How Good Is The TVC Speeder Bike & Scout Trooper?

5/13/2023

Welcome to a detailed look at the Speeder Bike & Scout Trooper from Hasbro's Star Wars: The Vintage Collection which was released in March 2023 as part of the 40th anniversary of The Return Of The Jedi celebration. This article will show you the differences between this newly sculpted and just released Speeder Bike with the 2012 version from the Movie Heroes toy line. This new Vintage Collection Speeder Bike & Scout Trooper set was released for $44.99 and was available at a variety of different retailers.

Speeder Bike & Scout Trooper Packaging & Assembly

The packaging of the Speeder Bike & Scout Trooper is designed as a tribute to the classic Kenner 1983 packaging and it looks fantastic. It showcases the Return of the Jedi 40th anniversary logo, and depicts the trooper and the bike in different flight modes through several shots.

The Vintage Collection Speeder Bike & Scout Trooper

Included in the set is an exclusive Biker Scout figure on a single card, and fortunately, it is safely enclosed within the packaging to ensure its pristine condition upon opening. This was not always the case in the past, especially the figures included with the Nevarro Cantina, the Tantive IV playset and the Carbon Freezing Chamber suffered from parts inside the box rubbing against the cardboard, resulting in surface scratches on the figure's cards. For a closer look at the Biker Scout have a look here: Biker Scout VC273

This Biker Scout figure is one of the best versions available of the trooper in the 3 3/4" line

Speeder Bike Parts List

• 1 Speeder Bike
• 2 Back Panels
• 1 Display Stand
• 1 Scout Trooper Figure (which comes with 1 blaster)
• 1 Laser Cannon on the bottom of the vehicle
• 1 Removable Blanket (or is it a bag?) behind the seat

The Speeder Bike is delivered fully assembled, leaving you with only one task: plugging it into the display stand. The stand has been crafted with precision and offers three different height options for showcasing the Speeder Bike. You can choose to display it at a lower height, slightly higher up, or even at a higher flight mode.

This is the highest flight mode possible with the display stand

Selecting the lowest display option would be perfect for showcasing the Speeder Bike in a parked mode, allowing the Biker Scout to comfortably lean against it or examine the engine. The middle setting, on the other hand, would be more fitting for a battle display in front of the Bunker, while the highest option would be optimal for reenacting the thrilling chase sequence between Luke, Leia, and the Scout Troopers.

You can open the hood on the Speeder Bike and have the trooper inspect it

Speeder Bike 2012 VS. 2023

The recently released Speeder Bike & Scout Trooper set has turned out quite nicely, but how does it compare to the Speeder Bike which came out during the Movie Heroes toy line back in 2012? Well, overall, it holds up pretty well, but the differences between the two are so insignificant that you might not even notice them. The new TVC version has identical length and height to the old one, but the pegs are now removed from the wider foot rests, it has a slightly more detailed control panel, a slightly different seat, and a slightly smaller blanket on the back.

The handlebars are static on the TVC version, while the 2012 Speeder Bike had movable ones that could be adjusted a little bit. The new Speeder Bike's handlebars are also thinner overall. The cannon on the bottom remains movable on the new bike, but now there's a spot where the cable can be plugged in. The 2023 Speeder Bike's paint application and weathering on the hull look more detailed than the 2012 version. However, when you open the hood, you'll see that the old Speeder Bike has painted details, whereas the new one has unpainted ones.

The 2012 Speeder Bike engine looks more detailed and was painted, while the 2023 version was left unpainted

The differences in the sculpt between the 2012 Speeder Bike and the 2023 TVC version are hardly noticeable. Therefore, if Hasbro had just repainted the 2012 model to bring it up to the 2023 TVC standard, they could have avoided the development costs associated with creating an entirely new sculpt. Have a look at the Speeder Bike pictures which show the differences from both sides below.

Why You Should Get The TVC Speeder Bike

All things considered, an entirely new sculpt of the Speeder Bike was unneccesary but it's still nice to have. Here is why you should add the Speeder Bike & Scout Trooper to your collection:

• It's the most accurate 3 3/4" Speeder Bike from Return Of The Jedi ever made
• It's the best painted Speeder Bike ever made in the 3 3/4" line
• It comes with an exclusive single carded Biker Scout
• The stand lets you display the Speeder Bike in three different heights
• The packing is the nicest we've seen for a Speeder Bike in 40 years
• Treat yourself and celebrate the 40th of Jedi!

So, what do you think? Thumbs up or down for the new speeder bike? If you'd like to pick one up for your collection check it out here:

• Get the Speeder Bike at Entertainment Earth (promo code GALACTIC gets you 10% off in-stock items)

Thanks for reading, for more Star Wars: The Vintage Collection have a look here:

• Star Wars: The Vintage Collection
• Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Head Sculpts
• Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Accessory Guide
• Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Officiall Announced Figures
• A Closer Look: The Vintage Collection Nevarro Cantina
• A Closer Look: The Vintage Collection Smuggler's Run Millennium Falcon
• A Closer Look: The Vintage Collection Carbon Freezing Chamber
• A Closer Look: The Vintage Collection Tantive IV Playset
• A Closer Look: The Vintage Collection AT-ST Raider
• A Closer Look: The Vintage Collection Slave I (ESB version from 2020)
• A Closer Look: The Vintage Collection Imperial Troop Transport
• A Closer Look: The Vintage Collection Poe Dameron's X-Wing Fighter
• A Closer Look: The Vintage Collection Jabba's Skiff
• A Closer Look: The Vintage Collection Jabba's Adventure Set