Vintage Rebel Command Center

The Rebel Command Center was the third in a series of "playsets" used by Sears to help sell new action figures, which at the time were exclusive to the retailer. This time, the exclusive figures were Luke Hoth, AT-AT Commander and R2-D2 with sensorscope. 

The playset itself consisted of the white plastic base previously used for the Hoth Ice Planet playset, which itself had been recycled from the Land of the Jawas toy, as well as a unique cardboard backdrop representing the interior of the Rebels' Echo Base. There's a lever that activates figures for mock battles. 

I was obsessed with getting this because I wanted to complete my vintage Star Wars collection. I saw several of these for auction on ebay and made several attempts to win. I won a set but when I got it, I was very disappointed. Fortunately, one I had bid on came back to me because the winner had apparently dropped out. I win! The second set is much better and very nice looking. It came with the three figures also. Bonus! 

Vintage Land of the Jawas Action Playset

The Land of the Jawas playset came out in 1979. It came with a pretty cool replica of the escape pod in which C-3PO and R2-D2 escaped.  The playset also had a cardboard backdrop representing the Jawa's customized desert tank, the Sandcrawler. 

It has a simulated desert sand dune base with boulders and cave for hiding. 

An action lever allows Jawas to capture R2-D2 or knock over other Star Wars action figures in mock battles. 

There is also a manual elevator that lifts figures into the Sandcrawler. 

I got this playset in 1988. It was given to me by a friend who decided he didn't want his collection anymore. His loss is my gain. Yeah! 

Vintage "Battle Damaged" X-Wing Fighter Vehicle

In 1983, Kenner decide to rerelease one of their most popular Star Wars toys, the X-Wing Fighter vehicle. What they came up with was the  "Battle Damaged" X-Wing. A sheet of "battle damage" decals was included with the toy, so that kids could apply them to their X-Wings and thereby make them look more realistic. 

It's interesting that the decal sheet is dated 1978. As can be seen in this picture, I decided to only use one of the decals because I wanted to be sure that I liked it. Well, I put it on and it looked okay, but I decided to just leave it at one because all of those battle damage decals on the X-Wing would have been just stupid looking. There is no way of removing the decal without destroying the basic decal for the vehicle, so I had to leave it. 

The newer X-Wing also differed from its earlier counterpart in terms of coloration (it was gray rather than white), tinted canopy (as opposed to clear) and black engine well inserts (which had been white on the original toy). 

Apparently, since it was issued in the final year of the Empire Strikes Back run, the toy was initially released in an ESB box. I don't remember seeing it in an ESB box.

I took this instruction sheet and framed it. Since, the instruction sheets have become more valuable, I have decided to take really good care of them. 

Vintage Star Wars Creature Cantina Action Playset

Kenner's Creature Cantina playset is based on the infamous Mos Eisley Cantina, and is chock full of action features. By pushing the floor button, the door swings open and figures can enter. There is an action lever that can knock over a creature. In the rear alcove, players can recreate the scene when Han meets Greedo. With the action lever, Solo can knock Greedo over in mock battle. There's a circular bar surrounded by foot pegs for placement of different action figures. 

 Details like the backdrop and nifty false stone floor made it a reasonable interpretation of the environment presented in the film.  

I do not have childhood memories to share about his toy because I got it as an adult. It was given to me by a friend who decided to get rid of his collection back in 1988. 

The Power of the Force Electronic C-3PO Collector's Case

This case is from the same mold as the case from the 80's but came out in the 90's. The difference is that the case is not painted in the really cool shiny gold. It's another case of Hasbro being really cheap. Instead they made this case electronic. Press the button on 3PO's mouth and hear phrases like "R2-D2 where are you?" and "Oh my!"

I was looking to increase my action figure collection and was looking on ebay when I saw this for bid. It included 43 figures!!! I had to have it. It's mine!!! Ha ha!!!! 

Vintage C-3PO Collector's Case

This is Kenner's successor to their ultra-popular Darth Vader Collector's Case, the C-3PO Collector's Case holds 40 figures and features a vac-metallized surface of gold. The sculpting of the droid's bust and the shiny quality of it made for a pretty impressive-looking item. First released in 1983, the C-3PO Collector's Case actually appeared on store shelves beside it's Darth Vader counterpart for a time. It also co-existed with the Laser Rifle Carry Case.

This was a gift for Krismas in 1983. I was so happy.

I had all of the figures at the time but only the vinyl collector's case. I had to double up the figures for awhile. With the arrival of this case, I could finally give my figures the space they needed. LOL!!

The little compartment for all the weapons and accessories did a great job of holding them in. 

The sticker sheet is looking rather old. Wonder if I should seal it in something?? Hmm. 

I got another case maybe a year or two later at Toys R Us. As I am writing this all of the Toys R Us stores are closing:-( I remember going to my local Toys R Us in the mid 80's and finding this on the shelves and deciding to purchase it. 

Looking at this price tag, I'm hoping I didn't actually pay $15! That's actually higher than the suggested price! The tag also says toy liquidators which means it's supposed to be marked down! What ??? 

The C-3PO is another item I never bothered to open and I am really glad I didn't. It looks great all together and sealed. It looks especially great on display. 

The Empire Strikes Back Vintage Metal/Tin Boxes

The metal boxes are pretty cool. This is another case of not knowing where I got one of them.

This particular box has been in m collection since the 80's. I have know idea how I got it. I most likely got it because it was really inexpensive, and being a kid with very little income I bought whatever was in my price range.  Why, I chose to get the Probe Droid is beyond me. Maybe it was the only one available at the time. I also collected lots a small Star Wars bits and bobs and would use this to store them.
The other boxes I purchased in 2018 on ebay. They were a really good deal.

1997 Taco Bell Star Wars Toys

When the Star Wars Special Editions hit theaters in 1997, I was so excited to see them on the big screen again. Being a diehard fan, my excitement ran so deep. After years of barely anything associated with Star Wars in stores or cinemas, there was a firm guarantee of several years' worth of all-new Star Wars madness filled with movies and collectibles and magazine covers.  Taco Bell got into the Star Wars merchandizing, and fans could go and get cool Star Wars toys in even cooler boxes.  The draw for me at that time to go to Taco Bell...a lot, was the kids' meals! Packed with tacos and a toy, there was a different box for each movie. Each box has pop-off pieces that could be used to create cardboard action scenes. I, of course, chose not damage the boxes and keep them in perfect condition. These Star Wars toys were made by Applause. There are eight toys in all. 

A hollow R2-D2 figure with a smaller Princess Leia figure inside. It also included a lenticular image of hologram Leia. 

A balancing Boba Fett on a base that looks a lot like the Sarlacc Pit. 

A spinning Death Star that lights up. Unfortunately, mine does not light up any more:-(

A floating Cloud City. 

A really cool puzzle box. 

This illusion box. 

A spinning Millennium Falcon. 

For the little ones that can't have very small thing, there is this Yoda. 

All of these toys are really cool! It wouldn't have mattered if half of them sucked, I would have gotten all of them anyway. 

Power of the Force 2 Crowd Control Stormtrooper

I decided to buy a working Troop Transporter and the seller included this figure with it. The Crowd Control Stormtrooper is similar to the carded Stormtrooper figure, only with more weathered armor and a wider stance. This is one of the first Expanded Universe figures in the POTF2 line, since the jet-pack and capture claw were never seen on film.

This figure was part of the Deluxe line from The Power of the Force 2  back in 1996. 

Marvel Star Wars Comic Issue #2

This is part two of the six-part adaptation of Star Wars released in 1977, titled "Six Against the Galaxy."  The story in part 2 follows the plot of the movie. On the cover, the first and last two letters of the Star Wars logo are attached.