Separatist Droid Gunship - TCW [SOTDS] - Vehicles

HMP (heavy missile platform) droid gunships are designed for planet bombardment. They are heavily armed with bombs, missiles and cannons. Adjustable wings give them maneuverability, which allows them to position themselves for maximum impact. The control pod has a cockpit area for a battle droid to provide support during more complex operations.

Is it better to expend energies being aggravated that movie based mid size vehicles are being marketed as items for The Clone Wars line or is just being happy that the vehicles are getting released taking the higher ground? Hasbro has sneakily released multiple vehicles that have only appeared in the Prequel Trilogy (to date) but are only available and sold as products from The Clone Wars television show. Such is true for the Separatist Droid Gunship. This round vehicle looks more like a flying saucer than a Separatist weapon, but its lean design lends for a very unique look and overall cool vehicle. These vehicles can be seen in the air during the Battle of Kashyyyk in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith as the Droid Army ascends from the waters to attack the Wookiees (and the subsequent 41st Elite Corps). Their extremely brief appearance not only makes them an odd choice for the toy line, but it further pokes holes in Hasbro’s longstanding argument that vehicles must be aggressive, widely seen and part of an important storyline. (Well, one out of three isn't bad, right?) The Separatist Droid Gunship is definitely nowhere near being the most memorable vehicle in Episode III, but its realization in the toy line may bring it newfound popularity.

Officially known as a Heavy Missile Platform (HMP), this droid gunship has modular wings that enables it to host a wide array or ordnance. Ammunition includes concussion bombs and electromagnetic pulse missiles. Hasbro ensured that they carried over some of this distinct weaponry into the toy interpretation of the vehicle and we have to say that it is a pleasant surprise. This vehicle, that actually started out life as early concept sketches for the Episode II Republic Gunship, has quite a few features in the cockpit that resemble that latter vehicle. The two front turrets and the chin gun are immediately reminiscent of the Republic Gunship and the torpedoes on the underside of the vehicle reinforce this comparison even more. This vehicle is neat, but we don’t think it will be the most required purchase for your collection. But since Hasbro releases fewer and fewer movie based vehicles these days, that may be reason enough to pick it up. While the vehicle is difficult to see in Episode III, it appears that Hasbro has replicated its coloring and other details quite well to the multiple stills we have found in various reference materials.

There are some cool interactive play features on the Separatist Droid Gunship so the vehicle offers more to you than you might be aware. The best part is the removable canopy which serves as an escape pod for whatever Battle Droid you decide to pilot this vehicle. The front swings up and displays a very nice console area. It’s a very narrow space, but it’s perfect for a Battle Droid. Three firing projectiles can be found on the left right and front center of the vehicle. The two on the edges pivot and you can fire at pretty much any target you desire thanks to this extra flexibility and articulation. Four torpedoes can be snapped into place on the underside of the vehicle and four “firing buttons” are located on the anterior so you can drop the bombs one by one. It’s a very basic action feature, but it works well and it's a little bit more smooth than the spring loaded projectiles (which go off unexpectedly too easily). You’ll also find other smaller articulated non-firing canons on the front near the chin gun. All of the different details work together seamlessly and we think Hasbro did a fine job of bringing them all together. You may find it interesting however that this vehicle has a date stamp of 2009 on it. Did Hasbro really hold off on this vehicle for that long? If you’re a fan of Episode III, you’ve got yourself another vehicle. It will be very interesting to see how this vehicle fair overall at retail. But Hasbro, please don't say that the Rebel Transport is less engaging than this vehicle.