Trade Federation Tank - EI - Vehicles

One of the most menacing vehicles in the Trade Federation's arsenal, there is little that can stop an oncoming Trade Federation tank. Heavily armed with a powerful turret laser cannon, it also wields two side-mounted laser cannons and energy shell launchers. Despite the tank's heavy armor, it could not withstand a direct hit from Gungan energy balls during the land battle of Naboo.

Although surprising it wasn’t part of the Episode I launch, collectors were thrilled when the Trade Federation Tank was released for the Episode I line. We not only saw the Trade Federation Tank during the action-packed Battle of Naboo, but we also saw them hover their way into the streets of Theed Palace. They are a basic and essential vehicle for the Trade Federation, and Hasbro did a fantastic job translating the vehicle from onscreen CGI to a tangible toy. It has action features, screen-accuracy, and a paint job that will impress. And to top things off, Hasbro added a decal sheet to help add extra details that aren’t part of the tooling to accent the vehicle beautifully. With a sleek and elegant design and with features believable for a modern day tank, the Trade Federation Tank provides collectors with an excellent toy as well as a vehicle to help round out those dioramas in your collection. While we may not be entirely crazy about all of the play features added to this vehicle, we’re overall impressed with what the Trade Federation Tank offers Star Wars fans of all ages. What’s more, the Trade Federation Tank interacts beautifully with many figures in the Episode I lineup. You can recreate scenes with additional B1 Battle Droids, or have Jar Jar Binks holding on to the cannon for dear life. The Trade Federation Tank offers up these opportunities, which allow collectors to appreciate the efforts made here more than normal. Let’s go through the various play features of the Trade Federation Tank. You may find that some will interest you too.

With the press of the button on the back right of the Trade Federation Tank, the front armor “blasts off” and a “steering column” lifts to fling a Battle Droid of your choosing. But that’s not all. This action also flips the panel of the undamaged Battle Droid to “damaged” status once you press the button. The Trade Federation Tank sustains a bevy of injury thanks to this simple action feature. The button is very tiny and doesn’t interfere with the aesthetics of the Trade Federation Tank at all. The only thing we would have preferred to see instead of the flipping Battle Droid/damaged Battle Droid feature is a space for an actual Battle Droid action figure to sit instead. Action features often work well, as it does in this case, but we would prefer authenticity over a gimmicky novelty like this. A cleared out space with a pilot chair for a Battle Droid to sit in would have been the better option here. Still, what Hasbro did instead isn’t terrible. The canopy on the back of the Trade Federation Tank has articulated doors. You can place an OOM-9 Battle Droid figure in there so it can command the vehicle and survey the battlefield. The CommTech Battle Droid figures all fit well into this small space. Kids will love this feature. And so will adults for that matter. The turret rotates 360 degrees, just like it shows in the film. This is a wonderful play feature, as well. The Trade Federation Tank will be safe from all harm, as it can defend itself at any angle no matter which direction it is heading. The primary laser cannon on the turret also has a lifting feature. You can raise it above the straight 180 degrees horizontal plane for additional aiming options.

The last two features include adjustable secondary laser cannons (one on each side of the vehicle). And then there are four energy shell launchers at the base of the vehicle (where the dark smoke has collected on the platform. These areas fire four tan-colored projectiles and shoot far when ignited. This feature is also something that kids will adore too. Hasbro cast the Trade Federation Tank in tan plastic. But thanks to stunning paint operation detail, the vehicle has a mix of colors too. Certain contours of the vehicle are painted in different colors to help define its shape better. And other motorized parts are a different color too to help show that as well. The Trade Federation Tank has some elements that give it a battle-worn look and texture, including some “soot” where the projectiles fire. This deco is very realistic. We’re quite happy to see such a great interaction between figures and the vehicles they pilot. This wonderful interaction is evident here with the Trade Federation Tank. As Hasbro develops better sculpts of pilot figures and updates the vehicles, the interactions will only become stronger over time. More articulation means greater interaction with the other things Hasbro produces in the toy line. Once again, we’re not crazy about the damaged Battle Droid play feature here, but Hasbro could have done something worse. We expect to see this vehicle in the future toy lines too. As a main vehicle in the Prequel trilogy, it’s only a matter of time before we see this vehicle get a re-release. Overall, we’re very thrilled with the Trade Federation Tank for the Episode I toy line. They’re great as toys and excellent as collectible vehicles. That’s a win for everyone.