Airspeeder - EU - Vehicles

Model: Modified Incom T-47 Airspeeder Prototype
Type: Low Atmospheric Repulsor Craft
Length: 5.5 Meters
Affiliation: Rebel Alliance
Crew: 1 Pilot
Weapons: Twin Laser Cannons, Proton Torpedo Launcher

A series of publications called The Art of Star Wars unveiled how a group of artists whose talent for intricacies revealed a far-away galaxy that continues to capture the imagination of Star Wars fans everywhere. Several versions of the Incom T-47 airspeeder, also known as the snowspeeder, were created before deciding on the definitive model seen in The Empire Strikes Back. This vehicle was designed and built based on several production sketches by artist Ralph McQuarrie.

Although short-lived, Kenner/Hasbro got out three incredibly produced Expanded Universe vehicles out to collectors before cancelling the line. The concept Speeder Bike and the concept Cloud Car are two beautifully tooled toys, but the concept Airspeeder takes the cake as far as we’re concerned. Another stunning concept by artist Ralph McQuarrie, collectors can now add to their collections a physical toy of what the first snowspeeder vehicle looked like when it was designed for Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. What’s more, we also get a concept Airspeeder Pilot action figure that perfectly fits inside of the cockpit. Kenner’s/Hasbro’s Expanded Universe line provided collectors with a diverse cast of characters and vehicles, but they’ve only scratched the surface with what they made in this lineup. They could have chosen almost any other character or vehicle for this line, but they evenly balanced what they could across a total of a dozen items for this line. Of course, we all wanted to see more products made, but what we did get is a great start. Again, the Airspeeder is probably the best vehicle of the Expanded Universe line. Let’s find out why this is so.

The Airspeeder is the largest of all of the Expanded Universe vehicles. It also comes with the greatest amount of features. It’s also the only Expanded Universe vehicle to favor its onscreen counterpart the most. This doesn’t look all that different from the snowspeeders we see during the Battle of Hoth. There are obvious differences between them, but they look the most like each other. The Airspeeder comes with three distinct play features. These special play features include an open cockpit and an area where the pilot sits and takes the controls, assault wings that deploy during attack mode (they flip up with the flick of a button), and finally, a belly-mounted launcher fires proton torpedo with the press of an action feature button. Mostly gray, Kenner/Hasbro decorated the Airspeeder with dirt and grime, giving it a realistic and “lived-in” appearance. It’s also the only vehicle that comes with a decal sticker sheet, and these give the Airspeeder extra detail and color. Once added, the decals provide elements of beauty to this already attractive vehicle. When you assemble the vehicle, you have to add the wings and the lower landing gear in addition to the cannon and projectile. But it’s effortless to put together.

Of course the greatest addition here is the included Airspeeder Pilot. Looking like he’s ready for Hoth’s icy tundra, the Airspeeder Pilot is outfitted in white winter snow gear complete with cap, goggles and what looks to be some fancy ski design on his jacket. The figure comes with six points of articulation, the figure doesn’t move all that well, but he interacts wonderfully with the Airspeeder vehicle. When you open up the cockpit, there is the perfect amount of space to place the Airspeeder Pilot. The Cloud Car’s cockpit space was much too large for the vehicle, but the Airspeeder cockpit fits the figure in like a glove. Sadly, none of the pack-in figures in the Expanded Universe line come with any weapons, so the Airspeeder Pilot is also without one too. The sculpt, and the paint operations on the figure are very, very nice. And if you’re not into the concept vehicle approach, you can likely add the Airspeeder Pilot to any Echo Base diorama you create. Overall, the Airspeeder and the included Airspeeder Pilot are a real treat for the Star Wars toy line. And for us, it is the highlight of the Expanded Universe line. We hope one day Hasbro will return to making great products like this in the future.