Building 10123: Star Wars Cloud City

[jaisonline]

Set Name: Cloud City
Set Number: 10123
Theme: Star Wars (conflicting reports whether it's an UCS set)
Year Released: 2003
Retailed Price: $99.99
# of Elements: 698 (box), 675 (Bricklink)
# of Minifigs: 7 plus 1 Han Solo carbinate brick

 

 

 

Introduction :

 

 

 

10123 is often considered the 1952 Topps Mantle of non-UCS Lego sets. As of Sept. 2014, expect to pay between $625 and $1,300 for this set depending whether new or used plus condition and included contents such as the box and manuals.

I purchased this set in Dec. 2013 and been meaning to build it for a while. My complete set was purchased pre-owned including the retail box and build manual.

It should be noted this set was released in 2003 while The Lego Group was in turmoil. That might help explain why 10123 was a Lego store exclusive in the United States. Additionally, many AFOLs have stated on internet forums the set

[Bold-Arrow]

Good choice.. Looking fwd to the entire build

[exciter1]

Thanks for providing scale to the box. That's huge and I've never seen one in person.

 

Is the falcon supposed to fit on the landing platform?  Is that what it was designed for?

[buidee]

I love this set, looking forward to your build. 

[jaisonline]

We have an excellent selection of minifigures. I assume Lobot, 1 or 2 Bespin Guards, and another Stormtrooper could have been nice but more figures would have crowded this already 'smallish' set.

All minifigures were inside bag 1.

Minifigures :

- Boba Fett (print on legs and arms)

- Darth Vader (original torso and head)

- Stormtrooper (plan yellow head)

Boba Fett's legs and arms make this figure expensive to purchase by part or together.

- Han Solo

While this minifigure only appeared in 2 sets, it can be easily built as the parts are common. This specific carbonite brick is also found in 3 other sets from 2000 to 2006 (initial 2 Slave 1 sets and Jabba's Prize).

- Luke Skywalker

- Lando Calrissian

- Princess Leia

Luke's torso is actually pretty common (in 8 sets name including 10173 Holiday Train but the legs are exclusive to 10123. Lando's cape and torso are also exclusive as well is Leia's torso to this set.

[jaisonline]

** Please note that all pictures taken were by me unless noted **

 

I also took pictures every 4th or 5th build step.

 

Dining Room :

 

Dining room = pages 2 to 17, 25 build steps, bag 2

* note = I forgot to include the two trans clear 1x1 round cups with a 1x1 round tops.

 

 

 

 

The door opens and closes by turning 4 White Technic Gear Worm Screws attached to the Turntable 4 x 4 Locking Grooved Base.

 

 

 

 

 

Complete.

While not really scene accurate, it's good enough.  The elements and colors used do capture the overall look except for the door.  A round window or window / door combo could have been used.

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Another view.

 

Another view.

[jaisonline]

** Please note that all pictures taken were by me unless noted **

 

I also took pictures every 3rd or 4th build step.

 

Freeze Chamber:

 

pages 18 to 33, 19 build steps, bag 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elements use to raise and lower the carbonite brick (and Han Solo).

 

 

 

Placed Solo on the carbonite platform to get ready for testing it.

I really do like the use of transparent orange elements used with darker gray and black elements. 

 

 

Build complete! 

 

Just wish Han was entirely hidden from view when the Carbonite brick is displayed.

 

Another view.

 

This section seems to receive ample criticize for it's small size, design, and not being really screen accurate.  Honestly, the Lego designer did a good job considering the price point target (and cost cutting concerns / measures starting in 2002).

 

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[jaisonline]

** Please note that all pictures taken were by me unless noted **

 

The Dining room and Carbonite Freeze Chamber sections attached.

 

 

So far everything measures 10" long, 6" tall, and 5" deep.

 

Inner view:

 

Outside View:

[jaisonline]

** Please note that all pictures taken were by me unless noted **

 

I also took pictures every 4th or 5th build step.

 

Control Room with Observation Window:

 

Pages 34 to 48, 21 build steps, bag 4

 

Here we see the 2nd hard to find light gray curved platform element. 

 

Observation window element was also used in other sets (e.g. Tie-Fighter)

 

 

The obversation window flies opens when flipping the 2 connected Light Gray Technic Pole Reverser Handles.

 

 

 

 

The wall collapses when pressing down on the 1x2 Tan Plate with a handle (in back of the trans red grill element. This element is connected to the hinge elements.

Luke is having a hard day.  First a wall falls on him. Then he flies out the window.

He's also about to lose a hand. SHOCKER, huh?

  Well, they do say bad things happen in 3s.

 

 

While this modular isn't truly screen accurate, it does capture the basics although I remember Vader chucking objects at Luke (not a wall).

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[jaisonline]

The Dining, Carbonite Freeze Chamber, and Control room sections attached.

 

 

So far everything measures 15" long, 6" tall, and 5" deep.

 

note = I forgot to include the two trans clear 1x1 round cups in the dining room.

 

[jaisonline]

** Please note that all pictures taken were by me unless noted **

 

I also took pictures about every 3rd build step.

 

Weather Vane:

 

Pages 59 to 65, 10 build steps, bag 5

 

 

 

 

I am your father.  Noooooooo.  By the way son, sorry about the hand.

'>

[jaisonline]

** Please note that all pictures taken were by me unless noted **

 

The Dining room, Carbonite Freeze Chamber, Control room, and Weather Vane sections attached.

 

So far everything measures 25" long, 6" tall, and 5" deep.  Each modular section (floor element) measures 5" in length except the Weather Vane which is 10".

 

[jaisonline]

** Please note that all pictures taken were by me unless noted **

 

I also took pictures every 3rd build step or so. 

 

Both kids both wanted to 100% take over building at this point.

 

 

Landing Platform :

 

Pages 49 to 58, 8 build steps, bag 4 and loose elements inside box.

 

 

Finished.

Landing platform measures 12" x 8". The entry cat walk measures 5" x 2".

 

[jaisonline]

** Please note that all pictures taken were by me unless noted **

For size comparison pics, I used my son's 8097 Slave 1.

The 2 clear 1x1 round cups were finally added to the set.

[KShine]

Finished.

Landing platform measures 12" x 8". The entry cat walk measures 5" x 2".

 

IMG_4016.JPG

 

LEGO did a great job with the the Facade - Look at that view from the Landing Platform.

[jaisonline]

Here is a cool MOC using 10123 as inspiration. Very nice!

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=94595

[TheOrcKing]

Here is a cool MOC using 10123 as inspiration. Very nice!

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=94595

Nice indeed. I actually could see LEGO releasing that.

[legomanual]

wow. amazing set. Cant believe it cost that much, thanks for sharing so many pics!

[jaisonline]

agreed.  price has stabilized of late. prob will increase again once we get closer to ep 7 unless it's refreshed,

 

wow. amazing set. Cant believe it cost that much, thanks for sharing so many pics!

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