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Back again! When we last met, we left off with John's question #10 about customizing everyone's two favorite droids...
I know the best way to take apart figures is to boil them, but what's the best way to take apart an R2 or 3PO?
Based on the replies I got, boil 'em longer! Actually, R2's legs should come off by using the "boil-n-pop" method. If you want to get into the body itself, carefully carve away at the molds seam with a hobby knife. A small flat head screwdriver can also be used to pry the dome of any astromech
figure. As for C-3PO, because of the type of plastic used, generally a more ridged type, boiling is not an option. There are certain solvents you can use to melt some of the joints, or you could simply cut (or break) them and glue the figure back together. You can try working on the seam with a knife, but most experts agree, these figures tend to be more difficult to take apart.
However you decide to tackle this task, remember that you are working with potentially dangerous materials, be careful! - Insert legal disclaimer here -
And don't forget, that the best resource for customizing Star Wars figures is available at our affiliated site, FFRUG.
Thanks to everyone that wrote in.
On with the show:
 1 I heard somewhere that Ben Quadinaros was on his way. Then I heard that he was scratched. Are there any plans at all for a new Podracer? I think its time we had one. -Mike There was talk at one time of doing a Podracer 2-pack, but because of the detail required to do the figures justice, Hasbro decided to hold off. As of now, I'm not aware of any plans for a new Podracer figure, but I'm certain Hasbro will look at these characters again for future action figure ideas. I would think Ben Quadinaros is probably the frontrunner for the next pod figure, but we'll probably have to wait until 2003 or 2004. 2 In the past couple of Q&As you have mentioned that figures from the wave that consists of FX-7, Imperial Officer, Queen Amidala Travel Gown and Rebel Fleet Trooper will be released next year. Several online stores and a figure list or two claim that this wave of figures will be released later this year. Specifically, the release dates listed have been for October, November, and December of 2001. My question is, when are these figures actually coming out? In addition, when do you think we might see the first pictures of these figures? Do you think Hasbro will show them later this year while on the road at one of the big conventions, or do you think we might have to wait until Toy Fair 2002 in February 2002 before we get to see them? -John
When I was first told about these figures they were mentioned as being part of the 2002 line up. Since then a few sites have posted case assortments and release dates, but everyone I've talked to has told me no earlier than December, most likely January. That being said, I'll also point out (as usual) that everything is "subject to change." I know there are at least two figures that should be released before these (Han Solo Death Star Escape & Darth Vader Emperor's Wrath) so there
is something between September and the end of the year. Bottom line, the figures are due near the end of the year, early next. Timing has never been an exact science, but they are coming.
Pictures, you want pictures? Well, the Imperial Officer is in the early stages of sculpting so I image the rest of that wave is at about the same point. Hasbro will be making the convention run this year so we could see something like a painted sample in San Diego. There's also been a lot of talk about regular updates to the Hasbro site, we could see something there. Depending on
how open Hasbro wants to be, and I think watching the development of these figures would be a great way to get the fans involved, we could see something at anytime. I don't think we'll have to wait until Toy Fair though. Hopefully by then all these figures will be in everyone's bookcase.
3 Is Hasbro still making the Skiff and Y-Wing? I have to ask because it seems like every Internet dealer manages to find a stash of these somewhere. I heard at on time that these were limited. I honestly do not think that is the case. -Chris I doubt Hasbro is still manufacturing these ships. It's more likely that when everyone was ranting over the Skiff, Hasbro threw more into production, hoping Target would pick them up. Target had offered them again over their website, for a brief period, but there must have been some units left over. It's also possible what's showing up now are units coming out of offshore markets. These ships may have been exclusive in the U.S., but they were available for anyone to order in other parts of the world. 4 Could you tell me a date of when the TIE Interceptor will be out, and if the Cloud Car is still coming? I haven't seen much about this anywhere.
I believe the TRU system has a shelf date of 6/24 for the TIE Interceptor, but I wouldn't put much stock in that. These dates are usually ballpark estimates, the item could show up anytime before or after that. I'd keep an eye out for it mid June and on, though I imagine word will get out once it starts hitting the distribution centers.
The official word on the Twin Pod Cloud Car is that it can not be confirmed, nor can it be denied. It's a guess, but I imagine it's just sitting there waiting for some nice retailer to snatch it up. And what a lucky retailer that would be! The Bespin Cloud Car is one the most sought after small
vehicles according to our recent poll, and I'd bet its price point would make it irresistible to any Star Wars fan. Hint, hint, hint...
5 I know that there are no hard and fast rules for fans requesting action figures, but there seems to be a rule of thumb of gaining 10,000 requests for a particular figure. But what exactly is the process of gaining these signatures? Are there any polls out there that we should know about? It's actually pretty simple, just start taking names and get as many websites to help promote it as possible. Hasbro usually catches wind of these sorts of things and if the interest is there, they'll take that into consideration. It's best to keep the name posted, and keep a current running count where visitors can see it. Real names are better than handles, not that anyone is going to double check the list, but the more professional it looks, the more serious it will be taken. 6 I am trying to complete my original line star wars figures loose. I notice that Yakface is one of the more expensive figures. I understand it was never released in the states. Was there ever a reason given other than it was at the end of the line in 1985. -Ira Nope, 'end of the line' was pretty much all the reason they needed. The figure had a shorter than usual production run and as a result, ended up only being sold in a few smaller foreign markets. 7 Have you heard about the rumor that the next Expanded Universe line will contain figures from the Shadows of the Empire?
Have not heard that one, but man do I wish it were true. To my knowledge plans for additional Expanded Universe figures have been put on hold until at least 2003. With a new movie next year, and Star Wars 25th Anniversary, Hasbro is going to have their hands full with actual movie characters. When it comes time to do more EU figures, 'Shadows' seems as good a source as any to draw from, but we'll just have to wait and see.
Personally I'm hoping for a couple 'Splinter of the Mind's Eye' figures. It's the first Expanded Universe book, and its 25th anniversary is coming up as well. Call me an old fart, ever since I read the book, I've always wanted Mimban Luke and Leia, and one of those awesome looking Yuzzems!
8 The carded Ketwol figure looks pretty cool. While I was looking at it, a question came to my mind. I don't see any weapon in the bubble. Do you think there's a weapon and we don't see it from the angle the photo has been taken, or is Ketwol unarmed? Hope he's unarmed!! I like figures like we see them in the movie... No extra weapons, guns or stuff, like the mega gun Momaw Nadon has in the POTF2 line. Any info on that? -Sebastian Considering the figure was 'unarmed' at Toy Fair, it looks like Ketwol will not come with a weapon. In it's place, the figure will offer the breakaway trousers that come off to reveal his stilts. I think that's a pretty fare trade off. I'm never opposed to seeing some kind of blaster or accessory added to a figure, but if the extra change can go into to detail like that, I certainly won't miss it. 9 Upon closer inspection of the vintage (die cast) TIE Bomber, I noticed that a Snowtrooper is piloting the vehicle. I thought TIE pilots flew the fighters? -syzygy While in the real (Star Wars) world, TIE pilots may indeed fly the TIE Bomber, companies have been known to take a little creative license when it comes to toys. I'd imagine, not having examined this toy for a few years, the reason the pilot looks the way it does is because more detail usually translates into more money. For something as small as the old die cast TIE Bomber, I imagine the focus was on getting the detail on the outside right, and just slapping a little something on the inside. It's nice when a company will go the extra mile for some of these tiny details, but in the greater scheme of things, it's not always necessary. Tenth Question: "This one's for you..."
10
The Droid Dilemma (Random House 1979?)
Until next time...
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