It’s a slow Monday (for me) so I’m throwing out this gallery that I had handy.  It’s not particularly exciting, but here we are.

Vader’s TIE was first released in the POTF2 line, and then was repainted, sometimes with new date stamps several times over the years.  The following is lifter straight from the recent TVC update to this vehicle:

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Hasbro has released multiple repaints of their original Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced, which dates back to 1997.  At the time, it was pretty nifty.  I got mine a few years afterwards during the Great Toys R Us Warehouse Blowout of 2000, since I hadn’t started collecting until 1999.  It seemed good enough, and I never thought much more of it at any point.  Over the years, we received multiple repaints and reissues.  Here’s a breakdown:

#1 POTF2 1997 - First Release
#2 OTC 2004 - Repaint of #1
#3 TSC 2006 - Repaint of #2
#4 TAC 2007 - Re-issue of #3
#5 TLC [Blue] 2008 - Re-issue of #3
#6 TLC [Red] 2009 - Re-issue of #3
#7 SOTDS (Death Star Trench Run TRU Exclusive) 2011 - Repaint of #2

Versions 1,2,3, and 7 had different paint operations, while 4,5, and 6 were straight repacks of the third release.  So Hasbro released that 1997 mold 7 times over 14 years - and now it’s been another 14 years of crickets before Vader’s ride has gotten new life. 

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That, of course, was remedied with the 2025 TVC version, which is excellent. 

But as I had said in that review, I personally wasn’t looking for a re-tooling of Vader’s TIE.  Earlier versions certainly weren’t great, and everyone knew Hasbro could do better today.  It just wasn’t going to move the needle for my collection a whole lot.  Nevertheless, I gave the new vehicle a 10/10, because it is awesome.  Still, I would have wanted something completely new.

Anyway, this is the 2006 release.  As stated in the list above, it’s a repaint from earlier releases.  Technically, the 2—4 OTC version was “retooled” because it has a 2003 date stamp, differentiating it from the POTF2 original release, while also having a significantly different paint job.  This one has the same date stamp, but with yet another paint job, including a bit of weathering.

It’s got an opening cockpit for Mr. Vader (not included), as well as sliding/deployable twin cannons, and a pair of launching missile projectiles.  Fairly standard fair for the day, even if lacking in the realism department.  Even today, I’d give it a 6/10.  It’s not gonna blow your socks off, but it does the job.

Comparing it directly to the TVC vehicle shows the differences in scale, detail, proportions, realism, and paint operations.  To boot, the TVC release comes with a great Darth Vader figure.  But you’re gonna pay for it all, as it retails for $140.  You can probably snag this TSC Vader’s TIE for $50 on Ebay - less if you don’t want the box.