LEGO® Marvel review: 76286 The Milano

I love a big spaceship! I won’t lie. A nice, big, ostentatious spaceship. If it is made out of plastic LEGO® bricks and all ready to be built by me and my son to start the school summer holidays off with a bang – then even better!

The 2024 LEGO Guardians of the Galaxy Milano is huge. At 2090 pieces, you’d be right to expect it to be huge. So far, so good!

The Milano was gifted to Peter Quill (Star-Lord) by the Yondu Ravager Clan; this Milano was gifted to me by LEGO for this review but there, it has to be said, all similarities end.

Products in this article were gifted by The LEGO Group; the author's opinions are their own.
This article contains affiliate links to LEGO.com; we may get a small commission if you purchase.

76286 Guardians of the Galaxy: The Milano
Price: US$179.99/ £159.99/ 179.99€/ AU$299.99
Pieces: 2090
Release Date: 1 August 2024

• Buy set 76286 on LEGO.com

New parts

New moulds 

The Milano's cockpit introduces a new windscreen.

• 1x Windscreen 6 x 11 x 2 Curved with Cockpit print in Trans-Light Blue (Element ID 6508149 | Design ID 5724)

It is very similar to another new-for-2024 mould, Windscreen 6 x 8 Curved (5274), shown above in the bottom right image. To add to the similarities, and no doubt confusion, they also have very similar Design IDs – just two numbers are transposed.

I have come to expect new moulds to smoothly marry up to existing elements. It is always a joy when the familiar shapes and forms can easily be seen, as is the case with this new windscreen:

 

The nose of the windscreen is a 3x6 half round; a 4x1 curved slope continues the line to a 3x2 wedge.

The overall height of the windscreen is equal to 2 bricks, and a beautiful complex dome elegantly joins everything together. The familiar 2-module bar is the only connection point of this part. 

I was pleased to see that the windscreen was delivered in its own protective paper-based bag. 

I note that it has its own Element ID number (6518611), as all LEGO packaging does. I wonder whether accidentally giving its number to Customer Services would result in the delivery of the paper bag rather than the intended contents?!

Recolours

Let's examine which existing LEGO parts come in new colours in the 2024 LEGO Milano.

• 1x Brick Round 3 x 3 x 2 with Recess in Dark Bluish Gray (6473422 | 73111)
• 4x Slope Curved 3 x 2 with Stud Notch Left in Blue (6497708 | 80177)
• 4x Slope Curved 3 x 2 with Stud Notch Right in Blue (6497681 | 80178)
• 2x Slope Curved 2 x 2 with Stud Notch Left in Light Bluish Gray (6507843 | 5095)
• 2x Slope Curved 2 x 2 with Stud Notch Right in Light Bluish Gray (6458189 | 5093)

• 4x Wedge Plate 2 x 4 27° Left in Bright Blue/ Blue (6497741 | 65429)
• 4x Wedge Plate 2 x 4 27° Right in Bright Blue/ Blue (6497739 | 65426)
• 2x Wedge Plate 2 x 4 27° Left in Orange (6497742 | 65429)
• 2x Wedge Plate 2 x 4 27° Right in Orange (6497740 | 65426)
• 2x Plate 3 x 3 in Orange (6493285 | 11212)

Rare pieces

There are also many pieces that have only appeared in 3 other sets or fewer at time of writing.

• 2 x Slope 18° 2 x 1 x 2/3 in Bright Blue/ Blue (6485125 | 5404) in 2 sets
• 2 x Technic Panel Fairing 2 x 1 x 1 in Bright Blue/ Blue (6385238 | 89679) in 3 sets
• 24 x Tile 45° Cut 2 x 2 (Triangle) in Bright Blue/ Blue (6473177 | 35787) in 2 sets
• 2 x Plate Special 2 x 2 with only 2 studs in Dark Green/ Green (6505153 | 33909) in 2 sets (inc. 76295 Avengers Helicarrier – hold fire for our upcoming review!)

• 1 x Tile Round 2 x 2 with Bottom Stud Holder in Dark Red (6264149 | 14769) in 2 sets
• 1 x Windscreen 3 x 4 x 3 in Transparent/ Trans-Clear (6491972 | 84954) in 2 sets
• 2 x Plate Special 1 x 2 with Handle on End in Dark Orange (6477977 | 60478) in 2 sets
• 8 x Brick Round Corner 5 x 5 x 1 with Bottom Cut Outs [No Studs Flat Top][1/4 Arch] in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (6407413 | 76795) only in 75331 The Razor Crest

• 1x Minifig Shield Ovoid [Plain] in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (4225661 | 2586) in 2 sets; last seen in 2007
• 1x Brick Special 1 x 2 with 1 Center Stud on 1 Side in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (6473748 | 86876) in 3 sets
• 1x Tile 1 x 2 with cassette print in Sand Blue (6488085 | 3069bpr) appearing only twice in 76231 Guardians of the Galaxy Advent Calendar 2022

Large quantities

The 2024 Guardians of the Galaxy Milano also provides 3 useful elements in bulk quantities.  

• 56x Plate Special 1 x 2 Rounded with 2 Open Studs in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (6221607 | 35480)
• 40x 26601 Wedge Plate 2 x 2 Cut Corner in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (6186657 | 26601)
• 42x 2420 Plate 2 x 2 Corner in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (4210635 | 2420)

Minifigures

Guardians of the Galaxy: The Milano contains 4 minifigures and a microfigure.

Peter Quill / Star-Lord

• 1x Torso with new print in Dark Red (6508690 | 973pr)

Gamora

• 1x Minifig Head with new print in Lime (6488079 | 28621pr)
• 1x Torso with new print in Dark Red (6508996 | 973pr)

I believe the hair is the same as one of the existing variations.

Drax

• 1x Minifig Head with new print in Light Bluish Gray (6488081 | 28621pr)

Edit: We had believed the Torso part of Drax to be the same as the existing one, however, there are very subtle differences in the print for Drax's tattoos, mostly these changes are to the faces on his back. The print also appears to be dark red where the existing part looks more red. Here are the details for the new part:

• 1x Torso with new tattoo prints in Light Bluish Gray (6509044 | 973pr) 

Common to Peter, Gamora & Drax

• 3x Legs with new print in Dark Red (6488077 | 970pr)

Rocket

This version of Rocket is the same one that features in 76278 Rocket's Warbird vs. Ronan

Baby Groot

• 1x Groot - Baby with new print in Dark Tan (6490595 | 32782pr)

Sticker sheet

A modest selection of stickers is provided in the 2024 Guardians of the Galaxy Milano. I admit I was tempted to apply them to this lovely model, out of a sense of completing the build as it was intended. They greatly limit re-use of the elements though, and overall I feel that they don't add a significant amount above and beyond what the build itself achieves in accuracy, as you can see from these official images below.

The build 

The start of construction might seem confusing. The first three bags are steps mostly dedicated to stacking plates and bricks. Once the model is stood upright, everything becomes clear; we have been building 'side on'.

The stacked plates and bricks make a very strong substructure. The whole weight of the wings need be carried on this frame. So, building 'side on' here is akin to what an RSJ or 'I' beam does in a building. 

We know that a plate will bend very easily when held flat, but that it is much, much more difficult to bend it when it is place upright on its narrow edge. This is good for supporting the weight along the length and at the extremities because anything stacked in the normal orientation would want to sag and ultimately delaminate or bend.

That's quite a wingspan to support, too: 65cm wide (or 25½" for those still using imperial). It's way outside the confines of an IKEA Kallax shelving unit, but should be fine for those who favour their Billy bookcase... it will fill a whole shelf, though!

This little stand bears the weight incredibly well. When it is on the stand, you'll need to allow about 27cm for clearance on your display shelves!

I was pleased to see that there are no parts wasted on an 'identifier' plaque. 

 

Throughout the build there are pleasing little features, sub-assemblies and details that add to both the complexity of the model and the experience of building it. The size of the cabin area is surprising spacious, all of the Guardians have enough room to be where you'd expect them and to move around!

The leading edges of the wings and the interface with the fairings and fuselage were always going to be tricky to realise in LEGO form, and previous minifigure-scale versions of the Milano haven't really captured its graceful 'Bird of Prey' forms. 

This is partially because there are lots of intersecting angles and subtle curves to try to replicate, especially where the complex livery must be maintained too.

However, the degree to which the sub-assemblies of the 2024 Milano capture this livery made me sit back in wonder. The sections are simple, incredibly sturdy, and clip into place satisfyingly with an absolute minimum of gaps.

I have to admit that my son and I blasted through the final three bags, we were really enjoying the build and happily constructing – without remembering that we should still be documenting the process. I'll call it a "blip"... but surely there's no better recommendation for a LEGO set than being 100% immersed in the build experience?

I can't stress strongly enough how well the majority of this model fits together. Yes, there is the odd gap (mostly hidden away) and one or two parts could possibly be more securely attached but generally where edges of separately constructed sub-assemblies of the fuselage meet, I marvelled at how tight some shut lines appeared!

The opening canopy was the cherry on top of the cake!

Conclusion

The Guardians of the Galaxy (Vol.1) was released in 2014, so it seems fitting that the release of this impressive model coincides with the tenth anniversary of the first outing of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's ragtag of ex-criminals turned heroes.

So far the Milano, The Benatar and other 'M' ships have been depicted in LEGO form in over ten sets, and at a variety of scales; from advent calendar and small polybag builds through a couple of minifigure-scale versions up to the largest: set 76193 The Guardian’s Ship from 2021. This new interpretation is the largest and most visually accurate of all the ships so far.

If you are a Guardians of the Galaxy fan then this set is a must. If you just have the money to spare on a LEGO set, this is a great build and pretty good value too. A quick and simple comparison would be the Lamborghini Countach from my last review: the Milano has nearly 600 more pieces for the same price. The designers haven't bumped up the count with lots of small parts either. The stand is also incredibly economic with the parts that are allocated to it. 

There are a number of rarer and newish parts that, while they don't trigger our New Elementary criteria for listing out, are nice to see appearing in more sets. 6x2 wedge plates (78443 & 78444), 4x2 wedge plates (65426 & 65429), 2x2 sloped pointed wedge (66956) are just a few examples that I'm pleased to see. 

In general, there is a very healthy collection of wedge plates in light bluish grey. That, combined with the presence of a good selection of blue elements, has me thinking of my beloved Classic Space.

So much so that I'm thinking that this is looking like a bit of a CS parts pack! 

There's more besides. In orange, you get 2x6 and triangle tiles (35787), 1x2 tiles with notch (5091 & 5092) and a nice selection of wedge plates too. It's a well-stocked ship!

In terms of play value: there is some movement of the wings and "engines"; the canopy opens; and the top section is removable to see and pose the minifigures inside. Given the understandable limit to the interior details, this model is certainly falling into the display model category – although the internal dimensions do still feel like the largest yet achieved.

Set 76286 has a 12+ age mark and so it feels unfair to dwell on a lack of play features that we would more commonly expect to see in smaller sets aimed at younger builders. 

It is, however, very swooshable!

I spent a few enjoyable hours over three nights building this set with my son, and as an immersive build experience, there was enough to keep us both occupied for the majority of the time.

In conclusion, this is a great looking version of the Guardian's ship. It is truly enormous, and I consider it to be good value. 

It's been a long time since I felt motivated to recommend a LEGO set at full price, and while any discount is always appealing, a wait is usually attached. I think this set might just be a bit too good to wait for!

Set 76286 Guardians of the Galaxy: The Milano on LEGO.com

Price: US$179.99/ £159.99/ 179.99€/ AU$299.99
Pieces: 2090
Release Date: 1 August 2024

READ MORE: LEGO® Mimic Dice Box gift with purchase is back again until Sunday 28 July

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