Corporate Alliance Tank Droid - TCW [R] - Vehicles

Produced by the Corporate Alliance, the Persuader-class tank droid is a fully automated combat droid, often used by the Separatist forces for short-range reconnaissance. With its moderate size and firepower, the tank droid is generally used as a complement to a larger assault force, evaluating enemy strength and attacking their front line forces. Their two outrigger treads can be fitted with weapons to increase their assault capability. Tank droids are deployed on various worlds during the Clone Wars, including Geonosis, Kashyyyk, and Christophsis.

To the layperson (or casual collector), the NR-N99 Persuader-class droid enforcer is known as the Corporate Alliance Tank Droid. Looking a bit more like a mollusk than a Separatist foe, this droid (that finds its home in the vehicle assortment) is a pretty neat medium sized toy that will work very hard to complement your droid army and increase the girth of the battle your clone troopers will face. The Clone Wars television show has interestingly lit a new fire under Hasbro to brainstorm and come up with many vehicles and droids to pad the mid-size vehicle assortment. And what's even better is that Hasbro has found ways to release vehicles that have appeared in the Prequel Trilogy into The Clone Wars branding thanks to all of the crossover use of them. It seems that Hasbro is more inclined than ever to introduce frequent new additions without too much worry on if they will indeed sell or not (with good reason – they truly sell though very well). And this vehicle is no exception. We are amazed to see how quickly this one sells through especially for being a new vehicle. As more units enter retail, we expect to see him available on a more frequent basis, but right now, it is hot potatoes. Corporate Alliance Tank Droid looks a bit different in toy form from its appearance in The Clone Wars film, but keep in mind that it is Hasbro's intention to create the vehicles in "realistic style" for the inevitable reintroduction into the main line when The Clone Wars ends. The great part however is that this vehicle looks nearly identical to the ones that appeared in Revenge Of The Sith!

The only part of The Clone Wars taking on the animated form will be the basic figures. We are particularly happy about this because while the animated figures are definitely impressive, we really don't want to be bothered with a complete animated set of vehicles and then a realistic set of vehicles. That would be a little bit too much to bear. Corporate Alliance Tank Droid is a finely detailed specimen. It has a wonderfully detailed 'rubbery' plastic tread that works extremely well when you run the droid across pretty much any surface. There are also two front "legs" with faux tread but in instead they have wheels which works in tandem with the functioning tread to aid its movement across most surfaces blissfully. Its left gun is attached to a cockpit door that opens up where you can find a nice space to seat a battle droid, or any other action figure you wish. This was a nice surprise on this vehicle and it is pretty cool how Hasbro can utilize space on these to create extra play value. And if that wasn't enough, the back "blinds" on the vehicle (also on the left side) open up to seat another pilot of some sorts. The Corporate Alliance Tank Droid packs a lot of value into a $19.99 – $24.99 MSRP. We have to say we are impressed. The color of the vehicle is very realistic and screen accurate and has been beautifully done. This just gravy on top of a great sculpt of course. It may be redundant to constantly rave about a vehicle's positives.... or we suppose in this case a droid's positives.... but we feel obligated to let you know just how well this particular one has been done. The vehicle has been cast in a metallic taupe color with various colors to accent it, and the "snail-like" eyes give it its unique appearance.

Having actually first appeared in deleted concept art for Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones in addition to being very visible during the Battle of Kashyyyk in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith, this particular Tank Droid is based on its appearance in The Clone Wars film during the Battle of Christophsis, a Star Wars version of the Emerald City seen in The Wizard Of Oz. (We are sure it will also appear in some subsequent The Clone Wars TV episodes). It would be great if Hasbro could quickly do whatever repaints are needed to make it 100% accurate to Episode III. And who even knows, maybe this version is accurate already. It's no doubt that adult collectors will tend to favor vehicles based on the films over those versions that appeared in The Clone Wars television show. But when Hasbro makes a vehicle this much fun and produces it with such incredible quality, it isn't really going to matter what way it gets packaged. If Hasbro continues to knock out great mid-sized droids and vehicles like this one, the line is sure to continue being a success. We would like to see a bit more love for the movie-based vehicles, but The Clone Wars seems to be the squeaky wheel getting all of the grease. But deservedly so, Corporate Alliance Tank Droid has the gotten the attention this time and it is everything you would want a vehicle of this size to be. With a great design, awesome compartments and cool functioning features, the Corporate Alliance Tank Droid is a perfect addition to the line. We look forward to whatever other tricks Hasbro have up their sleeves that for these excellent vehicles. They certainly enhance the basic figure line incredibly. Corporate Alliance Tank Droid does this and a whole lot more!