Star Wars Micro Galaxy Squadron Series 9

Series 9 features the long-awaited Cloud Car, AT-DP, and much-loved ARC-170. There's also a TIE Defender and my favorite - the TIE Reaper. Many of these show improvements to molding technology over older releases. So, I think it's good they waited to do some of these ships instead of releasing them years ago.

This is from DC's Ultimate Unofficial Guide. All thanks go to him.

Features:

• 57-D Speeder Bike - Luthen Rael
• AvA Speeder Bike - Scout Trooper
• Joben T-85 Speeder Bike - Kanan Jarrus
• Probemate 222 Hyperspace Pod - Probe Droid
• BARC with Sidecar - Anakin Skywalker
• AvA Speeder Bike (Holographic) - Scout Trooper

These are all nice releases, but the star of the show is the Hyperspace Pod by far. This is the first time we've gotten the 222 version of the hyperspace pod in any form (apart from 3d prints), and it's surprisingly the second Hyperspace Pod released this year. Like I said, this is the smaller version of the pod based on the sd.kfz 222 hull. You can use isopropyl alcohol to remove the print on the sides. It's also worth shortening the peg holding the Probe Droid so it fits better.

Anakin is the Rare with the Holographic speeder being the Chase in the series.

Features:

• legs pivot at 3 points
• cannon swivels and elevates
• opening cockpit
• poseable Imperial Combat Drivers (2)

The AT-DP is a really well done model, though not a great toy. The detail is spectacular, and I love that they cut out he vision ports all around the cockpit. However, the legs are very hard to pose. Also mine seems to have a cockpit head that isn't centered. Still, it's a great piece for display - just don't try "walking the dinosaur" with it.

Features:

• retractable landing gear (3)
• removable nose panel
• removable rear panel
• opening cockpit
• flight stand
• poseable Edrio Two-Tubes

Oooh I love how Jazwares painted this one - white paint on black-molded plastic - perfect. It really is a beautiful ship and a fantastic piece to display. Edrio is a great figure and highly detailed.

Features:

• retractable landing gear (4)
• opening cockpit (2)
• opening engine cover
• poseable Cloud Car Pilots (2)

Seems like it's been forever since they previewed this, but it is definitely cool to see. The little fin thing behind each canopy is a separate piece like the ILM model, a nice detail. It's small, but I can't really complain.

Features:

• opening cockpit
• opening engine cover
• removable wings (3)
• poseable Female TIE Pilot

Now, I love the TIE Defender, but this is actually a model of the TIE Defender Elite, a larger and more stretched-out looking version. It has the longer wings, longer/stretched-out engine area, wing missiles, and little tabs in between the wing panels. Personally, I dislike this version. However, they did a good job replicating it. I just wish they had made one closer to the Action Fleet version.

Interesting that they molded a female TIE Pilot for this set.

Features:

• opening cockpit
• opening engine cover
• removable wings (3)
• poseable Vult Skerris

The yellow markings are well done, but I don't really have a huge attachment to this one. Vult, though, looks great with the yellow stripes.

Features:

• opening cockpit
• retractable landing gear
• poseable Ezra Bridger

I doubt we'll ever get a proper RZ-1T Trainer A-wing with 2 seats, but I do love the markings on this one. Ezra is also an older version unlike earlier releases.

Features:

• opening cockpit
• retractable landing gear (3)
• opening s-foils
• push-button on bottom to pop out R2 unit
• poseable New Republic Pilot & Astromech

I gotta say that I really like the overall look of this one. However, as this depicts one from Skeleton Crew, I wish they had made some ion cannons to replace the lower laser cannons. That would have been cool to have. Figures are awesome as usual.

Features:

• rotating cockpit
• opening canopy
• opening wings (2)
• retractable landing gear (2)
• poseable B-wing pilot

I don't really need a holographic B-wing, but it is cool to see. In particular, I love seeing the interior struts and connector points of the model.

Features:

• opening cockpit
• opening bomb hatch with painted missiles
• cockpit seats 2 pilots
• poseable TIE Pilot

This newer TIE Bomber has a lot of little updates to the Series 4 version. Firstly, you get a lighter, more bluish molded plastic. They also painted the canopy frame a dark grey, and the missiles are now a darker, metallic red. However, the coolest addition is that the wings feature punch-outs above and below the pylons that hold the wings. This is just like the ILM model, and it shows how far Jazwares' technology has come.

Features:

• pivoting wings
• retractable landing gear (2)
• retractable ramp
• firing missiles (2)
• opening cockpit
• removable front & rear roofs
• poseable Death Troopers (2) & Death Trooper Commander

Oooh yeah, this one is awesome. I really love the size and the thin wings are so much better than the TIE Striker. This is also the first to feature firing missiles, which you can easily leave out. I don't like the pivoting wings which didn't exist in original designs, but it's not that noticeable. Still, this is the one of the best large ships they've done. There's so much detail and cool features.

The Death Troopers are awesome. The Commander has a larger shoulder pauldron, rangefinder on the left side of helmet, and more stuff on the chest plate like grenades.

Features:

• opening s-foils (4)
• retractable landing gear (2)
• rotating rear turrets (2)
• opening cockpit
• opening rear cockpit
• push-button on bottom to pop out R2 unit
• poseable Odd Ball, Jag & R4-C7

Another amazing large release that I absolutely love. The detail is really good, especially the cockpit and engines. The s-foils have little pins that snap into the main wings to hold them in place. I love how the rear cockpit pivots down to allow access. My only minor gripes are the tabs to open the cockpits look ugly. Also, I had to use the hot water/cold water trick to straighten the main cannons. Other than that, amazing release. Figures look fantastic as well, but I wish we had a third Clone Pilot.

Features:

• N-1 Starfighter
• Yellow Jedi Starfighter
• Green (Mustafar) Jedi Interceptor
• TIE Advanced x1
• poseable Anakin Skywalker (TPM, Clone Wars, ROTS), Darth Vader & R2-D2

We're buying this for the Green Interceptor, which is expertly painted. They just left off the black trapezoid emblem on the wing, which I think is a good foreshadowing of Vader as it covers up the Open Circle insignia. Other ships have minor changes. The N-1 has softer blaster streaks instead of hard-edges. The yellow JSF is darker. Finally, the TIE has lighter in molded grey plastic and has the lift tab for the cockpit.

Features:

• same features as previous AT-AT releases
• Poseable retro versions of Snowtrooper, Luke, General Veers, & AT-AT Pilots (2)

I'm not really a collector of these Kenner-inspired ships, but I think they did a great job. They printed all of the old stickers just like the 1980's toy would appear.

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