| IMPERIAL TIE FIGHTER
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Micro Collection Vehicle
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One can argue that, when it was initially introduced in 1982, Kenner’s Micro Collection was designed to push Return Of The Jedi toys in a direction not explored with the first two Star Wars films. The line, which included only twelve pint-sized playsets and four vehicles, looked past figure articulation in order to provide fans with interactive environments, and in a lot of ways paved the way for the modern high-end collector market. The Micro Collection was more the first legitimate Star Wars collectible and much less a toy, at least in the traditional sense. Even though most of the sets in the short-lived series featured special action features, it was truly designed as a display piece, and when introduced in 1982 the individual pieces sported a price much higher than comparable products in Kenner’s action figure line. Each set featured a plastic playset or vehicle and an assortment of painted 1 1/4" scaled diecast figures. These figures were easy to damage and kids learned quickly to take care of their new mini Star Wars collection. While commercially the line was a failure, it did appeal to a certain demographic within the Star Wars collecting community, and many of the fans for this line can be found buying up Sideshow Collectibles, Gentle Giant, & Attukus statues and eFX (& formerly Master Replicas) replicas. The seed for the high-end collectible was planted by Kenner with the Micro Collection. The Imperial TIE Fighter came packed with the Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot diecast figure, alternate stickers that allowed you to display the vehicle in pristine or battle damaged shape, and a button-activated battle damage feature that simulated crashing by breaking one of the wings. Kenner released a Special Offer version of the Imperial TIE Fighter that included a packed-in double-sided cardboard backdrop. This promotion was advertised with a yellow sticker on the box front. Images of this version of the vehicle are presented below. Had the line not been cancelled early, collectors would have seen the Emperor’s Throne Room produced for the Death Star World collection, the Bacta Chamber playset would have been produced for the Hoth World collection, the Torture Room would have been produced for the Bespin World collection, and Dagobah and Jabba’s Palace would have started two new Worlds.
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Year: 1982
Assortment #:69880
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