Recommended music: Black Sabbath – Snowblind
It’s #StarWarsSaturday, and we’re back on the snowy plains of Hoth during The Empire Strikes Back. From the Hasbro Star Wars The Vintage Collection, it’s an AT-ST Driver!
In The Empire Strikes Back, the All-Terrain Armored Transport (AT-AT) changed the way ground battles looked in the Star Wars universe. These huge, four-legged vehicles first appeared in the Battle of Hoth as the Empire’s moving fortresses, each more than 20 meters tall.
These walkers are famous for their strong laser cannons and the fear they caused. The steady, metallic sound as they moved forward signaled danger for the Rebel Alliance. Each AT-AT is operated by a crew, including two drivers.
Kenner released the first AT-AT Driver figure in 1980. Hasbro later released versions in Power of the Force 2, The Saga Collection, The Legacy Collection, and with the Toys’R’Us-exclusive Vintage Collection AT-AT [see last week’s post]. This AT-AT Driver reappeared in 2010 as a repack of the TLC version from the year before. This version features wrist and ankle articulation, unlike the earlier pack-in figure. In addition to his blaster, it features a removable helmet and chestbox for the first time, with the head resembling that of an old Imperial officer.
This AT-AT Driver was sold in a Target-exclusive three-pack (which was actually part of a nine-pack) with 4-LOM and a TIE Fighter Pilot. The next year, the figure was released again with a slightly different paint job on the unmasked head, this time in another Target-exclusive three-pack with Dengar and an Imperial Commander.
Why am I bringing this up? Honestly, I made a mistake and planned to photograph my second AT-AT driver, only to realize I sold that set with 4-LOM many years ago. 🤦♂️So instead, today’s spotlight is on this 2003 Saga Collection AT-ST Driver, who has been demoted to riding in the AT-AT for the past 15 years since newer AT-ST Driver figures have taken his place in my collection. 😄
The Empire Strikes Back turned 45 last May! I “figure” there will be a new Episode V figure to share here for the rest of the anniversary year. Happy 45 years and counting to TESB!
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