Republic Fighter Tank (75342) Review

The Republic Fighter Tank (75342) is one of a number of new sets in the Star Wars Spring 2022 wave. Rolling in on April 26th, the set is currently up for pre-order on the LEGO®️ website. It will join the Star Wars Dioramas that also release on the same day. This is the third version of the Republic Fighter Tank to date and falls in the middle by piece count. I will go over some comparisons later in this article. For now, let’s take a look at 2022’s newest fighter tank. Click on the YouTube link below for the speed build and video review.

NOTE: This set was provided by The LEGO® Group to True North Bricks for review. This does not guarantee a favourable review and all opinions are my own. For a breakdown of the rating system, please click here.

SET SUMMARY

• NAME: Republic Fighter Tank
• SET #: 75342
• THEME: Star Wars
• COST: $49.99 CAD
• BRICK COUNT: 262
• MINIFIGURES: 6 (4 exclusive new prints, 2 stock battle droids)
• PRE-ORDER DATE: March 31, 2022
• RELEASE DATE: April 26, 2022

QUICK REVIEW

• VALUE: 57% (VERY low scores for cost-per-brick and cost-per-minute even for a small set).
• BUILD: 70% (simple and quickly built, but a decent update over prior versions with nice detailing)
• MINIFIGURES: 100% (6 minifigures is substantial for a set this size, 4 of which are all new)
• ENTERTAINMENT: 72% (great playset for younger builders, awesome minifigs for collectors)
• OVERALL SCORE: 74% (a pricey and small set saved by excellent figs and good design)

VALUE: 57%

The all-new Republic Fighter Tank (75342) retails for $49.99 in Canada. With just 262 pieces inside the box, this translates to a cost-per-brick of $0.19. Hmmmmm. The average for reviewed sets to date is $0.13, so this is WELL above and pretty costly. This brick count therefore nets ye olde Fighter Tank an unfortunately low score of 63%. This is not a surprise given the size. I built the set in just over 36 minutes, translating to a cost-per-minute of $1.39. Sadly the score for this criteria drops even lower to just 52%. Oooff. Averaging the two, the Republic fighter Tank gets a final value score of 57%. Not the best start, but things do get better!

BUILD: 70%

The Republic Fighter Tank (75342) is packaged in a standard box with the usual Star Wars scenery. There’s action shots on the front and a 332nd Clone Trooper in the bottom right. Is this the new ‘mascot’ for the Star Wars sets? Possibly that, or just a nod to The Clone Wars TV show this vehicle appears in. Inside the push-tab box you will find 3 numbered bags, a sizeable sticker sheet and an 88 page instruction book. Not heavy on content here, but the end results are honestly pretty good.

The majority of the build (base) is done in the first two bags along with the battle droids. Bag 3 rounds out the upper turret area and introduces us to the clone army and their Jedi leader. The use of larger parts and plates helps create the final look and somewhat explains the reduced need for more pieces. And although we all want more pieces, a good end result is mostly what matters. Thankfully the final build is quite close to the source material and I think it looks pretty good! The size is great for minifigures without being overly out of scale in either direction.

Let’s talk stickers – these are some big stickers for a tiny set. On the one hand, it allows for easier application. On the other, most of the detail work is because of stickers. Take those away and it’s somewhat less impressive. Stickers should help keep costs down right? That doesn’t happen here really so it’s a bit of a catch-22. But overall, I’m not mad at it. I like the colours and extra details we get from the stickers. And I think younger builders won’t really mind.

Third time’s the charm

When we compare this set to the previous releases, it sits in the middle for parts count, but I think tops for detail and minifigures (hands down!). Below you will see a comparison of the previous sets:

2008’s release (7679) has 592 pieces and 2 minifigures. We only get two phase I clone troopers though, so it’s a fail on the brick-to-fig ratio. The final build is substantial though and the only one to accurately capture the angled base shape. Fast forward 10 years and we get an oddly squat update (75182) with 302 pieces and 4 minifigures. The Clone gunner and Jedi Master Aayla Secura are the standouts here because the vehicle shrinks noticeably with 200 less pieces. They’re also still exclusive to this set. All this is to say that although the price and value on this latest set are poor, it does improve the final design of the vehicle and brings us a big increase in figs and detail. Overall I’m giving it a 70%.

MINIFIGURES: 100%

Here is where the set really stands out – the minifigures. The Republic Fighter Tank (75342) comes with an impressive 6 minifigures – 4 of which are all-new prints. That’s pretty crazy for such a small set. Inside we find Mace Windu, 3 phase II Clone Troopers from the 187th Legion in great purple detailing and 2 Battle Droids. With 6 minifigs and only 262 pieces, this little guy boasts an amazing 43 bricks-per-fig for a perfect score of 100%. The figs themselves easily earn another perfect score since they all have tons of detail and an accessory each. That certainly helps make up for the dismal value score.

Mace Windu is not a new figure by any means, this is his 8th version to date. His last “most recent” minifig was just in 2021’s UCS Republic Gun Ship (75309). That is a new print and it would have been a simple thing to just include that same figure. Happily, we get another new design thanks to some truly excellent arm printing. The forearm prints give us General Mace Windu from The Clone Wars animated series. Normally I would take off a point for only one face print, but characters without hair pieces only ever get the one. So we good. And of course, he comes with his requisite purple lightsaber (which sadly photographs blue…I tried folks).

Send in the Clones

We never saw the 187th Legion on screen so they seem like an odd choice, but dang if they’re not well done. The airborne trooper last included in General Grievous’s Starfighter (75286), gets a great new purple paint scheme and superb design work. This new Clone Commander gets back-up with 2 Clone Troopers in matching purple deco. Each is identical with fab new front and back printing. All 3 helmets are also well printed with new colours and patterns. And the usual single clone face is found underneath. The Commander gets the major firepower with a large rifle fitted with a black candle piece as a muzzle extension. The remaining clones get a standard medium-sized blaster.

Clones gotta fight droids! It’s the law of Star Wars. Padding out the minifig selection are 2 stock Battle Droids. Each one comes with a blaster molded in a pearl dark gray colour. This is a smart call as the clone troopers have the same weapon and this at least adds some variety. Surprisingly no one got stud shooters. And I am fine with that as they are not my fave accessory.

ENTERTAINMENT: 72%

The Republic Fighter Tank (75342) is a great play set. There’s plenty of features to get young builders’ imaginations going. There’s missile launchers, opening panels, swivel canons and plenty of minifigures to set the scene. The Tank itself is robust enough to handle some rough housing, and easily repaired if there’s a catastrophe or two. Rotor wheels are placed on the underside so you can slide the vehicle across any surface. Bring out the other members of your clone army and you can easily recreate some scenes.

AFOLs will be drawn to this for the minfigures and probably not much more. It’s a simple build with minimal displayability. That being said, if you missed the first two tanks, this is a decent redesign with wonderful figs. It’s not perfect but taken at face value, it’s a good set and nets a score of 72%.

OVERALL: 74%

The Republic Fighter Tank (75342) is a well done set that’s brought down by a low piece count and overly high price tag. The Star Wars IP comes with a big sticker price these days, so it’s no surprise that sets cost more. If not for the lower parts count and cost-per-brick, this would be a really solid set. Without a doubt, the minifigures help push this into a solid buy if you’re interested. As a minifigure collector, I can deal with a bit more spending if it comes with a bounty of characters – within reason of course! In the end I’m giving this set an overall score of 74%.

But I’m curious to to know what you all think? Does this set warrant some of that initial backlash from critics? Are you excited to get more Mace Windu and Clones? How would you rank this newest vehicle compared to the others? Please comment below and let us know. And as always, keep on brickin’. 🧱

-Frank

Want to support True North Bricks?

If you like the content at True North Bricks, please follow on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, or YouTube for regular updates. Additionally, you can support True North Bricks by making your LEGO® (and other) purchases using the links in the main menu. As an affiliate of those retailers, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings come at no extra cost to you but help to keep the content at True North Bricks free. Thanks for your support!