Box Sides (click to enlarge)
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Box Sides (click to enlarge)
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Catalog Description:
Radio-Controlled Jawa Sandcrawler. The mysterious Jawas ride this combination tank and scrapyard across the Tatooine desert, selling (and kidnapping) used droids. Radio-controlled, 2-channel unit operates from up to 20 ft. away-- moves crawler in almost any direction. Roof hatch opens, and side panels become a step ramp. Scaled for figures [12] to [16] sold on opposite page. Figures shown not included. Plastic. 16 1/2x5 1/4x8 in . high. Uses two "D" and two 9-volt batteries. For ages 5 and up. Source: 1980 JC Penney Christmas Catalog |
Description:
The above catalog description pretty much sums this toy up. Since the Sandcrawler was one of the most expensive items in Kenner's Star Wars line, it was also one of the lowest sellers-- few parents were willing to spring for the 30 or so dollars it took to purchase this thing back in '79 and '80. I suppose that should come as no surprise. After all, the Sandcrawler was hardly the high-profile, adventurous vehicle that the X-Wing Fighter and Millennium Falcon were. Still, it's one of the most interesting items that Kenner produced and it remains a hot piece on the collector's market. Loose examples are frequently not working or are missing parts. In particular, the side panel had a tendency to break off and the removable stairs are frequently missing. Mint boxed examples are next to impossible to locate.
It should be noted that, although major U.S. retailers carried the Sandcrawler through Chistmas of 1980, no American versions of the Empire Strikes Back Sandcrawler box are known to exist. However, Kenner Canada issued the toy in an ESB-logo box. It featured bi-lingual text (English and French) on both its box and controller sticker.
First Issued: 1979 (SW packaging)
Re-issues: None
