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Collectibles => Past Hasbro 3.75" Lines => The Clone Wars '08-'13 => Topic started by: Jeff on February 12, 2011, 06:35 PM

Title: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Jeff on February 12, 2011, 06:35 PM
Apparently, despite what some store clearances would indicate, the Hailfire Droid sold well enough for them to do a second RC vehicle.

3 3/4" scale Republic Tank with IR remote control.  Includes one (repack) Clone Trooper figure.  Should have the same features as the hailfire (directional control, remote shooting missiles, etc).

Hopefully we should have some pics up soon...
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Jesse James on February 12, 2011, 07:16 PM
The RC Hailfire's gone here...  Never saw one clearance anywhere.  The only sale was even at Target and brief.  TRU is the only place with them locally except I see one at a rural WM I visit...  Every other WM had 6 or more and sold out though.  I'm not totally surprised it did well then.  I haven't seen them at Target since that $5 off sent most of them packing.

I'm curious to see if the Republic tank is the current vehicle retooled or a new ship then.  That'll determine if I buy at this point.  I liked the Hailfire but I liked its design better.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: McMetal on February 12, 2011, 07:28 PM
I'm curious to see if the Republic tank is the current vehicle retooled or a new ship then.  That'll determine if I buy at this point.  I liked the Hailfire but I liked its design better.

From the pics I saw at Yakface, it appears to be a different sculpt, like the original version on steroids. The rear guns look much more impressive.

I wish they could have at least tweaked the paint job for the pack-in figure.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Scockery on February 12, 2011, 07:54 PM
The entire cockpit area seems to fold open, too. Haven't seen any pics of it open, though.

Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Jeff on February 12, 2011, 09:38 PM
(http://www.jedidefender.com/gallery/files/gallery/Conventions/Toy_Fair_2011/Hasbro_Star_Wars/Collector_Presentation/Slide11.JPG)
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Jesse James on February 12, 2011, 10:33 PM
It could open at the cockpit to accomodate batteries or whatnot too. 
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Keonobi on February 14, 2011, 04:13 PM
I just picked up the regular/non-RC version of the Republic Fighter Tank over the weekend (which I really like), so I was surprised to see pictures of an RC version when I checked out the TF pictures.  I was quickly scanning through all the pictures, so I didn't notice that it is RC, at first, and thought they had redone the tank with bigger cheek guns.  I like the current version and since my kids have had less than enthusiastic responses to RC generally, I think I'll pass, but this certainly would lend to more interactive play.  A cool concept and I hope it does well.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Jesse James on February 14, 2011, 04:33 PM
I've run some clones over with that Hailfire Droid, lemme tell ya.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Phrubruh on February 15, 2011, 10:08 AM
So is that an all new mold or the same vehicle with eletronics added?
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Keonobi on February 15, 2011, 10:29 AM
I think its a new mold.  Atleast the area below the cheek guns is completely different that in the non-RC version (on that tank there are little storage doors that open up), also in the older version the lower set of windows on the cockpit have gullwing doors that open, the RC version appears only have the one door that opens forward.  Also the center hull looks a little higher...

Not sure about the size or other details, but the rest of the tank looks similar to the old version.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Jesse James on February 15, 2011, 03:56 PM
I thought someone said they thought it looked larger overall.  The windows don't look open like the original either.

To accomodate an RC function inside, I'd assume it's an all-new sculpt regardless though.  The drive mechanism, wheels, wiring harnesses, servo's, etc.  They've all got to be accomodated inside the vehicle, and the original there's no way it would work.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: CHEWIE on February 15, 2011, 04:47 PM
The only way the Targets around here were able to move the Hailfires was when they had the $35.00 sale before Christmas, and then finally clearanced them out after that.  One Target still had a couple for 50% off as of the weekend... and I still see them in good numbers at Wal-Mart and TRU for full price at $60.00.  And I think that the K-Marts have more RC Hailfire droids in the aisles than customers in the store at any given time.

In regards to this RC offering, I thought I read that it's going to cost less at $40.00 - that's much more reasonable.  I still have no interest though.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Jesse James on February 15, 2011, 07:22 PM
Fortunately it seems the vehicle did a bit better than your area CHEWIE.  My area seems more like what Hasbro's opinion was, as WM sold out of Hailfires here really fast.  They ranged from having like 4 or 6, to having as many as 15 of them at some stores, to having zero at most...  One out of the way store I visit sometimes since it's nearer to me still has one hanging around though, and one very rural store I sometimes hit has two I noticed just last night.

K-Mart here has either none, or two.  My KM has two and they're with other RC vehicles, not Star Wars for some reason.  I find that odd marketing on their part, but whatever.  The other 2 KM's I hit frequently have none though.

Target has been out of the Hailfire since they dropped the prices before Christmas and put them on sale.  I was going to pick one up extra at that price but missed out even.

TRU I think has them yet but I don't get there often enough to ever know what's going on too much there.  TRU hasn't gotten in half the Vintage Collection because of their prices though, haven't sold through hardly any of the stacks of Slave-I's, have tons of AT-AT's (So does WM though), and in general TRU seems like a toy hell because they always want a bit more anymore.

But around me this did really well through the holidays...  WM even put more out as the holidays went on.  I was even a little surprised.  I thought it'd appeal to kids, but I figured $60 would be tough for parents to maybe bite on since all SW toys seem to start to linger at $40+.  Or so the trend generally has gone over the years it seems.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Pete_Fett on February 22, 2011, 12:56 AM
The RC Hailfire droid has done pretty well around where I live. Sure there's one or two here or there, but for the most part, compared to what was in stores before the holiday season and what there is now, I would say it was a pretty successful item.

Not to mention the fact that it's a pretty fun toy - I would say it was the most fun I've had with a Star Wars toy in the entire modern line.

I'm really looking forward to the RC Republic Tank - it would be fun to have a "showdown" between the two RC vehicles.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: darth broem 2 on March 2, 2011, 09:52 AM
Perhaps the RC Hailfire Droid did better in different parts of the country than others?  We really did not have THAT many clogging the shelves where I live at.  Granted I live near Phx, Arizona and there are tons of SW collectors out here.  Do not get me wrong you find them easily enough especially at $65 first price.  But I would only see a couple at each store after they initially put them out.  I will say I usually just frequent about 5-6 different retail stores here.  Maybe they were clogging up other shelves in the area?  I don't know.  It sounds like it after reading some posts here.  When I lived in a smaller town in Illinois this sounds like something that would rot on the shelves to be honest mainly because of the price.

Anyway, the RC apparently did well enough to warrant another RC toy.  I will be tempted to buy this if my son wants it.  I will admit I wouldn't have bought the RC Hailfire Droid but my son was begging for it when he first saw it.  We got it for his birthday last November.  I think it was on "sale" for $45-50 but can't remember now.  Or maybe my parents bought it for him?  Whatever.  Anyway, the kid loves this toy.  He still whips it out on a frequent basis.  The Nintendo Wii we got him for X-Mas pretty much stole the other toys thunder. 

My point is kids are going to be the ones that want to go for an RC toy.  Not many collectors will especially when they want accuracy, etc.  Kids for the most part don't give a crap about that.  So, I think this RC toy will probably fair ok.  It's not going to fly off the shelves especially it's going to be $65 again. 
Title: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: McMetal on May 3, 2011, 12:17 AM
I'm sure there's a dedicated thread for the new RC Republic Fighter Tank, so feel free to merge this Mods. I looked but couldn't find it - sorry!

Am I crazy or is the scale of this thing suddenly way off? The new packaged photo seems to indicate this, as far as the relative positioning of the figure to the vehicle. The non-RC versions seem a bit more robust.

I wonder what they will actually charge for this thing because it seems smaller than the Hailfire Droid too.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Jesse James on May 3, 2011, 12:35 AM
The new photos of this are interesting...

(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/1-08/011CW_RCRepFightTank02_TN.jpg) (http://www.jedidefender.com/newspro/fullnews.cgi?newsid1304388783,17377,)
Clicky

I'm not as into this as the Hailfire Droid only because I'm not as into the vehicle's design overall...  I didn't buy the basic vehicle for the same reason, mostly because I was annoyed that its outter nacel things weren't "articulated" to move when it lifted and was zipping around.  that's how the vehicle works so I was kind of meh on the toy then.

It's also smaller than it should be, but as an EU item that's arguable too I think.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Adam_Pawlus on July 4, 2011, 10:53 PM
Got mine.  It's pretty great.  Rolls forward, or does the "reverse and turns a bit".  The remote firing thing is pretty cool, it sort of recoils-- the whole tank jumps back a tiny bit each time you fire a rocket.  Plus it has lights on the front of it.  I don't think any collectors will be happy shelling out $50+ for a toy they bought for $20 a few months earlier, but I have to admit I think it's more fun than the Big AT-AT was.  (But it is significantly less impressive.)
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Jesse James on July 5, 2011, 02:09 AM
I read your quick review of it Adam, and liked the details you shared...

I collect 1:16 RC tanks, and they (among other features not really appropriate for a kid's toy) have the recoiling feature, lights, etc.  I always liked that, and so it's neat that the new RC Republic Tank has that incorporated into it.

I'm not sure I'll buy the Republic tank...  I wasn't into the static one in the first place, but I may cave and get it.

I loved the Hailfire...  to me, it was a no-brainer based on the vehicle's design and Hasbro got it to function remarkably well.  And the firing feature on it is really flawless.  It was also the only really solid "big" Separatist toy to run over Clones with...  Well, not counting the giant Octuparra.  That thing is still impressive every time I look at it.  The Hailfire is/was a ton of fun though and I think the Republic Tank was a great direction for them to go then for the Clones.  I just wonder if another RC vehicle is up their sleeves, or if this is it then.  Designs are somewhat limited.  The hovering tanks from the Zillo Beast episode could work though, I guess, if another item were to be considered.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: McMetal on July 5, 2011, 09:19 AM
I read that review too and unfortunately I am one of the people mentioned who would buy this and then leave it boxed in its pristine state on display. So yah, does not do much to pump my tires. I would just as soon they retire this RC idea altogether and get back to making non-functional toys that I can never find in stores.  ;D
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Adam_Pawlus on July 5, 2011, 06:01 PM
I kinda wish they'd just integrate it in NEW vehicles and not remakes.  The Turbo Tank would've been 23% cooler if it was an RC toy right out of the box-- gut the Speeder Bike launcher and stick the motor in there.

If they're going to stick to short-term remakes, I hope they can find a way to drive down the price point.  If the RC mechanism dies, the $25 Saber Tank seats more figures and can roll on its own, at least.

I guess they'll do one next year... but what?  A Pod Racer?  A Flash Speeder? (Hahahaha.)

...I'd actually like to see an all-new wireless RC Landspeeder.  That might be cool, at or under $40.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Jesse James on July 6, 2011, 12:02 AM
The price is unfortunately pretty good for a GOOD RC mechanism (which it actually is pretty solid...  I took one apart and I'm impressed at the sturdiness of the guts on the Hailfire).  I agree totally that a NEW vehicle would be nice.  The Hailfire kind of constituted new given that the old one hasn't been around much of late, but the Republic Tank's a bit fresh.

As much as it's unlikely, I would've dug seeing Hasbro going with an original design, even a "mini-rig" type design of the Turbo Tank...  maybe just 6 smaller wheels, fore and aft cockpits...  TT shrunk down to a more manageable size basically, and made into an RC vehicle.

The big Turbo Tank would've been awesome and popular I think, but would've upped things a bit on it...  Rubber tires at that point I'd guess, steering would've been a little tricky on it since it's weighty, and one motor wouldn't run it either I don't think, due to the weight also.  Still though, it's probably the coolest vehicle they could've done aside from the boring Sandcrawler (but a crawler with working treads would be quite the eye-popper to collectors I think).

It's funny how quality RC stuff's come down in price though...  the same level of quality when we were younger would've cost a good bit more.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: McMetal on July 11, 2011, 03:06 PM
I see this is in stock now over at HTS...weird how they are early with some stuff and so late with other stuff.

Think I can wait til I see it in a store. The K-Mart across the street still has 3 Hailfire Droids gathering dust.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Scockery on July 24, 2011, 12:32 AM
I saw this at a Target today $39.99 (unless I read the wrong shelf tag). Only holds two figures in the drivers area and the commander hatch is non-functioning.
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: McMetal on July 24, 2011, 12:38 AM
Good to know, I caved and bought one off HTS but of course it arrived in sub-minty packaging so I would like to upgrade.

Bullseye's got it goin' on~
Title: Re: Clone Wars RC Republic Tank
Post by: Nicklab on December 1, 2011, 08:17 PM
Lightning deal in progress at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SGSSZQ?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER) for the R/C Fighter Tank.  The price is $24.99