Tuesday, April 26, 2011

X is for X-wing Starfighter

The Incom T-65 X-wing starfighter was the primary all-purpose starfighter of the Rebel Alliance and its successor governments. The X-wing played a major role in the Galactic Civil War following its capture on Fresia and the defection of its designers to the Alliance. It was most heralded as the fighter that destroyed the Death Star at the hands of Luke Skywalker. [source: wookipedia]


The X-wing was so predominantly flown by Rebel and New Republic forces that it became a symbol of their faction, much like the TIE fighter and Star Destroyer were symbols of the Galactic Empire.


Click on the pictures for a bigger and better view


The Kenner X-Wing Fighter was simply one of the most popular toys during the late '70s / early '80s, a fact which shouldn't be too surprising considering the important role the vehicle held in the most popular film series of that era.


Suffice to say, I didn't get the Kenner X-Wing Fighter when it was first released. Buying toys just wasn't my parents' priority and I can understand that. So it's only when I have my own disposable income that toys became a passion and being able to buy stuff that I couldn't have as a child was a welcome bonus :)


This was the 1995 released version of the original Kenner X-Wing Fighter. It's called the Electronic X-wing Fighter on the box and comes with two "real" movie sounds.


Wings open to "X" position by pushing down on simulated R2-D2 behind cockpit. Second button returns wings to original flight position.

The fighter had space for one pilot, assisted by a droid (such as an R2-series astromech droid unit) in an external socket, which monitored the status of the craft and could make emergency repairs.


Front landing skid locks up in place during flight, and for real excitement, the rear deck button operates laser sound and spacecraft flight noise. The sound for its engines was generated by a passing artillery shell.


Cockpit flips open to seat most STAR WARS 3-3/4" Action Figures but obvious choice would be Luke Skywalker himself.


Check out the picture below of a nice schematic of the T-65 X-wing Starfighter


Other Star Wars vehicles and their riders reviewed earlier:
Darth Maul Sith Speeder - quite the ride
Hasbro 1/6 scale 12-inch scout trooper aka "biker scout"
Star Wars Speeder Bike by Hasbro
Star Wars Speeder Bike with Scout Trooper
Star Wars Legacy Collection Millennium Falcon - the Ultimate Corellian smuggling starship
Training on the Falcon - R2-D2, C-3P0, Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi
All aboard the Millennium Falcon
Imperial All Terrain Armoured Transport (AT-AT) walker

4 comments:

Super-Duper ToyBox said...

Much more realistic that the original Kenner I had, which my brother & I tried to fly out the 2nd story window LOL!

alex teo said...

That must have been GREAT FUN haha I doubt the X-Wing would have survived the flight. The recent X-Wing and other Star Wars vehicles are much more to scale than these were.

Unknown said...

I found one of these in the dump in my town. I scooped it up, took it home, and replaced the batteries. EVERYTHING WORKS!!! All the stickers are there too! My favorite find ever!

alex teo said...

That is such an AWESOME find :) that's really GREAT to hear. Well done!