SANDTROOPER Star Wars
30th Anniversary Collection Tin Collection
Item No.: Asst. 87154 No. 87203
Number: #09
Includes: Blaster, helmet, grenade, pauldron, backpack, 3 additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: Fall 2006
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Across the vastness of Imperial space are an endless variety of envirnments. Specialized stormtrooper battalions are trained and equipped to handle any condition, from the deep of space to the driest desert. (Taken from the figure's internal cardback.)

Image: Standing in an early mock-up of the Elite Forces of the Republic packaging.

Commentary: This was one of those unique "firsts"-- the first-ever Sandtrooper with a removable helmet, the first Sandtrooper that could be easily converted into a Stormtrooper without resorting to paint remover, and the first Sandtrooper to be totally clean. Hasbro even retooled the arms and shoulders a little to be slightly more mobile, making this a distinct improvement (in some respects) over the previously released "best" trooper from 2004. As an addition to your growing armies, this is a great figure-- you can change out parts and customize it a little, and it functions well as an all-purpose trooper from the original movie. The sculpt is good, but not a perfect Sandtrooper, and it's just as good as most other Stormtroopers and Sandtroopers since 2004-- plus you can actually see his hair under the helmet. This figure does not use the same body as the basic 2007 Stormtrooper or Sandtrooper, despite similarities, there has been some retooling done which keeps them unique.

Collector's Notes: Currently the only figure from the A New Hope tin that's never shown up elsewhere, this Sandtrooper is a heck of a nice figure that should hopefully see a return to the stores in an individually carded format. It's not worth paying a large amount of money to build an army of this figure, but it's certainly worth snagging one or two for your growing Imperial Forces.

Day 568: November 25, 2007