The age of 8 years is absolutely okay, children who are familiar with Lego, are expected even a year earlier come without help cope with the kit. Total construction time with our son (unaided!) Were one and a half hours, which he has spread over two days. Since then, the space plane is always in the middle of game operation, has received some additions, but otherwise survived all play on harmless. Means: He was not disassembled, as otherwise all other kits. Thus, the space plane is something special in the LEGO box! :-)
Conclusion: If anything Star Wars, then this space plane!