This toy is a monster. It is grand in scope. It makes me feel like I am 10 again. It makes me feel small.

One of the most brilliant things about the Animated Clone Wars series is the opportunity to explore the evolution of technology. Whether Lucas meant it or not, there is a certain visual aesthetic that evolves over the course of the series.

Episode 4 featured worn out technology. Everything looked used, dirty, cannibalized. With episode 1, all the technology is new and shiny Chrome ships and bright neon lights. From episode 2 into Episode 3 we begin to see glimpses of this technology being used, getting worn and battle scarred. But It is in the clone wars that the designers have an opportunity to explore the technology of the saga. Already a myriad of new vehicles have been introduced to the series, but we’ve also gotten to see the origin of one of the rebellion’s most classic vehicles – the Y-Wing fighter.

The Y-Wing we grew up with in the 80’s was a skeletal vehicle. It doesn’t have a big part in the movies, and is seen only briefly in the hangar on Yavin and during the death star run. But once Kenner decided to make a vehicle of it, it instantly became a more important part of the mythos.

The original toy was fantastic. I had one as a kid. It was loaded with gimmicks like dropping bombs, a rotating turret, and an electronic buzzing sound. Another cool feature was the ability to place your own astromech droid behind the pilot – something the X-Wing lacked. All that plus lever activated landing gear and an opening cockpit – well, damn that was a great toy. It is no wonder we all have such fond memories of it.

The one from my childhood is long gone, in a dump somewhere I am sure. So when a re-release came out recently I was all over it. It brought back memories. Unfortunately, they took a lot out of the toy. No electronics, no motorized turret, no removable droid. Hasbro had done a new x-wing a few years ago that was in-scale with their 3/34 figures and it was epic – why not do this with the Y-Wing?

Someone must have heard my wish, because at this year’s toy fair Hasbro announced a new Y-Wing…. From the Clone Wars.

This Y-Wing appears to be in-scale with the 3 ¾ figures and represents the ship as it was new, before all the armor had been removed. The rebellion modified the hell out of their ships, and one way was to remove unnecessary plating to increase speed and maneuverability.

This toy is a monster. It is grand in scope. It makes me feel like I am 10 again. It makes me feel small.

The box is big, but not as big as some of the recent offerings. It’s sturdy cardboard, with a die-cut front showing an action scene through the holes. This is part of a gimmick where part of the box becomes a diorama.

Taking the toy out is simple, and there is little assembly. The long engines need to be snapped in, and the missile launchers attached. Included is an instruction sheet, catalog and sticker sheet.

The stickers are old-school. They feel like they are made out of paper, and all they do is add a little texture around the vehicle. There are maybe 30-or so stickers, most of them off-white.

The cockpit holds two figures – one pilot and one gunner. The pilot cockpit opens from the side (like the old one) and features a separately molded steering wheel and detailed interior. The rear seat is covered by a smoky translucent dome with tilting cannons. This too has a molded steering apparatus. Unfortunately, the turret does not rotate, and they don’t tilt that much.

On either side of the cockpit are buttons to launch missiles under the nose. These buttons are sort of flat and easily missed. In fact, what ends up happening is I forget the button is there and when I grab the vehicle I end up launching the missiles.

Behind the cockpit is a place to store an astromech droid (not included). You need to lift the panel up to fit the droid inside. The space seems too deep to fit a clone wars droid, as the head of the droid just barely pops out. Perhaps if you leave the third leg in?

The next major gimmick is the opening bays on the body. Pressing buttons on either side opens the spring-loaded top doors in a slow, fluid motion. The missile launchers on the doors can each hold two missiles which fly off at the press of a button. The cavity left inside is huge, and can store all of the missiles and then some. Extra details like the detailing inside the ship really make a big difference.

The two large engines on the back are removable. The instruction book actually lists this as a play value item, saying it simulates Battle Damage. Once each engine is removed you can see the same engine that is visible on the classic Y-Wing.

Underneath the ship you have three landing gear that need to be lowered manually, as well as two bombs that can be dropped by pressing buttons above.

So what’s not to love?

That diorama I mentioned? Useless. It’s not long enough to fit the 27” long Y-Wing.

Also - it’s about $65.00. And for that we should get a little something more. Maybe lights? Included figures? Weathering detail? Removable panels? Who knows. But this is how these things are these days. Everything costs more, and if we want vehicles of this size, we will have to pay for them.

Personally, I don’t regret this purchase one bit. Now, where to put it?

Created in loving memory of Katie Johnson, Hasbro and Lucasfilm are proud to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation

I love Star Wars, but my favorite thing about the movies and toys is the little astromech, R2-D2. I grab one every time I come across a new version or color scheme. That being said, I came across this pink astromech at Josh's house and it is by far my favorite.

I love this one because of the meaning behind it. I picked up its packaging and this is what it read...

R2-KT was created in 2005 to honor Katie Johnson, a very special little girl who tragically passed away from brain cancer on August 9, 2005 at the age of seven.

Her Father, Albin Johnson, is the founder of the 501st Legion, a Star Wars costuming fan club that performs charity work around the world. Katie had a special wish: to visit Walt Disney World.

Through the generosity of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Katie's wish was granted.Then one more special dream came true. Katie's sister, Allie, was inspired one day while watching Attack of the Clones, in which R2-D2 watches over the sleeping Padme. Allie thought how great it would be if Artoo could watch over Katie as she underwent treatment, and for the droid to be named "KT" after her sister. The R2 Builder's Club made Allie's idea a reality by creating a unique R2 unit especially for Katie. The 501st Legion approached Hasbro with the idea of producing a figure to commemorate R2-KT.

This inspired Hasbro and Lucasfilm to help make more wishes come true for children like Katie. Hasbro and Lucasfilm together are donating $100,000 in Katie's memory to the Make-A-Wish Foundations of South Carolina and San Diego.

Code 3:
An unknown company to most, they took on and created and incredible line of Star Wars die cast vehicles that I had never heard of until it was too late for all but the gunship and Darth Vader's tie-fighter

Everyone constantly designs and evolves their collections, mine follows many eclectic dynamics. One aspect of my collection is that the object needs to elicit nostalgia towards a youthful passion, be a die cast "chogokin" or adult "toy" collectible, and not be a static and/or resin statue. Also, I try to refrain from a toy designed solely for children (my own bias nothing wrong with the converse). Thereby, while Star Wars universe was a repository of many positive childhood memories, it was sadly not represented in my collection.

Imagine my shock and (reserved) joy when I happen to be perusing Ebay and Amazon and I came across a large, intricate, and die cast collectible seemingly designed to my criteria.

That object was Darth Vader's Tie-Fighter, the size of a basketball, all die cast, and a not static/resin statue...all for a shocking 100 USD including shipping. By the way, to this day I can find no reason for the cheap price, the piece's quality is equivalent to my Marmit Andromeda and Fewture Mazinger (maybe someone on this site can educate me). The purchase of that collectible sent me into a research of the company and all its present and past products. Code 3 was a manufacture of high end die cast representations of everything from Slave-I to Apollo landers and now mainly focuses on fire & rescue vehicles. In 2003, Code 3 produced a line of collectible Star Wars vehicles and 3-D posters. The Code 3 produced Star Wars vehicles were: X-wing, Millennium Falcon, Slave-One, Vader's Tie-Fighter, AT-ST Walker, and Republic Gunship (plus multiple variants and signed editions/additions). They were listed at worth $450+ but sold for around 250 USD ( if a member). Of course, I was the proverbial "day late and a dollar short", if you goto Code 3 website per its out dated Star Wars catalog URL, only thing not "sold out" are fire rescue vehicles and Vader's tie fighter. Of course the vehicles I missed out on, came with tons of cool accessories, wooden box trays for extra parts, acrylic display cases, black glass platform,signed editions, etc...that the two I posses do not have.

This tedious panache of finding something too late...makes me flashback to being a young kid watching the MR. Big toy store ad on channel 56 that listed and showed many toys I loved and coveted. Finally, after I drove my poor parents crazy to take me on the long trek, the items I wanted from the ad were long sold out. (my biggest annoyance back then was the Popy DX Yamato in the ad-feel free to add your missed Mr. B toy in the comment section).

The tie fighter review will occur in the future, this review covers the only other one I could find for below its original price and/or in new condition...the republic gunship.

Code 3 creates high end collectibles and it is apparent even before examining the gunship. From the shipping box to the Styrofoam trays, Code 3 vehicles are packed in large (the Tab is for context, not "they still make that" shock), well designed, and intricate packaging.

In addition to the gunship, wand, cockpit, and clone trooper plate, the model comes with a display platform, stand, commemorative license and cloth patch.

A flaw with this setup, that most Code 3 platforms do not share (most are black glass), is the Gunship's base is covered in the same black felt as the logically covered stand(as is the tie fighter)...which collects lint and easily looks weird/off. Thankfully, the platform does have a nice pewter plate like all of the others.

The ship itself is beautiful, the first thing that must be stated, for me anyway, is the collectible is 80% die cast, HEAVY, and finely crafted.

You may know all about Code 3, but I did not and all I can say is that I am extremely impressed. It has a dedication to detail, movement, and die cast that too often Bandai, Fewture, Marmit, CM's, etc... wane or abandon on many of their items.

Notice: the rear platform with speeder bikes,

a back turret that is fully movable,

side panels that slide back and out,

and two amazingly flexible gunner pods (with trooper inside).

Even the removable (metal!!!) plate with Yoda and clone troopers fits well inside gunship

and can be placed outside (has felt bottom).

You may have noticed in the company picture that all the clone troopers in their Phase-One armor are basic white, of course the super geek in me had to customize mine. I have colored two troopers, one in weathered green (see pic in link to judge) to equal Yoda's right hand man Commander Gree (well...loyal partner...before he was beheaded after following order 66)

and red to equal a field commander on the flip side (they colored the pilots, so i figured it was necessary).

All Star Wars vehicles come with nice felt covered metal display stands that have paperweight heft and size. They hold the vehicles well (...both of mine function great) and only issue I have, is that Code 3 likes weird angles that you probably thought was my camera work.

However, if you hate the weird angle , the vehicle can rest flat on the platform (again both of my vehicles do...).

In my opinion, this craft is the weakest of the bunch (hate the prequels and grass is always greener???) and even it is an impressive and appreciated addition to my collection. The cockpit is removable (it is a disappointing plastic), the doors slide out and back, the gun pods and turret guns swivel, the wing lift pods move, and details are everywhere. Inside the cockpit, inside the cabin, and even the missile racks below each wing, no detail is left out(Bravo!!!). The whole piece has battle scaring and paint detailing that belay its price and makes it seem ready to soar through a Lucasfilm landscape.

These renderings are out of production and I gather...did not "take off"; because, Code 3 has shifted its focus, I see little discussion of them around the chogokin community, and on Ebay you can get the two I got for less than their original 250 USD price tag.

No surprise to anyone who ever read any of my reviews, I over paid for the clone trooper gunship. I best offered a seller into 146 USD including shipping (was proud of myself at the time...) and like too often in my collecting, saw three go for 117-120 USD including shipping later that week...-sigh-...story of my life. However, while it really bugs me to pay more than I had to, the object is definitely worth it.

The quality is above my most of my Fewture robots and on par with my Marmit Andromeda that cost almost three times what this one did. Finally, run, don't walk out and buy Darth Vader's tie fighter if you need a Star Wars collectible...no idea why you can get a 12" die cast collectible with stand and platform for around 90 USD including shipping ( I felt like I won the lottery or something when I received my 20 pound box the size of a 20 inch TV...and of course I paid 104 USD and have seen on Ebay go for 89 USD inc. shipping...-sigh- you see the pattern of my life).

Overall, Code 3, I hardly knew you. I love the two chogokin styled vehicles I have and lament the ones I missed out on getting in new condition (when ever I buy used, I always have issues with flaws from how they were displayed/taken care of) and/or reasonably priced(Especially Slave-I).

Jodo Kast is not Boba Fett. Or is he?

Sometimes I am an idiot.

I bought this figure because I thought he was a character from the Marvel Comics Star Wars books - Fenn Shysa. I grew up on those marvel comics, and until The new books came out in the 90s they were my expanded universe.

Turns out he's not Fenn, he's just some mook named Jodo Kast.

According to Wookiepedia, Jodo Kast was a Boba Fett imposter, who is eventually killed by Fett himself.

The figure pretty much sucks, and I surprise myself by even writing this much about it.

The figure is a repaint of a 2006 Boba Fett action figure with a quick draw action. Notice the arm permanently bent. (although there is a swivel above it). The rest of the figure features mediocre articulation, with ball joints at the knees and ankles.

A mediocre, forgettable figure. He does however come with a build-a-droid part, so if you need to complete a 5D6-RA7 droid, you need to buy him. (or you could email me, I have no plans to build this droid).

Saleucami Trooper represents the end of my Star Wars figure buying bender.

The Saleucami Trooper shows up for a few seconds in Episode III, when Stass Allie gets mowed down by a group of troopers who just got order 66. Don't know what I am talking about? Well, you're on the wrong website my friend.

This trooper is yet another variant of the Clone trooper, and who doesn't like Clone Troopers? Nobody! That's why Hasbro keeps pumping them out, and why we keep buying them. They could put out a whole line of nothing but Clone Troopers, and I bet they would sell out.

The figure is your standard Trooper figure, with some different paint deco and some additional armor. Articulation is great, with ball joints all over the place, the only oversight being the lack of ball jointed hips (those are swivel).

The gun is a bit bendy...

The Saleucami Trooper is a pretty neat figure, but nothing earth-shattering. He does come with a leg for the 5D6-RA7 droid, so if you are trying to complete that, you will need this figure.

**Here's an interesting piece of trivia - I first started this review in November of 2008. So it's only taken me 9 months to catch up with it.

You get the RJ-41 droid when you combine all the droid parts from the following figures:

• Obi-wan Kenobi
• Clone Scuba Trooper
• IG Lancer Droid
• Clone Trooper

You get the RJ-41 droid when you combine all the droid parts from the following figures:

• Obi-wan Kenobi
• Clone Scuba Trooper
• IG Lancer Droid
• Clone Trooper

R4-J1 is one of those "blink and you'll miss it" droids. He appears on screen for a split second on the streets of Mos Espa in Attack of the Clones.

Naturally, there is a figure for him. No elaborate back story for this guy, he is what he is, an anonymous droid on a lost, dusty world.

The toy is pretty cool, and I think its worth buying the four figures to get him. I mean, what are you gonna do with a droid head, besides add it to your Droid Factory playset?

R4-J1 breaks down into the following parts - head, legs, body and middle foot. The body is interesting for a few reasons. For one, there is interior details underneath the head, something I haven't seen on an astromech droid before.

Secondly, there are additional holes in the body that allow you to customize the droid even further. Neat.

Each leg has small wheels underneath the feet so the droid can roll around. It's a real figure you get, not some second-thought throwaway.

In conclusion, this is the droid you are looking for, especially if you have any of the random parts lying around.

There is a method to this madness. Three Star Wars reviews in a row? IG Lancer Droid is part four in the build-a-droid series for R4-J1.

The IG series droids were only seen for a few seconds in the original trilogy, namely a brief appearance by IG-88 on the bridge of Darth Vader's Star Destroyer. But like most of the cooler designs in Star Wars, the short appearance has led to a huge fan following, with his entire back story mapped out prior to his appearance in the movies. Ain't fandom great?

We'll cover IG-88 and his story later, but for now we will talk about a predecessor, the IG Lancer Droid. The IG Lancer droids were active during he Clone Wars as machines of war created by the InterGalactic Banking Clan. Most notably these droids were led into battle by the bounty hunter Durge, as they attacked the city of Harnaidan on their swoop vehicles. Obi Wan Kenobi and his lancer squad repelled the attack, destroying most of the droids.

The IG Lancer Droid figure is part of the Build a Figure assortment from 2008's Legacy Collection line. Each figure in the line included a part for a droid. Included with this figure was the body for R4-J1.

While this figure shares the body and legs with the 2007 "vintage" collection IG-88 the figure is unique enough to warrant getting.

First off - the articulation is FANTASTIC. This killer droid features SEVENTEEN points of articulation. That's almost unheard of with star wars figures. Just look at some of the poses he can pull off:

Accessories include a vibro-lance and two blasters (one short and one long). The vibrolance has a clip on it that enables you to attach it to the long blaster, or the figures arm.

The design and detail on this figure are great, but there are a few minor flaws. The intricate wires that plug into the body have a tendency to come off during extreme poses. They just plug right back in, but it could be better.

The hands have a hard time holding the blasters, and the lance doesn't clip on the arm well.

That's about it - the IG Lancer droid is HIGHLY recommended.

The Clone Trooper (Heavy Gunner) is not a great figure. Lazy design and poor materials choice make this figure forgettable.

The problem with the whole idea of build-a-figures is that it makes you go out and buy figures you otherwise wouldn't, like this piece of crap.

Okay, maybe that's too strong. It's not crap, it's just not great.

The Clone Trooper (Heavy Gunner)is as shown in the Clone Wars animated series (the first one). The interesting thing to me about this series of figures is that although they are based on appearances from the stylized animated Clone Wars cartoon, the figures are designed to look like their live-action counterparts.

The big flaw with this figure here is the overall fit and finish. The blue paint is sloppy, the guns are bendy, and the thing doesn't like to stand.

So first lets talk about the gun aka the "Quad Cannon". The Quad Cannon attaches to the figures back and then the cannon swivels up and over the characters shoulders where it can be held with both hands. The cannon makes the figure front-heavy, and falls over, hence the use of the stand in the photos (stand not included with figure).

You can get it to balance with zen-like patience.

The cannon can dissasemble if you like, although I don't see the purpose of it other than to allow things to get out of whack. When I opened the package the ends of the cannon were all in different directions, so you will likely need to rearrange them.

The cannon also can swivel around to be kind of stored on the back, but it looks awkward.

As far as the figure goes, articulation is fine, and you get a removable helmet, so that's not too bad. But the helmet is rubbery with poor paint applications.

Basically, I just bought this for the build a droid part. Your mileage may vary.

I admit, I only bought the Clone SCUBA Trooper because it had flippers. There, I said it.

I admit, I only bought the Clone SCUBA Trooper because it had flippers. There, I said it. When I see big toy companies and franchises doing things like this it just throws me for a loop and I get sucked in.

So yeah, a Clone Trooper with SCUBA gear. This design comes from one episode of the Clone Wars animated series (the first one) where Kit Fisto leads a bunch of Clone troopers on an underwater mission on the planet Dac.

The Clone SCUBA Troopers are outfitted with underwater gear, as well as a unique set of armaments. The propulsion pack can be detached from the figure, and the two torpedoes (or jets?) can be detached as well. Hoses from the helmet attach to the figures pack.

Check out the sweet tribal design on the side of the tanks.

Each flipper is removable, and stay attached to the feet by pegs in the heels.

The gun is large, which is cool, but is horribly bent in package, which is not cool. Hasbro needs to use firmer plastic on its weapons.

Articulation once again rocks on this figure, with 14 points of articulation. No ball jointed hips, but the rest is pretty great.

Also included with this figure are parts for the Build a Droid RJ-41. This figure includes the head and middle leg.

This is a pretty great figure, it has lots of accessories, lots of articulation, and looks great. Another winner for Hasbro.

Obi-Wan Kenobi once flew with your father in the clone wars.

Obi-Wan Kenobi. Legendary Jedi, but also a general for the Army of the Republic. We usually only got to see Obi Wan as the grizzled old hermit, or the young eager padawan.

The Clone Wars series showed us General Kenobi in action. Obi-Wan was not a general who issued commands safe from his bunker. No, Obi-Wan got right out in the front lines with the clone troopers, and did battle in the thick of it.

Perhaps more likely a show of solidarity than anything else, General Kenobi dons clone armor when heading out with his troopers. Its actually a hybrid mix of select armor parts and traditional jedi robes.

He looks pretty awesome.

As far as action figures go, you don't get much better than this. Old Ben is one of the most articulated and gimmick-laden star wars figure to ever be released.

Lets start with articulation. There are approximately 14 points of articulation. Ball joints at the neck, shoulders, elbows, knees, torso and ankles. Insane

Accessories include removable helmet, lightsaber, lance, and R4-J1's leg for the build-a-droid figure.

The helmet is soft rubber and fits over the head. The lance is included to replicate a scene from the clone wars animated series where Obi-Wan jousts with Bounty Hunter Dirge.

Parts of the figure are what we call "Soft Goods" - meaning the cloth cape and skirt. The belt is also a separate piece.

The one thing that keeps this from being one of the best figures ever is the head. The head sculpt is atrocious. If you can find a better Obi-Wan head, switch them and you have the perfect figure.