Week 3: R2-D2

The original R2-D2 was the third of the "Early Bird" figures and was released
only on some of the Star Wars cards as well as some of the early ESB cards. The
sensorscope R2-D2 then took over through ROTJ. It was replaced with the "pop
up" saber R2 of the POTF line. There is a bit of debate as to which cards the
original R2 was released and the existance of some. Here is what I found
according to Kellerman's book (R2's known to exist):

SW 12 back A-c
SW 12/32 back D transition
SW 21 back C "secret figure" offer
ESB 21 back G "secret figure" offer
ESB 31 back A 
ESB 32 back B
ESB 41 back A "survival kit" offer

The carded picture here is an that of a 12-back that I pulled from
www.12-back.com. I do not yet own a carded example......yet. As always, the
12-back is very popular and demands a pretty high price. However, I find it odd
that often times other cardbacks that are alot less common and much harder to
find dont have the price demand of 12-backs, but I will discuss that alittle
more when we get to Darth Vader (my character focus).

I do however have a couple of loose variations of R2-D2:

The first has a County of Origin (coo) of Hong Kong. It has lighter blue colors
on the dome and leg. It appears to be slightly taller, but I think it is only
the legs that make it appear that way.

The second has a coo of Taiwan and has much darker blue colors on the dome and
legs. Both are labeled G.M.G.F.I. 1977.

Side By Side:

I spoke briefly with Billy Boy through PM's regarding European variations and he
did say that there was a blank coo variation and hopefully he will elaborate
some on this or other variations in the discussion thread. Thanks Bill! 

Also pictured is a lineup of the various R2's of mine released during the course
of the vintage line, and I thought is was a bit interesting to see that R2
actually shrank alittle in size as the vintage line progressed.

The original R2-D2 loose can cost anywhere from a couple of dollars to well over
$10 depending on condition......especially sticker condition, whiteness,
funtioning clicking mechanism of the dome, etc. I am not real certain about
moc's however. Not many around doing a complete search on Ebay, but I am
guessing that a common ESB carded version will cost in the neighborhood of $100
or so, and Star Wars carded R2-D2 will probably run $200-$300 or more depending
on condition, grade (AFA), or rarity. 
 

Lastly, Did anyone else (when you were a kid....or even now) use your R2 as a
canon? 

I sure did! I remember also getting a marble stuck in him once as well. 
I was thinking about this the first time I saw the Hasbro release of the POTF2
R5-D4. They stole my idea! LOL Also, when I was a kid I use to wear out the
clinking mechanism for his head very quickly. R2-D2 was one of my favorite
figures to play with and they all got very abused. Unfortunate, but true. 
However, somehow a sensorscope R2 actually survived my childhood and I still
have it. It is the only figure that from my childhood that I still own.

That wraps up this weeks Yodasnews vintage Toy of the Week. Please feel free to
post away in the TOTW discussion thread in the forums. Next week, forum member
Rik Biel will be submitting a large portion of the figure write up and a pic or
two for the last of the "Early Bird" figures: Chewbacca! 

 Thanks for reading!