Luke Skywalker’s Snowspeeder - SW [SOTDS] - Vehicles

Piloting a snowspeeder, Luke leads Rogue Squadron in an assault on Imperial forces that have landed on Hoth. Equipped with laser cannons and a tow cable, snowspeeders are T-47 airspeeders that have been modified to withstand the ice planet's brutal climate. The huge Imperial AT-AT walkers can't be brought down with cannon fire, so Luke tells his group to tangle the cable around the walker's legs – a tactic that successfully brings down one of the behemoths.

2010 is the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back and Hasbro has ensured that they celebrated it in grand scale with a focus of awesome new action figures and vehicles to commemorate this landmark event. With a large eleven figure first wave in the basic line, Hasbro also tooled an all-new Luke Skywalker’s Snowspeeder. We have been wanting a correctly scaled snowspeeder vehicle for years now but what a better time that Episode V’s thirty year anniversary! And it’s unbelievable how Hasbro has the ability to continually impress collectors with “stuff” we have seen before. Yes, we have seen the snowspeeder plenty of time, but not to this level of detail and exactness. Not only did they sculpt a beautiful all-new Snowspeeder, they have also reduced the scale of it as well. This not only provides collectors with an accurately scaled vehicle, but it also will look fabulously perfect next to the brand new Imperial AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport). While the Snowspeeder has been done plenty of times, this marks the first that Hasbro has managed to squeeze it into the mid-size vehicle assortment, an assortment that we think it should have been in years ago. But when Hasbro did decide to release it as an exclusive (like 2006’s TSC Rogue Two Snowspeeder at TARGET), they certainly packed it with extra things to make the inflated price easier to swallow. But with the release of the all-new Luke Skywalker’s Snowspeeder, Hasbro can leave the gimmicks behind in favor of an accurately sized vehicle and a beautiful new vehicle that will be the standard going forward.

For the 2010 version, Hasbro includes alternate guns, a set that is done in realistic style and another set that shoots projectiles. Hasbro also included and alternate rear gun as well, one that is accurately scale to fit the vehicle just like in Episode V and a second that will shoot a missile. This is certainly not uncommon and Hasbro seems as if they will be making it a standard with their vehicle releases. This same strategy was utilized for 2009’s LC AT-ST (All Terrain Scout Transport). This bodes well for both kids and collectors because it adds play value for the kids (and collectors) while simultaneously allowing for movie accurate display for the collectors. And we have to admit that results are pretty awesome. And this flexibility is great to have for a vehicle that will be the template for all future snowspeeder vehicles. Luke Skywalker’s Snowspeeder is such a vastly improved vehicle and we are so thrilled to have it updated. You already know that the scale has been perfected, but Hasbro has also improved the deco as well. The vehicle is loaded with Aurebesh characters and we bet it will take some time to translate them. The lines are crisper and more angular and Hasbro has included a few extra play features for the first time here. For example, the right side middle section of the side gun can be lifted off and a panel can be removed to show parts of the engine. Also, the tow cable can be wound up and held in a compartment at the bottom of the vehicle. The line can still be fed through the rear of the vehicle if you decide to launch the missile, so the design is flawless.

We think the color is a little too clean and light, but that seems to be the nature of the newest Hasbro products. Gray seems to be getting a faded look this year. Besides some dark gray panels and red triangles, the vehicle has been cast in a very faded gray color. It still looks phenomenal, but we are a little surprised by the faded appearance if it. The rear air brakes are articulated and stand unassisted thanks to tight hinges. The canopy stays locked in place very tightly also. Underneath the canopy lies an all new seating area for the pilots including an unlabeled computer console for Luke Skywalker (BD51) and a steering console for Dack Ralter (VC07). The interior is designed so impressively, it’s such a shame that it will never get the credit it deserves just for the simple reason that the canopy will cover it. But trust us when we tell you that Hasbro really designed an impressive pilot’s area here. When looking at the vehicle head on, you’ll be thrilled to know that the venting area directly in your line of sight is three dimensional and has realistic ridges and a beautiful dirty paint job just as if it has picked up all the dust and other impurities in the Hoth air. It is simple details like this which thoroughly make us appreciate the attention detail Hasbro has given this vehicle. This is tooling at its best folks, and Luke Skywalker’s Snowspeeder may just be the best vehicle Hasbro has newly designed for us in a long time (for a mid size vehicle). And we are so thrilled that they decided to include it in a modest assortment. We hope Hasbro will be motivated to give us some of the other pilots’ snowspeeder vehicles as well. Now is time to build the Rebel Alliance! Luke Skywalker’s Snowspeeder is an absolute must-have vehicle. We recommend not waiting too long to pick yours up.