Mega Construx Banshee Breakout
Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 25 minutes to build (Your time will vary from mine as I took pics along the way for this review)
Set Piece Count: 218
Minifigures: Cream color Ultra Elite, Spartan Recon
Weapons: Brute Rifle, Focus Beam Rifle
Accessories: X2 figure stand
Special Features: Alternate build via APP.
Cost: $25 US Mass Retail. I got mine at Target.
And on with the pics! (Click pics to make BIGGER)
The front of the package shows the set in a fun action shot. The back displays some of the action features as well as other the Warthog Rally set, current available.
Inside the package you get five bags of parts and an instruction manual. Bags are numbered 1-4 as well as a large “MCX” bag,
The MCX bag includes two canopy parts and three smaller bags of parts. In the lower half of the image above, you can see that those three bags are some parts as well as the two figures included with this set.
There is this neat console display printed piece in the MCX bag.
Mega has created a new multitool. Similar to it’s previous one, this one has a couple extra features built in.
Bag 1 and it’s contents.
Bag 2 and it’s contents.
Okay, let’s get into the build!
First we start off with the cockpit area. Of note, on the under side. See that 2×3 red piece with just one strip of studs down it? That middle one with the hole in it is where the stand will go.
The tail fins are built. I like this aesthetic.
Next we build the sides of the body of the Banshee. Note the two silver clips are where we will attach the wings to later in the build.
The sides and tail fins are attached.
Bag 3 and it’s contents.
I think the yellow rings above might be a new piece. I’ll have to research that to confirm.
Bag 4 and it’s contents.
Next we build the front wings. There is a sliver of silver paint on the front edge of the wings. I also like the way Mega flipped the slightly curved sloped silver pieces to match up. It makes for a nice effect of the weapons, even if this is non-functioning.
I do believe THIS is another brand new piece. I can definitely see applications for it’s use in future sets.
We build the back wing, then join then together with the front. That clear pieces isn’t really visible from most angles, which I think is a good thing. It adds stability to the wings, without intruding on the look.
As stated before, here, circled in green are where the wings clip on to the body.
On the underside of the wings, you attach another clip and one of the yellow missiles.
Projectile launchers are built into the underside. Circled in green here are the buttons you depress to make the projectiles shoot.
More missiles are added to the bottom as well as one each in each launcher. I’ll be honest here, I’m not a fan of these loose projectiles, so I take them off in later pics.
Next we get the brand new armor pieces for the front of the canopy. I REALLY like this piece. I don’t know if we’ll get to see it in the future, but it totally works for this set!
Also, this is where the yellow ring piece is added.
The completed Banshee looks pretty sweet! I really like this color combo for the Banished. The only thing I’m not fond of here is the sizable gap between the canopy and the front section of the Banshee. I think that could have been covered up better. I might play around with a rebuild here for that.
Below are the extra pieces I had. Into the parts bin!
Next we look at the weapons and figures.
Included here are a Banished themed Focus Rifle and the new “Brute” Rifle.
This Spartan Recon ROCKS!! It’s giving me serious Spartan Jun vibes. Wouldn’t it be cool if Jun was in Infinite as a Spartan again? Well, we can dream, can’t we?!
And Ortho views of the Spartan:
The Ultra Elite is the same as the one in Halo Heroes Series 12, but with a different color and not as much detail.
And Ortho views of the Elite:
For the record, the Elite fits in the cockpit quite nicely.
Circled in green is the hinge clip the canopy is attached to.
And finally the whole set with Banshee and figures.
Summary: The set’s build time is not long and can easily be done in one sitting. Some new pieces and a good color aesthetic give this version of the Banshee the punch it needs. Two good figures included with this set.
Overall Rating: I give this set 9 out of 10 medals.
Why did I give it a 9 out of 10?
• There are only two issues I have with the set. That large gap in the front as explained earlier.
• And the exposed clipped on missiles. I much prefer a cleaner look, so I removed them.
Here’s my opinion on the break down of the value of this set. (In US dollars)
• The Banshee I place at $15 with it’s stand.
Each figure with weapon and stand I put at $4 each for a total of $8.
TOTAL: $23 (before tax and in U.S. dollars)
Given that the set costs $25 US before tax, I find this set to be just about on par with the piece count and for what all is included.
Do I recommend it? Most definitely! This is a brand new Banshee in the Banished colors. Added armor, a sleek design and two good figures round out the set nicely.
If you have any questions about this set that I didn’t cover in the review, please do not hesitate to ask me. Either reply below or e-mail me at [email protected].
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-Sal