Tycho
05-10-2004, 06:34 PM
This thread strongly applies to Classic Star Wars, but perhaps we'll touch on prequel stuff.
Let's get to it:
X-wing Fighter - the SW staple, the F/X retool that's been called Dagobah or Red Leader's X-wing now is fine I guess. But it's totally offscale to all the other vehicles, while on-scale to the figures. So where do we take the X-wing?
1) re-release this thing with custom stickers to let you make a squadron with the wing decales of any pilot you choose (Porkins, Antilles, Darklighter, Skywalker, etc. - with or without battle damage or swamp gunk on it).
2) re-do the 1978 X-wing toy again, to keep it in scale with the other vehicles.
Well, they're really doing both of these things it seems. I could hardly care without New Jedi Order pilots like Jaina Solo and Coral Skip vehicles for the new X-wings to fight.
Y-wings - being re-released. It is not to scale with the figures or the F/X X-wing mold. The basic 1983 version is being repainted. Do people want a new larger one? How important is that to you?
A-wings - being repainted green. It's out there. Do people still want these? Do people care? Are kids buying these? I think this ship is actually to scale, is it not?
B-wings - not to scale if I'm not mistaken. Aren't they larger than X-wings? So then a new B-wing should be larger than the F/X X-wing. That'd be pretty big, and I could care less if they did it. A human pilot figure to replace the vintage one still could be done, but I'd rather see him carded then packed in. Anyway, the B-wing is the only Rebel fighter that is not available out there in some form or another (or has no current plans to be). Do you guys want this ship sent out again? Do you all have enough? Should they re-release the old one so that new kids can make a Rebel Fleet?
TIE Fighter - the re-release is coming, and the old improved sculpt is still at my KB Toys. TIEs should have been more available for years, but at least in recent times, Hasbro gave us the other versions of the Sienar Fleet Systems fighters used by the Empire. But the ship is not to scale. TIEs are larger than X-wings, and as seen in the trench run scene in the movie (ANH), a scale TIE Fighter would be pretty huge. If we start re-doing our fleets, this will effect every TIE version. Do we want that?
Personally, I don't want to redo my fleets. I'm happy with the ships I have, in the quantities I have (must have 6 TIE fighters from 1995). I love vehicles, but I'm much more interested in craft that we've never had the opportunity to buy before!
TIE Interceptor - a great ship, but the same applies to the TIE Fighter. Does it get remade super-sized? (to actually be to scale). This ship I don't recall seeing a lot of at retail, but then I don't shop Toys R Us a lot for my Star Wars - Walmart and Target always seem to get stuff first. But I only wanted 2 interceptors, and I'm done with them. What do I need more for?
TIE Bomber - again :rolleyes: only this ship would actually be super-huge. The bomber side hull component is also used as a boarding vehicle. The stuff on the front of it is docking tackle that can be used to couple with and cut open any hatch so that stormtroopers can spill out of it. On regular bombing runs, probably either an automated payload is in there, or a 2-man crew (on the non-pilot side). For a squad of stormtroopers to fit in there, the ship to scale would have each of the main hull portions on the body being as large as Hasbro's AT-AT toy's main body section. The TIE Bomber's a nice ship, and also a more recent release. But who needs it redone and costing like $100 bucks to make it accurate in size? What good would that do?
The Escape Pod - definitely needs a re-do and to be made larger! Too bad it's such a recent release, but it definitely could have been made nicely to scale. I'd live if they never did this, and play-wise, the Deluxe C-3PO's is fine, but then again in real play, you might evacuate your Rebel Fleet Troopers and on the "real" Tantive IV, don't you think the lifepods fit 4 or more refugees per ship? That thing could look cool on a larger scale.
Luke's Landspeeder - it's fine. They could re-release this for a cheap toy for the kids. The latest exclusive one was painted nicely.
The Jawa Sandcrawler. The one being done is a piece of vintage nostalgia, and since the Sandcrawler is not an exactly crucial vehicle to play SW with, it's not imperative it is made to scale. However, that would be nice. I plan to buy this either way. A scale one would be about as large as Hasbro's current AT-AT toy that's been out. So I'd like to get a sandcrawler as planned, but even if I did, I'd still ALSO buy a scale version and just use them in different scenes.
The Outrider - actually in SW ANH now, this ship could be redone to be to scale - making it about the size of the actually released Millennium Falcon now. The ship's a cool design, and more interior with real gunwells would be great. That silly "b-wing" conversion system, if real even in the SW universe, would make it the most expensive custom ship seen anywhere in SW. Let's drop that and concentrate on a good sculpt with smuggling compartments, a working boarding ramp, etc. I WOULD buy it. Would you?
The Millennium Falcon - this one is already being re-released with a couple of touch-ups to make it "new," but in NJO Han paints it black to camouflage his ship, and the toy never was the right scale anyway. A good one would cost $250 - but I'd be willing to buy it. For the 3 3/4" figures, it'd be about the size of the big ones they hung in TRU during 1997's promotions. But at that scale you could have cargo bays, concussion missle tubes, 2 gun turrets located on opposite sides of a real gunwell, crew quarters, and much more - not to mention a 4-seat cockpit. The Falcon is the best candidate for the ultimate redo.
Snowspeeders - there is some argument whether this vehicle was made to scale or if it should be SMALLER? They could re-release it, but I did like the firing harpoon gun even if that was offscale. Not my favorite ship, I don't care too much, but speak up if you want a snowspeeder or think you need a new scale for one.
AT-AT - I'd love a scale one - holds 24 troops in the back with stabalizer seats, plus 2 speederbikes! Can really step on a snowspeeder and cover it with its foot. Has an access tube the figures can walk through from the troop carrier to the cockpit. Room for 4 or more in the front control center (also a Vader hologram). They could do an AT-AT really nice. I'd likely buy it. With the rerelease of the driver figure, I imagine that Hasbro might want to re-release the old mold again, so new kids in the hobby can get this great piece. (It won SSG's Battle of the Machines against just about everything for best vehicle as voted by the fans around here!)
Rebel Transport - if they could spiff this once-released-vintage ship up, they could re-release it. A scale one would be way too huge IMO. Any ideas for spiff-ups are welcome.
Boba Fett's Slave-One - the Jango mold they are using is an awesome toy. I'd still like to see another one, perhaps larger, with a cool play interior including a lot of expanded universe stuff like the sleeping bunks, prisoner cages, etc. If the weapons could be placed in realistic positions authentic to the movie, that might be cool. This ship would sell if redone larger. In the meantime, as long as we are discussing it, I wouldn't mind seeing the old Boba Fett Slave One (that came with Han Carbonite) being re-released too, but repainted in Jango's colors for the landing ramp scene "Boba! Get on board!" However, if you still don't have Boba Fett's ship, the repaint of Jango's will be seriously nice looking and available soon.
Twin Pod Cloud Car - we need it. It could easily be done. A retool with firing missles to simulate the laser blasts would be cool if well-hidden. They make the pilot figure now - so what's the hold up on the vehicle? I definitely think it needs missles. It's just too boring without some play feature and that's why Hasbro's been scared to market it.
Desert Skiff - are there folks out there who never got this? A decent toy, it could be re-released as is. It would have been nicer to get a larger version and I'd guess I'd support a resculpt. The thing is, it wouldn't be too much larger than what we have already got. About the size of my desk computer's printer I'd imagine. The current skiff is about 3/4 that size already. The extra room would just benefit spacing for more displayed figures.
The Imperial Shuttle - It's available if you look online I guess. I'm not sure how easy it is to get, or if anyone out there still wants one and can't get it for any reason (other than price). A scale one would really be huge, especially if you're thinking of matching it up to its escort TIE fighters. I might buy that piece, but I have a vintage and a re-release shuttle and am pretty happy as such. Chime in on any dissatisfaction you might have with the availability or quality of this toy.
The AT-ST about wraps it up for Classic ships. Everything's almost all been made. The scoutwalker could stand another release, perhaps made of sturdier plastic on the legs. But it's possible to resculpt that better to scale and have a 2-seat cockpit. That might be cool. You could add launching anti-personnel missles to the side of the head which fire much like Jango's ship does. That'd be cool. Yeah, I'd buy it. Anyone still looking for the old one? How would a new mold sell? At $100? How would the re-release do in light of the Trilogy coming to video?
Oh - Speederbikes. The new molding being issued with the Clone War stuff actually seems more accurate. Releases with Super-Articulated Scout Troopers, Luke's and Leia's could be warranted (especially removeable helmets for the rebels), and these'd make awesome ultra figures. Why not? I'd buy them to get the figures though I don't need the vehicles. But Hasbro will have to end the super-wide hips on the speederfigures, and created SA figures that ride the bikes well. Is that too much to ask for?
Ah...let's talk prequels quickly. (Stuff already made)
Droid Fighters - re-releasing these made out of much stronger, hard plastic, or releasing single-packed ones that transform would be great. I think the scale is correct, though they might've needed to be like 1/4 bigger.
AAT Tank - it's been re-released for Clone Wars. An awesome vehicle, I think it might be just under scale. They could release this one more time as it is I think.
N-1 Starfighter - this is cool the way it is. Removeable R2-socket action? Might be cool. Add a ladder and a clear stand to simulate repulsorlifts?
Naboo Royal Starship? Probably good to go the way it is. Would a re-release sell? A scale one would be huge and a waste.
Anakin's Podracer - fine the way it is. If they re-release it, new podracers not made before would make sense. They could repaint it all grungy looking, as before the race, when Anakin first testfires the engines in the back of the slave quarters.
Sebulba's Podracer - ditto. The flame thrower on the side opposite his drill would be cool and add authenticity though. You could redo the whole thing and make it so it "explodes," but I'd rather they do other characters' racers before they redo Sebulba's or Anakin's.
Darth Maul's Sith Speeder - it's perfect and might sell in a re-release. I wouldn't change anything here.
Zam Wessel's Speeder - uh, a little bigger would've been better - also if the doors worked the way they did in the movie (like a Ferrari Testarosa's). But I think we're too late for that. Still available at KB toys, we don't need to do anything with this toy here.
Anakin's Coruscant Speeder - see above.
Obi-Wan's Jedi Starfighter - it's fine. A blue Clone Wars one (didn't they make green?) could be OK for those recreating everything in the cartoon series.
Owen Lars' Swoop - perfect. Loose the bad Anakin figure and you have a winner. Could stand a re-release with a new figure.
Jango's Slave One - discussed above. A re-release of the 1980 mold painted with Jango's colors instead might be cool. Again, a large scale resculpt with detailed interiors would be awesome! You can now sell this vehicle twice any time - just repaint it.
Republic Gunship - the toy is huge as it is (wingspan causes it to need to bank just to get though a couple of my doorways), but it is not to scale. A large one with speederbike storage and accurately scaled side-gunners that could seat Clones would be welcome, especially in light of seeing this vehicle in heavy use in the prequels. Perhaps a way into the cockpit from crew compartments would be welcome as a play feature. I don't know.
Hailfire droid - repainting the missles not so bright of orange, but to match the movie color scheme? The droid is not exactly a vehicle, but it's seriously cool and could just stand another release without a lot of damage.
Geonosian Fighter - the ship's not that exciting, but it's added missle features hide nicely while "make it that much more exciting" if you're trying to entice kid buyers. This vehicle's available now.
Dooku's speederbike. A nice set. It could continue releasing as it is now.
So where does that leave us?
Let's get to it:
X-wing Fighter - the SW staple, the F/X retool that's been called Dagobah or Red Leader's X-wing now is fine I guess. But it's totally offscale to all the other vehicles, while on-scale to the figures. So where do we take the X-wing?
1) re-release this thing with custom stickers to let you make a squadron with the wing decales of any pilot you choose (Porkins, Antilles, Darklighter, Skywalker, etc. - with or without battle damage or swamp gunk on it).
2) re-do the 1978 X-wing toy again, to keep it in scale with the other vehicles.
Well, they're really doing both of these things it seems. I could hardly care without New Jedi Order pilots like Jaina Solo and Coral Skip vehicles for the new X-wings to fight.
Y-wings - being re-released. It is not to scale with the figures or the F/X X-wing mold. The basic 1983 version is being repainted. Do people want a new larger one? How important is that to you?
A-wings - being repainted green. It's out there. Do people still want these? Do people care? Are kids buying these? I think this ship is actually to scale, is it not?
B-wings - not to scale if I'm not mistaken. Aren't they larger than X-wings? So then a new B-wing should be larger than the F/X X-wing. That'd be pretty big, and I could care less if they did it. A human pilot figure to replace the vintage one still could be done, but I'd rather see him carded then packed in. Anyway, the B-wing is the only Rebel fighter that is not available out there in some form or another (or has no current plans to be). Do you guys want this ship sent out again? Do you all have enough? Should they re-release the old one so that new kids can make a Rebel Fleet?
TIE Fighter - the re-release is coming, and the old improved sculpt is still at my KB Toys. TIEs should have been more available for years, but at least in recent times, Hasbro gave us the other versions of the Sienar Fleet Systems fighters used by the Empire. But the ship is not to scale. TIEs are larger than X-wings, and as seen in the trench run scene in the movie (ANH), a scale TIE Fighter would be pretty huge. If we start re-doing our fleets, this will effect every TIE version. Do we want that?
Personally, I don't want to redo my fleets. I'm happy with the ships I have, in the quantities I have (must have 6 TIE fighters from 1995). I love vehicles, but I'm much more interested in craft that we've never had the opportunity to buy before!
TIE Interceptor - a great ship, but the same applies to the TIE Fighter. Does it get remade super-sized? (to actually be to scale). This ship I don't recall seeing a lot of at retail, but then I don't shop Toys R Us a lot for my Star Wars - Walmart and Target always seem to get stuff first. But I only wanted 2 interceptors, and I'm done with them. What do I need more for?
TIE Bomber - again :rolleyes: only this ship would actually be super-huge. The bomber side hull component is also used as a boarding vehicle. The stuff on the front of it is docking tackle that can be used to couple with and cut open any hatch so that stormtroopers can spill out of it. On regular bombing runs, probably either an automated payload is in there, or a 2-man crew (on the non-pilot side). For a squad of stormtroopers to fit in there, the ship to scale would have each of the main hull portions on the body being as large as Hasbro's AT-AT toy's main body section. The TIE Bomber's a nice ship, and also a more recent release. But who needs it redone and costing like $100 bucks to make it accurate in size? What good would that do?
The Escape Pod - definitely needs a re-do and to be made larger! Too bad it's such a recent release, but it definitely could have been made nicely to scale. I'd live if they never did this, and play-wise, the Deluxe C-3PO's is fine, but then again in real play, you might evacuate your Rebel Fleet Troopers and on the "real" Tantive IV, don't you think the lifepods fit 4 or more refugees per ship? That thing could look cool on a larger scale.
Luke's Landspeeder - it's fine. They could re-release this for a cheap toy for the kids. The latest exclusive one was painted nicely.
The Jawa Sandcrawler. The one being done is a piece of vintage nostalgia, and since the Sandcrawler is not an exactly crucial vehicle to play SW with, it's not imperative it is made to scale. However, that would be nice. I plan to buy this either way. A scale one would be about as large as Hasbro's current AT-AT toy that's been out. So I'd like to get a sandcrawler as planned, but even if I did, I'd still ALSO buy a scale version and just use them in different scenes.
The Outrider - actually in SW ANH now, this ship could be redone to be to scale - making it about the size of the actually released Millennium Falcon now. The ship's a cool design, and more interior with real gunwells would be great. That silly "b-wing" conversion system, if real even in the SW universe, would make it the most expensive custom ship seen anywhere in SW. Let's drop that and concentrate on a good sculpt with smuggling compartments, a working boarding ramp, etc. I WOULD buy it. Would you?
The Millennium Falcon - this one is already being re-released with a couple of touch-ups to make it "new," but in NJO Han paints it black to camouflage his ship, and the toy never was the right scale anyway. A good one would cost $250 - but I'd be willing to buy it. For the 3 3/4" figures, it'd be about the size of the big ones they hung in TRU during 1997's promotions. But at that scale you could have cargo bays, concussion missle tubes, 2 gun turrets located on opposite sides of a real gunwell, crew quarters, and much more - not to mention a 4-seat cockpit. The Falcon is the best candidate for the ultimate redo.
Snowspeeders - there is some argument whether this vehicle was made to scale or if it should be SMALLER? They could re-release it, but I did like the firing harpoon gun even if that was offscale. Not my favorite ship, I don't care too much, but speak up if you want a snowspeeder or think you need a new scale for one.
AT-AT - I'd love a scale one - holds 24 troops in the back with stabalizer seats, plus 2 speederbikes! Can really step on a snowspeeder and cover it with its foot. Has an access tube the figures can walk through from the troop carrier to the cockpit. Room for 4 or more in the front control center (also a Vader hologram). They could do an AT-AT really nice. I'd likely buy it. With the rerelease of the driver figure, I imagine that Hasbro might want to re-release the old mold again, so new kids in the hobby can get this great piece. (It won SSG's Battle of the Machines against just about everything for best vehicle as voted by the fans around here!)
Rebel Transport - if they could spiff this once-released-vintage ship up, they could re-release it. A scale one would be way too huge IMO. Any ideas for spiff-ups are welcome.
Boba Fett's Slave-One - the Jango mold they are using is an awesome toy. I'd still like to see another one, perhaps larger, with a cool play interior including a lot of expanded universe stuff like the sleeping bunks, prisoner cages, etc. If the weapons could be placed in realistic positions authentic to the movie, that might be cool. This ship would sell if redone larger. In the meantime, as long as we are discussing it, I wouldn't mind seeing the old Boba Fett Slave One (that came with Han Carbonite) being re-released too, but repainted in Jango's colors for the landing ramp scene "Boba! Get on board!" However, if you still don't have Boba Fett's ship, the repaint of Jango's will be seriously nice looking and available soon.
Twin Pod Cloud Car - we need it. It could easily be done. A retool with firing missles to simulate the laser blasts would be cool if well-hidden. They make the pilot figure now - so what's the hold up on the vehicle? I definitely think it needs missles. It's just too boring without some play feature and that's why Hasbro's been scared to market it.
Desert Skiff - are there folks out there who never got this? A decent toy, it could be re-released as is. It would have been nicer to get a larger version and I'd guess I'd support a resculpt. The thing is, it wouldn't be too much larger than what we have already got. About the size of my desk computer's printer I'd imagine. The current skiff is about 3/4 that size already. The extra room would just benefit spacing for more displayed figures.
The Imperial Shuttle - It's available if you look online I guess. I'm not sure how easy it is to get, or if anyone out there still wants one and can't get it for any reason (other than price). A scale one would really be huge, especially if you're thinking of matching it up to its escort TIE fighters. I might buy that piece, but I have a vintage and a re-release shuttle and am pretty happy as such. Chime in on any dissatisfaction you might have with the availability or quality of this toy.
The AT-ST about wraps it up for Classic ships. Everything's almost all been made. The scoutwalker could stand another release, perhaps made of sturdier plastic on the legs. But it's possible to resculpt that better to scale and have a 2-seat cockpit. That might be cool. You could add launching anti-personnel missles to the side of the head which fire much like Jango's ship does. That'd be cool. Yeah, I'd buy it. Anyone still looking for the old one? How would a new mold sell? At $100? How would the re-release do in light of the Trilogy coming to video?
Oh - Speederbikes. The new molding being issued with the Clone War stuff actually seems more accurate. Releases with Super-Articulated Scout Troopers, Luke's and Leia's could be warranted (especially removeable helmets for the rebels), and these'd make awesome ultra figures. Why not? I'd buy them to get the figures though I don't need the vehicles. But Hasbro will have to end the super-wide hips on the speederfigures, and created SA figures that ride the bikes well. Is that too much to ask for?
Ah...let's talk prequels quickly. (Stuff already made)
Droid Fighters - re-releasing these made out of much stronger, hard plastic, or releasing single-packed ones that transform would be great. I think the scale is correct, though they might've needed to be like 1/4 bigger.
AAT Tank - it's been re-released for Clone Wars. An awesome vehicle, I think it might be just under scale. They could release this one more time as it is I think.
N-1 Starfighter - this is cool the way it is. Removeable R2-socket action? Might be cool. Add a ladder and a clear stand to simulate repulsorlifts?
Naboo Royal Starship? Probably good to go the way it is. Would a re-release sell? A scale one would be huge and a waste.
Anakin's Podracer - fine the way it is. If they re-release it, new podracers not made before would make sense. They could repaint it all grungy looking, as before the race, when Anakin first testfires the engines in the back of the slave quarters.
Sebulba's Podracer - ditto. The flame thrower on the side opposite his drill would be cool and add authenticity though. You could redo the whole thing and make it so it "explodes," but I'd rather they do other characters' racers before they redo Sebulba's or Anakin's.
Darth Maul's Sith Speeder - it's perfect and might sell in a re-release. I wouldn't change anything here.
Zam Wessel's Speeder - uh, a little bigger would've been better - also if the doors worked the way they did in the movie (like a Ferrari Testarosa's). But I think we're too late for that. Still available at KB toys, we don't need to do anything with this toy here.
Anakin's Coruscant Speeder - see above.
Obi-Wan's Jedi Starfighter - it's fine. A blue Clone Wars one (didn't they make green?) could be OK for those recreating everything in the cartoon series.
Owen Lars' Swoop - perfect. Loose the bad Anakin figure and you have a winner. Could stand a re-release with a new figure.
Jango's Slave One - discussed above. A re-release of the 1980 mold painted with Jango's colors instead might be cool. Again, a large scale resculpt with detailed interiors would be awesome! You can now sell this vehicle twice any time - just repaint it.
Republic Gunship - the toy is huge as it is (wingspan causes it to need to bank just to get though a couple of my doorways), but it is not to scale. A large one with speederbike storage and accurately scaled side-gunners that could seat Clones would be welcome, especially in light of seeing this vehicle in heavy use in the prequels. Perhaps a way into the cockpit from crew compartments would be welcome as a play feature. I don't know.
Hailfire droid - repainting the missles not so bright of orange, but to match the movie color scheme? The droid is not exactly a vehicle, but it's seriously cool and could just stand another release without a lot of damage.
Geonosian Fighter - the ship's not that exciting, but it's added missle features hide nicely while "make it that much more exciting" if you're trying to entice kid buyers. This vehicle's available now.
Dooku's speederbike. A nice set. It could continue releasing as it is now.
So where does that leave us?