Recommended music: David Bowie – Heroes
For this #StarWarsSaturday, we’re flying above the icy plains of Hoth during The Empire Strikes Back. From The 30th Anniversary Collection, it’s Luke Skywalker!
Rebel troops aim their weapons at the horizon, awaiting Imperial troops, while a dozen snowspeeders fly through the sky…
INT. LUKE’S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER – COCKPIT
LUKE
(into comlink)
Echo station Five-Seven. We’re
on our way.
EXT. HOTH – ICE PLAIN – BATTLEFIELD
The fleet of snowspeeders races above the ice field at full throttle.
They accelerate away from the base and head toward the distant walkers.
INT. LUKE’S SNOWSPEEDER, ROGUE LEADER – COCKPIT
LUKE
(into comlink)
All right, boys, keep tight now.
DACK
Luke, I have no approach vector.
I’m not set.
LUKE
Steady, Dack. Attack pattern
delta. Go now!
…
Hasbro included this ‘Battle of Hoth’ Luke figure in an ‘Ultimate Battle Pack’ in 2007. The Target exclusive set came with eight figures, a laser turret, and an AT-ST, all for $49. This seems like an incredible value when looking at today’s new toy prices. The Luke figure is a kit-bash using the body from the 2006 The Saga Collection Zev Senesca, and the head from the VOTC Luke that came out in 2004. The helmet is easy to remove from the reused head on the ball-jointed neck.
The chest box, harness, and cable are not removable, and the figure sports just nine points of articulation. However, Luke fits just fine in his snowspeeder, which was released three years later. This Hoth Luke also received updates in 2009, 2011, and 2012, which added more articulation and a flight cap, but I like this one best due to the detailed weathering on the helmet and flightsuit. The dirtied-up look fits very closely with what we see in the film. Also, this Luke came with something else the later editions missed – Obi-Wan’s lightsaber. I’m not sure why Hasbro didn’t pack in Luke’s weapon as seen in the film, but it’s a funny add-on.
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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