About
This is one of those sets that could only exist in the Skybound era. A flying pirate zeppelin, with a flag, cannons, anchor-shaped wings, and translucent fire details. It’s strange, exaggerated, and a little chaotic, but that is exactly what makes it so fun. The Raid Zeppelin has a very different silhouette within the NINJAGO line. It isn’t a dragon, it isn’t a mech, and it isn’t a ninja car. It feels like an improvised pirate aircraft, built to attack from the sky, and that gives it a very unique identity. The front cannon, pirate flag, and warm color details really help sell the idea that this belongs to Nadakhan’s crew.
In terms of functions, the set delivers a lot for its size. It has a cannon, stud shooters, adjustable wings, a movable flag, and a trapdoor function that can drop a barrel of dynamite or even a minifigure. Zane’s small flyer also helps balance the battle, instantly creating an aerial fight between ninja and pirates.
In my case, I bought this set used, so the stickers were already applied. Luckily, they were placed well, which is important on a model like this, because the stickers really help complete the pirate look and add more detail to the zeppelin. When buying used, this is always something worth checking, especially with older sets, because crooked, worn, or peeling stickers can affect the final look quite a lot.
Overall, it’s a very fun build with a strong identity. It isn’t the most beautiful or refined NINJAGO vehicle, but it has a lot of charm. The value is really in the strange and creative concept, a pirate zeppelin full of functions, perfect for the visual madness of Skybound.
Minifigure review
The minifigure selection is small, but it works really well for the concept of the set. You get Zane, Doubloon, and Clancee, so there is one ninja, one more threatening villain, and one more quirky member of Nadakhan’s crew. But for me, the real highlight is definitely Zane. This minifigure is amazing, and the Skybound suits in general are absolutely beautiful. The strong colors and really well-detailed prints that inn Zane’s case, the result feels especially good, it fits the character perfectly and matches the aesthetic of the season so well. For anyone collecting NINJAGO minifigures, this version of Zane is a true must-have. On the villain side, Doubloon is also a very strong figure. He has an aggressive presence, fits the Raid Zeppelin really well, and represents the more threatening side of the Skybound pirates. Clancee, on the other hand, brings that weird and slightly awkward humor from the crew, which was also part of the season’s identity. The Djinn Blade with Jay trapped inside is another important detail. It’s a small piece, but it adds a lot of context to the set and makes it much more interesting for anyone who follows the NINJAGO story.
Instruction manual
So…
Raid Zeppelin is a really fun set from the Skybound era, and it still stands out because it is so different. It’s creative, packed with functions, and has that slightly absurd side that NINJAGO somehow turns into something memorable. The strongest point is the concept: a pirate zeppelin with cannons, a trapdoor, a flag, Zane’s flyer, and an aerial battle ready to happen. As a used set, it’s definitely worth checking the condition of the stickers, because they make a big difference to the final look. In my case, they were already applied and in good condition, so that was a nice surprise. But honestly, the Zane minifigure adds a lot of extra value here. The Skybound suits are some of the best NINJAGO outfits, and this version of Zane is absolutely a must-have for minifigure collectors. It’s not a must-have set for everyone, but for fans of Skybound, unusual vehicles, classic NINJAGO, and great minifigures, this one has a lot of charm.
