Friday, August 28

It’s “Bandai-Fett”- with two new kits focused of the Galaxy’s No.1 bounty hunter.

Hot on the heels of the recent model kits from Bandai of Star Wars subjects we see two new kits that involve just the one character – Bobba Fett. Arguably the most popular character in the expanded Star Wars universe, we see a new 1/12th scale figure to add to the others in this scale and a 1/144th scale “Slave I” Starship kit to add to the scene. Let’s take a look at these two kits in our preview…
 Two new Bandai Star Wars Kits for November..
“Boba Fett"
1/12th scale
Expected price: ¥2,700/ USD $22.44/ €19.98 from HLJ.com
Expected Release date September 30th  
A little on the legend himself before we look at what’s promised in this kit…
Boba Fett was a Mandalorian warrior and bounty hunter. He was the only unaltered clone of the famed Jango Fett, created in 32 BBY as unit A0050, one of the first of many Fett replicas designed to become part of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was raised as Jango's son. Jango taught Boba much, training him to become a skilled bounty hunter as was his father-figure before him. Jango was killed at the Battle of Geonosis, which opened the Clone Wars. Just a boy, Boba was forced to grow up and took to traveling the galaxy. Later, he became a bounty hunter and took assignments from beings such as Jabba the Hutt, and achieved notoriety despite his young age. 
When the Empire was formed it was the perfect environment for Fett to develop his bounty-hunting skill set. Fett became known as the galaxy's best bounty hunter of the next several decades, often working for the Empire. He collaborated with Darth Vader on several occasions, and the Sith Lord even developed a grudging respect for Fett. 
Fett made his most notable bounty when he captured Han Solo and delivered him to Jabba the Hutt frozen in a block of carbonite. While Solo was being rescued Fett fought with Jabba the Hutt’s henchmen against the rescuers (including Luke Skywalker) but he was inadvertently knocked into the mouth of the Sarlacc by Solo. Legend suggests that he escaped from the Sarlacc’s belly. Thanks to his iron will and Mandalorian armor, he was able to fight his way out of the beast's belly. Back in action, he resumed his work as a bounty hunter.
This model from Bandai captures Fett in the period of “The Empire Strikes Back" and he is recreated in 1/12th scale injection moulded plastic in snap-together form.  He comes with a display base and coloured sprues for those who want to leave him unpainted. His jetpack’s nozzles are movable independently, he has several hand poses that can be interchanged and his head, legs and body can be posed in many contusions as well.

Model features
Display base included
Jet pack
Blaster rifle & Blaster pistol choices
Hand parts × 4 species (right weapon possession × 1 · left Hand × 1 · right fist × 1 · left fist × 1)
Water slide decals & Stickers included
His poses are shown below - along with the Vader figure int he same scale from Bandai...
He was so cool that even with a head like this he was a hit with the ladies...


"Slave I”
Modified Kuat Systems Engineering Firespray-Class Patrol and Attack Ship
1/144th scale
Price: ¥3,800/ USD $31.59/ €28.12 from HLJ.com
Expected Release date September 30th
 
Bandai has recreated the famous “Modified Kuat Systems Engineering Firespray-Class Patrol and Attack Ship” – namely “Slave I” - ship of Jango and then his son Boba Fett. This ship is one of – if not the coolest from the Star Wars series. It is modelled here in 1/144th scale. Let’s investigate the “real thing” quickly… 
Slave I was a modified prototype Firespray-31-class patrol and attack craft used by famed bounty hunters Jango Fett and his cloned "son", Boba Fett. It was greatly modified with advanced weapons systems by both Fetts during their respective use. The ship was stolen from Oovo IV, by Jango Fett, and after Jango's death on Geonosis the ship was inherited by Boba Fett and used on several missions during and after the Clone Wars in his inherited role of bounty hunter prisoner transport and smuggling ship.
As Boba’s prisoner transport, the ship featured numerous holding cells and devices made for the most exotic of creatures. A trademark of the ship was that it landed horizontally with the drive engines facing the surface and the cockpit facing upward. To transition to normal flight mode, the ship rotated so that the cockpit faced forward while the drive engines faced rearward.
The stock ship was well armed and armoured for its size, with on-board storage space and room for several passengers and/or cargo. As fast as most smuggling ships and many fighters of the day the ship had more than enough speed and manoeuvrability to intercept smugglers, outlaws and other renegades.
This kit from Bandai replicated the work of the original prop models used in the Star Wars films for the best detail in a simple snap together kit. The wings move to represent either flight mode or landing mode, the turret can be fitted with clear plastic laser effect parts as if it is shooting at their prey.
The model features both a standing and a seated Boba Fett with an additional block of carbonite with Han Solo captive inside. The Cloud City landing platform base is also included with this kit if you would like to show it on the landing pad…

Model features
Display base included
Laser effect clear plastic parts × 2
1/144 scale Boba Fett figure × 2 (seated × 1 standing upright × 1)
1/144 carbonite frozen Han Solo figure × 1
Cargo Bay hatch opening and closing parts
Slave I can be shown in stationary or flight mode
Water slide decals and stickers both available  
These kits will be available at the end of September and the cheapest we have found are from HobbyLink Japan