Imperial Troop transport

[spoons]

Inspired by Grant I bought myself a random copy of SW weekly and was surprised to see the Imperial Troop Transport on the cover - Issue 78 august 22 1979

It may have appeared in earlier issues but from the pictures I'd guess it was based on the toy and maybe placed to help sales. The transport was also released in 1979 and the first ship sold that wasn't seen in a SW. It came with comic and was described as a 'hover vehicle'

Having owned a second hand one of these as a kid I'd never have guessed it was meant to hover or that someone sat on the top - the radar dish is used as a back rest in the B&W pics. Its good to see that the back door is shown too - I always put Power Droid in the back, seemed like he belonged

Anyway just thought I'd share

Andy

 

[db94]

I only had 2 copies (few more now) of SW weekly from my childhood and one was issue 78 - well all I had was the cover but I liked it so much I framed it and stuck it up on the wall and it was largely due to it that I wanted a TT so badly

Great looking pictures inside the actual comic - a definite addition to my want list!

 

[Captainsolo1978]

Wow it even has Guardians of the Galaxy as a supporting strip!

 

[spoons]

It looks great framed db 8)

I did a bit of research and earlier issues feature it too - something to look out for

Wow it even has Guardians of the Galaxy as a supporting strip!

A bit of a coincidence - never new much about guardians before the film came out

 

[benny100]

I've got the troop transport and the mini comic that comes with it, anyone know if it is taken from that issue?

 

[spoons]

I don't think it is but don't have the mini comic to check - any sandcrawlers in the mini comic?

 

[Richard_H]

That's a great spot Spoons what an awesome cover. I'd love to see some of these vehicles and mini-rigs in the new movies.

 

[Simply Sci-fi]

I didn't own the Imperial Troop Transporter as a child but picked it up second hand as a collector in the eighties. A double page advert in an American Batman comic was my first introduction to it as a toy – I don't remember seeing it for sale in the shops.

U.K fans weren't initially aware that the Imperial Troop Transporter in the comic was based on a toy as it wasn't released until 1980. I don't believe that Palitoy issued the free comic. It wasn't anything to do with the Marvel comic and was its own separate story.

The Imperial Troop Transporter appeared in issue 153 of ESB Monthly in the story "Dark Lord's Devilry." The terrific opening page leads to a pretty lacklustre story though.

Craig

 

[spoons]

Nice pics Craig - I take it the comic was monthly by then. 40p from 12p is some hike :shock:

 

[naughtyjedi]

Poor old leia, being put into the immobilisation harness. More than a little creepy. Didn't it state they were for brainwashing...

 

[Pomse2001]

Wow, cool that the troop transport can be found in vintage comics

Maybe some of the mini rigs is also in the comics ?

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

Awesome thread guys! Love the Guardians of the Galaxy supporting strip!