Star Wars fans who grew up in the’70s and ’80s have noticed quite a few toyetic nods within The Mandalorian on Disney+.
During the original Star Wars craze, the Kenner toy line that ran from 1978-1985 was known for including some weapons and vehicles that were never seen on screen; instead, they had been specifically developed as playable toys (ya know, before everything was a “collectible”) that kids could use to extend the adventure at home. The Kenner team in Cincinnati developed a bunch of toys that became legendary, and one of the most-popular toys that never appeared in the original trilogy was the Star Wars Imperial Troop Transporter.
The original toy included sound features and was a cool way for kids to, well, transport their Stormtroopers during and between the countless battles between the Empire and the Rebellion. It wasn’t until Star Wars Rebels that the toy became part of the official canon, brought to the screen in animated form and back into toy aisles thanks to a simplified version by Hasbro.
During the season-ending cliffhanger of The Mandalorian, fans finally got to see the vehicle in live action, presented in a gritty, real-world form as it delivered a group of Stormtroopers to Moff Gideon.
Now, ahead of Toy Fair New York, Hasbro has introduced the most-detailed version of the vehicle yet as a new addition to its 3.75-inch-scale Star Wars: The Vintage Collection lineup. The updated transport includes a removable roof, opening doors, fold-down seating, a swiveling turret, and blaster storage.
While they’re not out yet, we know that a range of 3.75-inch action figures, including The Mandalorian, Cara Dune, and a Remnant Stormtrooper, is on the way. A 3.75-inch-scale AT-ST Raider vehicle with a Klatooinian Warrior action figure was released last fall as a Best Buy exclusive. More figures are expected to be revealed at Toy Fair later this month.
The Vintage Collection Imperial Troop Transport can be preordered now from Entertainment Earth, Amazon, and other retailers.
Photos: Hasbro
