SWTOTW, Week 16, 2020 Rebel Commander

[Pomse2001]

Rebel Commander:

Rebel Commander.jpg (54.58 KiB) Viewed 1000 times

[Snaketibe]

Good old Cliff from Cheers! As Major Bren Derlin in 'The Empire Strikes Back', actor John Ratzenberger had some lines, but when it came to his figure, although Kenner clearly intended it to be of him with his distinctive moustache (although they still got his uniform wrong), some genius responsible for the cardback photo cropped the character out of the image on all the cardbacks up until the Tri-logo, when matters were finally rectified and the character got restored!... Poor Cliff Clavin! He never could get a break . It also explains the childhood mystery I had of why the figure had facial hair, yet the image on the cardback did not.

This figure has the curious distinction of being the first one that could only turn his head in one direction (Bib Fortuna and Weequay being the others, since Luke Hoth's scarf was sculpted in a more play-friendly 'windswept' position ). His scarf looks a little strange, and I remember as a child thinking it was a bit odd that they should make a figure that couldn't turn his head both ways. However this is still a solid figure, and until Kenner finally released a Luke Hoth in a later wave, it was either the trusty Rebel Commander or the Rebel Soldier that you would have to shove in the back of your tauntaun if you wanted to pretend it was Luke... unless you wanted it to look completely ridiculous by putting Greedo in there!

There are some interesting variants with this figure, the most famous of which is the black (actually a very dark brown) boots PBP one with the melt marks on his backside (Ouch! Remind me never to sit on the iron! ), however his boots can be found in a range of different shades of brown, as can his moustache, which can also be thinner or thicker. Perhaps most interesting of all though is that whilst most figures in the line actually have multiple different sculpts available (most of which are extremely similar), with the good Commander, a very obvious difference can be found at the base of his tunic below the belt, where at least one variant has a more lobster-tailed look, with three prominent vertical lines being present there instead of the more usual one.

Another interesting, but rather less welcome fact is that the Rebel Commander's gun can leech its colour into the white plastic of the figure's hand if left in position for long enough (as can the original dark green blasters if left in unpainted hands like Boba Fett's). Therefore, when I finally discovered this grim news, I wrapped the part of the gun in contact with the figure's hands in a strip of transparent plastic in an effort to prevent the colour transfer.

Anyway, here are my five:

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Clavin 02.jpg (98.98 KiB) Viewed 990 times

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Clavin 04.jpg (85.73 KiB) Viewed 990 times

Clavin 05.jpg (113.38 KiB) Viewed 990 times

Clavin 06.jpg (85.24 KiB) Viewed 990 times

Clavin 07.jpg (82.95 KiB) Viewed 990 times

Clavin 08.jpg (61.38 KiB) Viewed 990 times

[TheJabbaWookie]

In 2006 I thought I’d completed my loose run minus the last 17. In 2017 when I started collecting again imagine my surprise when I realised I was missing the Rebel Commander. Or perhaps it isn’t such a surprise to have missed him out after all

I only have the one but I wouldn’t mind a dark Boots Spanish variant

[Snaketibe]

In 2006 I thought I’d completed my loose run minus the last 17. In 2017 when I started collecting again imagine my surprise when I realised I was missing the Rebel Commander. Or perhaps it isn’t such a surprise to have missed him out after all

I only have the one but I wouldn’t mind a dark Boots Spanish variant

What a lovely mint example. Thanks for sharing

[Mini99]

Here is one and only example.

[Cazza]

Nice examples, fellas!

[Ruby2511]

Here's mine

20200421_111956.jpg (108.55 KiB) Viewed 933 times

[Snaketibe]

Here is one and only example.

A lovely MOC, Nick! Thanks for sharing it

[Snaketibe]

Here's mine

20200421_111956.jpg

There are some terrific mint examples being posted, and yours is another one, Russ. Thanks for sharing

[Alisdairmac]

A special offer rebel commander

[Ruby2511]

A special offer rebel commander

Very nice

[Ruby2511]

Here's mine

20200421_111956.jpg

There are some terrific mint examples being posted, and yours is another one, Russ. Thanks for sharing

Cheers Dude

[Alisdairmac]

Is my picture upside down. I can't seem to turn it round whatever I do??

[Snaketibe]

Is my picture upside down. I can't seem to turn it round whatever I do??

It's the right way up for me. Also, it's a very nice piece! Thanks for sharing

[theforceuk]

My 41E, nice examples everyone.

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