HasLab Project 2 Proposal #4: Echo Base / Rebel Transport

In our next look at what the next 3.75" HasLab project could be, here's an idea that has been kicked around recently in our "Disqussions." We've looked at three ideas so far:

1. Death Star
2. Mechanized AT-AT
3. The Ghost

This is our 4th proposal: A GR-75 Rebel Transport / Echo Base Environment. The idea was mentioned at various times in our discussion threads, and had some traction, so we'll go ahead and anchor it with an official proposal here.



At its simplest, a release of a modern update to the classic Kenner Rebel Transport is something that many collectors would probably support. It's one of the few vintage vehicles that has no modern equivalent. The first point in favor of such a project would be that it checks off the Kenner box. But we all know that the Rebel Transport isn't exactly the most exciting vehicle concept. It's really just a Star Wars blimp. It did nothing in the film except hang out in the background and then escape with the help of the ion cannon. It was nevertheless part of a dramatic and very memorable moment in Star Wars lore, when John Facenda announced over the Echo Base intercom: "The first transport...is away" and the the entire contingent of Rebels stopped what they were doing just long enough to give a big "Hooray!"

Since the ship had little "aggressive" value as a toy, Kenner opted to essentially turn it into a carry case. According to the commercial below, the ship holds 42 figures. You've got a cockpit and a gunner station, and that's about it.



While collectors may covet this ship, it's unlikely such a vehicle would achieve anything remotely approaching retail success. Even as a HasLab offering, a simple update to the ship wouldn't be nearly exciting enough to be worth the effort. But what could work? How about an Echo Base environment along with it? Now, the most obvious thought would be some kind of folding/transforming playset. Hasbro executed this concept fairly well with the BB-8 2 in 1 Mega Playset. In order to accommodate the BB-8 shape, the set itself isn't really movie accurate, and is loaded with lots of play features that are geared for kids. But for something that is as collector-driven as HasLab, we may not want to risk a Rebel Transport 2-in-1 Mega Playset that does a lot of different things, but not of them satisfactorily enough for collectors. We want film-accurate environments that act as awesome backdrops to our action figures. So what to do?

The GR-75 Transport is described in Wookieepedia as nothing more than a spaceworthy shell to carry cargo. Hasbro can do the shell as a simple carry case for the high quality environmental pieces inside, which would be removable and displayable apart from the shell of the Transport itself. Even with the "guts" completely removed, the shell of the transport could still have a working cockpit (even though the Kenner toy is not accurate), landing gear, ramp, etc. Just a few simple features to add to the display value of the GR-75 shell would be fine, while the insides would be completely hollow, meant as storage for the Echo Base pieces. If the transport were long enough, let's say about 4 feet long (the same as the Khetanna, but of course, not to scale), then the insides could be full of removable echo base environments. A command center, briefing room, medical bay, Tauntaun corral, some open space/hallways, and hangar equipment (boxes, lights, machinery, weapons racks, pilot lockers, etc.). If designed properly, a four foot long ship, maybe about 12" wide at its widest point, could hold several well-sized environmental pieces that could be displayed in an number of ways to make the most of an Echo Base diorama. You would make your own room for the hangars, of course, but like the Khetanna, the whole thing wold be an amazing display for all of the available Hoth-related figures and accessories. They need a home!

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