The Padawan Collector

I collect vintage action figures

[thepadawancollector]

Today in Star Wars History… The Best Game, EVER. 

On July 18, 1994, TIE Fighter: The Official Strategy Guide was released, giving Rebel and Imperial pilots alike the inside track on one of the greatest Star Wars video games ever made.

Released just days after the groundbreaking TIE Fighter PC game, the strategy guide featured detailed mission walkthroughs, tactical advice, ship statistics, and behind-the-scenes lore that helped players master the Emperor's elite starfighters. For many fans in the 1990s, this book was almost as essential as having a joystick.

What made TIE Fighter so special was that it flipped the script. Instead of fighting against the Empire, players experienced the Star Wars galaxy from the Imperial perspective as a loyal pilot serving Emperor Palpatine. It was one of the first Star Wars stories to explore life inside the Empire in such depth, years before novels, comics, and series like Andor expanded that point of view.

Collector's Fact

Original first-print copies of TIE Fighter: The Official Strategy Guide remain a fun collectible for Star Wars gaming enthusiasts. Finding one in excellent condition—especially with a clean spine and crisp pages—is becoming increasingly difficult as many copies were heavily used by players trying to earn the coveted Emperor's Secret Order assignments. And with more people grading video games in high condition, its becoming harder to find ones in great shape.

For many fans, this guide is a nostalgic reminder of the golden age of LucasArts PC gaming—a time when thick manuals, strategy guides, and immersive storytelling were all part of the Star Wars experience.

Please tell me you’ve played this game?

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Today in History… Disneyland Opens. 

On July 17,1955 - Disneyland opened its gates—and forever changed the way we experience storytelling.

Even though George Lucas and Walt Disney never met, their visions couldn’t be more alike… Both were world builders. Both created their own studios—places where imagination had no limits. And both didn’t just make movies… They built entire universes you could step into.

Walt gave us Disneyland—a physical world of fantasy and adventure. George gave us Star Wars—a galaxy that lives in our imagination… and on our shelves.

George Lucas has openly credited Disneyland as an influence on immersive storytelling and themed environments.

The concept of Star Tours (1987) made Star Wars one of the first film franchises to become a fully realized theme park experience.

Skywalker Ranch was Lucas’s own “creative kingdom”—just like Disney’s studio lot in Burbank.

From Main Street U.S.A. to Tatooine… It all starts with one idea: build a world people never want to leave.

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Released in 1979, the Darth Vader TIE Fighter reused Kenner's original TIE Fighter molds, cast in a darker grey plastic. Its unique wings were specially designed for this toy.

FEATURED ITEM: 1979 Darth Vader TIE Fighter - Mint In Box

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Despite appearing only in the original Star Wars, it was re-released in 1984 as part of Kenner's "Collector Series," featuring similar packaging with a red-and-yellow starburst. A rare 1979–1980 version included a "Special Offer" backdrop, identifiable by yellow stickers on the box. In the late '90s, Hasbro released an updated version with a newly-tooled body, distinct from the vintage original.

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[thepadawancollector]

On the Mexican Lili Ledy figures she comes with either a blue or grey Leia Blaster.

FEATURED ITEM: 1984 Kenner Canada Princess Leia Organa (In Combat Poncho) - 77 A-Back - AFA Graded 75+

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Princess Leia Organa (In Combat Poncho) was released in 1984 on the 77A Kenner cardbacks in the USA and comes with the Blue/Gray Endor Blaster, a removable helmet, a soft goods camo poncho, and a 2-notch black belt. She would also get a re-release in 1985 on the Power of the Force cardbacks.  She was also available in a Speeder Bike pack in the UK.   On a personal note, this was the last figure my mother bought me before she passed away. 

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[thepadawancollector]

Today in Star Wars History… The End of the Beginning. 

On July 16, 1976, principal photography wrapped on Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.

After months of filming in Tunisia, England, and Guatemala, George Lucas had captured the footage that would eventually become one of the most influential films in cinematic history. At the time, almost no one outside the production believed the movie would become a success. The crew nicknamed it "George's Folly," and the production battled extreme heat in Tunisia, mechanical failures, budget overruns, and constant schedule delays. Thankfully, the adventure was far from over.

The magic truly came together during post-production, where groundbreaking visual effects from Industrial Light & Magic, unforgettable music by John Williams, Ben Burtt's revolutionary sound design, and brilliant editing by Marcia Lucas, Richard Chew, and Paul Hirsch transformed the raw footage into movie history.

⭐ The final shot filmed is widely believed to have been one of the Rebel base scenes at Massassi Outpost on Yavin 4, although several pickup shots would still be filmed later during post-production.

⭐ ILM still had to create more than 360 visual effects shots—an almost impossible task for the time.

⭐ George Lucas was so exhausted after production that he took a vacation in Hawaii with Steven Spielberg, where the two famously came up with the idea for Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Vintage Collector Facts: Because filming had just wrapped, Kenner hadn't even produced its first Star Wars action figures yet. Kids would have to wait until Christmas 1977 for the famous Early Bird Certificate Package before receiving the original Kenner figures in early 1978. It's amazing to think that when cameras stopped rolling, one of the greatest toy lines in history didn't even exist.

Sometimes, the end of filming is only the beginning of a legend.

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Today in Star Wars History… Saw is Born. 

Happy Birthday to Forest Whitaker, born on July 15, 1961!

Star Wars fans know him as Saw Gerrera, one of the Rebellion's most battle-hardened and morally complex freedom fighters. Although Saw first appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, it was Forest Whitaker who brought the aging rebel leader to life in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, delivering one of the franchise's most memorable performances.

Whitaker didn't stop there. He also reprised the role in Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Andor, making Saw Gerrera one of the few Star Wars characters portrayed by the same actor across live-action, animation, and video games.

⭐ Star Wars Fact: Saw Gerrera is named after Gerrera, Spain, a subtle nod by George Lucas and the creative team to real-world resistance movements that inspired the Rebel Alliance.

🎁 Collector's Fact: Saw Gerrera received surprisingly few action figures considering his popularity. His first modern figure arrived in Hasbro's Rogue One line in 2016, while collectors continue to hope for more premium releases, including an updated Vintage Collection figure based on his appearance in Andor.

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[thepadawancollector]

These toys are harder to find due to the quick cancellation of the Power of the Force line, leading to limited production.

FEATURED ITEM: 1985 Sand Skimmer - Mint On Card

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The Sand Skimmer was released in 1985 for the Power of the Force line of toys by Kenner. Kenner's "Single Body Transport Vehicles" ("Body Rigs") were among the smallest Star Wars toys, even compared to mini-rigs. The three models—One-Man Sand Skimmer, Imperial Sniper, and Security Scout—featured minimal plastic construction, serving as simple seats or platforms for action figures. Despite their small size, they maintained strong Star Wars aesthetics and avoided the awkward designs of some mini-rigs.

Released on blister cards in the U.S., most surviving examples have yellowed bubbles. Collectors seeking pristine packaging can look for the European tri-logo boxed versions.

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[thepadawancollector]

Loose Scout Walkers are relatively common, but sealed or Q boxed versions, especially the original ESB and first ROTJ releases, are rare.

FEATURED ITEM: 1982 Scout Walker - Mint In Box with Unused Content

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Released in 1982, the Scout Walker, or AT-ST, appeared briefly in The Empire Strikes Back, yet Kenner created a toy of it. The toy featured a button at the back of the "head" to move the legs sporadically or keep them still for standing.

Its prominence in Return of the Jedi—patrolling Endor's forests and even taking out an Ewok—boosted its popularity. In 1983, the toy was re-released in an updated ROTJ package, with a second release featuring Endor-themed artwork.

The beast plate, “head” mounted laser gun, and fuselage cover and door are often found missing, and applied stickers have come off through the years, making a complete version hard to find these days. In 1995, Hasbro reissued it with a more detailed, realistic deco.

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[thepadawancollector]

Today in Star Wars History… L3-37 is Born. 

Happy Birthday to Phoebe Waller-Bridge, born on July 14, 1985!

While many fans know her as the Emmy-winning creator and star of Fleabag, Star Wars fans will always remember her as the voice and performance capture actor behind L3-37, the fiercely independent droid from Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018).

L3-37 quickly became one of the franchise's most memorable droids, known for her sharp wit, fearless personality, and unwavering belief in droid rights. During the Kessel Run, L3's navigation system was integrated into the Millennium Falcon after her destruction, helping explain why Han Solo's ship always seemed to have a "mind of its own." It's a fascinating piece of Star Wars lore that forever connected L3 to the Falcon's legendary legacy.

Collector Fact:

L3-37 was featured in Hasbro's 3.75-inch Vintage Collection and The Black Series 6-inch action figure lines following the release of Solo. Despite the film's mixed box office performance, both figures have become favorites among collectors looking to complete their Solo display, especially as appreciation for the movie has continued to grow over the years.

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Hasbro reused Kenner’s vintage Y-Wing tooling for a 2000 version, distinguishable by its different deco.

FEATURED ITEM: 1983 Kenner Y-Wing - Loose & Complete

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The Y-Wing fighter, seen in the first Star Wars film, wasn’t released until 1983 in the Return of the Jedi line. Large and detailed, it featured electronic effects, a rotating twin-barrel cannon, a two-piece bomb, and an R2-D2 socket. Always popular, the Y-Wing is now hard to find unused, with loose versions often missing parts like the bomb and four tail struts.

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[thepadawancollector]

Hasbro reused the original 1981 tooling in the late '90s, adding an advanced deco scheme and a silver Han figure, setting it apart from the vintage version.

FEATURED ITEM: 1981 Slave I - Mint in Box with Inserts

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Kenner’s 1981 Slave I toy, belonging to the iconic Boba Fett, was a standout despite lacking electronic components. It included several features such as free-moving wings that locked to the horizon with a trigger, moveable cargo ramp, movable cockpit seat, removable side panel, canons, with the carbonite-encased Han Solo figure being a fan favorite, considered by many as part of the standard action figure line. Collectors should make sure the cockpit shield is not broken and has all its fragile fasteners in tact.

It remained available through 1983. A "Special Offer" version, issued in 1981 and 1982, included a display backdrop and a yellow stickered box.

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[thepadawancollector]

Today in Star Wars History… Han Is Born

Happy Birthday to the legendary Harrison Ford, born on July 13, 1942.

Before he became the galaxy's favorite smuggler, Ford was working as a carpenter in Hollywood. While doing carpentry work for George Lucas, he was asked to read lines with actors auditioning for Star Wars. His performance was so natural that Lucas ultimately cast him as Han Solo—a role that would change movie history forever.

Han Solo almost wasn't part of the original plan. George Lucas initially wanted to avoid casting actors from American Graffiti, but Ford's charisma, wit, and effortless confidence proved impossible to ignore.

Ford would go on to portray Han Solo in Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens, and The Rise of Skywalker, helping define one of cinema's greatest heroes.

Collector's Fact

The very first 1978 Kenner Han Solo action figure remains one of the most recognizable figures in the original line. While common loose examples are affordable, high-grade carded examples—especially the coveted 12 Back-A release—have sold for well into the five figures, with the finest examples reaching six figures at major auctions.

One of Harrison Ford's most famous improvisations also became one of Star Wars' most iconic moments. During The Empire Strikes Back, when Leia tells Han, "I love you," the script originally had Han replying, "I love you too." Ford suggested something more authentic to the character. The result?

"I know."

A line that became one of the greatest in movie history.

Happy Birthday, Harrison Ford—and thank you for giving us the rogue with the biggest heart in the galaxy.

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Today in Star Wars History… Why Star Wars Sounds That Way.

Today we celebrate the birthday of Ben Burtt, the legendary sound designer whose work helped define the Star Wars galaxy.

When George Lucas was creating Star Wars, he wanted the universe to sound unlike anything audiences had ever heard before. Enter Ben Burtt. He created some of the most iconic sounds in movie history, including the hum of the lightsaber, the beeps and whistles of R2-D2, Darth Vader's breathing, TIE Fighter engines, blaster fire, and countless other sound effects that became part of pop culture.

Burtt famously created the lightsaber sound by combining the hum of an old film projector with interference from a television set. The sound of a blaster came from striking a guy-wire on a radio tower with a wrench. R2-D2's voice was a blend of Burtt's own vocalizations mixed with synthesized sounds.

His groundbreaking work on Star Wars earned him multiple Academy Awards and forever changed the art of sound design in filmmaking.

Happy Birthday, Ben Burtt—and thank you for giving the galaxy its voice.

What is your favorite Star Wars sound effect?

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Hasbro later reused the original 1978 Kenner molds in 1995, adding updated details and a more advanced paint job.

FEATURED ITEM: 1978 Land Speeder - Mint In Box

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First released in 1978, Kenner’s low-cost Land Speeder was a faithful replica of the film prop, featuring a simple yet effective suspension system that made it appear to hover. Released as one of Kenner’s first vehicles, it was available from 1978 to 1980. A 1978 "Special Offer" version included free R2-D2 and C-3PO figures with a yellow box sticker, and the "LP" logo on the packaging was removed in 1979.

In 1984, the Land Speeder returned in the "Collectors Series" with minor box updates, including a red-and-yellow starburst. International versions, like those in the U.K. and Australia, featured fixed "hoods" instead of the U.S. toy's movable design. 

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Boba would be released for every original trilogy cardback plus the animated Droids cartoon series. 

FEATURED ITEM: 1979 Boba Fett - Dark Green Chest - AFA Graded 85+ Gold

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Released in 1979, the Boba Fett action figure quickly became a collector's favorite. Initially offered through a mail-away campaign, it was advertised with a rocket-firing backpack. However, safety concerns led Kenner to release the figure with a fixed rocket instead. Prototypes of the original rocket-firing design, like the "L-slot" and "J-slot," are now among the rarest Star Wars collectibles.

Boba Fett debuted on card 1979 on the Star Wars 21A back card and came in several variants based on country of manufacture, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and No COO (Tri-Logo European market). Each variant features slight differences in paint and details. For the Taiwan variant, be sure the blaster is the Blue V5/M6 variant mould.  

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[thepadawancollector]

Today in Star Wars History… Star Wars Was a Newspaper Comic Strip?

On this day in 1983, "The Paradise Detour" made its debut in newspapers through the Los Angeles Times Syndicate, kicking off a brand-new Star Wars adventure that ran until October 2. Written by legendary comics writer Archie Goodwin and beautifully illustrated by Al Williamson, the story followed Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2 on an unexpected detour after the Millennium Falcon suffered navigational problems. Along the way, Luke encountered the mysterious S'ybll, making this her very first appearance in Star Wars.

Long before the Expanded Universe exploded in novels and comics, these daily newspaper strips kept Star Wars alive between films, delivering brand-new adventures to fans every morning. Many of these stories were later collected by Dark Horse Comics and, more recently, in Star Wars: The Classic Newspaper Comics, preserving an often-overlooked chapter of Star Wars history.

Collector's Fact: Original newspaper strips are surprisingly collectible today. Complete newspaper pages featuring The Paradise Detour are much scarcer than the later comic reprints because most newspapers were discarded after a single day. Many collectors also seek out Classic Star Wars #17 and #18, where Dark Horse reprinted and colorized the storyline, making them an affordable way to own this classic adventure.

Did you ever read the original newspaper strips, or did you discover them years later through the Dark Horse collections?

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On July 10, 2024, Ahsoka #1 hit comic shelves—bringing the Disney+ series to life in stunning comic form! Based on the live-action show, this issue gave fans a fresh way to experience Ahsoka Tano's journey, lightsaber clashes and all.

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