RA-7 Sandcrawler Droid
Original Trilogy Collection Sandcrawler Pack-in, Saga Legends
Item No.: No. 26795
Number: n/a
Includes: n/a
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $59.99
Availability: Late 2004
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: The timid and greedy Jawas make a sparse living by scavenging scrap metal and lost droids on the planet Tatooine. They travel the desert landscape in huge sandcrawlers that are both their homes and bases of operations. One day, they capture C-3PO and R2-D2, who have come to the planet to give Obi-Wan Kenobi an important message from the Rebel leader Princess Leia. Eventually, they sell the two droids to Owen Lars, whose nephew, Luke Skywalker, discovers the hidden message in R2-D2 and becomes embroiled in the fate of the galaxy. (Taken from the figure's Sandcrawler packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Sandcrawler (interior).

Commentary: A repaint of an older figure, RA-7 was one of the reasons to buy the Sandcrawler when Diamond got it as an exclusive in 2004. The other being, of course, the Sandcrawler. With only six points of articulation, it's pretty obvious that we're dealing with an older sculpt here, specifically, the 1998 Death Star Droid action figure. Painted simply and with faux dirt, the resulting figure looks incredible and fits right in with your other desert planet droids. His hands can't hold anything, but he has no problems sitting or being posed. As such, he's a decent toy, and a decent collectible. Were the figure released today I have no doubt the articulation would be on par with CZ-4, but this is a good-- but certainly not great-- figure. The sculpt is most certainly adequate, and it's a worthy addition to your robot army, it's just not going to wow you. Especially not in 2007.

Collector's Notes: The original release of this figure came with the Sandcrawler vehicle and two Jawas. The second release came out just days ago as part of the new wave of Saga Legends, and is essentially the same figure but carded and with an Episode IV collector coin-- although you may notice different levels of gold deco from figure to figure. ( MORE IMAGES COMING SOON )

Day 544: November 1, 2007