Rebel Pilots - POTF2 [FB/CT] - Cinema Scenes

For generations, an evil power has spread throughout the galaxy. It began with Darth Sidious' sinister plot to conquer the planet Naboo and peaked with the Empire's domination of the galaxy. Throughout the era, brave starfighter pilots flew into space to fight this power. Naboo pilots braved impossible odds to save their planet from the superior forces of the Trade Federation. Years later, X-wing pilot Wedge Antilles, B-wing Pilot Ten Numb, and A-wing pilot Arvel Crynyd were part of the assault on the second Death Star. Their success at the Battle of Endor released the Emperor's iron grip on the galaxy.

If there was a surprise Cinema Scenes set in The Power Of The Force “2” era, Rebel Pilots might get that winning designation. Ever since Kenner/Hasbro revived the line in 1995, collectors have begged Hasbro to produce various pilots for all of the vehicles they made. But aside from an obligatory Biggs Darklighter, Kenner/Hasbro didn’t do much to make Star Wars collectors’ dreams come true for pilots. Then out of the blue, Kenner/Hasbro announced the Rebel Pilots Cinema Scenes sets. And although we’re sure they thought they put together a set of three characters that appeared in the Battle of Endor, only one-third of the set actually did. The other two figures fall under the Expanded Universe, and one figure is a “complete mess” depending upon your point of view. As with all Cinema Scenes sets, the packaging becomes part of the playset. And a plastic environmental display stand pulls everything together. In the background is a Rebel hangar and features an X-wing fighter, presumably Wedge Antilles. All we need now are the vehicles to accompany these nice-looking pilots. While not perfect, the three pilot figures in this set are very nicely approached. They don’t have the greatest center of gravity, but once you have them piloting vehicles, you probably will no longer care.

The first figure in this set is Ten Numb. The sculpting of the figure is spectacular. His dark black eyes are shiny and look lifelike thanks to the shininess of the deco Kenner/Hasbro utilized here. But the rest of his face has a warm and realistic expression as well. Although he comes with a removable helmet, it’s permanently attached to his body thanks to the hoses. You can’t completely remove it from the figure (which is slightly disappointing). Regardless, you can hold the helmet in his hands if you want, so the flexibility is there if you desire it. Ten Numb started life in pre-production photos in a white uniform. And rumors abound that he was filmed as an A-wing pilot in a green flight suit. But ultimately Ten Numb became the red-suited pilot seen on the Home One during Return Of The Jedi (although we will go to our graves believing that’s Nien Numb in a B-wing pilot outfit instead). Kenner/Hasbro painted the rest of the figure beautifully. There is dirt on his boots, and you can see the textures of his outfit well thanks to great sculpting and thoughtful design. Besides, collectors love aliens, and Ten Numb is a Sullustan, the same species as Nien Numb. He will go over very well with collectors. We’re certain of this.

We finally have a Wedge Antilles figure! And it’s all thanks to 1998’s POTF2 [F/FF] Biggs Darklighter figure. Kenner/Hasbro took most of that figure to design Wedge Antilles, so you shouldn’t expect a whole lot new here. This time Kenner/Hasbro tooled a new head sculpt sporting the likeness of Wedge Antilles complete with a removable helmet with visor. The helmet looks great, and so does the likeness to the onscreen character. Hasbro did a great job here. But if you pose Wedge Antilles next to Biggs Darklighter, they’ll look a little too similar to each other. Perhaps the most confusing figure in the Rebel Pilots Cinema Scenes set is Arvel Crynyd. The most confusing thing is that this isn’t Arvel Crynyd. Arvel Crynyd is an A-wing pilot that wears a green flight suit. Based on the likeness of this figure AND the included helmet design, it’s easy to assume this is intended to be Lieutenant Telsij. But Lieutenant Telsij wears a grey flight suit because he is part of Grey Squadron. The light red suit that Hasbro gave him is completely wrong. Hasbro attempted to do right by collectors by making this set. We’re glad they did. Sure, two-thirds of the figures in this set never appeared in Return Of The Jedi as is, but do you care that much if at all? Regardless of the set’s problems, this is great fun. You should get one.