Ewok Assault Catapult Accessory and Ewok Combat Glider

OK, we're back with some more RotJ "last gasp" toys - the Ewok Assault Catapult and Ewok Combat Glider. These were certainly part of the last wave of Jedi toys and were pretty inexpensive back then, attracting parents who wanted to pick up something for their kid but weren't up for the Millennium Falcon or Imperial Shuttle. Retail price on these wouldn't been much more than buying a couple of figures.

First up, we'll look at the Assault Catapult. Like I said earlier, this was essentially a mini-rig... but importantly for the purposes of my own collecting, (unlike mini-rigs) it was actually seen on-screen in the movie!

Here's the toy assembled. Of course it comes with two "simulated rocks" - these are specially made for the toy, as they need to be molded with holes to fit into the spike at the tip of the catapult arm (you'll see).

Thread goes on the hook, which attaches to the underside of the arm.

Only one box shot tableau. You can see how the arm spike fits into the hole in the rock.

Fortunately mine came with the instruction sheet as the toy requires some assembly.

"Pay attention kids!"

Next, here's the Ewok Combat Glider. Again, a low price point here akin to mini-rigs... but unlike mini-rigs, it logged some actual screen time in the battle on the Forest Moon.

Interestingly, this one has a Palitoy sticker. From this I surmise that it would originally have been retailed in the UK.

"Made in Mexico" though! And with all the Kenner USA info too.

Here's the toy in parts. Of course the "boulders" are plastic and simulated, they're different from the rocks that came with the Assault Catapult - these have loops molded in for the thread ropes.

Only one "play" photo on the box and here it is! I have to say, though, that it takes some real dexterity to loop the boulder threads onto the lever piece on the wings, then through the Ewok pilot's hands. I can imagine some parental swearing as their kid made them put this together.

Instructions were also included. A little ratty, but included.

Well that's it for these two. Pretty simple and straightforward toys, designed and built to a price point, but with interesting action features - especially the catapult. These two items were redesigned and reissued in the mid-2010s by Hasbro too, bringing them to a new generation of kids and collectors. But really if you want these there's no reason to settle for the new versions. These were inexpensive when they were new, and are still inexpensive on the collector market.  

Death Star playset (Palitoy)

Every collector has a "grail" item - something that they long to have, that just has some special appeal. Usually the grail is rare, and most often it's expensive. For production Star Wars collectors, it can be something foreign, or unusual. For me, this item is all of those things - it's the infamous chipboard Death Star playset.

As you can see from the packaging, this is the Palitoy (UK) version of the playset - it was also released in other markets including New Zealand, Australia, France and Canada. Although we here in Canada were the only market to get both the Kenner (plastic) Death Star playset and this chipboard version, the Canadian card Death Star is even more difficult to find than Palitoy's and I've "settled" on adding this UK version to my collection. But I'm not disappointed - far from it. This is the coolest playset I own, and by some margin at that.

The box is in admittedly lousy condition but I'm happy just to have one with the toy. Even though it's a Palitoy item the box design carries all of the classic Kenner hallmarks - colourful photography, sharp design and that iconic racetrack on the front.

Here it is, assembled. It's actually reasonably challenging to put together, and I wouldn't recommend trying it for the first time without referring to the instructions. The components are a thick card I have heard referred to as "chipboard", combined with some plastic components - the five two-piece base connectors, the trash chute, the top gunner's cockpit and canopy, and the two cannons pinched from the X-Wing Fighter toy. The set also included some small clear plastic figure stands, but these are long gone from my set, which is fortunately otherwise complete.

The detail packed into this playset is amazing. Every inch of the walls is covered with Star-Warsy goodness. Here Darth and Ben battle in front of the trash compactor escape hatch.

"Get in there, you big furry oaf! I don't care what you smell!"

"Raaawwrrruunnngghh"

Trash chute drops figures straight into the compactor - complete with moving walls. The hatch at right opens to allow heroes to "escape".

The mirror at the base reflects the walls, giving the illusion of a bottomless shaft. Ben searches for the controls to the tractor beam.

Back to replicating the box shots. One of the rooms represents the Princess's cell. Either that or Vader's bedroom...

The heroes engage in discussion while Ben battles Vader.

The heroes about to be crushed in the trash compactor...

"How you doin'?"

...or is that Luke just taking the opportunity to mack on Leia?

Han takes to the garbage chute as the heroes come under fire from Stormtroopers. What's that Jawa doing on the Death Star?!?!?

Imperial Gunner finds his rightful place, although he wouldn't be released until the PotF line, six years later...

"I'm Luke Skywalker, I'm here to rescue you."

 

Imperial Gunner looks menacing stalking the corridors.

Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin discuss their nefarious plans.

You gotta wonder about Imperial administration when they have a whole room full of Death Squad Commanders and no actual Death Squads in sight.

The detailing on this toy is just incredible.

Underside of base is decorated with familiar space battle photo as well as photos of the first 12 figures. Canadian version differs in that it has a plain "marbled" looking base underside.

I think I would have blown my brains out with joy if I'd had this set as a kid. The play value and detailing are just off the charts. The only drawback, of course, is that the cardboard construction is far from robust, which probably contributes significantly to the rarity of these pieces... I expect that most were trashed by kids and subsequently thrown away.

Suffice to say, I'm very happy to have it in my collection :-)  Next up, I'll post the Kenner version!