I should try and get through the 2021 Harry Potter sets before 2022… Here is #76395-1: Hogwarts” First Flying Lesson. It attempts to re-create the scene from the first book/movie where the students get their first flying lesson on brooms. This set was released in the US on 2 August 2021. It contains 264 pieces and retails for $29.99. This works out to $0.114 per piece which is a bit steep in my opinion.
The front of the box shows the full set. It also shows the minifigures included along with the Harry Potter logo and pictures of the movie characters. It also has the 20th anniversary LEGO Harry Potter logo on it. The back shows some of the play features and lets you know that you get to mystery tiles.
The box contains two numbered parts bags, an instruction booklet, and a sticker sheet with 5 stickers.
The first build creates the left and right sides of the modular building structure included with this set. Unlike the previous sets, this year the sets can be attached together with Technic pins. The two structures you build are fairly similar and don’t have a lot of special building techniques. On the outside are shields with logos from each house (stickers, not printed). Inside one is a trunk with some quidditch supplies. The other has a trophy case with some actual trophies inside. I like how they built this so there is a clear front and it looks like a case. There is a small detail that you may not catch which is that Harry’s Dad is listed on the one sticker that goes on the plaque inside the one case.
The second bag builds a connecting hallway with a door and an upper level/roof for the build. Not a whole lot to this part. The most in depth part here is connecting the clear rods so you can pretend the minifigs are flying. There is also a gray minifig statue with swords so you can have Neville get caught on the statue like in the movie.
With the build not being super exciting, you hope the minifigures included in the set make up for it. This set includes five. Except for the statue, each have two printed faces. The statue is all gray and comes with two swords plus and extra one in the parts bag (win!). Not much to it, but you could add it to #40516-2: Everyone is Awesome just to mix things up.
Draco Malfoy is the only minifigure not unique to the set. The same minifigure appeared in #75978-1: Diagon Alley only this one comes with a broom.
Professor Quirinus is the 20th Anniversary gold minifigure. I’m not sure why they selected him versus one of the more main characters, but okay. He did show up in the first book/movie so that might be why. The figure has the Professor Quirinus face on one side and then Voldemort face on the other side.
Madame Hooch is unique to this set as the instructor. She has two faces to include my favorite, the flying goggles.
Neville Longbottom is last in my picture. He comes with a straight face and then a scared face. He has a broom and his remembrall (had to look that one up).
Lastly, here are the 2 tiles I got. Not really a big fan of these nor do I intend to make sure I get them all.
Overall, this set is nothing really exciting. The minifigures are okay and the set itself isn’t that great. The pieces are alright, but nothing too special. Unless you are a huge Potter fan, I wouldn’t rush out to grab this one. What are your thoughts?
Happy building!
