Figure of the Day: Day 1,295: Clone Tank Gunner

CLONE TANK GUNNER Carded Edition
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87638 No. 91278
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW36
Includes: Blaster pistol, gatling gun, projectile
Action Feature: Firing gun
Retail: $7.99
Availability: September 2009
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Some Clone Troopers received specialized training in targeting and operating the Republic's heavy artillery. These tank gunners control the laser cannons on All-Terrain Tactical Enforcers (AT-TEs), Turbo Tanks, Republic Gunships and other heavy assault vehicles. Trained in marksmanship and battle tactics, tank gunners blast the droid army with destructive firepower. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: This Clone Tank Gunner is very similar to a Battle Pack/vehicle pack-in from earlier, except Hasbro redid the helmet sculpt. Also, rather than making it specific to any one vehicle, it's merely a "Clone Tank Gunner" so you could, in theory, use it with the Turbo Tank, AT-TE, AT-AP, Fighter Tank, and so on. He has 14 points of articulation including the fancy extra movement on the wrists, and well, you see the picture. It's generally similar to most of the Clone Troopers made by Hasbro except this is, to date, arguably closer to the TV model in the helmet design. If you need vehicle pilots, this is about what you should buy, except, well, don't expect to find too many.


Collector's Notes: I haven't seen much of this one. It seems that the wave was sorta hard to find, and this figure being a clone was doubly tough to get. So if you see it cheap, get it. You might have an easier time getting the AT-TE Assault Squad Battle Pack, which has more figures (as well as the predecessor to this one) for a generally decent going rate. The "gunner" figures are close enough that most of you probably won't care to have both flavors unless you really need them all, and if you're army building, I guess you do. A repaint of today's FOTD was sold with the Turbo Tank in 2009.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,295: June 1, 2010