There’s just something about big LEGO Venator Star Destroyers (and not just their official kit). They’ve been a popular vehicle for Star Wars builders, and if you look through our archives, you’ll find an excellent midi-scale Venator by FlyInSpaceMOCs. Ah, yes, the Negotiator… Hard to believe that was more than three years ago. A builder can come a long way in that time, and to illustrate that point FlyInSpace elected to return to this Clone Wars staple vessel. Except this time, it’s twice as big!

This might be a hot take, but my favourite view of the Venator is its backside (stop giggling at the back of the class!). The way the fuselage slopes away to reveal all those engines, and the glorious greebling associated with them, invites some really interesting build techniques.

Whereas the Negotiator weighed in at 3,145 pieces, this latest iteration more than doubles the part count to nearly 7,000 bricks. And not a single one has gone to waste! That’s in evidence with the side hangar doors (both opened and closed)…

… And the ventral hangar. They also give an up-close view of the fully SNOTted surface that elevates this massive craft even further. Even them, there are plenty of judiciously-placed elements to give it texture!

It makes a big difference, especially when you put the two models side-by-side. Now let’s be clear: the smaller, original build is a stunner. But the comparison shows just how dedicated FlyInSpace is to recreating every last little detail as accurately as possible, pushing themselves to new limits in the process.

So I guess in another three years, we’ll see a 14,000-piece Venator to raise the bar yet again? Watch this space – but be sure to keep an eye on this talented builder to see what they come up with in the meantime!