Jawas may be “disgusting creatures” according to C-3PO, but everyone has to make a living somehow, right? And whatever you want to say about the robed residents of Tatooine, you have to admire their sandcrawlers. The massive vehicles are tough enough to get through the desert, and the design is striking and practical.
LEGO builders Jarren Harkema and Calvin Hartley were inspired by the iconic Star Wars vehicle and built one from LEGO Technic bricks–bricks that allow for more mobility–and standard bricks. How many bricks? Oh you know, around 10,000.
Their LEGO sandcrawler is a little different from the one seen in A New Hope, but it’s still entirely recognizable. The finished build is nearly three feet-long and weighs 28 pounds. Harkema and Hartley poured over 500 hours into the project and made it for Brickworld Chicago earlier this year. Besides looking absolutely wizard (sorry, not sorry), the sandcrawler is packed with mechanical features.
Joshua Hanlon of the Brick Podcast talked with Hartley and Harkema about their sandcrawler at Brickworld. The video shows off the tracks in action and the details, including some easter eggs. The vehicle has an elevator and a droid lift, guys. And what looks like a Jawa bar!
I’d visit Tatooine if it meant getting to explore a sandcrawler like this one.
If you could build any vehicle from Star Wars with LEGO bricks, which one would it be? Let me know in the comments.
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