Elite TIE Interceptor - TAC - Vehicles (Exclusive)

Added: June 30th 2014
Category: 30 (77-07)
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Name: Elite TIE Interceptor
Collection: 30 (77-07)
Number: N/A
Source: Expanded Universe (Star Wars: X-wing Rogue Squadron)
Availability: July 2007
License: Hasbro

Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC001 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC002 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC003 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC004
Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC005 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC006 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC007 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC008
Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC009 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC010 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC011 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC012
Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC013 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC014 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC015 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC016
Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC017 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC018 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC019 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC020
Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC021 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC022 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC023 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC024
Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC025 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC026 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC027 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC028
Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC029 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC030 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC031 Review_EliteTIEInterceptorTAC032

The elite TIE Interceptor starfighter slices through space at blinding speed with its dagger-like wings and ultrasleek design. Under the command of Baron Fel, the pilots of the 181st Imperial Fighter Group fly these fast, deadly fighters on the side of the Empire during the Battle of Endor. The red stripes on a 181st unit's elite TIE Interceptor are badges of honor, indicating that the pilot has destroyed ten or more enemy vessels. Each pilot's uniform also displays the red stripes, crediting him for his victories in battle.

The 30 (77-07) line may be the most prolific, opulent and collector friendly toy line in the history of Hasbro. If you list all of the figures and vehicles (and anything else they released during 2007 and 2008), you will find that it becomes a nearly infinite list of the greatest stuff in Hasbro’s long tenure with the Star Wars brand. With a fantastic basic figure line, a fun supplementary Saga Legends line that was almost as big and more exclusives than collectors knew what to do with, the 30 (77-07) line showed no signs of stopping and there was something to buy at every waking moment it was active. The line was just as proportionately heavy with vehicles too. While Hasbro produced a very healthy mid-size vehicle assortment in the $19.99 range, they also produced plenty of retailer exclusives for some of the larger sized and/or specialty vehicles that just would not fit into that assortment. Never afraid of producing characters and corresponding vehicles from deep in the Star Wars Expanded Universe, Hasbro worked up the Elite TIE Interceptor from the Star Wars: X-wing Rogue Squadron comic books much to the satisfaction of those that adored that series.

Although the first modern TIE Interceptor was released in the Power Of The Jedi line, Hasbro decided to tweak things a little bit for the Elite TIE Interceptor. The Elite TIE Interceptor is a kit-bashed vehicle that utilizes the wings from 2001's POTJ TIE Interceptor and the cockpit from the 2007 TAC TIE Fighter (with the smaller wings). Obviously, it has been repainted in the color flashes of the 181st Squadron just like they appeared in the Star Wars: X-wing Rogue Squadron story. We’re not quite sure why they decided to use the parts they did, other than that they wanted to utilize the updated parts as much as possible for this release too. The Elite TIE Interceptor has a very light blue/light gray base color, but is loaded with accents, and we’re not just talking about the bright bold stripes running along the wings. If you looks carefully, you’ll be thoroughly impressed with the paint job of the Elite TIE Interceptor. On top of the base color you will see a nice dirty wash. But on top of that you will notice dirt spatter on it. Then of course this is all accented with the red detailing as well. What’s more, every X-wing and Y-wing that this Elite TIE Interceptor has taken out in battle is added to the cockpit like notches on a hunter’s knife sheath. The details are gorgeous (as well as melancholy for the Rebel Alliance).

Also included is a very unique pack-in figure. The the 181st Squadron TIE Pilot is a repaint of 2004's Star Wars "Saga" TIE Fighter Pilot (Battle Of Yavin) ('04 #14) figure. It has a dramatically different paint job than the standard figure. He is wearing cream colored chest armor and has a red blood stripe running down the sides on his arms and legs. Sadly, the sculpt hasn’t aged that well and it is a very limited figure as far as its articulation is concerned. The 181st Squadron TIE Pilot also comes with a blaster rifle. It’s an obligatory but not necessary inclusion here. The good news is that the pack-in figure can fit into the cockpit of the Elite TIE Interceptor perfectly well. Released as a Toys R Us exclusive, the Elite TIE interceptor shares the same features as its ancestors. By pressing the buttons on the sides of the cockpit you can launch the wings in a simulated battle-damaged motion. And the revised cockpit’s hatch opens to reveal a slightly new seating area. Although this retailed for significantly more than the vehicles in the mid-size vehicle assortment, we feel that Hasbro could have nixed the pack-in figure and sold this for $19.99 instead. But that’s just our opinion. Besides, they set a precedent with this vehicle in the POTJ line, so it looks like this will have a long history as an exclusive. It’s still a nice piece regardless.

Collector Notes

Elite TIE Interceptor

Assortment Number: 87477

UPC: 653569265313

Retail: $34.99 USD

Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on Click here to check the market value on eBay! listings.

Elite TIE Interceptor

Status: The Elite TIE Interceptor is a kit-bashed vehicle that utilizes the wings from 2001's POTJ TIE Interceptor and the cockpit from the 2007 TAC TIE Fighter. The vehicle has been completely repainted in the color flashes of the 181st Squadron from the Star Wars: X-wing Rogue Squadron comic book series.

Articulation Count: 1 point

Articulation Details: opening canopy

Accessory Count: None

Accessory Details: None

Date Stamp: 2003

181st Squadron TIE Pilot

Status: 181st Squadron TIE Pilot is a rework of 2004's SW TIE Fighter Pilot (Battle Of Yavin) ('04 #14) figure. It has been repainted in the colors of the 181st Squadron.

Articulation Count: 10 points

Articulation Details: swivel head, 2 swivel shoulders, swivel right elbow, 2 swivel gloves, 2 swivel hips, 2 ball-jointed knees

Accessory Count: 1

Accessory Details: blaster

Date Stamp: 2004





30 (77-07) Vehicles Wave 1

Darth Vader’s Sith Starfighter

Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced x1 Starfighter

Hailfire Droid

Trade Federation Armored Assault Tank (AAT)

30 (77-07) Vehicles Wave 1.5

Mace Windu’s Jedi Starfighter

Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi Starfighter

30 (77-07) Vehicles Wave 2

Anakin Skywalker’s Starfighter

Saesee Tiin’s Jedi Starfighter

TIE Fighter

30 (77-07) Vehicles Wave 3

Sith Infiltrator

V-wing Starfighter

30 (77-07) Vehicles Wave 4

Anakin Skywalker’s Jedi Starfighter

AT-AP Walker

General Grievous’ Starfighter

Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Starfighter

30 (77-07) Vehicles (TARGET Exclusives)

Aayla Secura’s Jedi Starfighter

ARC-170 Fighter

TIE Bomber

30 (77-07) Vehicles (Toys R Us Exclusives)

Elite TIE Interceptor

Obi-Wan’s Starfighter & Hyperspace Ring

Y-wing Fighter



This review comes from Jedi Temple Archives
www.JediTempleArchives.com

The URL for this review is:
http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/content/modules.php?name=JReviews&rop=showcontent&id=1864