Large Size R2-D2

Part of collecting is knowing what not to collect, and for the most part, for me, "what not to collect" has included the large-size action figures. Unfortunately for this plan, I really love bounty hunters (who doesn't?) and so I couldn't resist picking up Boba Fett and IG-88 in 12" form. I also already had Darth Vader, C-3PO and the Stormtrooper (the last of these, since I was a kid in 1980), so how could I limit the damage and stop myself from having to collect all 12 of the large figures?

What I decided to do was limit the 12" focus to bad guys and droids. That meant I only needed to get one more - the large size R2-D2.

Easier said than done really - while the radio-controlled R2 seems to be quite common, his 12" counterpart is a bit more difficult to come by, especially in complete form including the "Death Star plans".

Death Star plans, you ask?

Well, on the front of the droid is a small panel. Press on this...

...and hey presto! a door pops open on the back of the droid, revealing a secret compartment. If you're very fortunate, this compartment holds two plastic parts with decals on them, labelled "Death Star Plans."

Original decal on left, repro on right

Of course, even if the plans are there, the decals are subject to some wear and tear over 30 years of play. My R2 unit came with only one set of plans, and the decals were in poor shape. So I obtained another set on eBay along with some repro decals.

These are both repro decals

There are also decals in the secret compartment where the plans are stored.

The 12" figure is a remarkably accurate likeness of the full-size droid, wouldn't you say?