Bandai has entered the model market with a new license for Star Wars models, and they aren’t wasting any time getting products to market.

Bandai’s 1:12 scale combo kit figures of R2-D2 and R5-D4 is one of two droid kits that has been released as part of the initial kit offerings following Bandai’s acquisition of the Star Wars license in late 2014.

The kit’s styrene parts are crisply molded in white, light gray, blue, red, gold and black styrene One of Bandai’s regular interlocking stands is also provided, meaning the bases that the droids stand on can be joined to other kit bases. Both droids have rotating domes and movable legs. The middle leg on each droid retracts into the body shell, if only dual-leg display is desired.

While the R5 kit doesn’t really come with options, the R2 figure is loaded with them. Computer interface arm, periscope, sensor arm, cutting arm, grasping hand and remote welding arm are all included. I don’t know if the arms are merely placed into the droid body to be pulled out for display, or if they are installed for display and must be stored somewhere else.

The kit includes both stickers and waterslide decals for detailing the various panels on both droids. More experienced modelers may choose to mask and paint the sections rather than using the decals/stickers.

The completed R2 figure stands about 3.25 inches (82.55 mm) tall and R5 is about 3.5 inches (88.9 mm) tall.

I can’t wait to build this kit, and I have the companion C-3PO kit, so this will make a nice display on the bookshelf.

Review by: Rich “Lonewolf” Dula

Entry created: May 30, 2015