Recommended music: Ozzy Osbourne – Ordinary Man
Right now, on this #StarWarsSaturday, we’re still inside Echo Base during The Empire Strikes Back. Today, from the Saga Collection, it’s R-3PO!
While members of the Rebellion prepare for an impending ground assault from the Empire, Leia addresses pilots while other soldiers scramble to their troop carriers and other battle stations. Among those not hustling not as fast around Echo Base are the background droids. Besides the astromechs and power droids are additional protocol droids like R-3PO. He stands out in the scene with his dark red plating.
Despite roaming around on screen in 1980, R-3PO was not named until a 1996 expansion set for the Star Wars Customizable Card Game called Hoth Limited. Besides being the origin of the name for R-3Po, this set was also the source of names for other Echo Base personnel such as Toryn Farr, Tigran Jamiro, Tamizander Rey, Cal Alder, Shawn Valdez, and K-3PO.
Hasbro included this R-3PO in a group of Battle of Hoth figures during the first wave of the Saga Collection in 2004. While the paint deco appears accurate, the sculpt is long overdue for an update, with just five points of articulation. His only included accessory is a stand, which is very practical as he has trouble standing on his own. A 2008 release of the character did add a ball-jointed waist and swivel knees, but the paint job comes off much more glossy than this original version. Hopefully, Hasbro can add an upgrade of R-3PO to The Vintage Collection soon, featuring elbow, wrist, and ankle joints.
The Empire Strikes Back turned 45 years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new Episode V figure to share here for the rest of the year. Happy 45 years of ESB!
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