Figure of the Day: Day 1,133: Arvel Crynyd

ARVEL CRYNYD ...probably
30th Anniversary Collection Green Leader's A-Wing Fighter Pilot
Item No.: No. 87914
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Helmet, A-Wing vehicle
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.86
Availability: September 2008
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Image: Adam's TV tray.

Bio: In a desperate sacrifice during the Battle of Endor, Arvel Crynyd smashes his A-wing into the bridge of the Executor, causing the warship to crash intot he second Death Star - and turning the battle in favor of the Rebels. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Commentary: If you're going to make a pilot like Arvel Crynyd, it's good to do some research. It's not clear if Hasbro ever did, because there are two very different pilots all bearing the same name. In 1999 Hasbro made an Asian pilot in a red suit with this name. Oops.

This version is supposedly the correct one, borrowing the Tycho Celchu body from 2007. The deco has been modified slightly, the head is new, and it's still super-articulated. The helmet is a new sculpt, the first-ever Hasbro A-wing pilot mold that looks like the pilot from the movies. That's why this one was particularly exciting, plus the fact that, you know, it's the first time Hasbro did Green Leader as a figure properly.

The same body and helmet were reused to make Jake Farrel in 2009, and Arvel's body was originally used to make Tycho Celchu in 2007. If you liked that figure, this one is arguably better plus it includes a ship, so I'd put this down as one of those things you should totally buy for your toy box. The packaged toy looks nice too.

Collector's Notes: This ship was still available into 2009 but seems to have since been flushed from most stores. Grab one if you're so inclined, it's the nicest A-Wing sculpt in the modern line plus the landing gear mechanism was cleaned up over previous editions. (The Droids one is still the smoothest, which is no small feat for a toy that's over 20 years old.) The pilot has not been reissued, but there are other very similar figures out there. The same body and helmet were used to make Jake Farrell, which has the same mold with a new head and altered deco.

For those keeping track, this is the third modern release of the A-wing fighter too. The first was in 1997, another was in 2003. Both were clearanced on the cheap.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,133: October 16, 2009