Sideshow Toys 1/6 Star Wars Luke Skywalker Red-5 X-Wing Pilot

From Wookieepedia :

Following the final command of Red Leader, Red Five Luke Skywalker led the final attempt with Red Two Wedge Antilles and Red Three, Luke's old friend Biggs Darklighter, as wingmen. Rushing down the trench at full throttle, they found themselves being tailed by Darth Vader and his fighters.

 

Vader personally damaged Antilles' fighter, forcing him to disengage, and destroyed Darklighter's X-wing, forcing Skywalker to attempt the shot on his own. In this dire moment the Rebel leaders were concerned when the young pilot deactivated his targeting system for the attempt, but Skywalker assured them that nothing was wrong; he was advised by the spirit of Kenobi to rely on the Force instead for his attack. For his part, Vader sensed this power himself and found firing on the fighter unusually difficult, with his single hit only putting R2-D2, who was serving as the fighter's astromech droid, out of commission. When Vader prepared to finally shoot down the enemy, one of his wingmen was suddenly shot down from above beside him. The source of that attack was the Millennium Falcon diving out of the nearby star's light. Han Solo and Chewbacca, believed to have abandoned the Rebels prior to the assault, unexpectedly returned to assist Skywalker in his most desperate moment.

Momentarily distracted by the intervention, Vader's remaining wingman collided with his ship, and both spiraled out of control. The TIE fighter pilot flew into the side of the trench and knocked Vader away from the Death Star, and this allowed Skywalker to fire his shot. With the aid of the Force, the torpedoes shot along the trench and entered the shaft perfectly, as the two surviving X-wings, the lone surviving Y-wing and the aging freighter made for Yavin 4. The surviving rebel pilots included Skywalker, Antilles[1] and Gold Three Evaan Verlaine.

Sideshow released this figure in 2015 and back then, the retail price was about S$340 - $360. This is Sideshow trying to force its way into the same league as Hot Toys (HT) and beyond while they actually have not reach that level of product quality. At that time, the only other 1/6 Rebel Pilots were from Hasbro and this Sideshow version is leaps and bounds above in quality as compares. There is really no comparison. The choices are very simple - to go for it or to wait it out for HT's version god knows if there will be one.

 

I was impressed by the official Sideshow's promotion pictures and thought it would be nice to add this essential Luke's representation in my collection. 2 factors actually present itself for serious considerations :

1. The price - It actually surpasses what HT are generally asking, back in 2015 (and even today), which was about $250ish. It is not a rule that it must be lower priced than HT but to offer less - in every aspect - and asking for more. Perhaps this ease my decision making to skip it.

2. Avenue of pre-ordering - Simply Toys used to be the distributor of Sideshow Toys but they apparently gave up the distributorship. Not 100% sure but seem Action City has taken over. Being a largely mainstream retail outlet, and not sure if the staffs even knows what I'm asking about if I inquire, I just dropped the idea. Of course the heavenly price reduces greatly any motivation to do so.

6 years on, no HT's Pilot in sight, although there is a Snowspeeder version which I POed. Sideshow still holds the best iteration of a 1/6 Luke in Battle of Yavin X-Wing Pilot gear. It starts appearing in Carousell new or used and prices still hovers around $300 - $320. Eventually one displayed set was on sale under $300 and I thought it is the right time to finally get Luke Pilot into the house and I picked him up in Nov 21.

A review ratings here will not be very fair since this is a 6 year old release. It will however be a good reference on how a next version - if there ever is one - should be made in my opinion.

Design

Sideshow is very brave to make a removable helmet for this figure and they have come up with a very indigenous idea on how to "separate" the helmet in order to fit it into the headsculpt. And when mounted, it sits naturally enough and gave an overall harmonious look. High applause there.

However, there is always concerns about scuffing and scratching the face sculpt when putting on or removing the helmet for certain pose.

Therefore, as a personal choice, I would prefer a separate helmeted headsculpt. Swapping heads for poses are much direct, easier, less chance for damage ways to achieve different poses.

Boots and gloves are molded vinyl and boy they are hard. There is simply no opportunity to pose the feet if they have ability to rock L&R, the hard boots muted that function totally. There is no excuse as pleather boots are already quite commonly used in 1/6 figures back then. The flip side is these vinyl boots will definitely outlast pleather. Win some, lose some.

Sculpting

Much malign on the headsculpt from collectors. Comparing the official picts and the actual product, there is no surprises on the uproar.

I'd be furious too if I paid the full retail price for it. It is not a bad sculpt by any means and it just fell short of the high expectations.

Gloves hands seem to be slightly on the larger side. Not sure if it is screen accurate that Luke actually wore a larger glove in the movie? Aesthetically, a more fitting gloves hands will looks better.

Boots were sculpted in a way that in order for the figure to stand flat on the base, it has to bent the knee a little. Basically the shape of the boots determine how the figure should stand. That's pretty bad there.

Articulations

A standard 1/6 scale body where it articulates as where it should be. The only complain would be on the feet which the hard boot literally mutes all ankle movements and also "forced" the figure to stand with a slight bent on the knee to enable base of the boot to be flat on the surface.

These days there are various ways for a headsculpt mount. Some has a full headsculpt with the neck and joints at the base where it is also the articulation point. I find such joints gives a less natural poses although the sculpt produce a more natural look.

This Luke has a joint on top of the neck which has an ugly joint line visible. But this, to me, enables a much natural pose.

It is a matter of looking better or getting a more natural pose. I go for the latter.

Painting

This category is not a key for this figure. All but 3 items fits this category.

Helmet and Chest board - Pictures speaks a thousand words. Basically no major flaws that can be found. In fact, it is all within expectation.

Headsculpt - It is good enough and not a major concern since Luke will be displayed in his helmet from here onwards.

Accessories

All in all, 3 pcs of extra hands, 1 hairsculpt for switching between helmet on and off and a plain-o display stand. That's all.

It is hardly acceptable these days if a high end 1/6 Star Wars figures does not come with at least a Blaster Pistol.

I have never been a big accessory fan but without a pistol here is really disappointing granted that Luke has never uses one in this suit in the movie, but I see no harm to add it in which Sideshow should already have the mold done up for some other earlier figures.

* Note I have photoshopped away the ugly head to neck joint line in this above picture.

Overall

There are still lots of room for an improved version but no sign any other company is tackling this at all. So it is still the most detailed 1/6 rendition money can buy now. If there is spare cash and this is still not in the collection, I'd say go for one now. Even if, say, HT is going to release this, it will take another year or two at least.