Photo Real Update:  Chris - 2/8/2021 07:05 AM

So the deco upgrades to this figure go beyond just some new paint applications to the face.  First, let’s talk about the source.  This is technically Lt. Oxixo from A New Hope instead of the generic TIE Fighter Pilot that was first release.  That specific TIE Fighter Pilot was previously released in the Battle of Endor (1 of 2) multi-pack. This time the central strip on the helmet is more subdued.  Instead of a bright silver, it’s more of a gunmetal.  The callsign is also larger and moved back a little.  Overall, the helmet appears glossier, but the dullness of the original release may just be a product of aging.

The flight suit is blacker on this release instead of the dark gray of the predecessor.  The paint applications to the chest box are much more precise and include extra paint applications on the switches.  There are two barely noticeable red dots on the outside gray switches.  There is also a silver control panel painted on the figure’s left forearm.  The imperial symbols on the figure’s shoulders are bigger and more precise.  The silver in the “frown” of the helmet is also more subdued, and honestly, a little less precise.  There is also some silver on the speaker at the bottom of the helmet.  Finally, the figure has Photo Real applied to the human head, but the results are honestly negligible.

Overall, this is a crisper and better looking TIE Fighter Pilot than the first release, but it’s still based on the sub standard 2008/9 mold. It’s nicer looking version of a figure that needs a resculpt.  Finally, since this is a specific TIE Fighter Pilot who met his demise during A New Hope, you might want to consider picking up one.

Editor’s Note:  This review has been updated with our second look at TVC…

Original Review:  Chris - 09/11/11 03:13 PM

Not rated at time of publication.

Updated Review (Guest):  MaarekStele - 8/04/2018 07:05 AM

Editor’s note:  Guest reviewer MaarekStele provides his take on this figure.  He has previously been featured on Bantha Skull as the curator of an entire 72-figure wing of TIE Pilots

The Vintage Collection VC65 TIE Fighter Pilot made its debut at SDCC in 2011, as part of the SDCC Exclusive “Revenge of the Jedi” Death Star box set. This TIE Fighter Pilot figure had previously been released in this deco with the Legacy Collection TRU Exclusive TIE Interceptor in 2009. The carded release brought nothing new to the table. The figure itself appears to be modified from the legs, hands and torso of the 2004 Saga Collection Battle of Yavin TIE Fighter Pilot. This updated figure first saw release with the Legacy Collection Evolution Imperial Pilot Legacy box set, as Biggs Darklighter in 2008.

By 2011 the figure was beginning to show its age. While having 14 points of articulation, (or only 12 if you don’t count the swivel knees) this was more than enough for the TIE Fighter Pilot to sit with ease in any of Hasbro’s various TIE series starfighters. The TIE Pilot, while adequate,  does have some shortfalls. Perhaps the most noticeable of these, is the dark grey color of the flight suit. Rather than the screen accurate black we know and love. Oddly, Hasbro used black for the flight suit on the Biggs Darklighter and Derek “Hobbie” Klivian TIE Pilot variant releases.

The figure also comes with the incorrect sidearm, an SE-14c blaster. Going all the way back to the first release from the “Imperial Pilot Legacy” set, the TIE Pilot has, with each subsequent release, included this incorrect SE-14c.  One exception was Major Mianda from the TRU “Battle Over Endor” set, which came with the E-11.  The SE-14c blaster was made famous by Ponda Baba in Star Wars: A New Hope, but the correct Imperial variant is the SE-14r blaster, or at least the old tried and true Imperial standard issue E-11 blaster is an acceptable substitute.

While the VC65 TIE Fighter Pilot is long in the tooth these days, it still holds up to a degree, thanks in large part due to the newest TIE Fighter Pilot being 5POA (“5POA is not okay” as Randy would say).  Hasbro could easily get some extra life out of this old figure with a correct black flight suit. Or just add a shiny finish to reflect the modern tweaks made to the TIE Pilot costume as seen in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. But in general, the TIE Fighter Pilot has never been a high demand figure among most collectors.

The VC65 TIE Fighter Pilot has became somewhat limited on the secondary market and currently commands a premium.

Verdict: Re-Sculpt (very low priority) 

While a completely new TIE Pilot would be welcome, it’s not really needed. Based on that, I would recommend a low priority re-issue, perhaps in 2020, rather than an all new figure. They could get some extra life out of it by retooling the TAC Stormtrooper head to fit the body, or use the Imperial Pilot Legacy AOTC Clone Pilot head. They could instead tool up a new non clone head based on the “snoopy cap” the TIE Pilots wore in the Rebels cartoon. There are several simple repaint possibilities such as a corrected Mauler Mithel helmet, the Rogue One TIE Pilot, or Inferno Squad Agent. Also possible, Hasbro could dip into Legends and update the previous TRU 181st Pilot or even Baron Fel in normal TIE gear. By the way: Hasbro if you are reading this, the Legacy comic pack Baron Fel head fits nearly perfect on the VC65 TIE Pilot, as if it was made for it. These could provide Hasbro with several possible variants for collectors to validate adding another TIE Fighter Pilot to their collections.

Verdict Guide:
Re-sculpt = The figure is not definitive, and a new version should be developed.
Re-issue = This version is definitive (or close enough), and shows sufficient secondary market demand to warrant a straight repack.
No Action = This release does not require new attention.