ fan who is a LEGO® newcomer? No problem. It comes with easy-to-follow instructions so they can take on this complex build with the confidence of a Jedi Knight.
• This LEGO® Star Wars™ set for adults is part of a collection of premium-quality and fun building kits designed for you, the discerning hobbyist, who enjoys hands-on creative projects.
• Since 1958, LEGO® components have met rigorous industry standards to ensure consistent, secure connections and robust builds.
• LEGO® bricks and pieces are tested to the max to make sure they meet some of the most stringent safety standards on planet Earth – and in galaxies far, far away!
Review
Available at the end of April 2021, two new LEGO Star Wars Buildable Model Helmets of Darth Vader and the Scout Trooper have been added to the line of existing helmets released exactly a year earlier (Stormtrooper, Boba Fett and TIE Fighter Pilot). These two releases continue the trend of being released under the new adult orientated 18+ theming, introduced last year by LEGO in an attempt to lure more adults to the premium brand.
The packaging consists of a black portrait box, featuring the helmet’s name and affiliation at the top, followed by a highlighted picture of the completed set and the LEGO Star Wars branding. Running along the base of the box, a strip identifies the set’s target age, product number and piece count. Whilst the box states the target age is 18+, we can confidently state that these could be built by many from the age of 8+.
Inside the Box
The set is comprised of 834 pieces, the largest of all the Star Wars helmets released to date, and these are broken down into five numbered bags, each corresponding to the stages of the build. The 156 page manual starts with a brief introduction by LEGO Star Wars Creative Director Jens Kronvold Frederiksen, followed by a picture of Darth Vader with Princess Leia from A New Hope. There is also a small sticker sheet which includes an exhaust vent and grilles, and the name plate is printed.
The Build
The helmet is built in much the same way as a LEGO BrickHeadz figure, featuring many of the same elements. Bag 1 builds the black stand and the base of Vader’s mask including the mouth-piece. This continues with bag 2, using a variety of different colored elements which are eventually covered over. The eyes are created with bag 3, utilizing wheel rims which work incredibly well. The build continues with the rear of the helmet, and behind the lenses, which is built upwards. The cheeks are then added before we move to bag 4. The internal structure here is the most complex of all the helmets, and I found the instructions a little hard to follow at this point, so go slowly and make sure things are put on correctly, else you will end up having to take things apart.
Bag 4 adds the rest of the ‘face’, crown and rear of the helmet using a variety of different sized plates. The curves employed here give the helmet its distinctive look. The last bag adds the two sides of the helmet which are mirrored, and if you are feeling brave you can build these at the same time. Finally, the printed LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader name plate is added.
See below for a full time-lapse of the TIE Pilot helmet build to get an idea of the build process which similar in lots of ways.
I found this helmet a bit trickier than the others, but it was a good build, and the resultant helmet looks splendid with good overall proportions. It is obviously instantly recognizable as Vader and you have to consider, at this size and scale, it is never going to be completely accurate.
This is the most expensive Star Wars helmet to-date, but it also has the most elements too, coming in at 710, that’s 110 more than the TIE Pilot which had the most elements previously. Looking back at last year’s reviews for the first wave of helmets, I commented that these should be priced at £50 or below, although with this example I do feel it is priced correctly at £59.99 UK/$69.99 USA.
Will you be adding this helmet to your collection?
We thank LEGO for proving this set for review. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
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