New Republic E-Wing
11/8/2024
Fellow Star Wars action figure collectors! In November 2024, the Star Wars: The Vintage Collection E-Wing made its exclusive debut on DisneyStore.com and HasbroPulse.com for $99.99. If you've been yearning to expand your fleet with a starfighter that boasts both Expanded Universe heritage and on-screen appearances, this is the ship you're looking for.
The New Republic E-Wing Packaging in 1970s/1980s Kenner-inspired box
The contents ... the exclusive droid is secured well inside
Unboxing and Assembly
Inside the Kenner-inspired box, you'll find the E-Wing's main body, two wings, a compartment cover and two cannons that attach to the wings. Assembly is a breeze—probably taking you no more than a couple of minutes. Simply snap the pieces together, and you're ready to display the E-Wing on your shelf!
The Vintage Collection E-Wing Parts
The Vintage Collection E-Wing Instructions
The set also includes an exclusive astromech droid, KE4-N4, for which Hasbro utilized the "Build-A-Droid" sculpt. This means the droid can be disassembled into its dome, body, and legs (both outer and middle). The droid fits snugly into a compartment behind the cockpit, whether you choose to include the middle leg or not. KE4-N4 is a character debut in the 3 3/4" action figure line.
Unfortunately Hasbro didn't paint the droid's inner workings underneath the dome (we've seen those details being painted many times over the past decade)
Design and Features
The Vintage Collection E-Wing is a sight to behold. With detailed sculpting that captures the essence of its appearance in the Ahsoka TV series, it's a must-have for fans of the show. The ship features manually retractable landing gear: one at the front of the body and two under the wings. This functionality works seamlessly, allowing for the vehicle to be displayed parked or in-flight.
The E-Wing from the top and the bottom
The cockpit slides open to reveal space for one action figure. Unfortunately, at the time of release, a dedicated E-Wing pilot figure wasn't available. But fear not—Hasbro has announced that a Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Lieutenant Callahan action figure is slated for release in early 2025. So, keep your scanners peeled! There is a compartment behind the droid socket where accessories can be stored, this will come in handy once Lt. Callahan has been released so that her blaster and her helmet can be stored there when not in use.
The Vintage Collection E-Wing fully assembled
Room for Improvement
While the E-Wing excels in design and assembly, it does falter slightly in the paint application department. The vehicle appears somewhat plain and plastic-like in certain areas, and the cockpit lacks any painted details or stickers. This omission doesn't take away from the overall appeal but leaves room for customizers to add their personal touch. This is disappointing, because a $100 toy shouldn't require additional touch-ups.
A look at the droid socket and the storage compartment
The E-Wing is nicely detailed, but the lack of a wash or slight weathering on the entire body is very noticable unfortunately (even the cockpit was left entirely unpainted). A slight wash on the engines or on the pipes would have improved the appearance of the E-Wing drastically.
Final Thoughts
Despite some shortcomings, the Vintage Collection E-Wing Fighter is a great addition to any Star Wars 3 3/4" collection. Its blend of Expanded Universe roots from the 1991 Dark Empire comic book series and modern screen time in Ahsoka makes it a unique piece that bridges different eras of the franchise. Plus, with its impressive size and display presence, it's sure to be an eye-catcher on your shelf.
If you're looking to bolster your New Republic forces—or just want a cool new starfighter to show off—this E-Wing comes highly recommended. After all, in the vast universe of Star Wars collectibles, opportunities to add vehicles to the collection don't come along every parsec anymore.
