Box Sides (click to enlarge)
Box Sides (click to enlarge)
Box Sides (click to enlarge)
Collector Series Box (click to enlarge)
| Catalog Entry | |
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Catalog Description:
LUKE SKYWALKER'S EXCITING LANDSPEEDER VEHICLE! Authentic replica of STAR WARS LANDSPEEDER has special suspension which shifts from a non-moving position to a "floating ride" on spring loaded wheels. Two cockpit seats can carry Action Figures in front behind a half-moon, clear windshield, and two spaces on rear deck can carry R2-D2 and C-3PO or other STAR WARS Action Figures. Special release button pops hood open revealing Turbo Reactor and "space hatch" for storage and supplies. Action Figures not included. Ages 4 and up. Source: 1984 Kenner Collectors Series Pamphlet |
Description:
Judging by the number of loose examples of the Landspeeder that still turn up on the collectors market, Kenner made and sold a ton of this low price-point action figure toy. It's a pretty faithful rendition of the prop used in the film and the unique suspension system was a simple yet effective feature-- from the right angle, the toy really does appear to hover.
Having been one of the first three vehicles Kenner brought to market, the Landspeeder was available throughout 1978, 1979 and part of 1980. In '78, Kenner offered their larger clients a "Special Offer" version of the toy. It included free R2-D2 and C-3PO figures, as well as a yellow box sticker advertising this bonus. Then, in 1979, the "LP" logo (short for "long play"), which had appeared on all of Kenner's 1978 products, was removed from the package.
In 1984, Kenner brought the item back to market, as part of their "Collectors Series" of older Star Wars toys. Although this version of the Landspeeder was unmodified, the box underwent slight revisions, the most noticeable of which was the addition of a red-and-yellow "Collectors Series" starburst to the upper right corner. In addition, the Star Wars toy licensees of several other countries--among them Australia and the U.K.--issued a slightly altered version of the Landspeeder. Most notably, the "hoods" of these foreign versions, which could be opened on the U.S. toy, were immovable. In 1995, Hasbro re-used the molds for the Kenner Landspeeder for their updated version of the vehicle. However, the revisions made to the molds, as well as the toy's more sophisticated paint job, make the '90s Landspeeder easily distinguishable from its vintage counterpart.
First Issued: 1978 (SW packaging, with "LP" logo)
Re-issues: 1978 (SW packaging, with R2-D2, C-3PO and "Special Offer" sticker), 1979 (SW packaging, without "LP" logo), 1984 (Collectors Series)
