REVIEW: Hungarian Horntail Dragon

The next wave of LEGO Harry Potter sets is coming soon and LEGO has kindly provided me with copies of most sets to make early reviews of what to expect. This year we are getting yet another “kinetic” model of a flying creature, with the Hungarian Horntail dragon joining Hedwig and Fawkes. Is that one to add to your collection? Here are my thoughts…

Set 76406 – Hungarian Horntail Dragon

Price: US$49.99, £44.99, €49.99, CA$64.99, AU$79.99, DKK449

Since 2020, we’ve got a kinetic sculpture of a flying creature as part of the mid-year LEGO Harry Potter sets, making this the third in the series. All three sets have a handle at the rear, which makes the wings flap gracefully up and down when turned. My reviews of the two previous models can be found here:

• Hedwig (2020)
• Fawkes, Dumbledore’s Phoenix (2021)

With 671 pieces, it is somewhat larger than the previous sets (Hedwig: 630 pieces and Fawkes: 597 pieces). Unfortunately, the price has gone up even more! The two previous sets used to cost $39.99/€39.99, so price has gone up by 25%.

Last year, I noted how similar Fawkes was to Hedwig. This year, I was surprised again to see another equivalent set. I guess they are making a collector series, similar to the helmets series in Star Wars or the Brickheadz figures. This might appeal to some as having all three on display will look pretty amazing as shown later.

The Hungarian Horntail dragon was Harry’s adversary in the first challenge of the Tri-wizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It was an iconic scene, and it has therefore not surprisingly already featured in two previous sets in normal minifigure scale (as well as in microscale form in the 71043 Hogwarts Castle set).

I have previously discussed dragons in LEGO Harry Potter in detail. You can see that post here – though I realise, I should think about updating that post now with this new dragon. It won’t be till after I have finished the reviews of all sets in this series though.

But let’s look at the actual set.

Box and Content

The front of the box follows the typical recipe we’ve seen since 2018 with blue box and logos at the top. The main part of the box is taken up by a large photo of the set. It is a good viewing angle and the model looks quite impressive there on its stand. In the lower left corner, the single included minifigure is shown.

On the back, the box shows the dragon from a different angle. It looks less impressive from there, but probably the best angle to show that you have a handle, which you can use to make the wings flap. The fact that the wings flap is not very clear though, but I guess most people will figure it out. Three small insert photos shown the dimensions of the set and that the head can be posed.

Inside the box you’ll the instructions (in white colour similar to those in the other sets I’ve seen so far in this series), a small plastic bag with fabric wings and five bags of LEGO parts.

There is also a small sticker sheet, which I had initially missed as it had hidden itself inside the manual.

Last year’s model (Fawkes) didn’t have stickers, so it is a bit disappointing to have it this year, noting that the Hedwig set (2 years ago) did have stickers too. There are only three stickers in total to apply, so it is not a major burden to be fair.

I’ll hurry on and open the first bag…

Minifigure

The first thing to build is the included Harry Potter minifigure, which will be one of my favourite 2022 minifigures.

The figure is highly detailed, with the usual impressive print on both torso front and back. But what really makes it stand out is the multi colour printing on the arms as well. It is rare to see that on a minifigure.

It made me go back and check how it compared with previously released minifigures from the same scene, where he was chased by the Hungarian Horntail. Both the 2005 (somewhat surprising) and 2019 versions are quite impressive already, but cannot match the details we see this year.

Harry comes with a brick build broom which was a pleasant surprise. I do like new parts, and this new bottom part will allow you to build different brooms more easily.

The resulting broom is a pretty good replica of the Firebolt that Harry used in the Goblet of Fire (see below).

The build

As usual with these sets, you start with building the base.

As you add to the height, you use many brackets. The many resulting studs on the side get covered by tiles which creates a very solid structure. On the back, you can see the handle, which will drive the mechanism that makes the wings flap.

Here is the completed stand with Harry added. He’s still smiling as no dragon is chasing him yet. At the base of the stand, you can see the golden egg, which Harry is after.

Next up is building the torso of the dragon. This is build around the Technic pieces that are needed for the motion. The back of the dragon has many spikes, which you’d expect from a creature like that.

Here is the model with the torso now added.

With that done, we continue with the tail. It is made out of six segments, with the end part being particular spiky, which you would expect from a “horntail” dragon.

The many segments allow it to be posed nicely when attached to the torso.

Next, we complete the sides of the torso and add the legs.

Here, you can see it with both sides completed and legs added.

With that done, we continue with the dragon’s head.

It is starting to look very impressive. The eyes of the dragon are still missing – they were in the last bag, which I better get started on now.

Apart from the eyes, we obviously need to add the wings. They are build using a Technic frame to hold the fabric, which forms the wings. A few “normal” LEGO pieces are used to add detail, in particular from the front.

The fabric is attached under the wing, which makes the structure visible from the top. It still looks fine from that angle, though even better so when viewed from the font.

Here you can see the completed model. Harry is no longer so happy!

The video below shows the flapping wings in action.

Coming soon

So when can I get it, you may ask? The sets are available 1 June 2022 in Europe, Australia and I assume most other countries as well, though for USA and Canada it is slightly later: June 19, 2022. Thinking about heading to LEGO.com to preorder/order? Please consider using our affiliate links to go there. It is the same price for you, but Blockwarts get a minor commission as well, which I use to help running this site.

Conclusion

As a stand alone consideration, it is a nice set. It is well designed and the flying motion looks great. As mentioned, the minifigure is not just another Harry Potter, but an extremely detailed version of him during the first Challenge in the Tri-wizard tournament. It does somewhat counter the annoyance that this set once again includes stickers as in the 2020 Hedwig. I would have preferred all printed pieces as in the Fawkes 2021 set.

I’m still a bit on the fence with the fabric wings. They look fine though – in particular from a lowish front viewing angle. I am not sure you could make nice looking dragon wings in bricks though. You would have needed quite a few, which could have increased costs even more.

And the fact the price has gone up 25% is probably the biggest issue. While it has more parts than the previous sets and is slightly bigger (see comparison below), this is not enough to justify such a price hike.

If you like dragons though – or if you like series of sets and already own Hedwig and Fawkes, this is probably still a set for you.

We have now got three very similar kinetic models of flying creatures from the Harry Potter universe. Will this series continue next year? In that case, will we see Buckbeak (an obvious choice) – or maybe a Thestral? In a year’s time we will know.

Till then, Build the Magic!

(Note that this set was kindly provided by LEGO for review. The views expressed here are my own however).

You can check all my other reviews here.