Geonosian Starfighter - CW - Vehicles

Added: August 27th 2014
Category: Clone Wars
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Name: Geonosian Starfighter
Collection: Clone Wars
Number: N/A
Source: Attack Of The Clones/Clone Wars
Availability: TBD 2003
License: Hasbro

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A lean, needle-nosed fighter-craft with a distinct alien heritage, the starfighters of the Geonosians are small, compact vessels of great speed and superior agility. A single Geonosian pilot sits within the cramped cockpit and peers out of a bubble canopy that allows a 360-degree field of vision. Cradled within the forward needles of the ship is a turret-mounted laser cannon. During the Clone Wars, the fighters were modified to increase their firepower, by adding two proton torpedos in the side launchers.

In many ways, the Clone Wars multimedia event brought many background characters and vehicles to the consciousness of Star Wars fans. There’s no doubt that some characters seen characters like Durge and Asajj Ventress were first time introductions, but even vehicles that weren’t prominently displayed in the films became front and center once and for all. When it comes to the Geonosian Starfighter, the vehicle made its debut in Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones, where two of them escorted Count Dooku to the hangar where he dueled Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi and then Yoda. As a toy, it made its debut in the Clone Wars toy line much to the happiness of fans of the Separatists. Its true name is the Nantex-class territorial defense starfighter, and its affectionate nickname is the Space Duck. Admittedly, it’s a cool vehicle, and the effort made by Hasbro is above average. Sadly it has a major flaw. The needles of the vessel have been cast in a very pliable and weak plastic material that will not sustain its rigidity at all. The Geonosian Starfighter looks wilted at best and as a toy this is something we find unacceptable. Hasbro has to be careful with kids’ toys, so they put in safety precautions to prevent injury. Had the needles of the Geonosian Starfighter been cast in hard plastic, the vehicle would have served more like a weapon than a toy. We understand the need for alternate and safe solutions, but this is ridiculous.

That being said, we love the sleekness of the vehicle. And its color may even rival that. It’s a small vehicle when compared to the many others Hasbro has produced in the line, but it’s only meant to seat one Geonosian Pilot which comes as a pack-in figure with this vehicle. Clearly seen in the first Volume of Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars micro-series, the Geonosian Warriors in the show were interestingly piloted by Battle Droids. We imagine that either a B1 battle Droid or the specialized Geonosian Pilots with special mask gear are equally suitable pilots. And with so many battle droid action figures available now, you should have no problem interchanging pilots for a little bit of variety. The Geonosian Startfighter is painted in metallic orange/brown color palette and has been accented with various details in contrasting color. Each section, while in the same color family, is color-blocked beautifully. The paint operations are essentially flawless. We personally love the 360 degree visibility cockpit. It’s been case in clear yellow plastic and is very clear to see the pilot through it. There is a centralized cannon in between the “beak” of the vehicles “bill” and fires a bright red projectile when the firing button is pressed. There are also two two-stage spring-open launchers on both sides of the vehicle that also fire missiles at will. There are a lot of play options here and both the kid and the collector were considered when this vehicle went into production.

We are also quite satisfied with the included Geonosian Pilot. This all-new sculpt has some enhanced articulation to it. The figure sports both a ball-socket head and a ball-socket torso. These points of articulation gives a nicer range of motion when compared to standard swivel joints. The sculpt of the Geonosian Pilot is also very nice. For the first time ever, we are seeing a Geonosian with a flight mask and cord attached. The figure has a ton of detail and although it’s not super-articulated, there is no way anyone can say that he doesn’t at least look impressive. The best thing however is that the Geonosian Pilot fits effortlessly inside the small cockpit of the Geonosian Starfighter. We really hope that Hasbro would find a way to fix the drooping needle-noses of this vehicle and release it again. It’s really a shame when Hasbro designs a vehicle that is absolutely perfect, but then ultimately becomes flawed because the materials destroy its aesthetics. That’s pretty much how we feel about the Geonosian Starfighter. As Tartakovsky fans, we’re especially particular about the characters and vehicles Hasbro makes for the toy line. And we have to say that this would was a real treat, and it would have been a dream come true if it was made better. We will be patient, but when it comes to multimedia events, it seems that there are offered during one period of time and that’s it, just like Shadows Of The Empire. It’s doubtful we will ever see this vehicle again though.

Collector Notes

Geonosian Starfighter

Assortment Number: 84976/84841

UPC: 076930849767

Retail: $19.99 USD

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

Geonosian Starfighter

Status: Geonosian Starfighter is an all-new vehicle.

Articulation Count: 3

Articulation Details: opening canopy (1), sping-open cannons (2)

Accessory Count: None

Accessory Details: None

Date Stamp: 2003

Geonosian Pilot

Status: Geonosian Pilot is an all-new figure.

Articulation Count: 6

Articulation Details: ball-socket head (1), swivel left shoulder (1), swivel right shoulder (1), ball-socket waist (1), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1)

Accessory Count: None

Accessory Details: None

Date Stamp: 2003



 

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