Background
As a part of their Militaries of Star Wars line, Sideshow Collectibles has been releasing various Stormtroopers and Clone Troopers. They often have very different secondary colors. One of the newest (and most orange) is the 212th Attack Battalion: Utapau Clone Trooper.
The Facts
212th Attack Battalion: Utapau Clone Trooper
Series: Militaries of Star Wars
Manufacturer: Sideshow Collectibles
Material: Hard plastic articulated body
Height: 12”
Points of Articulation: Over 30 (Prometheus body)
Accessories: Carbine blaster; Long rifle; Set of interchangeable fists; Star Wars display base; 212th Attack Battalion: Utapau display base – Sideshow Exclusive
Outfit: Black and gray bodysuit; Weathered and battle-damaged 13 piece armor outfit with helmet; Utility belt
Edition Size: 2,500 regular and 1,500 exclusive
Packaging
Sideshow’s Star Wars packaging is known for being one of the best in the business. All four panels have photos of the enclosed figure. The front flap is held in place with magnets, and on the inside, there is background information about the Utapau Clone Tropper. The figure is contained within dual, interlocking plastic trays.
Our Opinion
Whenever I get my hands on one of Sideshow’s figures that use the Prometheus body, I wish that there were an easy way to switch over Sideshow’s old school Art S. Buck figures to this superior articulated body. The main improvements are that hands are easier to change out and there appears to be room for more articulated posing.
The Utapau Clone Trooper is constructed using several (13 to be exact) pieces of armor over a rubbery body suit. The pieces of armor are painted to look like they are battle damaged with black and white scrapes. The normally white armor is panted in a dirty gray fashion. You can see that even the bottom of the figure’s feet is painted with this weathered look.
The included accessories are fairly standard for a Clone Trooper. You get two guns and an extra set of hands. It’s not the bounty you get with some 1:6 scale pieces (see Sideshow’s Snake Eyes figure), but there is nothing that’s character specific for a character you rarely saw on screen.
Overall, it’s another great addition to Sideshow’s Militaries of Star Wars line. It adds a little color to your Clone Trooper or Stormtrooper collection. And could you really do better than an orange Clone Trooper?
You can pick one up at the following:
Sideshow: $89.99 - Sideshow Exclusive
212th Attack Battalion: Utapau Clone Trooper Grades:
Figure Quality: 9/10
Sculpt: 9/10
Paint: 9/10
Accessories/Outfit: 8/10
Packaging: 9/10
Durability: 9/10
Fun Factor: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Overall: 9.2/10
What do you rate this figure?
I would love to see some more pics showing different stances.
I would love to see some more pics showing different stances.
I just received my Utapau 212th republic clone trooper (sideshow exclusive) and must say it's no different to the other sideshow 1/6 figures.
I would give it 10/10 had it not been loose joints – why after many years of production they still can't get it right astounds me. They could learn a lesson from the way Medicom, Hot Toys, Enterbay etc make their joints.
Since by their design, figures are top-heavy, and in order to make the figures capable of standing on their own, it's necessary to deconstruct the armor & inner wear and apply special thickening oil to the clasps.
Secondly, the weathered effects are crap on the trooper. the scrape marks & nicks on the armor could be more realistic. Unlike the box art, the weathering and wearing effects are just painted on and don't resemble scrapes & nick marks in the real world or in the virtual world. A big minus for sideshow and another aftermarket revision required here.
Also, the shin guards, thigh guards, backplate and ass plate are clean and a big contrast to the rest of the weathered body whereas the box art show the dirt/grease fade-in fade-out effect.
IMO, for the price collectors are paying, there needs to be a total overhaul in their artistic & QC department, otherwise sideshow will continually be at the bottom rung of 1/6 manufacturers.
I just received my Utapau 212th republic clone trooper (sideshow exclusive) and must say it's no different to the other sideshow 1/6 figures.
I would give it 10/10 had it not been loose joints – why after many years of production they still can't get it right astounds me. They could learn a lesson from the way Medicom, Hot Toys, Enterbay etc make their joints.
Since by their design, figures are top-heavy, and in order to make the figures capable of standing on their own, it's necessary to deconstruct the armor & inner wear and apply special thickening oil to the clasps.
Secondly, the weathered effects are crap on the trooper. the scrape marks & nicks on the armor could be more realistic. Unlike the box art, the weathering and wearing effects are just painted on and don't resemble scrapes & nick marks in the real world or in the virtual world. A big minus for sideshow and another aftermarket revision required here.
Also, the shin guards, thigh guards, backplate and ass plate are clean and a big contrast to the rest of the weathered body whereas the box art show the dirt/grease fade-in fade-out effect.
IMO, for the price collectors are paying, there needs to be a total overhaul in their artistic & QC department, otherwise sideshow will continually be at the bottom rung of 1/6 manufacturers.