Vintage MTV-7 (Multi-Terrain Vehicle)

I want my MTV-7!!!! Released in 1981, the MTV-7 was one of the first three mini-rigs to hit store shelves. Unfortunately, I don't have the box or anything else that may have been included in the box since this was given to me as is. Hey, I got it for free so I'm not complaining. The MTV-7 is in my collection and I am happy for it. 

Vintage Desert Sail Skiff Vehicle

Released in 1984, the Desert Sail Skiff was part of the second wave of Return of the Jedi mini-rigs. Since it wasn't on the market for too long, it's a bit tougher to find than some of the older mini-rigs, which remained on store shelves for several years.  The mini-rigs were a Kenner collectible that I was able to purchase on an allowance. Since I only got $5 a week for doing chores, buying Star Wars collectibles was difficult. These relatively inexpensive vehicles allowed me to get ships at a price range I could afford. Yeah! This mini-rig is cool because it is like a smaller version of the large sand skiff. It is also amusing that Boba Fett is the one piloting a skiff to send Luke in the pit, when it should be Han going to the pit. LOL!!!

Vintage Endor Forest Ranger Vehicle

The Endor Forest Ranger is one of the mini-rigs. It was in stores in 1984. At this time in my collecting I decided to keep everything in the box. As can be seen in the picture I even kept the post card which is a survey that poses questions like "How many Star Wars figures does your child own?" and "Would you recommend this toy to your friends for their children?" It's interesting that back in the day Kenner didn't even consider that maybe there were adult collectors. All of the questions on the survey are directed to parents. I really like the mini catalogue that was included with every boxed Star Wars toy. I always enjoyed looking through the books and seeing all of the toys I wish I could have. What's really cool is I have 99% of the toys shown in the catalogue! Yes!!!!

Vintage The Jabba The Hutt Dungeon Action Playset

Available only at Sears during the Christmas seasons of 1983 and 1984, The Jabba The Hutt Dungeon Action Playset is a re-worked version of Kenner's Droid Factory of 1979. However, the plastic base of the Jabba's Dungeon set differed from its earlier counterpart in both color and minor detailing. Its crane element also included two hooks whereas the Droid Factory's boasted only one. This is a collectible I purchased in the late 2010's. I was at a point in my collecting that I wanted to get more vintage items that were not in my collection. I figured since I have the money I may as well get some of the more expensive items. The dungeon was not cheap but I still got it for under $100. I was able to get everything seen in the photo for a very good price. The Dungeon is not a very good playset because it really does not have much going for. The only real reason to get this set is for the three action figures. 

Vintage Imperial Attack Base

The Imperial Attack Base Playset is a simple yet effective toy, which provided kids with a suitable environment in which to act out Hoth snow battles. It incorporates several rather tame action features, including a combination bunker-ice bridge, which collapsed when a trigger was activated. While this is a very cool playset it doesn't make sense because the Empire does not have a base on Hoth, the Rebels do. So, shouldn't it be called the Rebel Attack Base? Whatever, the playset is something I got for Krismas in 1981 and it's been in my collection ever since. 

Vintage Star Wars Droid Factory

The Droid Factory is a very cool playset. It came with a lot of parts, as well as "blueprints," which allowed kids to build a series of different-looking droids. By far, the coolest of these droids was the three-legged version of R2-D2.Due to its large number of parts, the playset is tough to find in a loose, complete state. The orange tube, metal rods and many white rubber pegs are among the parts most frequently missing. This is another collectible that was given to me by my friend in the late 80's in exchange for a Batman comic book. I definitely got the best end of the deal. I have never actually played with this set and never bothered to try and build a droid. I was an adult at the time of receiving this and had no interest in building except for the R2-D2 because he has the middle leg which was not a part of a carded action figure until the late 90's. I was so stoked to have an R2-D2 with a middle leg.  Yeah!

Vintage Tie Interceptor Vehicle

The fourth and final TIE Fighter toy produced by Kenner. The wings were huge and pointy and menacing looking. The body portion was identical in form to those of the original TIE, Darth Vader's TIE, and "Battle Damaged" TIE. I totally missed getting this during it's run in the stores and was really bummed out that I didn't have it. Fortunately, in the early 2010's my friend decided to sell off his Star Wars collection and I immediately bought this one. There was no way I was gonna miss out on this one again!

Vintage Imperial Tie Fighter Pilot Figure

I've decided to show the multiple versions of figures that I have. Just like the Cloud Car Pilot it seems a better idea than show each of them individually. The figure on the right is my original from the 80's while the other two I procured later in my collecting. Kenner took a few years before creating this figure so when I wanted a pilot for my Tie Fighter I had to use a Stormtrooper. I was so happy when the Tie Fighter Pilot was finally available. Yay!

Vintage Cloud Car Pilot Figure

This figure was originally package as (Twin Pod) Cloud Car Pilot on The Empire Strikes Back 45 back card. The figure had its name shortened to Cloud Car Pilot on the The Empire Strikes Back 48 back card and on every card back after. Not much to write about this figure. I'm sure I played with it a few times back in the day. The complete figure is my original from the 80's the other two figures I got recently.

Vintage Twin Pod Cloud Car Vehicle

The Twin Pod Cloud Car was really a low price point vehicle, sort of like the ESB version of the Land Speeder. It had no electronic features, and wasn't too large. The Cloud Car inhabited store shelves for most of the ESB era. In 1980, Kenner offered their larger retailers a "Special Offer" version of the toy, which came packaged with a free Bespin Security Guard figure and featured a yellow sticker on its box. Like most of these "Special Offer" toys, it is exceedingly rare. Surprisingly enough, regular versions of the Cloud Car aren't so easy to find in unused condition. Loose, however, they're quite common. This is another item that was given to me by the friend who decided to get rid of all of his collection. I got it from him in 1988, so I was too old to play with the Cloud Car but it is a good piece to have on display.