CLONE TROOPER with Freeco SpeederThe Clone Wars Vehicles with Figures
Item No.: Asst. 94737 No. 20794
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Freeco Speeder, blaster rifle, helmet, backpack, shoulder pads, game stand and card
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $16.99
Availability: November 2010
Appearances: The Clone Wars
Bio: A clone trooper rides a Freeco bike on the frozen world of Orto Plutonia. The bike's windscreen shields the driver from wind and snow, and cold weather gear further protects the trooper from the harsh environment. The bike's speed and maneuverability are pushed to their limits when the native Talz launch an attack to defend their homeworld. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)
Image: A G.I. Joe box insert. We use all parts of the buffalo here.
Commentary: While this figure may seem like a repack of the snow Captain Rex, it ain't. No, this Clone Trooper is a repaint of the Flamethrower Clone Trooper, which was a retooled version of Rex. (I can see why you would be confused.) This clone is decorated very similarly to the captain, but with fewer stripes and flourishes. The helmet has a concept art-inspired red triangle on it, plus the Rex-specific deco has been removed for this rank-and-file figure. The most notable change is the kama, rather than a plastic one, it's cloth-- so the figure can actually sit, which is important given he comes with a vehicle. (The cloth piece was introduced with the Flamethrower Clone.)
Sculpted and painted detail are good, with the body suit getting a nice brushing that makes it look like it has some snow stuck to it. The blue stripes are much cleaner than Rex', although the visor on this figure seems a little sloppy around the top. (It's probably just my sample.) Aside from the lack of ankle joints, the figure has about as much articulation as you might expect from your average Clone Trooper. Heck, you might think I had nothing to complain about-- and you would be wrong. Much like a few (very few) figures in the past year, this one has removable shoulder armor which is pegged in. This allows the figure to keep a certain look while not reducing mobility. The problem with this is that these are small, easily lost or potentially snapped-off pieces that don't seem like they would really hold up to kid play over time. For a collector figure, it looks nice, but like so many figures in The Clone Wars I'm left not believing the company line about this series of action figures being designed with boys ages 4-11 in mind. This is a flourish for the old guys, or, more likely, something a kid would try to eat.
The overall package is good, but not anything mind-blowing. If you missed Snow Rex or the Freeco Speeder previously, this can kill two birds with one stone at a reasonable price.
Collector's Notes: The set hit late in 2010 and seems to be fairly easy to come across if you do a little hunting. Don't pay a huge premium, but I will say this-- the figure is worth the $6 or $7, and the vehicle is nice enough to warrant about $10 on its own. You won't feel cheated at (or slightly above) regular retail. Also, be sure to pivot the head forward a bit-- the backpack will not stay on if the back of the helmet is at all in the way.
Vehicle Notes: The speeder itself is essentially the same as the version which came with Obi-Wan Kenobi, so odds are you'll just be buying this one for the figure. The clone fits inside, but you have to remove his backpack first and there really isn't any room to store his blaster.
--Adam Pawlus
Day 1,493: March 4, 2011
The hands on these figures sucks. Just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteThe hands on these figures are terrible. Being sculpted largely open, made fron weak plastic, and with elbows that don't bend as much as other clones, gripping weapons is a challenge.
ReplyDeleteThis figure, and the others that share its sculpt, could have been a lot better.
I agree with Mike. I have the flame thrower clone and it's a struggle to keep him holding his gun sometimes.
ReplyDeletePlus, no ankle joints.