Could The Vintage Collection Support An Imperial Shuttle Today?

The last time Hasbro produced an Imperial Shuttle (a.k.a. Lamda-Class Shuttle, a.k.a. Shuttle Tydirium) was in 2006. It came with two figures for the low low price of $59.99, as you can see from the flyer above. I wouldn't get too excited about that price. At the time, Target would run "Limited Time Offers" the weekend following Black Friday as a way to increase foot traffic. This was most assuredly a loss leader for The Bullseye. It was actually the second release of the Shuttle in the modern line, and both re-used the vintage Kenner mold. The first release came in 2002 as an FAO Schwarz exclusive, which was presumably for profit. It retailed for $99.99, though FAO was known for mild gouging on their prices. Needless to say, the Target release didn't last long at that perceived discount. The supply at most stores lasted a day (regional exceptions may apply, but were not the norm).



In the intervening fourteen years, a lot of new collectors have come on board and would love access to an Imperial Shuttle. Current secondary market prices are between $330 and $450 shipped for sealed samples. Combine that with a recent appearance in Chapter 16 - The Rescue of The Mandalorian, and there is definitely a groundswell of renewed interest in this vehicle. But is it even worth considering?

Using 2002's vintage dollars as a baseline, inflation alone would bring the Shuttle to roughly $150. But as we've seen, prices of Vintage Collection items are outpacing mere monetary inflation. Hasbro's costs have gone up and production levels are down. Moreover, big box seems downright allergic to any product that is both big and expensive. Given the public's shift toward a preference of shopping from our Barcaloungers while wearing toasty warm fleece sleep pants, this is understandable. Big box needs to consider the practicality of "ship to home". So let's assume they are out of the equation, and look at a projected price for e-tail.



We've recently seen a Vintage Collection re-release that we can use as a barometer. The 2013 Slave I release came in at $69.99. The 2020 re-release clocked in at a whopping $149.99. That price jump outpaces inflation by 100%. Now, the 2020 rendition received drastically improved paint applications, which are expensive, plus a display stand. We'd presumably expect some modernization to the Shuttle too, or an all new mold. So let's just carry that increase percentage forward for a totally unscientific projection. Would you be willing to pony up $300 for a new Vintage Collection Imperial Shuttle? I would personally throw my wallet at Hasbro for a TVC Shuttle, but is there enough of a collector base to justify it? $300 barely represents a savings over the secondary market. What says you? Can a shuttle be supported today outside of HasLab, and without big box support?

Incidentally, the vintage Kenner Shuttle box is what kicked my army building compulsion into overdrive.

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