I’m curious if anyone has heard about the controversy surrounding the Lego set 42113 Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. It’s a Lego Technic set that was supposed to hit the stores in August, but got cancelled a few weeks prior. The official reason for the cancellation was the military nature of the plane and Lego’s longstanding policy to not release military-inspired toys. The unofficial reason is that quality control overlooked a severe design flaw in the model that destroys a gearwheel after only few hours of play, so the model got discontinued last minute.
So here’s the kicker: While LEGO stores will never receive the set, some smaller retailers did receive their first orders early and are allowed to sell them. As such, the few copies available are now being sold for insane prices (for a Lego set). Retail price was $120, now it sells for anything between $800 and $1000. To put it in our terms, this model has a very limited print run. I see great collector’s potential for this set due to the low distribution number, the fact that it is arguably a military lego set (which is super rare) and because it has a Bell-Boeing license, so it’s appealing to many groups of people.
kinda hard to make a prediction, as I believe this is unprecented that LEGO blocked the release of a set in the last minute. Just because of the history I can see this set to increase in price.
Mario Lego (exclusive items) have potential, especially if the early sets etc are discontinued.
The problem with this set is lego can remake it after they fix the design flaw.
It is an anomaly for Lego and an interesting story, and I was also immediately considering potential collector appeal. However, I decided against it since it is a Technic set. Who collects Technic sets? The instructions are available so Lego Technic fans will still be able to build their own model, perhaps with slightly different colors. Exclusive parts, especially exclusive mini figures from popular Lego themes is typically what makes certain sets expensive. So if this had been a Lego Star Wars set that for some reason got cancelled, then it could become a grail item for hardcore collectors.
I am not surprised as Lego’s have their own stock market! That is pretty awesome though. I have a friend who doesn’t necessary collect but builds and some of the Lego Architecture line is pretty sweet.
Doubtful if what OP said is true regarding their stance on military paraphernalia.
Thats true, I think though they wouldn’t have thought about making this set if it was only due to there stance on war and military. I think its both because of a design flaw and that its a pr issue due to there stance on war. I would never rule out Lego remaking a set, but its probable it wont be remade.
Facts.
They have an unofficial stance on this but they have made WW1 sets in the past (aircraft) and then similar things like Pirates and other themes. Lego would not have gone through all the processes of developing a new product, getting the license, and producing actual sets already being shipped if they were not open to making military sets. They don’t do them in general but they have done them several times in the past. They just likely wouldn’t make something like a tank set.
I managed to buy two sets at retail price.
The set is fantastic and the functions are impressive. The design flaw is also easily fixed with three extra pieces that cost less than 20c USD total.
It’s such a shame this set was cancelled, it was a great and very technical build.
A few pics of my 42113 Osprey that I converted to have a more realistic colour:
I also added a refuelling boom, because: why not! It is easily retractable as well!
@ozenigma, Amazing conversion! Looks fantastic.