Biker Scout, also known as Scout Trooper were specially trained stormtroopers of the Imperial Army's Stormtrooper Corps. They were used by the Galactic Empire on a range of missions, which mostly involved reconnaissance. They had lighter armor than standard stormtroopers, much like their urban counterparts, patrol troopers, who used C-PH patrol speeder bikes to navigate dense urban environments.
Only now that I realize there is not a single Hot Toys Star Wars entry in this blog. I mean they are the top dog in volume produced 1/6 scale Star Wars action figures money can (still) buy (I wouldn't say "mass produce", it'll sound offending to big ol' Hot Toys). Lost for words for a sec...
Pre-Order (PO) opened in mid April 2020 and my action was swift and without hesitation adding it into my cart. Its a Biker Scout and it is Hot Toys, there is little (or not need for) any consideration. There is also another version that is packed together with a Speeder Bike. Space constraint consideration, and me being a more action figure centric collecting guy, it wasn't difficult to just take the Biker and not the Bike. That is what I've done.
Biker arrives in July 2021 and I picked it up last week of July. It took about 16 months from PO to getting the figure. Not too bad the waiting time from PO to collection actually. Have yearned for Hot Toys to make a Biker Scout for a very long time and it is now finally in my hands. At that point of time, I was not aware that this <Mandalorian> Biker actually has some subtle difference from the <Return of the Jedi> version. Comparing former and latter, Chest Armour extend down further to just crossing the top side of the abdomen. Knee pads are worn the other way around. Thats about all being observed up front.
Not enough to differentiate them into 2 different era. Small variation in armour and the preference a gear is worn is not something unusual even from the same period.
It is a long awaited figure in my must-buy-list, it is Hot Toys and that should be the end all version (Hot Toys later on announces the Return of the Jedi version woooot!). So how does this highly anticipated figure meeting up with the expectations?
DESIGN - 3.5/5
There is a little bit of disappointment there that the face part of the helmet are unable to flip up and to have a sculpted (and painted) face behind - Just like what they did for Iron Man with a Tony Stark face behind the face piece. Not even asking for the full removable helmet. Alternatively, it should be made into 2 pieces and was glued together to give a more believable function. Eventually, it was molded as a single piece with the side sculpted like it is 2 separate pieces hinged together.
But the biggest peeve is on the "waist" pouches. Firstly, I think it should be made in the same material as the boots, same as the abdomen corset, rather than some cotton type material. Secondly, it seem fillers are haphazardly chuck in and flaps sewed tight leaving the pouches looking in an unatural way. Big negative here.
Love how the boot is made. the material used is a fine choice. Some kind of soft vinyl-cloth like material that probably will not deteriorate.
Glove is in 2 pieces - the gauntlet part and the hand. Standard configuration these days and only hassle is to lined up the connecting seams of the gloves.
Highlight would be the blaster pistol holster. It is a separate harder plastic piece stuck on to the side of the soft vinyl right side boot. And it fits in seamlessly almost perfect.
The whole design serves up a basic standard configuration. It still works as an overall figure and it looks stunning, except for them 2 pouches.
SCULPTING - 3.5/5
There is no organic sculpt to review like a human face of an actor, or an alien etc. It is just standard fixed geometrical things like the helmet, armour.
I feel more effort should be put into the helmet to make it as close to the prop in the film as possible. Since Hot Toys has decided to sculpt the helmet as 1 piece, the supposedly flipable front halve of the helmet should have a clearer define "split" as shown on screen. With the help of some painting, it can look believable. There is none. Or rather, Hot Toys probably has never any intention to work on that detail at all.
Generally, the overall sculpting are on point and of high quality.
PAINTING - 3.5/5
Peeve on the lack of detail painting on the helmet opening overflow to this category.
Weathering done are pretty good. Not overly done and dirt should be at where it is applied. Technique is definintely matured. However scrutinizing the film, dirt seem to be in a reddish hue like the red clay dust (Season 1 EP8). Reference to the weathering on the helmet picture posted inside the "Design" segment. Hot Toys is using dark brownish weathering paint. Or perhaps it is against the later version (Season 2 EP04). But the latter episode has a closeup on the boot and it looks pretty clean, at least not as dirty as the one on the figure. There is good amount of proof to believe the figure is actually based on Season 1's version.
ARTICULATION - Not graded
I felt a fat suit underneath the gear. HT seems to be smitten with having that in every one of its figures these days. With the fat suit, it kinda reduced the agility and range of motion on the figure.
Not a big deal to me since it can still strike some decent pose - as shown in these pictures. Good enough.
It is a standard human figure with standard points of articulations. Therefore it is moot to add grade score for this category.
ACCESSORIES - Not graded
There is the little gadget that is to be mounted onto the back of the belt - like the thermal detonator canister at the back of the stormtrooper's belt. And there is the tiny
EC-17 hold-out blaster.They are packed separately in the tray but are essential part of the trooper that will need to be mounted on or used. I don't consider these as "accessories".
Extra gloved hands includes a pair of fisted, a pair of grabbing (probably for grasping the speeder bike's handle) and 1 right blaster firing hand.
Not forgetting the almost mandatory figure base stand.
Bare minimum slim picking here and I welcome it. Save the headache on where to keep the accessories.
Overall - 3.5/5
This set met expectation, but not exceeding. I feel Hot Toys can do better, in the design department, given the price point. Except for the boots, it is not any better than the Sideshow version released in 2015. They missed out on the WOW factor.
I have never buy into the newer term calling these goofballs "Scout Trooper". They have always been "Biker Scouts" to me no matter what. This is my favourite trooper in the Star Wars universe and it goes back a long way.
Back in my childhood days, had a good friend whom I visited often and played together. He had a squad of this trooper in 3.75" - 6 to 8pcs if I remember correctly. I was awestruck. Not sure why I don't have any, probably it was never on the pegs when I was buying the figures. That probably sew the seeds. If it is a Biker Scout, I will buy it.
And to say it is too harsh calling these blokes "goofballs". This guy here is just hilarious with his "corset" almost drooping off . A new way on how the gear can be worn and be accurate.
Another one of it is on the way as Hot Toys had announced the ROTJ version in Sep-2021 which I have promptly POed.
This version is still a very competent copy. The best 1/6 scale Biker Scout out there although it can actually be much much better. Looking forward to the ROTJ one to arrives.
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