Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Landspeeder

2/27/2025

Luke's Landspeeder

Luke Skywalker’s X-34 Landspeeder is one of the most iconic vehicles from Star Wars: A New Hope, and in 2011, Hasbro released a fantastic rendition of it as part of The Vintage Collection (TVC Landspeeder). This version was a Target exclusive, coming in classic Kenner-inspired packaging, which made it a nostalgic treat for collectors. While initially retailing for $24.99, the Vintage Collection Landspeeder was widely available and later discounted to as low as $7.98 at many Target stores, making it an absolute bargain for fans. The vehicle combines vintage-style packaging with modern detailing, providing collectors with an updated, highly detailed, and screen-accurate version of Luke’s trusty Landspeeder.

Features

The 2011 TVC Landspeeder boasts several impressive features that make it stand out from previous versions. It is a well-built vehicle with a solid plastic structure and carefully designed elements that enhance both playability and display value.

• Retractable Hover Wheels: The Vintage Collection Landspeeder includes small, clear wheels on the bottom, allowing it to roll smoothly while maintaining the illusion of hovering. A cleverly hidden lever inside the cockpit lets you raise or lower these wheels, switching between parked and hovering modes seamlessly.
• Attachable Long Rifle: A great addition to this release is the inclusion of Luke Skywalker’s long rifle, which clips securely to the side of the Landspeeder. This small but important detail enhances screen accuracy and adds an extra layer of realism to the vehicle.
• Two-Seat Cockpit: The Vintage Collection Landspeeder is designed to fit standard 3.75-inch Star Wars action figures comfortably. The seats are sculpted to accommodate figures snugly, ensuring they stay in place without falling out. The cockpit also includes a detailed dashboard and a small control stick, making it feel like a true-to-life version of Luke’s Landspeeder.
• Screen-Accurate Sculpt: Hasbro used a refined sculpt that captures the look of the vehicle perfectly. The proportions are more accurate than previous releases, with proper attention to the small details like exposed wiring and panel lines on the engine turbine.
• Seamless Design: The TVC Landspeeder is well put together, featuring a clean and seamless look without visible screws. This enhances the realism and makes it a high-quality addition to any collection.

Paint & Detailing

One of the standout aspects of the 2011 Vintage Collection Landspeeder is its exceptional paint application. Hasbro went above and beyond to give the Landspeeder a well-weathered, screen-accurate appearance. The base color is a dusty salmon-orange, just like in the film, with beige panels and silver highlights that accurately match its worn-down look.

Weathering effects are applied throughout the vehicle, with carefully placed scuffs, scratches, and patches of exposed metal that give it a truly lived-in feel. The engine turbines feature a combination of silver, gray, and darker metallic washes to highlight mechanical details, making them look as though they’ve seen years of use in Tatooine’s harsh desert environment. The small windshields are made from clear plastic, adding another touch of realism to the TVC Landspeeder.

The interior is underwhelming, it features sculpted seat textures and a dashboard with molded buttons and controls, but it was left entirely unpainted.

Comparison with Other Releases

Over the years, multiple versions of Luke’s Landspeeder have been released, each with its own strengths and unique features. Here’s how the 2011 Vintage Collection Landspeeder compares to some of the most notable prior versions:

• Kenner 1978: The original release featured a fun but simplified design with a spring-loaded suspension to mimic the hover effect. It was sturdy and playable but lacked the finer details and screen accuracy of later versions.

  

• Power of the Force 2 (1995): This update introduced improved sculpting and a more detailed engine under the opening hood but still lacked intricate paint applications and realistic weathering.

  

• Saga Collection (2002): This version featured a brand-new sculpt with more accurate proportions, a properly scaled cockpit, and a much-improved dashboard. It also came with a pack-in Luke Skywalker figure. However, its paint job was not entirely accurate to the film, with slightly off color tones.

  

• The Vintage Collection (2011): The best of both worlds, combining the detailed sculpt from the 2002 version with a vastly improved and accurate paint job. It retained the retractable wheels while adding weathering effects, making it one of the most screen-accurate Landspeeders at the 3.75-inch scale.

Final Thoughts

For years, the 2011 Vintage Collection Landspeeder has been the definitive 3.75-inch scale version of Luke Skywalker’s iconic vehicle. Its combination of a well-sculpted body, excellent paint applications, and seamless design made it the best Landspeeder available for collectors who wanted a screen-accurate representation of the vehicle.

However, with the recent announcement of a new Landspeeder set for release in 2025, this version will soon be surpassed in terms of accuracy and detailing. While the 2011 model remains a fantastic release, collectors who seek the most precise and updated rendition of the vehicle may look forward to the improvements Hasbro will bring in the upcoming release. Nevertheless, for those who have enjoyed this version for years, it will always hold a special place as a high-quality collectible that brought Luke’s speeder to life in The Vintage Collection.