A-Wing Pilot (POTF 1985)

The A-Wing pilot came in a stylish dark green jumpsuit, with non-removable (like most figure in the vintage line) helmet. He came with a blaster pistol that was common to many of the other “pilots” and “drivers” in the POTF and ROTJ releases. Pictures of an actual pilot in the movie are pretty hard to come by, since they are really only seen in the cockpit. This might explain why the card shows a picture of the ship and not the pilot. This, however, is fairly common in the Kenner pilot and driver figures.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Cooler than the Droids release based on the cardback alone.

2. There weren’t too many POTF-only releases, so why not get them all?

3. For the love of the green.

4. Practice your hellish screaming as you ram your A-Wing into the control tower of a super star destroyer.

5. Holds out hope that you’ll actually get an A-Wing.

Backstory:

A-Wing pilots had to be very skilled due to the vehicle’s high speed, feather-touch maneuverability, and weapons systems without the aid of an astromech droid. Because of the initial hand-built nature of the A-Wings, many pilots even added personal touches such as wooden interiors. Some pilots (or their mechanics) also modified the guns to swivel 360 degrees, increasing their surprise against trailing enemy fighters. One of the more prominent A-Wing pilots was Tycho Celchu, an Alderaanian and member of Rogue Squadron.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

2nd in alphabetical order

A-Wing Fighter Vehicle (Droids 1985)

The A-Wing – sleek and fast looking. Streamlined. The best vehicle from the Droids line…mainly because it was in Return of the Jedi. And it was never produced until now. Hey, but now we have it!

The A-Wing only comes in a Droids box, and when you produce a very popular toy in a waning line, it instantly becomes rare and valuable. I hope you got this one while you could. It featured a cockpit for one figure, retractable landing gear, swiveling side-mounted laser cannons, and electronic sound. The color scheme was also painted on and not decals like an X-Wing or TIE Fighter. Overall, a pretty cool ship – just very hard to get a hold of.

Why should you get this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. This was the fastest ship in the fleet – not the Millennium Falcon.

2. Look at this thing – it just sweats cool.

3. You got the A-Wing pilot – now get the real deal.

4. Your only real reason to get something from the Droids line.

5. The coolest ship to play with – and probably easiest to hold.

Backstory:

The RZ-1 A-Wing Interceptor was a fast ship – engines with a cockpit. It was a descendant of the Jedi starfighters seen in the prequel movies. However, not having an astromech port made the fighter hard to control at high speeds (unless you’re a Jedi) and control the weapons which could often fire 360 degrees. It also had 2 concussion missile launchers, which held 6 each. They were originally developed by the Alliance and made through Allaicne Underground Engineering, so each was more handbuilt, resulting in a higher maintenance schedule. However, enough of them were made by the Battle of Endor to make a difference and turn the tide of that battle. Later models were made by Incom Corporation.

Early designs of the A-Wing had blue stripes, but these were changed to red for blue screen filming. Also, while the fighter had an “A” shape, the original A-Wing fighter name may have come from the production staff calling the two new ships “ship A” and “ship B” (the B-Wing fighter).

Want the full story? Its Wookieepedia article.

1st in alphabetical order

Zuckuss (ESB 1980-82)

Zuckuss’s actual name is 4-LOM, since he is the droid and Zuckuss is the alien bounty hunter. This was mixed up in the original Kenner line (as stated in my last post) but corrected in subsequent lines and literature. The figure has a gun-metal gray finish, but the actual character is more of a navy blue with orange rusty highlights.

Zuckuss came with a rather large blaster rifle, and his body was very similar to C-3PO’s, aside from his insectoid head. He came on ESB and ROTJ cardbacks.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. As stated before, you must have all the bounty hunters. This is a coolness imperative.

2. He just looks like a badass with those glaring bug eyes.

3. Droids with guns are cool. Death Star Droid? Not so much.

4. Create your own scene where you finally figure who is the better droid bounty hunter: Zuckuss or IG-88?

5. All your non-geek friends will wonder who in the hell this is. All your geek friends will simply appreciate you for it.

Backstory:

4-LOM (as I will now correctly call him) was built by Industrial Automaton, who ripped off many of its design elements from Cybot Galactica’s 3PO series. 4-LOM’s earliest posting was on a luxury liner working as a cabin steward. Eventually, he came to the conclusion that the best way to protect passenger’s valuables was to take them himself. After modifying his own programming, he made crime more enjoyable, and after falling into the employ of Jabba the Hutt, started work as a bounty hunter.

He partnered with Zuckuss many time on bounties, the two becoming friends. After the Battle of Hoth, the two became Rebels for awhile, but eventually went back to bounty hunting after being almost destroyed by Boba Fett.

Want more? His Wookieepedia entry

181st in alphabetical order

Y-Wing Fighter Vehicle (ROTJ)

"And the last shall be first..."

The Y-Wing was one of the first vehicles introduced (in the battle against the first Death Star), but a toy didn't come out until Return of the Jedi. Because of that, you've got Admiral Ackbar in the cockpit, and Lando dinkin' around looking at the back of the thing on the box. Okay, while Kenner didn't always know how to set up a good photo for their toys, the vehicle itself is still pretty cool.

How cool? Five reasons cool:

1. Top-mounted-swivel guns. While in the Star Wars universe these were actually electronic-neutralizing ion cannons, you could just pretend they were destructive blasters.

2. You still had two front-mounted cannons!

3. The cockpit can fit your Luke in X-Wing outfit nicely (because the original line didn't have anyone else in the orange jumpsuits). The X-Wing pilots and Y-Wing pilots wore the same uniform.

4. It fits an astromech droid, unlike the X-Wing toy. You are still limited to only R2-D2 or R5-D4, but still, that's pretty cool.

5. The bottom-mounted proton torpedo could be dropped on your younger brother, or actually used for real purposes.

Backstory:

The Y-Wing (technical name: BTL Y-Wing Starfighter) was a good bomber, and a good partner to the X-Wing fighter. A Y-Wing has two laser cannons, two ion cannons, and two proton torpedo bays. Unlike the X-Wing, the Y-Wing could immobilize ships with its ion cannons. They were in use for quite awhile, fighting in both battles on the Death Stars. Y-Wings were largely replaced by the newer B-Wing fighter that were faster and had many of the same functions.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia entry

180th in alphabetical order

Yoda (ESB 1980-82)

Yoda, like the Ewoks that succeeded him, was a figure released a little later during the ESB line to preserve the surprise of the character. Oh, and for all of you who, for some reason, are reading this site and have not seen The Empire Strikes Back: Vader is Luke's father.

For a little guy, Yoda had several variations. First, he came in slightly different shades of green. Hmm, Yoda, Kermit - both green. Second, his cane went from one shade of brown to a darker one. Third (and fourth I guess), his snake went from orange to brown, and also got sculpted slightly differently.

Card variations include ESB, two ROTJ cards (one had the original ESB background photo, the other had more of a profile shot), and a POTF card. Starting with the ROTJ card the name changed from "Yoda" to "Yoda The Jedi Master." Hmph, building an ego, big shot? Next thing you know he'll be showing off his lightsaber or something. He also comes with a utility belt - not the cool Batman kind, but a little belt that has what looks like a little pouch, a pan flute, and that little light he fought R2 over. Oh, there's also his cloth robe. Jeez, this guy has a lot of stuff.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Yoda, frickin' Jedi Master, dawg.

2. The figure is the only time you will see Yoda smile. In the movies he's always harshin' Luke's buzz.

3. Re-enact the R2 / Yoda featherweight bout! In this corner, a scrappy little tin head! In the other corner, a guy who can lift an X-Wing and land it on your head!

4. He's got his own playset - who else is going to levitate those containers? Luke? I don't think so.

5. Create the always dreamed-about-but-never-realized Yoda versus Salacious Crumb Ulitmate Fighting Challenge, winner take all!

Backstory:

Yoda left his home planet (never revealed, nor his race - even though we see another of his race in Episode I) almost 900 years before the Battle of Yavin. He crash-landed with a human friend on a swampy planet (possibly Dagobah) where a Jedi Master revealed them both to be Force-sensitive and trained them. They were rescued after their training.

About 100 years later Yoda started training his first student, and was a teacher and master since that time. Yoda became a member of the ruling Jedi Council, and in Episode I through III saw the rise of Anakin to Vader, and barely avoided detection, escaping to Dagobah during the Jedi purge. He was found later by Anakin's son Luke, who he trained before passing away, and becoming one with the Force.

Want more? His Wookieepedia entry

179th in alphabetical order

Yak Face (POTF 1985)

Yak Face – you know him, you love him. Well, you probably don’t actually know him since he is only briefly seen on Jabba’s Sand Barge and he is a nonsentient piece of plastic, but you have to love the challenge of getting a figure like this. Yak Face was going to be the 93^rd figure in the line, but with declining sales the line was stopped at 92. However, Yak Face was still released in Europe, Canada, and Australia, just never in the U.S. So, it is naturally a little rare.

Yak face comes with the same battle staff as Barada, and only comes on a POTF card. Oh, and did I not mention it only came…not in the U.S.? Kenner bastards! I mean, c’mon! What kid didn’t want a Yak Face after seeing his pivotal 5 seconds in the film? Anyway, you had to get this figure while you could, because when word got out that the line was done – well, you can guess that the rest were snatched up. This is still not the rarest Star Wars figure, however. That honor goes to Vlix.

When Saelt-Marae as he was now called was re-released in the 90's line, is was rather anti-climactic. Yes, you couldn't find this character during the old line, but the new one clogged up the shelves big-time.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. There was not a more phallic looking figure in the Kenner line.

2. That faux-fur collar? Who’s he kidding?

3. Rarest figure in the POTF line (well, debatable. Rarest figure only run in the POTF line).

4. Debate with your friends if it is more of a Yak Face, or a Camel Face.

5. Speaking of which, the closest match to Joe Camel you'll get.

Backstory:

Yak Face's real name was Saelt-Marae, a Yarkora and long-lived at that. He spent 200 years alone just wooing his mate. He was a con man and often an informant for both sides of the Galactic Civil War. He was an informant for Jabba and managed to escape the Sand Barge (and steal a few secrets) before it blew up.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

178th in alphabetical order

X-Wing Fighter (SW)

Ah, the X-Wing Fighter! If you played with Star Wars figures and had one vehicle, chances are it was this one. And chances are, if you still have it today, you've lost the wing guns. That's okay, someone is always selling spares on Ebay.

The X-Wing is one of the first Star Wars vehicles to come out, evidenced by the "12-back" cards from the first figures that advertised it. Although not truly to scale (the nose is stubby and it is a little too small compared to the figures - if you look at the movie) no kid really noticed. They were just excited to have something to fly around the room and shoot at things.

The X-Wing featured wings that could open (press down R2's head) and close (move the blue toggle switch next to R2) and electronic shooting noises and light (other blue button next to R2). Of course, toy technology being what it was, the noises weren't movie-authentic, but then again, what kid truly cared? The front landing skid could be put down or up, and the cockpit could be opened or closed to accommodate one figure. Unfortunately, Luke in X-Wing outfit was the only X-Wing pilot made in the original line. There wasn't even a Wedge until the new line, and he starred in all three movies!

The initial X-Wing was molded in white, but in subsequent releases for ESB and ROTJ, it was molded in gray and included battle-damage decals. The black wing guns could be taken off to simulate it getting damaged or whatever scenario your little mind could imagine.

Why should you get this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. It's the X-Wing! You get a TIE Fighter and you're all set for one hell of a dogfight.

2. The first vehicle-designed figure came out for THIS vehicle. Hell, the TIE pilot didn't even come out until ESB.

3. Yes, it sucked that you couldn't put your R2 figure in the socket, but you just had to love pressing that head to make the wings go up and down. Up and down. Up and down.

4. Electronic action! A light! Bitchin' flame decals, I mean, battle-damage decals!

5. Even though the emphasis was on the wing-guns, they still managed to add the torpedo-launchers as a detail on the underside. Yeah, I didn't notice this either for quite awhile after having it.

Backstory:

The Income T-65 X-Wing was a versatile fighter for the Rebel Alliance (all the designers for it defected to the Rebellion rather than let the designs fall to the Empire). Precursor fighters can be seen in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, in the opening battle. Unlike TIE fighters, X-Wings possessed both shields and a hyperdrive (for quick hit-and-run sorties), and proton torpedo launchers. It also had a socket for astromech droids to help with navigation and ship operations. The X-like wings could be closed or locked open (s-foils, short for "stability" or "strike" foils) for various maneuvers. Variations of the X-Wing were in operation for quite a while, and, of course, was the vehicle instrumental in destroying both Death Stars.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia article

177th in alphabetical order

Wicket W. Warrick (Ewoks 1985)

Both the Ewoks and Droids cartoon series of figures continued the inclusion of coins with the figures. The characters that were duplicated from the Star Wars line had different coins that depicted their cartoon image rather than their movie appearance. The figures were also, obviously, cartoonish in nature rather than their movie appearance, and Wicket was no exception.

Cartoon Wicket, like his ROTJ counterpart, just comes with a spear, and some kind of hairy kewpie doll look on his face.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. With only six figures, it’s pretty easy to collect this whole line.

2. Have a pretend fight with Wicket vs. his evil, cartoonish clone.

3. There were 4 bad guys in this line, and only two good guys. You need Wicket to try and make things right.

4. Look at those big eyes! The creep factor alone is worth getting it.

5. It’s either this or go back to collecting all 101 Smurfs.

Backstory:

Well, I just talked about him in the last post, but if you want more: His Wookieepedia entry

176th in alphabetical order

Wicket W. Warrick (ROTJ 1983-84)

Wicket is, in my humble opinion, the worst deal for your money in the history of Star Wars figures. Why? It is the smallest, and for an accessory we just get the one little spear he poked Leia with (not in the Biblical sense). If you picked this card up by the back you might not even realize it had a figure attached – that’s how small it is. This is the only figure that needed a magnifying glass instead of a coin in the POTF line.

Wicket, the Ewok that inexplicably comes with three names, came on an ROTJ and a POTF card. The ROTJ card came in two variations: spear on right and spear on left.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Despite its miniscule size, its arms and legs are still articulated.

2. It is a very accurate figure compared to the character.

3. Your dog chewed your other figures, but he swallowed this one. Wait, is that a plus?

4. Finally, a figure that can fit in your “fifth” jeans pocket. And get lost in there.

5. When you rigged the Ewok catapult for full launch capability, Wicket went the farthest.

Backstory:

Wicket Wystri Warrick was born to Deej (father) and Shodu (mother) in Bright Tree Village. His close friends were Kneesaa, Teebo, and Latara. He was probably about 12 years old when Empire built the second death star over his home planet of Endor. Prior to that time he had many adventures with his friends in the wilds of Endor (as shown in the Ewok animated series and the two Ewok movies). During ROTJ he befriended Leia and helped the Rebellion defeat the Empire. After ROTJ Wicket eventually married Kneesaa and succeeded Chief Chirpa as head of the village.

In the movie he was played by Warwick Davis, who went on to play him in the two Ewok movies. He also starred in another Lucas film, Willow. Wicket was originally supposed to be played by Kenny Baker, but he was sick that day. Baker then played Paploo, the one that stole the speeder bike.

Want more? His Wookieepedia entry

175th in alphabetical order

Weequay (ROTJ 1983-84)

That George Hamilton-like leathery skin and tan? It must be a Weequay! Seriously, no other figure so epitomizes a Hutt guard. Except maybe a Barada. Or a Nikto. Well, a Klaatu too. Oh yeah, Gamorrean Guard has “guard” in the name. Okay, so that theory is shot to hell.

Weequay is another Jabba palace regular, and more fodder for Luke and the gang’s escape from Jabba’s clutches. It comes with a force pike, the same one used to prod Luke off the end of the gangplank on the skiff. That was Weequay’s shining moment. Well, that, and screaming on the way down to the Sarlacc pit. Weequay only came on a ROTJ card.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. When you make your Sarlacc pit, you’re going to need a lot of figure fodder.

2. That tan wrinkled skin, the raggedy braids. Clearly this figure is vying for your attention.

3. If you were one of the lucky few to actually own a toy Skiff, you needed Weequay just for that gangplank moment.

4. No Jabba diorama would be complete without him.

5. Your chance to practice getting that Sarlacc-plunge-scream juuuuuuuust right.

Backstory:

Weequays comes from the planet or Sriluur, a hostile desert planet, explaining their leathery skin and more hooded eyes. Because of Sriluur’s proximity to Hutt space, many Weequays hire themselves out as mercenaries to Hutt factions.

Weequay society is very tribal, and members can communicate through pheromones, but not to members of a different tribe. Members are often so into the tribe they simply refer to themselves as their race rather than by name. Males have hair, which they braid for every year they are off-planet, and females are usually bald. They had two gods, one of which was Quay the moon god. Their race’s name literally means “follower of Quay.”

Weequays are found throughout the galaxy – working for Hutts, as bounty hunters, or even as Jedi in the Clone Wars.

Want more? His Wookieepedia entry.

174th in alphabetical order

Warok (POTF 1985)

Oh good gravy there are a lot of Ewok figures! The worse thing is there are still more to post and we're already in the "W's!" Warok is simply another one of our fine furry friends, and he comes with a bow, a quiver slung over his shoulder, and a removable cowl. He only came on a POTF card with a coin, so he is still rarer and more collectible than some other more likable characters.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. One of the few coin figures, so he’s simply more collectible.

2. No one can help hijack an AT-ST like Warok.

3. His name sounds like a He-Man figure or something. Hey, just saying.

4. Wow! A bow! A quiver! I’m an archer, so I must have this! (Disclaimer: I am not an archer.)

5. You have to populate that Ewok village with somebody.

Backstory:

Warok was one of the two Ewoks that helped Chewbacca hijack an AT-ST. He was also father to Teebo. Supposedly he was also one of the tribe’s best Glider pilots.

Want more? His Wookieepedia entry

173rd in alphabetical order

Wampa Snow Creature from HOTH (ESB 1980-82)

Another in Kenner’s line of monsters-that-tried-to-kill-Luke, the wampa is available by himself. This, in itself, is kind of lame. The wampa is not big, like the rancor. You cannot fit someone in its mouth, like the rancor. He has no accessories – well, neither does the rancor, but you can put someone in its mouth!

The “Wampa Snow Creature from HOTH” (or “Hoth Wampa” on later boxes) came in an ESB box, and featured spring loaded arms that could be pulled back to…swing. Presumably this was to knock Luke off his tauntaun. It sported short,stubby legs, which were neither fear-inspiring nor menacing. Due to the many different versions of the wampa prop (they tried stop-motion, a guy in a suit, a puppet, etc) Kenner might not have gotten this exactly right, and it may be more of a hybrid of body parts.

Why should you get this creature? Five reasons:

1. You’ve got the tauntaun. You’ve got Hoth Luke. Now get yourself a freakin’ wampa!

2. No one scars Luke like a wampa.

3. Your tauntaun numbers are getting out of hand. A predator helps control the population.

4. Best catcher on the baseball team. Look at those mitts!

5. Those dreamy vacant eyes.

Background:

Wampas were indigenous to Hoth, and fed mainly on tauntauns, but would eat other creatures as well. Mainly solitary hunters, they would only eat when hungry, but hunt and store prey in their cave (like Luke) for later consumption. Echo Base came under many attacks by these creatures, and there was even a deleted scene from ESB where C-3PO rips a warning sign off a wampa room, and some unaware snowtroopers run into it.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia entry

172nd in alphabetical order

Walrusman (SW 1978-79)

Walrus Man is another poorly (many would say humorously) translated Cantina character into figure as far as clothing goes. This garish presentation wouldn’t be corrected until the updated figure in the 1990’s line. Sometimes it hurts my eyes just to look at it, like the tint on my TV is way out of whack. The figure has an, um, orange turtleneck, with blue arms and legs. It came with the same blaster that many of the Star Wars aliens came with, a Stormtrooper-issue model. Walrus Man came on the original Star Wars card, as well as ESB and ROTJ.

What always bothered me about this figure, other than the eye-straining colors, was that the card back wasn’t a photo but a photo-like picture. This character had real screen time and they couldn’t put a real photo on there? Really, I joke (Hasbro give me free stuff). Not only that, but the picture shows – glaringly – that the figure has the wrong clothing.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Common weaponry. Lose the figure and you’ve still got a gun that goes with a dozen other figures.

2. It is so damn funny. Orange turtleneck. Orange turtleneck!!!???

3. Again, no Cantina scene you make should be without him. After all, he gets his arm cut off.

4. Get enough of these and put them around a sleeping friend. When he wakes up convince him he’s having some kind of acid trip.

5. Finally, you have an excuse for ripping the arm off a figure – it happened in the film!

Backstory:

Like many of the aliens names from the original films, Walrus Man was more of nickname than anything else. In the mythos, his name is Ponda Baba and his race is Aqualish. Because of the mix-up in the original movie, where the standing Walrus Man has webbed hands and the severed arms has hairy fingers, the Star Wars universe says that there are two species of Aqualish, each having one of these traits. So, in actuality, Ponda is kind of a hybrid. It is also never explained why his is the only lightsaber wound that isn’t instantly cauterized.

Ponda Baba rescued Doctor Evazan (the other bad guy in the Cantina) from a bounty hunter and the two became partners. Eventually they ran into Luke and Obi-Wan, who cut off Ponda’s arm. Evazan made him a prosthetic arm which didn’t work, but he kept trying to make Ponda whole, even trying a mind transference device to another body. To this day they are probably both still alive.

Want more? His Wookieepedia entry

171st in alphabetical order

Vlix (Droids 1990's?)

The last of the Droids line! I know that I said previously that there were only 12 figures produced in the Droids line. While that is very much true for most purposes, in actuality there were 13. The last was Vlix, but it only came out in Brazil, and only years after the rest of the line. This figure was actually part of a second wave of Droids figures that were never produced, except, mysteriously, this figure. His accessory is a blaster rifle molded in black that is very close to the one with the Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear).

Because of its one-country and delayed release (and scarcity at that) this is the rarest Star Wars action figure of them all. Forget the European-only released Yak Face, this is the one. Go ahead, I dare you to do a search on Ebay and find one. Even a loose authentic one is quite rare. The only theory that anyone has as to this figure's reason for being is that Kenner was trying to recoup costs associated with making the molds for these unproduced figures, so they sold one to Glasslite, who manufactures their figures in Brazil. Brazil also was the last holdout for the Sega Master System (a personal favorite of mine) where it continued on for years after other countries stopped getting new stuff for it.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. Realistically – you can’t. Also, you probably couldn’t afford it if you could find it now.

2. Unless you’re Brazilian and living in the 1990’s, fugeddaboutit.

3. If you could own it, you would have the single most valuable Star Wars Kenner item.

4. Only 13 in the line, so why not own them all?

5. The best bodyguard in the entire SW universe...just kidding. General Grievous’ androids did a better job.

Backstory:

Vlix Oncard was bodyguard/head of security to the Fromm gang. He was friend to Tig Fromm, and served on the weapons satellite Trigon I before it was destroyed. He was taken in by Boba Fett for the bounty placed by Jabba the Hutt. His last name is a joke since the figure was so hard to find “on card.”

Want more? His Wookieepedia entry

170th in alphabetical order

Vehicle Maintenance Energizer (ESB)

OMG! OMG! OMG! The VME! The most exciting, versatile...ah forget it.

Yes, it did say “Toy” on the box as laid out above. I guess because they couldn’t exactly say “Vehicle” with this one. Wow. The Vehicle Maintenance Energizer. This was not officially a mini-rig, but one of the Hoth accessories that actually was in a movie. Well, it was on the Yavin base in the first movie, not shown in the Hoth base.

The top came up and could rotate all the way around. It also came with 8 tools that could be held in a standard figure’s hand, arguably the “hydrospanners” that Chewie's always using to fix the Falcon. When you closed the top you could store these tools inside it. However, most people that have these loose today probably lost all or most of these tools. It also has two black hoses with suction–cup ends to “attach” to vehicles and power them. The box showed Chewbacca working with it on Hoth, but this was probably due to his propensity for tooling around. Chances are good though, if they had one on Yavin they probably had one on Hoth. It came in both and ESB and ROTJ box.

Why should you own this, um, accessory? Five reasons:

1. Chewbacca finally has tools to fix something.

2. Fuel your X-Wing, even though you never thought of doing this before since they’re futuristic!

3. Have Chewie get mad at it and throw it at a generic Rebel Soldier.

4. Pretend it’s a giant Wookiee hookah.

5. Pretend it’s a brain transfer device. Okay, that’s just silly.

Backstory:

Nothing has really been written about this, other than it was simply used to supply energy to vehicles and maintain them. It is seen briefly in the first movie at the Rebel Yavin base, so it is presumed that they are used elsewhere as well for vehicles in the Star War universe.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia article (not much there)

169th in alphabetical order

Urgah Lady Gorneesh (Ewoks 1985)

Probably the most boring figure out of the Ewoks line, since she came with absolutely no accessories, and in the cartoon she was mainly relegated to staying in the Dulok camp. However, she is the only female from this line (of 6 figures), and one of the few females from the entire vintage line, period.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. With only six figures, it’s pretty easy to collect this whole line (yes, I reused this one - again).

2. The closest to having a Tammy Faye action figure that you’ll come to. Except for Ebay.

3. You need someone to ride the king at every opportunity.

4. Every village needs a nag/hag.

5. They never released an Ewoks Kneesah figure, so this is about as girly as it gets.

Backstory:

Urgah was simply the queen of this particular tribe of Duloks (no word on exactly how many there were), and wife to King Gorneesh. She sported a nose ring, which was quite the thing in the 80’s I hear.

Want more? Her Wookieepedia entry

168th in alphabetical order

Uncle Gundy (Droids 1985)

Here we come to another in the Droids line – good for vehicles, so-so for figures. Today’s installment is Uncle Gundy, uncle to Jann Tosh. While this figure does come with probably the only uniquely molded accessory in the Droids line (I think it is a miner’s tool), it still shows off the atrocious use of purple present in this line as well. The purple boots are one thing, but the purple hat looks like something out of a Smurf cartoon viewed while taking acid and having the tint knob skewed. What? Don’t remember tint knobs? Ask your parents. At least his belt and vest are in blue.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. So few in the Droids line - collect them all.

2. Your Uncle Morty might like a figure like him.

3. Have proof that someone with an actually less than perfect physique exists in Star Wars. Except for those mutilated cyborg folk. And the Rancor Keeper. And the Gamorrean Guards.

4. So few old people in Star Wars - collect them all!

5. Gundy? With a name like that it's gotta be goo...oh who am I kidding? This figure bites. Yo mama. And her dog. You know, your sister.

Backstory:

Gundy (Tosh?) was a miner on the planet Tyne’s Horky. He specifically mined nergon-14, an unstable substance used in Imperial proton torpedos. After his nephew, Jann Tosh, bought droids C-3PO and R2 (and another that turned out to be alien Kez-Iban) he was caught in a cave-in. The alien Kez-Iban rescued him, and eventually turned out to be a deposed prince. He and his cohorts had a run in with a criminal, who they ran off the planet. The criminal left behind a valuable mine, however, which made Gundy a rich man.

Want more? His Wookieepedia entry

167th in alphabetical order

Ugnaught (ESB 1980-82)

The Ugnaught was one of those background characters that enjoyed a little foreground action, but not much. The figure reflects this with a tote kit/bag as an accessory, and a removable apron. That’s it. It came on both ESB and ROTJ cards, and the aprons came in light purple, blue, and even green. The apron in the movie, however, was just blue.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. He’s so cute – he’s like Babe!

2. Recreate the Wookiee-on-Ugnaught action!

3. Someone needs to man the Bespin playset, even if it is only made of paper.

4. Yo’ mama’s an Ugnaught! Yeah, that’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout.

5. No one does carbon freezing like an Ugnaught.

Backstory:

Ugnaughts were either from Umgul or Bespin, but originated on Gentes. When Cloud City was originally built (a looooong time before ESB) many Ugnaughts were recruited to build and maintain it. Many of their descendants still lived on Bespin. When the Empire came many fled, some were enslaved, and some formed a resistance, sabotaging Cloud City until the Rebellion came to free the city.

Ugnaughts are typically dwarf-sized, and live to about 200 years. These are the little guys Chewbacca fought with to get C-3PO’s limbs back.

Want more? Their Wookieepedia article

166th in alphabetical order