The Gathering Storm. (Vintage Han Solo (Hoth Outfit), Vintage Rebel Soldiers (Hoth Battle Gear), Vintage Turret/Probot Playset)
The Gathering Storm.
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Posts from the 'The Empire Strikes Back' Category
Rebel Suits Redux.
Rebel Suits Redux. (Vintage Han Solo Bespin Outfit, Vintage Luke Skywalker Bespin Fatigues)
The Bespin Luke Skywalker was probably the last action figure acquired for my childhood collection that I was really nuts about. The Bespin Han Solo clearly wasn’t bad, but he just couldn’t compete with the be-hooded Han Solo (Hoth Battle Gear) which was many times more awesome.
Puzzle #01: Here’s a challenge for all you super-sleuths. Can you identify exactly what these two are standing in front of? I’ll give you a clue: it was made by Kenner between 1977 and 1985. I will send a rad Star Wars toy to the first person to post the correct answer in the comments.
Those of you keeping score will already know that this photo is the re-think of an earlier shot that to me has always felt a little bit below-grade.
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Gold Leader.
Gold Leader. (Vintage Luke Skywalker X-Wing Pilots)
Buying Notes on the Vintage Luke Skywalker X-Wing Pilot
Check out the current vintage Luke Skywalker X-Wing Pilot listings here.
Luke Skywalker X-Wing Pilot was a toy sold by Kenner from 1978 to about 1985. So there were (and still are) great numbers in circulation, and a fair number of these are still in excellent shape. But keep a few things in mind when tracking one down on eBay.
The Luke Skywalker X-Wing Pilot action figure probably had more paint applied to it in the production process than any other vintage Star Wars action figure. Face color, facial features, helmet details, vest, chest panel, hands, leg straps, boots. The guy has paint details everywhere. Be sure to see plenty of photos showing that the paint all looks good.
This was an action figure in the true sense of the word. Luke Skwyalker X-Wing Pilot was played with extensively by little kids in the 70s and 80s. If the seller hasn’t already declared that the joints are tight in the auction description, you definitely want to ask before bidding.
Lastly, the figure’s weapon is the Han Solo pistol type of Kenner blaster. Don’t forget: repro accessories suck. Make certain that it’s authentic if possible. You can check out the Imperial Gunnery for some excellent reference on the topic.
Feel free to add any more thoughts on this in the comments section and drop me a line if you get into trouble!
Check out the current vintage Luke Skywalker X-Wing Pilot listings here.
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Three-Way Tie for Nasty.
Three-Way Tie for Nasty. (Vintage Ree-Yees, Vintage Boba Fett, Vintage 4-LOM)
Maybe in future Olympics we’ll see some competition for Excellence in Unabashed Depravity. I’m sure I can scare up at least a few likely contenders.
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In For A Pound.
In For A Pound. (Vintage Death Squad Commanders, Vintage Dengar)
Little bit of an issue with Dengar. For me he’s the poster boy of the barely-seen characters from the Empire Strikes Back that were made into toys for little reason other than snatching dollars from me and my brethren — the Star Wars Action Figure Maniacs.
Even as a snot-nosed 10-year-old kid I knew this vaguely to be true. Sure, I bought Dengar. But I remember being puzzled as to who he actually was. I’d seen the movie, but could not possibly place him in the story. Unfortunately there were quite a few more toys that fit this description, and attempting to fit them all happily within Star Wars playtime was a bit irritating.
But time heals everything. History has smiled on the Bounty Hunters. And Dengar, with his chubby tummy, his fetid wraps, and his junkyard knapsack, is loved.
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Aux Transportes!
Aux Transportes! (Vintage C-3PO, Vintage Rebel Commander, Vintage FX-7)
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Scum Generation.
Scum Generation. (Vintage IG-88, Vintage Bossk, Vintage Princess Leia in Boussh Disguise)
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Taking Flight.
Taking Flight. (Vintage Snowtroopers ~ Imperial Stormtroopers (Hoth Battle Gear), Vintage Darth Vader, Vintage Darth Vader's Tie Fighter)
Buying Notes on Vintage Darth Vader
Check out the current vintage Darth Vader listings here.
A nice vintage Darth Vader action figure is pretty much the alpha and omega of any collection. This is true for the beginner and advanced collector alike. A classic toy reaching back to 1978, the vintage Darth Vader has spun countless revisions and imitations but really has never been improved upon.
So I can’t blame you for thinking about picking one up. But because this item is so popular, it can be rough seas acquiring a good (and authentic) example for a reasonable price. Let’s go over some of the main points to consider before pulling the trigger on a vintage Darth Vader.
Once you’re on board at eBay the first thing you’ll notice is that the key words “Darth Vader” are used and abused ad nauseum to get your attention to buy other stuff. Don’t be discouraged and whatever you do don’t be distracted or tricked into buying something else. Your eyes will quickly learn to ignore all of the nonsense and aim strictly for the vintage gold. The links I’ve provided already do it to some extent, but you may also want to play around with the search engine’s advanced function on eBay to filter out the unhelpful stuff. Be especially aware of the new Hasbro toys labelled as “Vintage Collection”, “Original Trilogy”, etc. Their packaging is cleverly retro and aims to steer the newcomer off course.
Important to keep in mind with the vintage Darth Vader is that you’ve got two accessories to contend with: the vinyl cape and the light saber. Both were easily lost and/or damaged by their original owners so it’s common to see reproductions in the marketplace being passed off as original. There are excellent resources to read through at the Imperial Gunnery forum that will help you avoid pitfalls. Read them carefully. Go here for the light saber and here for the cape. This is also a good time to correlate a seller’s claims of authenticity with their feedback score. Have they sold a ton of toys? Do they score 100% with their buyers? If not, you can think twice about believing their claims. Don’t forget to double check the photos closely. Does the cape look torn anywhere? Do the arm-holes look distressed or sharp? How about that saber tip. Does it look straight and strong or does it like a toddler might have chomped on it for a snack once or twice?
As much as any other vintage figure, Darth Vader was a character that saw heavy play at the hands of us grubby kids in the 70s and 80s. If it’s not mentioned in the auction be sure to ask the seller in a message if the figure’s limbs and head are loose or stiff. Let the loose limbed Vaders go to the diorama builders. You want the guy that’s as close to package fresh as possible. The vintage Darth Vader had very little paint applied by Kenner so not much to worry about there. And chances are if you’re buying a figure with loose limbs there won’t be paint loss.
Feel free to add any thoughts in the comments and drop me a line if you run into any trouble!
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From Lobot With Love.
From Lobot With Love. (Vintage Chewbacca, Vintage Princess Leia in Bespin Gown, Vintage Lobot, Vintage Cloud Car PIlot)
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The Automatic.
The Automatic. (Vintage 2-1B, Vintage C-3PO)
Thirty years ago the 2-1B action figure didn’t present a lot of game for me. That character in the Empire Strikes Back only had one or two spoken lines and his main gig was poking at dead Tauntauns and a near-dead Luke Skywalker. Kind of horrifying actually.
Now (much as I’ve done with all 2nd-, 3rd- and 4th-string action figures) I’ve forgiven 2-1B all shortcomings and granted him unconditional rad toy status. His feats of medical derring-do are celebrated here in one of my personal favorite pics to date. Sock it to ’em One-bee!
This is the last post for 2009. Thanks to everyone for making this a really fun first year.
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