Review: LEGO Marvel S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier

76354 LEGO Marvel SHIELD Helicarrier New Release Review Brick Banter - 2026 May

Flying from above to your local LEGO Store shelves!

It’s been a hot minute since LEGO last created a Helicarrier LEGO set, and even longer for one within the Marvel Cinematic universe. One of this scale, that is, as we did get a microscale one a while back. With the old set set off back in 2015 and 11 years of developments under their belts, how does LEGO’s new version hold up? Is it better? Is it worth your spend? Read on.

The Helicarrier

The LEGO Helicarrier set is a lot larger than I initially thought when putting it all together. This 3000+ set use a large variety of techniques, angled plates and subtle curavature to pull off a fantastic sleek design. Where LEGO’s old version of the Helicarrier used 8×16 stickered tiles, this time round the designers have opted for a bricks-sideways technique for the roads. I definitely think that this is the right call, as it gives a lot more character to the model and removes user error.

As we dance around the Helicarrier, we get small microscale builds of Quinjets, Shield Aircraft, various bits of cargo and even the engine fire from the first Avengers film. I love the use of the Ghost-Rider flame headpiece for the fire, as well as the use of Mjolnir for some of the cargo decorations.

One thing I would really like to highlight is the use of lots of nice part useage in this set. I’ve mentioned the fire and Mjolnir, but there is so much more. We see a ski pole, rapier and spoons used in the Aircraft control tower, car engines embedded near the engines, binoculars, walkie talkies and even zipline pieces used in the greebling. This is a set that had so many small parts tucked away that I didn’t find the build boring at all.

As far as criticisms go for the model, most comes down to stickers. There is always a batch error between stickers and the ABS plastic they are placed on. This unfortunately often leads to stickers being highlighted for all the wrong reasons. In this set, there are a few, but as a long time fan, I expect this. Doesn’t mean it should be the norm, but at the same time, there is no fix to this.

Special Design Considerations

As for new-to-the-hobby LEGO fans, LEGO have made sure that this set has an equal balance of wedge plates and bricks. What does this mean? Well, if this was the only LEGO set that you had in your possession, it allows you to break it down and build something anew – with a twist. Rather than try to build something and be stuck with, for example, 8 2×4 left wedges, LEGO made sure to hide parts in the model to balance this out. So if you want to make something with just this set, the balance should be a lot easier to adhere to.

Fantastic.

Minifigures

LEGO give us six minifigures with this set, spanning from both Captain America: The Winter Soldier and the first Avengers film.

Captain America

Our first figure is Captain America – more specifically his Stealth Suit that appeared in the opening scene of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. This figure is all new and exclusive and sporting a new colour shield that sets him apart from the rest. I really do like this figure, and LEGO really gave him justice with arm printing and dual moulded legs. The figure feels exclusive and right at home in this set.

Nick Fury

The next figure is Nick Fury, who gets a redesign from his first Avengers appearance in an all-new exclusive figure. As someone who owns the previous Nick Fury figure, this is an absolute upgrade. We get his head in his updated print with more scarring around the eye, which is something older fans might not know. LEGO also gives us a leg printing that makes it feel like the jacket goes all the way down, whereas the previous one the printing and moulding was confusing. Absolute upgrade, 10/10.

Agent Coulson

Phil Coulson makes his appearance here, and finally getting his second minifigure in the flesh (plastic). This is by far my favourite version of this character, and makes a good conveyance from the MCU to the figure. I did wish for more Phil Coulson minifigures sometime ago in my past, and past me thanks LEGO for adding this in. Perfect addition once again.

Maria Hill

And if the character list for a Helicarrier couldn’t get better – we get Maria Hill! Maria hasn’t made a Shield Suit appearance since the old Helicarrier and returns here once again. Part of me wondered if this figure’s face wasn’t right for the character, but I looked at the old figure and found that this is a great upgrade. The torso printing and arm printing here are great, I don’t love the headpiece but it’s not awful. I think this is the weakest figure of the set to be honest, but then again, the others set a high bar.

The Winter Soldier

Our fifth figure is Bucky Barnes, aka The Winter Soldier. The only way to originally get a figure like this was to get the exclusive GWP back in 2015, so getting a nice cheap version here is fantastic. As for the figure, the character is exceptionally accurate to the film, and the left arm printing is great. The ink blots around Bucky’s eyes here feel a tiny bit too much to the left and right, but that being my only criticism makes it apparently how highly I praise this figure.

Hawkeye

Our last figure is Avenger era Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye. LEGO’s last Helicarrier gave us an Age of Ultron version, so getting a first Avengers film version is fantastic. We also get Hawkeye with two faces – a neutral face and a possessed one. During the first film, Clint’s eyes gloss over with blue as Loki controls him with the Mind Stone – represented here. I am very happy

Verdict

This set is undeniably a fantastic upgrade to LEGO’s previous Helicarriers. I really do like this set for what it is, and despite having the old set, this is a set that far succeeds the it. The figures in this set from a collector’s standpoint are phenomenal as well. There’s a nice balance between the two films this set takes interest to, and I like it a lot.

This set is smaller than the previous set, but I honestly don’t mind. And as far as price point goes? Well, this is always a contentious point with me. It’s always hard to justify a sets price when there are things like the ‘Disney Tax’ involved. As always, don’t spend money you don’t have.

But if you spent $600 on this set, I don’t think you’ll end up disappointed. But I do think it is best to wait for a sale.