Imperial Speeder Bike - POTF2 [R/G] - Vehicles

Added: March 9th 2019
Category: Power Of The Force "2" [Red/Green], The
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Name: Imperial Speeder Bike
Collection: The Power Of The Force "2" [Red/Green]
Number: N/A
Source: Return Of The Jedi
Availability: February 1996
License: Hasbro

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Pilot Height: 1.8 meters average
Status: Imperial Scout Stormtrooper
Classification: Human
Affiliation: Galactic empire
Weapon of Choice: Imperial Issue Blaster Pistol
Vehicle of Choice: Aratech 74-Z Military Speeder Bike
Vehicle Length: 3 meters
Speed: 500+ km per hour

The Empire's broad reach has included thousands of planets in the galaxy. To patrol territories, scout troopers are assigned to garrison posts, where they work in squadrons to perform reconnaissance missions. Their slim, hover vehicles, speeder bikes, have earned these troopers the nickname of "biker scouts." Their constant presence and weaving patrol pattern keep the Empire in continuous view of possible intruders.

Biker scouts wear lightweight armor and padding over a two-piece, black body glove. Their helmets feature macrobinocular viewplates, full sensor array, comlink and mini-computer. Their wide utility belt supports pouches containing their blaster pistol and blaster packs, concussion grenades, flares, and a survival kit. On their back is a slim pack which houese the armor's energy source, and environmental unit, and the computer's storage pack.

The speeder bikes are fast and highly maneuverable. Four small directional steering vanes mounted on twin outriggers in front help guide the bike, while controls set just in front of the seating saddle are for parking, weaponry, communications and energy re-charging. Moveable handlebars function as directional controls, while acceleration is controlled by rocker-pivoted foot pads. The bikes feature either extra power cells or self-charging fuel sources, and a single=mount laser cannon. Due to their minor firepower, speeder bikes are more practical as scouting and recon vehicles than as attack craft.

Speeder bikes are modified by Imperial technicians depending on planetary terrains. For the garrison on the moon of Endor, an extra sensor plate on the front vanes helped provide a stronger guidance system through the dense forest trees. "Lance" groups of four troopers and their sergeant made daily forays into the dense Endor underbursh, but for all their technology, they were defeated by Ewoks and a small Alliance strike team.

The relaunch of the Star Wars toy line meant that we’d be seeing things from out past updated, refreshed and regurgitated until Kenner/Hasbro could get a momentum going to produce new products for collectors. While the figures were all-new sculpts, the vehicles didn’t get the same treatment. And Kenner/Hasbro reintroduced the Imperial Speeder Bike and packed a Biker Scout Stormtrooper along with it. While all of the parts that make up the Imperial Speeder Bike are unique in one way or another when compared to the 1983 vintage Kenner release, it’s evident the casts of the original 1983 vehicle were used here. A knob might be differently sized, or a part may attack to the chassis differently, but a side by side comparison shows that very little difference exists between the vintage Kenner version and this modern Kenner/Hasbro release. It’s nice to see this vehicle again, even though it’s comprised of parts that we’ve received in the past. Aside from an all-new paint job, not much else separates the 1983 sculpt from the 1995 sculpt. Still, it holds up well and looks wonderful redone for The Power Of The Force “2” lineup. At the same rate, many collectors are looking for newness in the line, so this may not do much for you at the moment.

Like the original 1983 Return Of The Jedi version, the Imperial Speeder Bike has the same action feature. By pressing the pack on the rear of the vehicle, it “explodes” into three separate pieces. This feature helps recreate the look of the battle-damaged Speeder Bikes we witnessed on Endor in Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi. As you already know, it’s simple to reassemble the Imperial Speeder Bike to recreate the action all over again. Also like the vintage Kenner vehicle, the rear flaps on the back of the vehicle articulate when the landing gear is articulated. But they fall off very easily, and they’re a relative pain to reattach if they come off where they’re normally placed. Between the enhanced paint operations and the new tweaks made here and there to the Imperial Speeder Bike, collectors should be able to appreciate the modern version of the Imperial Speeder Bike. However, we believe collectors will be most happy about the included Biker Scout Stormtrooper (as they call it on the packaging) because the figure has been designed to perfectly interact with the Imperial Speeder Bike. It’s been a long time before we saw this vehicle and figure available for sale at retail. And now’s the time to get them out.

The included Biker Scout is designed in a way that accommodates the Imperial Speeder Bike. The body is slightly slouched. And the inclusion of hinge-jointed knees and a hinge-jointed neck allow you to seat him on the Imperial Speeder Bike and position him in a manner that is as screen-accurate as it is authentic to Episode VI. With seven total points of articulation, it’s more movement than the average basic figure gets from Kenner/Hasbro, but the figure is designed to interact with the Imperial Speeder Bike. When off its Imperial Speeder Bike, the Biker Scout looks awkward. Also, Kenner/Hasbro didn’t include a blaster pistol, so there isn’t much else the Biker Scout can do except ride his vehicle. The Biker Scout comes with decent tooling, and the paint operations are above average, but some collectors may feel the helmet design and some parts of the armor don’t match the costume perfectly. We don’t see too many problems on the figure, but you may possess different opinions about this. A great way to get out the Biker Scout action figure, the Imperial Speeder Bike vehicle kills two birds with one stone. We get a modern re-release of a classic Star Wars vehicle. And we also get a never-before-released action figure in the modern line too.

Collector Notes

Imperial Speeder Bike

Assortment Number: 69760/69765

UPC: 076281697659

Retail: $9.99 USD

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

Imperial Speeder Bike

Status: Imperial Speeder Bike is a retool of 1983's ROTJ Speeder Bike vehicle. Each piece of the vehicle has received slight tooling differences, but all are based on the original tooling.

Features Count: 2

Feature Details: chassis ejects and throws biker scout, front outriggers blast off

Accessory Count: None

Accessory Details: None

Date Stamp: 1995

Biker Scout Stormtrooper

Status: Biker Scout Stormtrooper is an all-new figure.

Articulation Count: 7 points (7 areas of articulation)

Articulation Details: hinge-jointed head (1), swivel left shoulder (1), swivel right shoulder (1), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1), hinge-jointed left knee (1), hinge-jointed right knee (1)

Accessory Count: None

Accessory Details: None

Date Stamp: 1995

Imperial Speeder Bike

The Power Of The Force "2" [Red/Green]

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