How do I tell the Black Box and Blue Box editions apart?

By the packaging and year: black box in 2003, blue box in 2004. The catalogue lists identical contents for both.

What does the set contain?

There are 170 pieces from 53 unique parts, plus 4 minifigures.

Can I use modern grey pieces as replacements?

You can, but they will look slightly different. This set uses the older light grey and dark grey rather than bluish greys.

Star Wars

Geonosian Fighter (Black Box)

This is the first release of the Geonosian Fighter, sold in 2003 in black packaging. It holds 170 pieces and 4 minifigures and recreates a fighter from the closing battle of Attack of the Clones.

Set number: 4478
Year: 2003
Pieces: 170
Minifigures: 4
Theme: Star Wars
Different parts: 53

What can I build with it?

Parts list 53

As BrickLink list (XML)

Import on BrickLink: Wanted → Upload, upload the file (or paste its content), pick a Wanted List and add the parts.

Spare parts (3)

These extra parts come with the set in case one gets lost.

Minifigures 4

Geonosian, Dark Gray, Wings fig-0035044 pieces × 1
Geonosian, Dark Gray fig-0035053 pieces × 1
Battle Droid, Geonosian fig-0035066 pieces × 2

Description

From the Geonosis arena to the skies

The climax of Attack of the Clones takes place on Geonosis, where the Republic's new clone army clashes with the Separatist droid forces for the first time. Overhead fly the slim, insect-like fighters of the Geonosians, the winged species that manufactures battle droids in its hive factories. This set brings one of those fighters to the table, a ship that appears in few other places, and a nice reminder of how the prequel trilogy filled the galaxy with unfamiliar designs.

The first edition

A second version in blue packaging followed in 2004, but according to the catalogue both share the same contents: 170 pieces, 53 unique parts and 4 minifigures. The black box marks this one as the original. That distinction matters mainly to collectors of sealed or boxed sets, who often want both. If you only care about the model, either version will do, and the parts list on this page covers them equally.

Colours of a desert world

Dark grey heads the list, followed by tan, dark orange and light grey. The warm tones stand in for the dusty, reddish terrain of Geonosis and give the fighter an organic appearance quite unlike the angular craft of the Republic. The greys are the older, neutral shades used before the move to bluish greys, so be careful when replacing missing pieces. Tan and dark orange parts are also useful stock for desert or canyon scenery of your own.

Play value and reuse

Four minifigures make this small set easy to play with and give you enough figures for a short skirmish. The build itself is brief and suits younger builders. Should the fighter end up dismantled, What can I build? on this page compares the inventory with other sets and shows what you could put together from it, while the parts list helps you check a second-hand copy before rebuilding it. Pay particular attention to the older greys, which are easy to confuse with later shades.

FAQ

How do I tell the Black Box and Blue Box editions apart?: By the packaging and year: black box in 2003, blue box in 2004. The catalogue lists identical contents for both.
What does the set contain?: There are 170 pieces from 53 unique parts, plus 4 minifigures.
Can I use modern grey pieces as replacements?: You can, but they will look slightly different. This set uses the older light grey and dark grey rather than bluish greys.

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