Cardboard Galaxy Death Star, More Kenner Star Wars Figures

I've purchased a few of these background dioramas from Cardboard Galaxy, but this Death Star Playset Multilevel Display is by far the largest and most complex. The sidewalls are of a thinner stock than the corrugated second and third level floor inserts, and though I feel the set could be improved by having a taller first and second level, I had no initial problems posing figures on it. I'm pretty sure the illustrations are scans form the '78 Kenner Death Star playset, which was a far more expensive option. I had that playset, and this taps that nostalgia I had for it.

I also recently found a Kenner Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi on eBay without Ben's cape and both the figures' lightsabers. I've been picking up assorted repro blasters and sabers on eBay, and decided to give both a telescoping lightsaber, Ben with a yellow version in honor of him always shown in product photography wielding this color as opposed to blue- the true color of his saber in the movie. I found a cheap repro cape form another seller, though I'm not crazy for its overly glossy vinyl. This Ben has a leg substantially shorter than other, which makes posing a challenge.

Below, my vintage Darth Vader with my Retro Collection Vader, and my latest Obi-Wan with my other two vintage Ben Kenobis, one with a telescoping blue lightsaber...

This is not my childhood Power Droid, but another vintage Kenner figure found on eBay in far better shape. He fits right in with the retro-futuristic interior of this diorama. I also found another Death Star Droid on eBay- a figure I didn't have as a child but always liked.

And finally, an Imperial Commander found on eBay for a great price in great shape. I fit him with a gray repro imperial blaster, and he fills out my Imperial Squad with the Death Squad Commander and Stormtroopers.

More Later- May the Force Be with You!

Princess Leia Kenner 1978/Forces of Destiny Endor Kitbash

 Inspired by another Star Wars 12" Kenner kitbash doll I picked up earlier in the year, I assembled my own Return of the Jedi Endor Leia using the '78 Kenner Leia body, with outfit and parts from a 2017 Forces of Destiny Endor Leia/Wicket the Ewok set. I like the Carrie Fisher likeness on the '78 doll. but the '17 outfit offered a unique twist in presentation. The latter also included the Ewok Village dress, which the base figure from that set now wears, sacrificing her Rebel Fighter outfit to my '78 Leia.

The clothes are barely if a fit on this larger '78 buck, but the poncho covers a little of the trousers inadequacies in that department. The older Kenner figure also can't get a dependable grip on the pistol included with the Forces of Destiny figure, but I made it work long enough for the photograph. Otherwise, she has a serviceable holster. For some months I'd unsuccessfully approached braiding the 1978 figure's rooted hair but ultimately concluded it didn't matter with the '17 helmet on anyway.

The 1978 Kenner face sculpt on Leia really captured actress Carrie Fisher's portrait 

and retains the spirit of late '70s line of  12" Kenner Star Wars dolls.

Leia, below, with her brother Luke Skywalker- another Return of the Jedi 12" kitbash

 in my collection that I treasure, and the inspiration for the kitbash Leia...

A big part of what sealed the deal on this idea in my mind was the flocked Wicket figure included in the Forces of Destiny set. He's a faithful representation of the famous leading Ewok. A spear, bow. and arrow are included with Wicket. 

Wicket with my Mattel Masters of the Universe Origins Moss Man and Panthor...

And finally, Leia with some of her fellow Rebels in Return of the Jedi: Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2, and Jedi Luke Skywalker. I feel like this kitbash works great with other '78 figures in my collection. I can't decide if Wicket is too small or R2-D2 is a slight too large, but it's not glaringly egregious. Overall, I'm happy with the modest investment and results of this endeavor! 

More Later- May the Force Be with You!

Kenner POTF Dewback, Sandtrooper, Jawas

 I'm collecting more of the conventional 5POA-type Star Wars figures than I am the later 1995 Power of the Force figures, but there were a lot of vehicles from that line that are compatible with the '70s/'80s Kenner figures and new Retro Collection figures. This Dewback isn't really, but fun nonetheless, and I got him for south of twenty bucks shipped on a recent eBay auction.

The action feature on this Dewback is pretty fun- 

watch my video below to see it in action...

I picked up a regular, carded POTF Sandtrooper with orange pauldron to supplement my Tatooine Dewback patrol detail, The figures have different construction and paint deco but complement each other well enough.

Below, the Sandtroopers with my POTF Stormtroopers...

I'd already created this scene in my post on the POTF Landspeeder, 

but had to circle back and shoot one with the Dewback and Sandtroopers...

Since I was showcasing the Dewback, I thought I'd stick with the Tatooine theme and crack open these POTF Jawas with fantastic light piping that illuminates their eyes to great effect...

Below, the slightly larger POTF Jawas with my 

Stan Solo vinyl cape Jawas and my Retro Collection Jawa...

More Later- May the Force Be with You!

Kenner POTF Landspeeder, Retro Collection Tusken Raiders

My original Kenner Landspeeder from 1978 has long been lost to time, but I was lucky enough to find this POTF Landspeeder for twenty bucks in a local resale store, unopened. This 1995 revamp of the earlier version features an updated, distressed deco, and bouncier suspension.

It must have been a real squeeze fitting the bulkier 1995 POTF 2 figures into this Landspeeder- even these more slender Retro Collection reissued figures are somewhat of a tight fit...

The bouncy suspension on this updated Landspeeder really 

gives it the same feel as the vehicle portrayed in the movie Star Wars:

"These are not the droids you are looking for..."

 

Circle back to see my posts on Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2 and C-3PO,

and the Stan Solo Vinyl Cape Jawas...

Adjacent related, I found a Retro Collection Book of Boba Fett Tusken Warrior to add to my Tusken Raiders! He's just a repaint with a soft goods cape, but he adds some variety to my photos...

Now I can have Obi-Wan and Luke Skywalker fend off 

the Tuskens on my Land of the Jawas playset ...!

More Later- May the Force Be with You!

Kenner Land of the Jawas Base, Cardboard Galaxy Tatooine Backdrop

For some time, I had contemplated buying a vintage Kenner Land of the Jawas playset, but after purchasing a couple of the more modest figure backdrops from Cardboard Galaxy, I opted to supplement a base and escape pod I found on eBay with one of theirs made to fit. While it didn't have the impressive size of the cardboard Sandcrawler on the 1979 playset, the Cardboard Galaxy backdrop gave me two options and save me space and money.

I could hardly wait to put my Retro Collection C-3PO, R2-D2, 

and Jawa on this set, as well as my Stan Solo vinyl cape Jawas ...!

Below, R2-D2 and C-3PO inside the escape pod that took them to Tatooine in Star Wars (1977). The sample I found on eBay did not have the stickers intact, but it was otherwise in good, working shape...

Check out the action feature on the base, 

enabling the Jawa to stun R2 with his ion rifle:

More Later- May the Force Be with You!