Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,447: Clone Pilot Matchstick

MATCHSTICK Clone Trooper Pilot
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87638 No. 91276
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW34
Includes: Helmet, blaster pistol, projectile, firing gun
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Matchstick is a clone pilot in Shadow Squadron who goes on a fatal mission to destroy a Separatist ship. He flies a Y-Wing fighter/bomber toi attack the Malevolence, a huge vessel armed with a deadly ion cannon. His Y-Wing is damaged while passing through a large nebula, a mishap that results in dire consequences for the trooper. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: Hasbro has only done three Clone Pilots in its animated line, but none of them are straight repaints. Sure, they share tooling with other releases, but Matchstick, Odd Ball, and Goji each have distinctly different sculpts in places. Matchstick was the first (and so far only) pilot to sport a removable helmet in the cartoon segment, recycling Rex' head (with unpainted hair) and torso as the new bit. You'll recall that Odd Ball from 2008 has a non-removable helmet for a head, so that's the one big distinction with this release.

The helmet is also unique to this pilot as, so far, no other figure includes a removable pilot's helmet. He has 16 points of articulation, the fancy wrists everybody loves which can pivot and swivel, plus a firing fun which... well, OK, I never use it. But it's there if you like that sort of thing. As a much-needed Y-Wing Bomber pilot or just another trooper for your ranks, it's a decent enough figure and it seems you never can have enough pilots in this line.

Collector's Notes: The figure was somewhat hard to find and seemingly came and went quickly-- like many 2009 Clone Wars figures who aren't the main cast of the show. For whatever reason he's cheap, you should have no problem getting one on eBay or in the recently released Wal-Mart Shadow of Malevolence DVD two-pack with Anakin Skywalker which should be at retail now... unless it sold through. Which it probably hasn't.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,447: December 30, 2010