It seems a sign that says “No Photography” is more of a suggestion. Bandai is showing off their full range of Star Wars models kits at an overseas show and wouldn’t you know it, someone snapped some pics of the yet-to-be-announced Battle Droid with STAP 1:12 scale model. Plus, a good pic of the Clone Trooper, finally.
Bandai has released an impressive amount of action figure model kits. And I say impressive because a few years ago when it was first announced a lot of people thought it wouldn’t last. It’s a model, it’s a toy, it’s an action figure? Pshaw. But turns out, they are awesome and fun.
The vehicles models are more traditional, more of what you think when you think model, and Bandai has been knocking them out of the park. I personally don’t build them (yet) but everyone I know who does loves them. And I’ll admit, they are tempting.
The main display shows all the released models. So much awesome Star Wars goodness.
There is a display dedicated to painting and weathering your models. It’s kinda weird seeing this, only because when I see toys in a case at a convention there’s usually not instructions on how to customize them. But then I remember, these aren’t just action figures, these are models. Models are meant to be painted, even if Bandai does a pretty good job of molding the pieces in their base colors. But Sandtrooper, Boba Fett, and droids need weathering, something that can’t be achieved with the base plastic or decals.
What is really awesome about this display is that they show customized astromechs. Not just weathering or painting to match the character, but straight up customizing into different units.
I wish there were closer pics, they all look great. This is the exact reason I bought an extra R2-D2/R5-D4 set, and was good with another R2 coming with BB-8. Real life is the reason they are still in their boxes though. I need about 4 months of rainy days to catch up on all of my planned custom projects.
The Clone Trooper was finally added to the official Bandai model page but still no official pics. All we know is it drops in June and before the show the only pics we had was this one…
We got the basic idea, but we wanted details! Now we have a closer look.
The ribbed undersuit is fantastic, as well as the armor detail we’ve come to expect from the model kits. Each piece is separate, you’re going to get those crisp lines and sharp details you want in armor. It comes with a macrobinocular attachment and a standard blaster. Best of all, the inclusion of both Phase 1 and Phase 2 helmets. This means I have to buy twice as many! The Phase 2 helmet looks slightly off in the eye lens area, but that may just be the angle.
Another new kit is the TIE Interceptor.
It’s perched along with the upcoming A-Wing/Turret kit, and these are the two that just may be my gateway to the vehicles, as much as I’ve been trying to avoid it because of time, money, and space.
But wait, what are those legs in the top of the pic? I say, as if nobody knows.
Battle Droids, baby! It was almost a foregone conclusion that we’d see them after the Clone Trooper was revealed. And it’s not just a Battle Droid, it comes with a STAP vehicle too. Even better! The Battle Droid is kinda thin, doesn’t take a lot of plastic, so adding in an extra makes the kit worth it. I can see the price being higher because of it though, like the Biker Scout with Speeder Bike. Another option would have been to include two Battle Droids, which in a way would be preferable, but I like the STAP too. It’s something we don’t have in 6-inch scale and it’s just damn cool.
It looks like the Battle Droid can fold down into it’s transport position, a neat feature we saw with the S.H. Figuarts version. But here it also looks like the neck is compatible with the model C-3PO‘s head. Even better! Some people have speculated that there is a two pack with 3-PO and Battle Droid, but it’s still the shiny gold and there is only one placard on that level, probably for the Droid/STAP combo. I’m guessing it’s just there to show the feature.
I.Can’t.Wait.
Pics via Facebook, exact source unknown