Presenting the Imperial MTV-7. The MTV-7 was released by Kenner in 1981 as a part of the Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Mini-Rig vehicles series. Kenner described it as “They crawl, they fly, they climb, they go just about anwhere! MTV-7 is a Multi-Terrain Vehicle used by the Empire to scout the hostile ice planet, Hoth. It carried one action figure (not included - The Snow Trooper is new). It has spring-loaded legs and a movable laser cannon.” What makes Mini-rigs so interesting is that Kenner meant the Mini-rigs to be inexpensive alternatives to their larger, more expensive vehicles - therefore most of them are not canon and none of them have appeared in any of the original movies.
No way does this fly.
The MTV-7 is a funny looking piece of Star Wars history. Honestly it looks like the first strong wind is going to topple it. Supposedly these were used by Snow Troopers as a scouting vehicle – which is why it’s so high. But scouts also need to be stealthy so it can lower itself – though you will have to push it down to do so.
What makes this particular piece so interesting for Retro Week is that the plastic of the MTV-7 has turned yellow. This is a result of a chemical reaction that occurs when the product is exposed to light, heat, ultra-violet rays that over time forces a chemical reaction. Nowadays the process is entirely reversible, simply google yellowing plastic and you will be bombarded by possible solutions. It’s a fine indicator of age, and, in my humble opinion, a reflection that the toy was well played with – or loved.
An MTV-7 in this condition will probably set you back around $8 USD on the second-hand market. A mint-sealed one can sell for as high as $100 USD.
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