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B-WING PILOT

Source:
(Return of the Jedi)

Date Stamp: 1984

Release Date: 1984

Carded Availability:
Return of the Jedi
Power of the Force
Tri-Logo

Assortment No. : 71280

Retail: $2.99

Weapons and Accessories:

Endor Blaster (all colours but black)

Point of Interest:
This figure first appeared on the Return Of The Jedi 77 back card.

Comments: Even though the vintage B-Wing Pilot is one of the more rudimentarily sculpted figures in the line, it does have the distinction of being the very first army-builder rebel pilot. Therefore, what it lacks in dazzle, it quickly makes up for in kitsch novelty, what with its ability to not only die nameless for the liberation of the galaxy, but to be doing it whilst hurdling towards the Death Star at break-neck speed in a great looking hot rod!

Major Variations: Though all vintage figures have minor variations, the B-Wing Pilot action figure has two distinctive sculpt variations. The two versions, at quick glance look identical, but upon close inspection of the chest plate and boots the difference can be easily identified.

The first version has an empty circle sculpted on to the lower right portion of the silver ‘gear’ and boots that feature a little rectangular ‘buckle’ on the strap (upper boot) and three laces foot. The second version has a little dot (often referred to as a ‘nipple’ in the circle on the lower right portion of the silver ‘gear’ on the torso and boots that omit the ‘buckle’ and feature only two laces on the foot.

Incidentally, the head was produced from two slightly different sculpts. One sports a finely detailed spiraled wire on the right side of the silver portion on the back of the head, where the other version has much less detail on the wire, though it is still visible as a spiral. Considering this figure features a removable head it is impossible to say that either head sculpt variations were exclusive to either of the body sculpts. There is no indication that either is any scarcer than the other.

Endor Blaster
This weapon was moulded in many shades of gray and blue/gray, as well as black plastic using at least three slightly different sculpts. All the gray and blue/gray versions can be found with the AT-ST Driver, Princess Leia Organa (In Combat Poncho), and B-Wing Pilot action figures. The Black accessory was only included with the Imperial Gunner and A-Wing Pilot (both Power Of The Force and Droids versions).

Text & Photography by D. Martin Myatt.

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