Figure of the Day: Day 867: R5-F7

R5-F7 Y-wing Fighter Pilot
30th Anniversary Collection Toys "R" Us Exclusive
Item No.: No. 87431
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Helmet, pilot, Y-wing fighter
Action Feature: Pop-up motivator, removable third leg
Retail: $29.99-$34.99
Availability: Summer 2007
Appearances: Star Wars

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Bio: Rebel pilot Lieutenant Lepira flies Gold Four, the point Y-wing for Gold Squadron at the Battle of Yavin, but is shot down during that pivotal battle. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Commentary: The fun thing with some of the brand-new figures from the original Star Wars is the fan reaction-- like R5-F7 here. It's always funny to hear a chorus of "I always wanted that guy!" when he didn't have an entry on Wookieepedia, a name, or any buzz at all prior to the figure's release. The figure, like so many R5-droids, is just a repaint of the 2006 R5-D4, with all the features (and easily lost parts) you might hope for. Warning/guarantee: there's a plastic antenna that comes out of his dome-- it falls out, often. You may get a sealed package Y-wing with this piece floating around inside, or missing entirely. It is to your benefit to inspect the toy or make sure someone else inspects it for you, as it would suck to lose it. And yes, if you do lose it, you can swap it with the part from another R5 unit like R5-D4 or R5-J2.

With dark red and bright yellow highlights, this particular robot looks like he might be at home in a fast food eatery. There's also a good amount of weathering, which for the most part looks great-- it's just that the yellow is almost too bright when you look at the total package. Still, it works, and it looks different than most of the currently available droids on the market. Since he's based on an existing mold, he moves exactly like the currently available droids on the market-- the dome turns, the arms move, there are articulated "ankles" on the outer legs, and like other R5 units, the third leg is removable. The only thing he could do that he can't do is move his "foot" on his central leg, but other than that, he's pretty much perfect.

As to the play features, the figure just doesn't look good-- it does stuff. The action feature that Hasbro left in is a neat one. You twist his head, and a "bad motivator" pops up, just like R5-D4. Another feature was somewhat disabled, and this is the "tool arm" compartment. Numerous figures used this same body type, but Hasbro has taken to gluing down the panel and removing the added accessories which plug in-- why, I'm not sure, I'd love to have these on the various droids I buy. As such, you may be able to unglue it, but the only parts which fit in the socket are colored for R2-D2. So it won't match. So yeah, no luck there.


Collector's Notes: This figure is probably still available at a Toys "R" Us near you-- the ship, while awesome, proved fan demand and even kid interest in vehicles doesn't always mean you'll make a sale when double or triple-dipping a vehicle mold at a price they didn't consider fair. It's a fine item and a good set for the money, so if you don't have a Y-wing-- and even if you do-- I'd suggest scoring one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 867: October 9, 2008