4490 Mini Republic Gunship

4490 Mini Republic Gunship is a Star Wars Mini set released in 2003. It contains the first microscale model of a Republic Low Altitude Assault Transport (LAAT). It is a minikit model able to be viewed in LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game and LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga.
== Description ==
The gunship is built out of mainly white and red pieces. It includes transparent pieces for the pilots' cockpits and light grey (non-transparent) domes for the gunners on the wings and sides of the body. The wings have red pieces on them to represent markings. The front guns can rotate up and down and to the left and right. The section that extends inwards on the front above the guns is done by using a Part 4216 in Bright Yellowish-Green.
== Background ==
The Republic Attack Gunship, also known as the Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry, was used by the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars mostly for air support and troop transportation and was first seen in Episode II: Attack Of The Clones, when the vehicle blazed in and saved the Jedi from certain death by the hands of the droid armies commanded by the evil Sith Lord Count Dooku. It was capable of carrying up to thirty troops, or four speeder bikes in the back infantry bay. The ship was its own fully-armed weapons platform packing three anti-personnel laser turrets, two top-mounted mass-driver missiles, four composite-beam, pin-point laser turrets, eight air-to-air missiles on the underside of each wing, and several more various grenades and bombs. The gunships were often customized by their crews who often painted a design on the nose of the ship, known as "nose art", seen most notable on the Crumb Bomber. Several variations of this vehicle were also produced, most of which were modified versions capable of carrying other large vehicles into battle, such as the AT-TE and Clone turbo Tank. This mighty vehicle continued in the T.V. Animated Series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith as a transport for both troops and Jedi to battle. During the latter stages of the Clone wars, when the Empire began to take over, the Imperial Army utilized the remaining gunships for a short while.
== Notes ==
* The set contains additional parts to build a yellow Y-wing Fighter when also using additional parts from sets 4488, 4489 and 4491.
* This is the only set in which Part 4216 is seen in Bright Yellowish-Green.
* It is included in K4488 Star Wars Miniatures Kit.
== LEGO.com Description ==
== Gallery ==
Mini republic gunship.jpg
== See also ==
* 7163 Republic Gunship (2002)
* 7676 Republic Attack Gunship (2008)
* 10195 Republic Dropship with AT-OT Walker (2009)
== External links ==
Category:Star Wars
Category:4000 sets
Category:2003 sets
Category:Mini sets
Category:Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones