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'06 | #XX Luke Skywalker - X-Wing Pilot (Reviewed 04-24-2006) 

Includes:
• Removable Helmet
• Blaster Pistol
• Lightsaber
• Lightsaber Handle 

Click thumbnail for large image Spice: It's been a long time coming, and finally our patience has paid off. I can remember the Luke Skywalker vintage figure being one of my least favorite figures. This was mainly because of the horrible facial sculpt. Even for the time and technology quite horrible. We've endured quite a few renditions since then. Throughout the years they have gotten a little bit better. The most recent and arguably the best until VTSC was the OTC version, but they botched the helmet horribly. However if you seek the George Lucas Stormtrooper mail-away this figure is most definitely a must, as the redemption form is only included for those of you still sleeping one off in the Cantina.

Click thumbnail for large image The first thing I did was check out the teeth, and I was very pleased to see there were no buck teeth! Even though they got that right on the last one, the Power of the Jedi version is stained in my memory. Even though the ball and socket was used, once again it works well. The chestbox is very detailed, even down to the grooves in the white vest. They did a much better job with overall physique vs. the first Vintage style Luke which seemed a little puny, if you put them next to each other. The arms are what I could only dream for all of the action figures. It is very similar to the G.I. Joe, I really love how everything moves. Absolutely 100% perfect. You can bend anything wherever, even with the leg safety harness.

Click thumbnail for large image It's all there in the paintjob as well. The warning flares, even the standard Rebel interplanetary map is painted in on the left forearm! The lightsaber handle is another noted, greatly appreciated extra. It's a shame they didn't get the handle correct, but we'll give them the old "it's thought that counts" and they did throw in the blaster. It was great to see the helmet fit so wonderfully vs. the OTC version that was just a tad off and didn't have the chin-strap, helmet detail or fit the face as well as this one does. I almost had to do a double take on the package to make sure Hasbro made it. The moveable torso, and everything else we've come to love in the vintage style figures. It is only a wonder they don't scrap the basic line and give us these. They didn't miss a trick; the only thing they missed is the lights in the chestbox.

Spice - It only took nearly three decades but I think finally we have it! Does this mean we'll never see another Luke X-Wing Pilot release? Probably not. However I would recommend picking this one up not only because it's the greatest version released to date, but scalping jag-bags will most likely target this one for the mail-away redemption form. I could go on all day about this one. Perhaps the best this year.

(Figure '06 | #0XX, Asst. No. 87060, Item No. 87129, Backing Card P/N 6542390100, Window Insert P/N 6542400100) 

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