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Catalog Description:
STAR WARS COLLECTION Introducing the new SINGLE BODY TRANSPORT collection. There's the new ONE-MAN SAND SKIMMER that looks like many of the vehicles used on the TATOOINE DESERT in RETURN OF THE JEDI. It features a movalbe sail and front laser cannon--which, when maneuvered, emits a clicking sound.
Image Source: 1985 European Promo Booklet |
Description:
Kenner's line of "Single Body Transport Vehicles" ("Body Rigs" for short) made even the earlier mini-rigs look large. Indeed, the three of them (the One-Man Sand Skimmer, Imperial Sniper and Security Scout) were composed of little more than a few thin pieces of plastic, which, when assembled, served as mere seats or platforms for action figures. But, despite their slightness, I think the body rigs made for pretty nifty low price point toys. This is primarily due to their design, which suceeded in avoiding the awkwardness that marred some of the mini-rigs. Most of the body rigs were both visually interesting and in line with the established Star Wars aesthetic.
The One-Man Sand Skimmer was sort of like the Star Wars equivalent of the Razor Scooter; or that's what its design suggests to me at any rate. The look of it is similar to the larger Sail Skiff and Tatooine Skiff toys, which I suppose is appropriate. I personally like the stylized sail and forward trident thingie; they imbue the toy with a certain Flash Gordon quality that's more-or-less in line with the look of Jabba's environment.
Loose, the Sand Skimmer can usually be found more readily than can its two body rig counterparts; but all three of the items can be considered tough to locate in comparison to most Star Wars toys. This is because the Power of the Force line of which they were a part was cancelled rather quickly, and thus the body rigs were not on the market long and were not produced in great quantities. Unfortunately, the body rigs were released in the States on blister cards, and today it is nearly impossible to find a packaged example that does not have a yellow bubble. Collectors can avoid this problem by seeking out the European versions of the toys, which came in tri-lingual POTF boxes.
First Issued: 1985 (POTF packaging)
Re-issues: None
