Image: Hasbro
In another life, the E-Wing was meant to replace the iconic X-Wing as the go-to starfighter of Star Wars’ post-Return of the Jedi fiction. But even if—in neither the original Expanded Universe it debuted in, nor rebooted canon after appearing in Ahsoka—the E-Wing never really got its time to shine, at least in merch it’s doing very well for itself.
When Ahsoka launched last summer, we got to see Lego’s take on the legendary starfighter, but now it’s Hasbro’s turn: io9 can exclusively reveal that the E-Wing is joining the toymaker’s Vintage Collection line of vehicles, designed to accompany its 3.75″ Star Wars action figures.
Based on its appearance in Ahsoka, the E-Wing features a retractable landing gear, as well as a sliding canopy cockpit and a removable panel store cargo within. Included in the box is a cheeky Vintage Collection debut in the form of KE4-N4, the droid partner of New Republic pilot Lieutenant Callahan. In the Expanded Universe, the E-Wing was the first starfighter to be designed for exclusive use with the latest R7 astromech models. While we don’t know definitively just what kind of astro unit KE4 is, they’re making their debut ahead of their comrade alongside the E-Wing.
KE4 will come on their own retro-styled, Vintage Collection cardback—and while Hasbro wouldn’t confirm whether or not the E-Wing’s pilot is on the way as a separate release… well, perhaps it would be safe to assume that at some point your shiny new spaceship toy is going to have someone you can slide into the cockpit.
The Vintage Collection E-Wing will cost $100, and is set to release sometime in fall 2024. Preorders begin later today, February 7, at 1 p.m. ET on Hasbro Pulse, for a limited-time window closing at 11:59 p.m. ET on March 5. However, if you miss out, the E-Wing will also be available at Disney Stores and Disney Parks this fall. Click through to see plenty more pictures of the fighter and KE4-N4!