Troll Warship (#7048)
Review Updated March 9, 2009.
# of pieces: 493
# of minifigs: 8
Pros: Clever concepts, multi-shot dart cannon that works, lots of minifigures including a huge green dragon and a giant troll, wonderful playset.
Cons: None
Full Review: I was skeptical when I first bought this model, but I was so pleasantly surprised when I built it, that this is now one of my favorite sets. This is a fun, clever and durable playset that is great for a kid to imagine mock battles and adventures. This set is as good as any full castle set for playability.
The hull of the ship is a combination of several large pieces. There is a large number of minifigs and two big minifigs - the "good" green dragon, mounted by a silver knight, and an evil giant green troll beating the drums. There are also three regular trolls, a boss troll (with a whip) and a poor dwarf prisoner. You can actually put the dwarf in a net "jail" and hoist him into the air via a wheel and pullies. There is also a fixed jail cell in the center of the boat. The top part of the ship's deck is removable (similar to house models) to move figures around. Another neat feature is a multi-shot ballista in the front of the ship that can fire round-tipped bolts in rapid succession, and it works! The green dragon is a huge toy all by itself, and articulates well with limbs, tail, head, wings and jaws all able to move (plus it shoots fire!).
Fine touches include curving ivory "horns" which are very realistic looking bone-like legos mounted on the sides of the boat, and mini-horns on the troll's head with spikes down his back. The designers cleverly use "chains" on the sides of the boat to give it that viking-battle look. See the Troll's huge club (last photo below), and the two small rowboats that can be detached from the main ship.
I love this set. If you pick up one set of the LEGO(R) Castle series I recommend purchasing this one. Please see our photos below.
This model is HUGE. It's also solidly built and kid-tough. My wife likes the sails (above). 
HELP!! LET ME GO!
Our dwarf friend here is having a bad day . . . he's been captured by trolls, put in a net and hoisted up the main mast of their warship! He hasn't even had his breakfast yet!
Here we see the Captain-Troll (Donavan) commanding the giant troll (his second-cousin Steve) to beat the drum faster.
Troll Rower #1: Psst! Hey Bob!
Troll Rower #2: Shhh! Be quiet, Carl, and let me row! You're going to get us in trouble!
Troll Rower #1: Did you see that episode of Dancing with the Stars last night?
Troll Rower #2: Blech! I hate reality TV!
Giant Troll: Me Steve! Me like to watch American Idol!
Troll Rower #1 and #2: Shhhh!!!!
Troll Gunner: Say 'Hello' to my little friend . . . my dart cannon!!!! Ha ha!
Troll Rowboat Warrior: Look out! The knight's got a dragon!!
Dragon-Riding Knight: Hey! Have either of you guys seen a dwarf?
Dragon-Riding Knight: I'm coming
to save you, little dwarf-buddy!
Dragon: Ouch! Stop kicking me!
Giant Troll: Me Steve! Me also like to watch Deal or No Deal!
Knight: You fiend!