Kenner AT-AT Driver & TIE Pilot

 The AT-AT Driver is one of the first figures that shares a mold with another figure, in this case the TIE Pilot, which I'll also cover him here since both figures aren't remarkable. Sharing molds is what companies like Kenner, Hasbro, Mattel and Playmates do today in order to save money. Back then it wasn't so common like it is today.

First up is the AT-AT Driver. Instead of being all black, he has a grey bodysuit with while gloves, white shoulder pads and a white helmet. His lone accessory is a long blaster rifle, similar to the one that came with the Hoth Rebel Commander. The design of this figure would translate to both the prequel and sequel trilogies. Clone Speeder pilots from AOTC, and some of the Clone fighter pilots wore similar outfits, with the helmets being different. In Episode 8 the First Order AT-AT drivers wore this exact same outfit, with a slightly different helmet. If you had the AT-AT, you needed this figure. Otherwise he isn't needed in your collection. He is mostly screen accurate, as well as a figure made in 1980-82 could be.

Now the TIE Pilot is different. He was seen in Star Wars, yet never got a figure until The Empire Strikes Back where he's unseen. Well, not really true. During the asteroid chase, there is one TIE Fighter that smacks an asteroid you see one flying out of the wrecked fighter. He has the same body sculpt as the AT-AT Driver, but doesn't have the shoulder pads, but you can tell in the pictures they share the same basic body sculpt. The TIE Pilot appears to wear all black, but was given grey gloves and boots. Why, I do not know. Maybe to make him stand out? A lot of the Kenner Star Wars figures were very colorful, so it makes sense. But unlike the AT-AT Driver this figure is essential. Especially if you had the Imperial TIE Fighter, which for me and many other 1980's kids was my favorite fighter. Yep, I liked it more than the X-Wing fighter! The pilot comes with what is called a pilot blaster, which is a newly made weapon for figures from this film. Does he need it? No, if you had him you took out your extra Stormtrooper or Darth Vader and put this figure in it. He isn't remarkable but is essential for your collection.  But are they really similar? I'll post the pics and let you be the judge! Images from galacticfigures.com