Clone Pilot - TLC - Basic (BD 52)

Clone troopers receive specialized training for the particular skills needed to be fighter pilots. They enter their first combat at the Battle of Geonosis and go on to fight throughout the galaxy in their ARC-170 and V-wing fighters.

What does a revised retool of a “previously released” figure do for collectors? Well, if you’re talking about the glorious Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith Clone Pilot, then it does a great deal! The Episode III styled Clone Pilot was first attempted as 2005’s ROTS Clone Pilot (III 34) figure and it was a fairly good figure even then. Actually, only the legs, groin section and hands were salvaged and utilized for the 2008 Evolutions version and Hasbro went all out to create an essentially all-new figure. (And to be honest, they almost look new thanks to a beautiful new wash and paint application.) Hasbro thought the revised pilot was such a good figure (and it undeniably is) that they included him in the basic figure line (as a ‘greatest hits’ figure) in the final wave of the blue phase of The Legacy Collection in 2009. Hasbro increased the grade and standard for this release by updating the shoulders and arms and including a new head with a beautiful and well-fitting removable helmet. This new version is leaps and bounds better than its ancestor and is truly the definitive sculpt for all future Clone Pilot action figures, that unless you are waiting for articulated ankles. We necessarily aren’t waiting for this extra articulation ourselves because we are not sure I there is a true need for it. After all, he is a clone trooper that pilots a ship and will mostly be sitting down with his feet hidden from view. But we understand how collectors like to have as many options as possible when it comes to their beloved action figure. As stated earlier, this figure is essentially a repack of the figure we got in the Imperial Pilot Legacy Evolutions set, but the first time it has been issued as a basic figure. You may see the slightest paint variations on your sample, but it is important to know that it is only a repack. And while there is nothing new as far as this figure is concerned, we have to say that it is great to get an Episode III Clone Pilot in the basic line. Single-carded figures have always been the bread and butter of the line and it seems that fans don’t mind picking up their favorite characters in this format time and again. On top of this, army builders are awesome and this particular choice was indeed smart for consideration as a repack into the basic line.

So many enhancements have been made when comparing him to the 2005 ROTS Clone Pilot (III 34) figure and it is truly unbelievable! While it may not be perfect, it is almost there and will more than suffice for now until it is revisited again. The Clone Pilot action figure includes ball-jointed arms, removable helmet, removable chest plate, detachable breathing tubes, and a breathtakingly new paint job. Hasbro has outfitted his uniform with a gray heather effect making the jumpsuit complete with a stunning finishing wash. It is our personal hope that Hasbro will utilize more paint applications like this in the future. The shadowing, detail, and realism a simple final paint application can create is mind boggling and Clone Pilot benefits from all of them. The outfit captures the light better and the crevices and wrinkles on the jumpsuit come to life as a result of this fine detailing. The gray heather look also works to the benefit of the white gloves as well. If you compare the original 2005 ROTS Clone Pilot (III 34) to this new pilot, his gloves are too bright and are a stark contrast to his solid gray jumpsuit. Because the revised figure has been painted with this “heathering” style, his gloves blend in so much better with the uniform then if the uniform was more solid looking in tone. It is quite a feast for the eyes and while it may be simple in theory, little paint details like this can truly make or break a figure. Here, it makes the figure! Another very nice aspect of the figure is the meticulous detail on the helmet. There are many thin lines outlining textures and curvatures and the artisans at Hasbro contrived a splendid helmet design. Unfortunately, some samples may have these details applied a bit askew, but if you get the right one, it is truly a fantastic configuration! (And a tremendous update to the figure we got back in 2005!) The figure has been designed perfectly and fits nicely into all your Episode II, Episode III, and Clone Wars vehicles; you'll be hard pressed to find many complaints with this figure, if any at all. In fact, the sculpt is so good, we are hoping that Hasbro has more repaints in mind for this mold, as we have yet to see many of the Clone Pilot characters that were featured in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith. (And we are talking about the ones that had significant screen speaking time.)

While we have had many specifically named clone pilots in the toy line, this figure is simply called “Clone Pilot”. We believe (and there seems to be conclusive visual proof) that this is Jai’galaar (or Jag) who was a clone trooper captain who can be seen fighting over Coruscant in the opening battle of Episode III. His specific clone designation is CT-55/11-9009. Sometimes it’s easier for Hasbro to give a generic name to a specific figure, but we do indeed think this is Jag simply the markings on his helmet. Clone Pilot has only shipped in one remix case for wave 7 of The Legacy Collection. He is indeed a bit hard to find as a single basic figure. But you can however find him with much more relative ease as part of the three-pack Evolutions set. It was not the best seller (or over-produced). We are not entirely sure about this, but he is certainly much more common in this line. So, you do have options to pick up this figure. Clone Pilot comes packaged with HK-47's left leg, which happens to be the same piece that comes with Owen Lars (BD 46) . If you are looking to “army” build, get the Clone Pilot. If you’re looking to “background character” build, then pick up Owen Lars. Or if you are a one-of-everything collector, then pick them both up and sell you extra droid part of eBay. We buy them all, so this is the wisest choice for our collection. Clone Pilot is indeed a fantastic action figure on his own, even though he will likely be compared to his 2005 counterpart ad infinitum. These two action figures are on separate planes and it would be similar to comparing apples to oranges. We compare apples to oranges a lot in our hobby, and it tends to be commonplace practice, but as long as you give the new Clone Pilot some of your attention span, we can’t criticize you. It would be a mistake not to get him into your collection some way. He is a spectacular clone trooper and we are thrilled with the updated progress Hasbro has made with him. We must say that if Hasbro can continue to update a few more of the 2005 figures with this same skill, then we will be in for a real treat. So many figures of that era were indeed brilliant, but usually one or two encumbering traits or lack of technology have inhibited them from becoming “final” products for us.