Cloud Car Pilot (ESB 1980-82)

Let’s face it, if you didn’t have a Twin-Pod Cloud Car (notice - it will be much farther down the alphabet), you probably didn’t have a lot of use for this figure. If you did have a Car, you wanted two of this figure (frickin’ Twin!). The figure is based on the pilot shown in the cockpit of the model used for the movie. A pilot was never actually shown in Cloud City. Go ahead and watch it again – I’ll wait here.

The Pilot came with the same blaster pistol as the TIE Pilot, so they must have the same wholesaler. He also came with…catch your breath…a commlink! Often mentioned but never accessorized until now! Whew! The figure came out on both ESB and ROTJ cards, and, as you'll notice from the pciture, an offer for a mail-away Ackbar.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Gave you hope that you would own a Cloud Car some day.

2. Gave you hope that you would get another one just like it – “But Dad, the Car needs two Pilots!”

3. Only commlink ever made – at least in the vintage line.

4. Official Star Wars figure of the Tour de France.

5. Official Star Wars figure of accountants (the commlink looks just like a calculator – get it?).

Backstory:

There is no real backstory on the Car pilots, but since the Car was produced on Bespin for Bespin atmospheric use, it is presumable that the pilots were hired/recruited in Cloud City, trained, and sent out to patrol the City. For more info, check out the Twin-Pod Cloud Car entry.

Want more? Wookieepedia article

33 in alphabetical order

Chief Chirpa (ROTJ 1983-84)

Hey, we had to get to the Ewoks sometime. After all, there were eight figures - yes eight figures - in the original line, as well as a playset and at least 3 vehicle/accessories dedicated to them (4 if you include a speeder bike). Chirpa came on a ROTJ card only. Side note: on early ROTJ figures, the Ewoks were often blacked out to conceal the "surprise" until the movie came out.

Chief Chirpa is just one of fuzzy little Stormtrooper-killing machines. Yes, they had clubs and crude spears, yet somehow they took out trained soldiers with blasters and battle armor. Maybe one of them watched Imperial manuevers secretly and trained from that, kind of like Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They obviously knew enough to take down a few AT-STs, including one from a deleted scene.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. He's the chief. Do you get She's the Sheriff figures and not get Suzanne Somers?

2. In all seriousness, the figure is molded pretty accurately to what the character was, from the hood to the command staff (shout-out to Admiral Ackbar!).

3. There is a whole frickin' Ewok playset - someone has to be in charge.

4. Those dark, dark eyes that you can just lose yourself in.

5. "Yub nub!" Those two words strike fear in the heart of any stormtroo, no, ha-ha, tee-hee, I just can't say it.

Backstory:

Much of the Ewoks cartoons can, and often are, taken as canon, but we know that the Chief had a wife (Ra-Lee) and two daughters, Kneesaa and Asha. The two Ewok Adventure movies are often considered canon as well, since they could have happened before the events in ROTJ - just pretend that the evil witch is using the Force to create illusions instead of "magic."

Chirpa's reign saw the arrival of the Imperials, and the Ewoks alliance with the Rebels. Not much has been said about the Ewoks post-ROTJ, but presumably they settled into a more peaceful existence, and some of their tribe have been known to travel the stars in the novels.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

32nd in alphabetical order

Chewbacca Bandolier Strap (ROTJ)

You're such a geek, you want to wear your Star Wars heart on your sleeve. Wel,l how about your chest? Yes, you've got it, the Chewbacca Bandolier Strap, which conveniently carries your figures where any bully or two-bit thief can rip them right off your person!

The Strap is a loving sort-of, kind-of, re-creation of Chewbacca's bandolier, but made to carry your action figures. Even Chewbacca's two compartments that say "Return of the Jedi" for your weapons and accessories are on here. Oh, wait, Chewbacca's real bandolier probably didn't say that. Chewbacca probably wouldn't have approved of some grinning 5 year-old wearing it either.

Why should you get the strap? Five reasons:

1. Using your hands to carry your figures is just so damn inconvenient, and using your mouth just leaves a plasticky taste.

2. The foam holding your figures in won't wear out for at least, um, right about now.

3. Two compartments for your guns, command batons, and loose limbs!

4. That blonde kid on the box will be sent back to the orphanage if not enough are sold.

5. Does it really matter which figure holder you get? None of them seem to fit those fat guys, Rancor Keeper and Gamorrean Guard, anyway.

Backstory:

Yes, there's a backstory. Okay, there's really not a backstory. In the movie Chewbacca's bandolier was a belt of power cells for his bowcaster, and possibly other blaster weapons.


Full story? Wookieepedia article on Chewbacca

31st in alphabetical order

Chewbacca (SW 1978-79)

Alas, poor Chewbacca. He's the only major figure that never got another outfit or any changes to his figure during the entire original run. It wasn't until the 1990's that Hasbro started making "Chewbacca as Boushh's Prisoner," "Chewbacca on Hoth," or "Chewbacca with Farrah Fawcett-like hair." Nope, in the original run we just get Chewbacca with the slicked-back fur, and a bowcaster gun that doesn't even have a crossbar.

Chewie came on the original 12-figure Star Wars back, where the figures were drawings instead of pictures of the actual toys. Even the TIE fighter and X-Wing pictured seem a little distorted due to the concept drawings and not photos. Look closely at the descriptions for those two vehicles - did "Laser Light" really need to be trademarked? Oh, and don't forget to send away for the exciting figure stand!

Chewie also came on an ESB card, 2 ROTJ cards (one with original picture and one with a picture from Endor), and a Power of the Force card with coin.

Why should you own him? Five reasons:

1. One of the tallest figures in the original line - crush those scrawny Stormtroopers.

2. Who else is going to sit in the co-pilot's seat in your Millennium Falcon? Luke? This ain't like dusting crops boy!

3. Relive the exciting conclusion to Empire Strikes Back where Chewie desperately tries to ignore the fact that Lando is wearing Han's clothes.

4. Lord your ownership of this figure over your wimpy Ewok-owning friends.

5. You owe it to Chewie since the medal-snub at the end of Star Wars.

Backstory:

Chewbacca was a Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk (that's no typo - it really is 3 Y's). His father was Attichitcuk, his son Lumpawaroo, and his wife Mallatobuck. Between his adventures with Han he got to see his family, but he was devoted to Han because of his Life Debt to him. Chewie incurred this life debt after Han (an Imperial Lieutenant at the time) saved him from being killed by Han's superior officer. The two escaped together, living the life of smugglers and eventually hooking up with the Rebel Alliance.

Chewbacca's home life was explored a little more deeply in the atrocious Star Wars Holiday Special that ran once on CBS November 17, 1978. In it, Han tries to get Chewie home for the Wookiee "Life Day," while we mostly see Chewie's family doing stuff at home. It was only shown once, and was later denounced by Lucas, but many of the factual elements were kept for Chewbacca's biography in the official novels and comics. There are usually bootlegs sold on Ebay, and downloadable video on the web if you look.

Unfortunately, around 25 years after the Battle of Yavin (the first Star Wars movie) Chewbacca was killed by a falling moon while saving the inhabitants of Sernpidal and Han and Leia's son Anakin. Han blamed Anakin for Chewie's death, but later came to the conclusion that nothing could have been done. Poor Chewie - first no medal and then he has a moon fall on him.

More? His Wookieepedia article

30th in alphabetical order

CAP-2 Captivator (ESB)

The CAP-2 "captivator" was another mini-rig not found in the movies, but put out to give kids a cheap one-figure vehicle to play with, extending the original line. The CAP-2 was another unique design (they weren't all that way). Suction-cup legs for climbing on...windows? A pivoting front blaster; a bubble-cockpit; two front pincer arms; and a rear capturing device that could hold a captured figure. This was operated by a little knob on top.

Like many mini-rigs, if you didn't have the box, or didn't hear about it previously, there is probably no way you'd know this was a Star Wars vehicle. It does have some Imperial-type design reminiscent of maybe a probe droid, but nothing that strikes it as definitely Star Wars-ish. For a long time as a child, I thought it was used for window washing around Cloud City.

Why should you get this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. Unique. Suction-cups: what the f--- is up with that?

2. That shade of gun-metal grey. Cool.

3. The picture on the box is another example of Kenner ambiguity. So the Hoth rebel is captured on Cloud City by Bossk and turned over to the Empire? What?

4. I always assumed (having not had the box) that it was a maintenance vehicle for Cloud City. It always amused me that they would have made a mundane window washer vehicle.

5. Perfect for dentists - one of the pincer claws looks just like a tooth scraper.

Backstory:
The CAP-2 is one of those rare mini-rigs that was not glimpsed in the movies, even in some other function, and does not have a larger, equivalent, vehicle. It is said that this ship was used by Bossk, but this is based only on the box picture. It could easily be a vehicle used in the Star Wars universe, but has not shown in any works considered canon.

29th in alphabetical order

Cantina Adventure Set (SW)

Remember when you actually got toys from Sears? Remember when they had the clout to make Sears exclusives? Now only Toys R Us and Target can command Star Wars exclusives (mostly) but back then Sears had a few exclusives (see Rebel Command Adventure Set, Cloud City Playset, and The Jabba the Hutt Dungeon) and the Cantina Adventure Set was one. Don’t get it confused with the Creature Cantina Action Playset, no - this one is much suckier. For one, it lacks any plastic action base – it is only a cardboard standup. It also is not technically in the Cantina, but right outside it. However, like the other Sears exclusives, this contained figures - four to be exact– Greedo, Hammerhead, Snaggletooth, and Walrusman. Snaggletooth, however, is especially infamous, because it is the rare tall blue Snaggletooth – exclusive to this set. The figure on card was corrected to be smaller and have a reddish jumpsuit. The rare Snaggletooth is the true value to this playset.

Why should you get this playset? Five reasons:

1. You can use it as an addition to the other Cantina set. Wow. More Cantina.

2. Get most of your Cantina creatures in one shot.

3. Oh man – blue jumpsuit and silver go-go boots on Snaggletooth. George Lucas must be rolling over in his grave. What? He's not dead?

4. Not only is the box recyclable, so is the playset!

5. Re-create the exciting waiting line to get into the Cantina. Velvet rope not included.

Backstory:

Full story? Wookieepedia article on Chalmun's Cantina

28th in alphabetical order

Bossk (ESB 1980-82)

Nothing says Christmas like Bossk!

Do you remember that scene at the beginning of "Starman" where the alien is growing his clone body, and while in the infant stage it looks rather...alien? It kind of looks like Bossk. Not orange like Lady Marmalade here, but rather similarly mongoloid.

Bossk is yet another in our long line of bounty hunters, but you know what they say - "If you ain't Boba Fett, you don't have no lines." Bossk's big turn in the movies was standing rather still on the deck of a Super Star Destroyer while Darth Vader tasked him (and others) to hunt down Solo and the gang. Wait - he did have a line - he kind of hissed.

Bossk's head is actually a repainted alien mask from the Cantina scene, in case you're wondering why it looks rather familiar. Throw on some scaly arms, a capri-pant flightsuit, and you've got yourself a bounty hunter! Bossk comes with a rifle that is held by the forward handle - a unique weapon for um, ah, a unique guy. The figure came in both ESB and ROTJ packaging.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Bounty hunter. 'Nuff said.

2. Anyone who actually hunts down Wookiees has some balls. Show him some love.

3. Tied with Jabba for ugliest mug in the Star Wars trilogy.

4. Stylish flight suit; elegant lines.

5. Looks a lot like Lord Voldemort minus the cloak.

Backstory:

Bossk is a Trandoshan, who when born, ate his hatchmates. Quite the beginning. He went on to hunt Wookiees for the Empire (and sport) become a bounty hunter, and lead the Bounty Hunter's Guild (while fractioning it). He clashed and worked with other bounty hunters from time to time, including Zuckuss and Boba Fett. His last appearance was in a jail on a space station being attacked by the Yuuzhan Vong (a later antagonizing race). No word on if he survived.


Want more? His Wookieepedia article

27th in alphabetical order

Boba Fett (Droids 1985)

Here we definitely have the coolest of the Droids line. Not only because it was made in the original line (thus not so cartoonish) but it’s freakin’ Boba Fett! Cool in anyone’s book. Boba didn’t get changed at all from his original appearance - same colors, same weapon (although the weapon is now molded in black). In fact, it is a Stormtrooper rifle, which many, many a Star Wars figure came with.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. C’mon! It’s Boba Fett!

2. Other than the kid figure from Attack of the Clones, this is the youngest version of Boba they ever made a figure of. Of course, he’s in armor, so it’s exactly the same as the others.

3. Boba as you’ve never seen him before: clumsy and inept. Although there was that whole fell-into-the-Sarlacc-Pit thing.

4. Only one of twelve to get the whole line – and the coolest of the bunch.

5. It never hurts to have an extra Boba just in case something happens to your others.

Backstory:

Apparently Boba owed Sise Fromm a favor, so agreed to kill Thall Joben and wreck his chances of winning the Boonta speeder race. Through the help of the droids and a series of unfortunate circumstances, Boba did not succeed, and ended up turning Sise in.

Want his full story? Wookieepedia article

26th in alphabetical order

Boba Fett (SW 1978-79)

Boba Fett? Boba Fett? Where? Oh, right here. Yes, believe it or not, Boba Fett was the last figure produced from the first movie line – even though he wasn’t in it (until the Special Editions came out much, much later). Boba Fett was probably the most hyped figure from the vintage line. First he was promoted as a mail-away with a rocket-firing jet pack. Naturally, you could poke your eye out, so the rocket-firing part was removed before it got into the stores or to customers, and any mention to it was blacked out. The figure actually came out two years before Empire Strikes Back.

Fett came on an SW, ESB, and ROTJ cards (2 different photos for the ROTJ card). The SW card also had some additional writing on the front kind of explaining who this character was. He came with the same gun as the Stormtrooper and many other figures in the first line. Boba Fett only appeared in an animated segment of the atrocious and cheesy Star Wars Holiday Special, making him the only figure made from it (originally).

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. The bountiest of the bounty hunters!

2. That Cylon-like helmet!

3. The Mandalorian armor!

4. Yellow! Green! Red! Blue-grey!

5. Card shows use of the flamethrower – waaaaaaay before it was ever used!

Backstory:

Boba is the unaltered clone of Jango Fett, and was raised by him until Jango was beheaded by Mace Windu in combat. Boba went on to a successful bounty hunting career like his "father" before him. He became one of the most feared bounty hunters in the galaxy, and often teamed with or crossed paths with other hunters. While on assignment for Jabba the Hutt, he fell into the Sarlacc on Tatooine and was badly injured but managed to escape. He went on to live a long life, continuing hunting and reuniting with his lost daughter as well. His primary ship was Slave I, but he also had Slaves II-IV.

Want more? Full article from Wookieepedia

25th in alphabetical order

Biker Scout (ROTJ 1983-4)

What is a Speeder Bike without a Biker Scout? Of course, you could get Luke with poncho or Leia with poncho or some Ewok, but what fun would that be? You want the guy with “Bike” in his name. You want the guys all black and white and cool and an easy target in a forest of green foliage. Idiots.

The Biker Scout came on both ROTJ and POTF cards, and, as always, the POTF card is rarer. He came with an actually unique blaster pistol, which, other than being gray instead of black in the movie, is very accurate to the movie prop. The figure itself is very detailed in comparison to the movie character. The figure had some minor variations n the body and head (more noticeable on the head) because of different manufacturing facilities, so there are two main variations.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. If you already got the Bike, you had to get the figure.

2. Who else is going to get pelted by Ewoks?

3. Relive the knockdown, drag out fight between Trench Coat Han and Biker Scout!

4. Befriend Ewoks…then kill them.

4. Have two of them talking to each other about how good their scouting is, wearing bright white in a sea of green.

Backstory:

Their official designation is “Scout Trooper,” but they were often called Biker Scouts because they used Speeder Bikes a lot for reconnaissance and scouting. Their armor was a modified version of standard stormtrooper armor, with more flexibility, built-in macrobinoculars, and a better groin area for sitting on Bikes. They carried standard rations and a specially-modified scout trooper blaster pistol with a targeting scope and phase amplifier. Remnants of the Empire rethought the standard stormtrooper white for the Scouts after their crushing defeat on Endor. They tended to stick out.

Full story? Wookieepedia article

24th in alphabetical order

Bib Fortuna (ROTJ 1983-4)

You have to give props to Kenner on this figure. Despite something as awkward as twin head tails, they still managed to make them into the figure and not just a detail – they actually stick out his head. Like General Madine, he comes with a “battle staff,” even though this is not the same staff as Madine has. Both staff seem largely ceremonial, and this one does not appear in the film either. He also came with a tan felt cloak, and legs that “scissored” much like the Emperor’s and Obi-Wan’s. Bib only came out on an ROTJ card. Mexico’s Lili Ledy distributor came out with a red-caped Bib Fortuna, but these are quite rare and often faked.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. Those wrapping head tails. C’mon, who has those?

2. That velvety cloak, it just feels, oh, so good.

3. Having this figure held out hope that your parents would get Jabba. Well, a little hope.

4. Use it to practice your broken English (or Basic as they call it in the SW universe): “Jabba no barga.”

5. Cut off the head tails and the figure can double as any pasty-faced vampire you want.

Backstory:

Bib Fortuna was cast out of his society (home planet Ryloth) after being caught smuggling a spice from the planet. After an unsuccessful job at Kuat Drive Yards, eh fell in working for Jabba the Hutt, smuggling, then advising him. After his present of a rancor monster to Jabba, he was elevated to majordomo to Jabba. Throughout the years in service to Jabba he tried many times to kill his master, but each attempt failed.

Bib managed to escape on a skiff right before Luke and the gang blew up Jabba’s Sand Barge, and made his way back to the palace. He fought over what was left of Jabba’s estate, apparently winning, but then taken by B’Omarr Monks who took out his brain and placed it in one of their spider-like cyborgs.

Six months after the Battle of Endor, Bib lured an associate of his to Tatooine to recover some weapons caches. After his associate’s betrayal, Bib convinced the Monks to put his brain into his friend’s body, and he began rebuilding his own little empire.

Want the full story? His Wookieepedia article

23rd in alphabetical order

Bespin Security Guard [white] (ESB 1980-82)

The Bespin security guard is an interesting case. Not onlydo we have one that is white, but another who is black. Today we concentrate on the white one. He comes with a standard Cloud City pistol, gets a good union wage, and hopes that his boss isn't some kind of swindler.

Why should you have this figure? Five reasons:

1. Again, two words: army builder. Get a ton of this one and the other guy and defend Bespin against the Empire!

2. The oddity of two of the same kind of character is too weird not to get one of each.

3. You need to act out the scene where Lando finally gets some cajones and surrounds the stormtroopers with his own guards.

4. You need to act out the scene with the other guard in the lunch room where you talk about your benefits and dental.

5. Two more words: handlebar mustache.

Backstory:

Not much of a backstory. The guard is just some generic Joe Schmo who goes home to his 3-bedroom in the lower column of Cloud City. You know, near the tibanna gas clouds. He thanks his lucky stars he and his family don't live near one of the mining facilities - those things run day and night! Now your boss is threatening your union contract because the mob, I mean, the Empire is trying horn in on your business. Oh well, at least they have daycare.

22nd in alphabetical order

Bespin Security Guard [black] (ESB 1980-2)

Finally, a brother can get some respect . Sure, there was another Bespin Security Guard, but this is, for lack of any other clarifier, is the black guy. He comes with the same pistol that most of the characters on Bespin came with, and he came on an ESB and ROTJ card. The big difference between this figure’s packaging and the other Guard’s (other than the cast picture) is that this guy has a blue background for his name and figure. The white guy has an orange background. Odd, but there it is.

His left hand is molded in an odd position – apparently from the picture it is for putting his hand on the floating Han in Carbonite. That, or petting a large Bespin Cloud Poodle.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Equality – how many black people are there in Star Wars?

2. An army builder – you’ve got to get more than one, and in this case you can get black and white ones (unlike those racist all-white Stormtroopers).

3. The man who put the hand on Han.

4. The stylish navy blue with gold trim. A classic.

5. You need another Bespin dude for your poker club diorama.

Backstory:

Not much of a backstory, since there really wasn’t much of one created. I’ll refer you to my post on the previous guard.

21st in alphabetical order

Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi (SW 1978-9)

Ah, the mentor of the original trilogy, the wise man, the old fossil, Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi. While he was only alive during the first movie, he somehow retained acting parts in all three movies. Where else but the Star Wars universe?

Ben came with a built-in blue lightsaber that popped out of his right arm. His hair and beard came in both white and gray variations, and he came on SW, ESB, ROTJ, and POTF cards. There were two ROTJ cards, one with the original background picture, and one with a closer picture with his hood up. This was the same picture on the POTF card. Also, technically, there was another ESB card that has an "ASST #" under the number in the upper left-hand corner. I am not that choosy - others are. Ben also came in a vinyl cape, and other than his hair changing color, he underwent no physical changes for the entire line.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. The mentor - other than Yoda of course.

2. Kicked ass in the prequels. Give him props for defeating a cyborg armed with 4 lightsabers.

3. Re-enact the unspoken lines in the original movie between him and Vader:

"So, you remember those flips and cool tricks we did in our last lightsaber battle?"

"Yeah."

"Let's not do any of that."

"Agreed."

4. Luke needs someone riding shotgun in the Landspeeder.

5. There were only three figures from the first movie who came with lightsabers. Only two of them actually fought with them. He's one.

Backstory:

Obi-Wan was born about 57 years before the first movie, and had a brother named Owen (some early histories said that Owen Lars was his brother, which we now know to be untrue). He was taken for Jedi training very young, and eventually came under the tutelage of Yoda and Qui-Gon Jinn. Before being taken up as an apprentice, he almost did not become a Jedi at all do to him being seen as reckless.

He and Qui-Gon had many adventures around the galaxy, even meeting the likes of a young Chewbacca. Eventually, one of their adventures led them to Tatooine where they met Anakin, and the rest is history. Between Episode III and IV, Obi-Wan hid in seclusion on tatooine, keeping a watch over Anakin's offspring, Luke. During his "exile" he did journey off-world once or twice to take care of some Jedi matters, despite the fact he was being hunted by the Empire and bounty hunters alike. During his time he learned how to become one with the Force when he was struck down, which is exactly what he did when Vader struck him down in the first movie.

Full story? His Wookieepedia article

20th in alphabetical order

Barada (POTF 1985)

Barada was released near the end of the vintage run, during the Power of the Force line. Thus, he garnered a coin while many iconic figures did not - so sad. Barada came with a force pike lance and a permanent scowl. I can't say much about this figure, other than he's good for getting cut in half by Luke while escaping Jabba's sand barge.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. You need him, Klaatu, and Nikto together for the perfect trifecta (more on that below).

2. No one can use a hydrospanner on the sand-crusted lug nuts like him.

3. Once you make that scale-model of Jabba's sand barge, you're going to need people getting sliced on the deck by Luke.

4. You need him for your stop-motion children's show, "Fun at Jabba's!"

5. Probably the closest-looking figure to a pirate in the entire vintage collection. Even more than original Han.

Backstory:

Barada was put into servitude by his parents because of his sass-mouth. Yea, you read that right. Right before his time was up, he was bought by Jabba along with the garage he worked in. He then became Jabba's chief mechanic for his sand barge, and friends with Ephant Mon (they never made a figure of him). He was made a guard during Luke's trip to the Sarlacc pit, and was promptly cut in half by Luke.

He, along with two other figures, were named after the phrase "klaatu barada nikto" from the 1950's movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still." The phrase was used again, most notably in Army of Darkness.

Want more? Full article at Wookieepedia

19th in alphabetical order

B-Wing Pilot (ROTJ 1983-4)

The B-Wing pilot is one of those figures that, as a kid, you probably didn’t bother with unless you actually got a B-Wing, and, to be honest, how many of us did? Sure, your parents bought you that mini-rig that never appeared in the film, but they didn’t shell out for the big kahunas, like the B-Wing, or the much rarer A-Wing. To top it all off, where were the B-Wing pilots? They had one of the coolest new ships, and you don’t seem them.

The B-Wing Pilot comes in a stylish red suit, and comes with the same blaster packaged with a few other figures, including the AT-ST Driver. The Pilot came on an ROTJ and a POTF card. The POTF card is, naturally, rarer (as are all POTF carded figures).

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Owning one gave you that slim hope that you could use it as leverage to get your own B-Wing Fighter. Slim, but still there.

2. Nothing says Ewok after-battle party like a few B-Wing Pilots.

3. Nothing says pre-battle war room conference like a few B-Wing Pilots.

4. If you were one of those few that actually got your own B-Wing Fighter, this figure was a no-brainer.

5. A-Wing Pilot vs. B-Wing Pilot smackdown! Let’s get it on!

Backstory:

Because of the difficulty of flying a B-Wing (more on the B-Wing Fighter in tomorrow’s post) the pilot’s had to be highly trained. By the Battle of Endor few had actually qualified to fly the B-Wing, so more Y-Wings were put in use at the Battle. The B-Wings did manage to blow up a Star Destroyer by themselves however, but this was not shown on film. Due to the ship’s unusual design, it was deemed too hard to make a B-Wing sequence, so you barely see them in ROTJ. You basically see a glancing shot here and here, and the pilots before and after the battle.

Full story? Wookieepedia article

18th in alphabetical order

B-Wing Fighter Vehicle (ROTJ)

Despite its unusual design (as were many Star Wars ships), this was an awesome toy. Let’s just spell out the features, shall we? We’ll go right into the five reasons to own for this one:

Why should you own this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. Rotating cockpit. Always stayed level with the horizon – unless you locked it into one position.

2. Guns under the cockpit. Guns at the end of every single wing too.

3. Wings could fold in and out, just like (well, not just like) an X-Wing, by rotating one of the back engines.

4. Laser battle sounds! This required batteries of course.

5. You even get pop-out landing gear. All that and a kickstand!

The B-Wing Fighter only came in an ROTJ box, because, well, that was the last movie. Maybe if the POTF line had stayed popular it would have been reissued in another box, but that’s all conjecture. The toy itself is also very accurate to the actual movie prop.

Backstory:

The B-Wing was developed under Admiral (then Commander) Ackbar and the manufacturer Slayn & Korpil under Project Shantipole. It was intended as a replacement for the Y-Wing, but due to the difficulty in flying it, Y-Wings stayed in service for a while. The standard weapons configuration was 3 light ion cannons (to disable, not destroy), 1 heavy laser, 1 set of twin blasters, and 2 proton torpedo launchers with 8 torpedoes apiece.

The B-Wing rotating cockpit would freeze in one position sometimes, a problem inherent in the design. After the Battle of Endor, some B-Wings were fitted with firefighting equipment to handle blazes from debris on the forest moon. Some B-Wings were also later modified to have a two-person cockpit for a gunner and pilot.

Due to the shape of the ship, some planned sequences were not filmed for ROTJ, so we actually see precious little of it in the film. Its name was also not quite derived from its shape, but more because the film crew referred to the new ships as ship “A” (the A-Wing) and ship “B” (the B-Wing). While it takes a stretch of the imagination to say the B-Wing resembles a lowercase “b,” the backstory was created that the “B” stood for “Blade,” since the Fighter was so streamlined.

Full story? Wookieepedia article

17th in alphabetical order

AT-ST Driver (ROTJ 1983-4)

This is 16th in alphabetical order instead of the AT-ST, because - officially - the toy was called the Scout Walker and not AT-ST, so it will be appearing farther down the list.

The AT-ST Driver was a figure very true to the character from the film (ROTJ). It came with a blaster pistol, the same one as the B-Wing Pilot. There must have been some driver/pilot conference where they picked them all up. The Driver was released on both an ROTJ and POTF card, with the POTF card naturally being rarer. Both cards featured a picture of the AT-ST, and not the actual Driver.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Owning it meant hope that you would get a Scout Walker (AT-ST) if you didn’t already have one.

2. Owning a Scout Walker mandated that you get this figure.

3. Chewbacca and two little Ewoks need someone to beat on.

4. The AT-AT Drivers need someone to beat on.

5. Despite the character’s wimpiness, the figure was spot-on when it came to its detail.

Backstory:

AT-ST Drivers wore very light armor compared to their AT-AT counterpart. Funny, considering the AT-AT was already more armored than an AT-ST. They carried standard equipment, such as a blaster, rifle, grenades, thermal detonators, flares, comlinks, and spare ammo. The helmets and goggles were also standard, but many chose not to wear the goggles.

Interesting side note: ROTJ’s director, Richard Marquand, was one of the AT-ST Drivers beaten down by Chewbacca and the Ewoks.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia article.

16th in alphabetical order

ATL Interceptor Vehicle (Droids 1985)

While the Droids line was not very popular, and did not last long, it did produce some unique vehicles. One was the A-Wing, which hadn’t been made in the ROTJ series, the Side Gunner, and the ATL Interceptor. The ATL box was shown with Thall Joben in the cockpit, but a photo shows it with a B-Wing pilot. Like the Side Gunner box pictures, it seems evident the Droid figures weren’t yet ready when the ship went into production.

Despite being Droids, it is a neat little ship. The maneuvering struts can come down, like the action in an X-Wing deploying its wings. It has one nose gun and two more on the sides that are revealed when the wings come down. It looks very much like a Star Wars vehicle should.

Why should you get this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. Very rare and popular. The line was declining at this point, so a cool ship was instantly rare.

2. An official part of the SW universe, so use it with any figures.

3. Three cool guns – always a hit with the kids.

4. Has a cool transforming action – what’s not to like?

5. Actually a little imposing with the wings down.

Backstory:

The ATL (Air To Land) Interceptor was first conceived as the Death Star Defender for the ROTJ line, but was never produced. When making ships for the cartoon Droids, Kenner used the unproduced design as the ATL. In the SW universe it is known as the Defender Starfighter by Republic Engineering Corporation. It had three laser cannons and deployable s-foils for maneuvering. It did not have a hyperdrive, and was designed mainly for planetary defense.

Known as the "Defender Starfighter" in official continuity:
Want more? Its Wookieepedia article

15th in alphabetical order