If you're a Star Wars fan, finding a mint condition vintage b wing pilot is often one of those "holy grail" moments which makes a collection feel complete. There is just something about that grey flight suit and the strangely shaped helmet that captures the late-era magic of the original Kenner line. When this figure hit the shelves in 1984, the Star Wars craze was starting to cool down slightly bit, which ironically makes him far more interesting to collectors today.
Back in the early eighties, many of us were used to the bright orange jumpsuits of the X-Wing pilots. Then along comes the B-Wing Pilot with this sleek, almost industrial look. He didn't have the flashy colors of Luke Skywalker, but he previously a certain "special ops" vibe that made him stand out in the pile of action figures. Whether you're planning to relive your childhood or you're just starting to dive into the world of vintage Kenner, there's a lot to love—and some things to watch out for—when it comes to this specific pilot.
Why This Figure is a Heavy Hitter
The vintage b wing pilot holds a special place in the hobby because he's part of what collectors call the "Last 17. " For individuals who aren't familiar with the lingo, these were the last seventeen figures released by Kenner before they pulled the plug on the original Star Wars line in 1985. Because interest in the movies was dipping as Return of the Jedi finished its theatrical run, Kenner produced fewer of these figures compared to icons like Darth Vader or maybe the original Stormtrooper.
As a result, he's naturally harder to find than your average rebel soldier. He wasn't just another background character; he represented the expanding universe of ship designs that made the Battle of Endor so visually cool. The B-Wing was always the "weird" ship with the rotating cockpit, and the pilot had to look just as unique to match it.
The Aesthetic: More Grey Plastic
When you hold a vintage b wing pilot you are holding, you really notice the attention to detail that Kenner was putting into their sculpts toward the final. The helmet is the standout feature. It's got that distinctive, elongated back and the molded-in visor. Unlike the earlier TIE Fighter pilots or X-Wing pilots, the B-Wing guy feels a bit more rugged.
The jumpsuit is a light grey, which leads to 1 of the biggest headaches for modern collectors: discoloration. Since the plastic used for his torso and limbs was often different, it's very common to find a figure where the torso has stayed grey while the limbs have turned a funky yellowish-tan color. Finding one with a "uniform" color across the whole body is similar to getting a needle inside a haystack, and you'll definitely pay reduced for that consistency.
Then there's the paint. The silver accents on the chest plate and the rebel insignia on the helmet are notorious for rubbing off. Most of these guys spent the last forty years residing in a cardboard box or being tossed around a backyard "Endor" (otherwise known as the garden), so finding crisp, sharp paint is a real treat.
The Struggle for the Right Blaster
If you've ever purchased a loose vintage b wing pilot , you understand the struggle from the missing weapon. He originally came with what collectors call the "Palace Blaster. " It's a small, grey handgun that was also packaged with figures like Lando Calrissian in his skiff guard outfit.
Because it's so small and didn't clip onto the figure in any way, these guns were the first things to get sucked up by vacuum cleaners in 1985. Nowadays, the weapon alone can cost nearly just as much as a beat-up figure. You have to be really careful with reproductions, too. There are tons of "repro" blasters out there that look almost identical to the originals. An experienced collector will tell you to accomplish the "drop test" (checking the sound much more when it hits a hard surface) or look for the tiny translucent quality of the original plastic, but it's always a bit of a gamble when you're buying online.
Carded vs. Loose: The Collector's Dilemma
Deciding whether you want a vintage b wing pilot loose or "on card" (still in the original packaging) depends entirely on your budget and exactly how much shelf space you have. Seeing this figure on a Return of the Jedi or Power of the Force card back is a beautiful sight. The photography they used for the card art was fantastic, usually featuring a still from the movie or even a high-quality studio shot of the costume.
However, a carded version is going to cost a pretty penny. Since he's a "Last 17" figure, the price jump from a loose figure to a graded, carded one is massive. Most people stick to loose figures because you can actually move the legs and arms and put him in the vintage B-Wing vehicle. There's nothing quite as satisfying as finally slotting the pilot into the cockpit of that heavy, rotating ship and realizing they fit together perfectly.
Tips for the Hunt
If you're scouring eBay or hitting up local toy shows for a vintage b wing pilot , here are a few things I've learned over the years. First, check the limbs. Kenner figures are famous for "loose limbs, " in which the tension in the joints gives out, making the figure stand like a wet noodle. You want a guy who can actually stand on his own two feet without leaning against a display case.
Second, consider the tip of the nose on the helmet. That's a high-friction area where the paint tends to wear down to the bare plastic. It's a little detail, but it the huge difference in the way the figure looks on a shelf.
Lastly, don't be afraid of a little "play wear. " Sometimes a figure with a few scuffs tells a better story than one that's been trapped in a plastic case for decades. These toys were meant to be used, after all. There's a particular charm to a vintage b wing pilot that looks like he actually survived the attack around the Second Death Star.
The Legacy of the B-Wing
It's funny to consider that a tiny piece of plastic from 1984 can still stir up so much excitement. The vintage b wing pilot represents a specific moment in time when Star Wars seemed it was expanding into something bigger and more complex. Even though the movies stopped for a while there after, the toys kept the fire burning for a lot of us.
Whether you're a hardcore completionist wanting to finish off your Last 17 set or simply someone who thinks the B-Wing is the coolest ship in the fleet, this figure is a must-have. He's a reminder of a time when toys were simple, sturdy, and fueled entirely by imagination. Plus, he just looks cool. At the end of the day, isn't that why we collect these things in the first place?
So, keep your eyes peeled at those flea markets and garage sales. You never know if a dusty vintage b wing pilot might be hiding at the end of a bin, just waiting for a new home. Just make sure you look into the blaster—and maybe bring a magnifying glass for the helmet paint! Happy hunting, and may your shelves always have room for one more pilot.