# 49 : Star Wars, Clone Wars - 501st & BARC Speeder

Another repaint of previous figures but this time a welcomed addition.
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Packaging
Like the SW Crab Droid, it's basically the same type of display box but with a different diorama. I'm guessing its Felucia in the background.
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D.S.A.
|Details|
"Clone troopers ride Biker Advanced Recon Commando (BARC) speeder bikes on scouting and escort missions. BARC speeders give the troopers greater range, speed, mobility and firepower than foot patrols. They prove so useful to elite units like the 501st Legion that they are soon made available to the entire clone trooper army."
|Sculpt|
Hasbro decided to make a correction in the sculpt of the helmet to resemble the animated C.W. series. I think they started making this correction with the 212th Clone trooper in Wave 4.
The blue decals on the trooper has also been made to match Captain Rex's colors(about time). I had 2 of the Wal-Mart exclusive 501st trooper issued last year. The color(see pic below) is nice but it just looks so out of place with their captain. The new helmet sculpt is the inclusion of the small gap at the 'chin'. This is supposedly where the breathing apparatus connects for space missions.
|Accessories|
DC-15 Blaster rifle
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Articulation
|Clone Trooper|
No changes to the articulation. It's still the same as previous basic white clone trooper.
|BARC Speeder|
It still has the same retractable landing gear and 'exploding' bike gimmick(trust me, just leave it at that. It's not worth asking)
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Fun Factor
I currently have 3 BARC speeders from the ROTS Treachery on Saleucami battlepacks. So it's really sweet to have it all lined up. Plus I can use Rex for the blue BARC speeder and the other 3 501st for the red speeders.
I didn't have a pic of them on the bikes mainly because of their leg stance. Their articulation(swivel hips) aren't exactly the best to use unless you want to permanently ruin your figures. But there is a solution to this problem(I think). The ARF trooper has a sort of ball-jointed articulation in the hips. So if you could swap these with the 501st, you're good to go.
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Overall
I'm glad I decided to pick up this deluxe figure. The BARC speeder is nothing new but the 501st trooper with correct helmet sculpt and with the matching blue decals to Rex is a worthwhile addition. I just hope Hasbro will decide to reissue the trooper in a single pack.

Score: ****

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A.R.Ms # 23: 501st Stormtrooper, Vader's Fist

Stormtroopers. Army of the Galactic Empire.

The very name of the Fighting 501st inspires fear across the galaxy. These elite troopers – the very best and brightest culled from the Imperial legions – serve Lord Vader in all things. They are the first on the ground in any important Imperial offensive, and the thunder of their boots is a harbinger of the doom that awaits those who would stand against the Empire.

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A.R.Ms Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Freestyle
• Pricing

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Packaging

The figure comes in an exclusive Star Wars Star Case(makes it almost a shame to open it...then again).

Front

Back

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Detail/Sculpt

I know the cliche' is "this is a MUST have figure". But seriously...if you're a fan. You need to HAVE this in your collection. This was a San Diego Comic Conference exclusive figure. The original packaging had "Comic Con Exclusive, San Diego 2006". Although this Stormtrooper is not featured in any of the Star Wars movies, it is part of the Star Wars Expanded Universe.

The 501st Legion insignia

There is even a holster for the gun

Very, very cool boots...Ferragamo?

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Articulation

(as usual: Pic above is taken from www.rebelscum.com)

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Freestyle

I wanted to arrange a few of these great Stormtroopers with Darth Vader in the center. But I changed my mind. So, sorry no freestyle pics this week.

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Pricing

There are two versions of this figure. The SDCC exclusive figure and then there is the one I managed to get. The same figure but has a lesser value because it was issued after the SDCC. If you're interested in this figure, expect to pay around USD 15 - 30. This one is a keeper so I'm expecting the price will increase over the next few years(unless Hasbro decides to re-pack this figure, which I bet they will!)

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I've lined up a few reviews on some of the Star Wars Legacy Vehicles that I have in my collection. So don't forget to follow this blog. Cheers and keep collecting!

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• A.R.Ms # 19: Star Wars, Clone Army, Ep. I

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A.R.Ms # 19: Star Wars, Clone Army Pt. 1

The Clone Army of the Galactic Republic. In Episode III, Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars fan had a good look at the different variations in the Clone Army. Most notably the different colors in their armor to signify different divisions.

Amongst the many shown, none were more infamous as the 501st Legion. The 501st Legion are a legion of elite clone troopers commissioned by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine during the clone wars. They were also under the command of General Anakin Skywalker. They were recognised by the blue color on their armor.

Towards the end of the Clone Wars, a group of 501st Legion were transferred to Coruscant, home to the Jedi Order. Together with Anakin, then Darth Vader, they marched into the Jedi Temple and eliminated all the Jedi inside. Not even the younglings were spared. Order 66 was complete.

When the Republic was formed into the Galactic Empire, the 501st were given new armor and became Stormtroopers. Some say the Stormtroopers assigned to Darth Vader were all from the 501st and the only clones left. The rest of the clones in the other divisions either retired or were replaced. It was during their time as Stormtroopers the 501st was also known as Vader's Fist.

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A.R.Ms Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Freestyle
• Pricing

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Packaging

I've collected a few of the 501st from the basic Clone trooper to the Clone commander. Most of my collection were bought loose on ebay so I don't have the original packaging. Fortunately, I got these pics from Rebelscum.com.

Clone Commander Appo

Front

Back

501st Legion Trooper

Front

Back

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Detail/Sculpt


Order 66, Assault on the Jedi Temple.

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Articulation

Commander Appo

501st Trooper

Anakin Skywalker & 501st Airborne Trooper

All the pics above were taken from rebelscum.com

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Freestyle

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Pricing

On average these items would range from USD 10 to 15 each.

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The fun thing about collecting clone troopers is the variation that you get. Plus, having one Clone Commander and one Clone trooper doesn't really look cool on the shelves. The 501st is also available in phase I armor. This is the armor you'd see in the recent Clone Wars Animated movie and series. So far the only available of the 501st is Clone Captain Rex and a 501st trooper.

I haven't decided if I want to start collecting a Clone Army based on the Animation yet. We'll see how it goes.

Next week in A.R.Ms, a very, very, very not so good visitor is in town.



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