R2-D2 and the theory of Flight

Presenting the R2-D2 and the Super Battle Droid from the Star Wars 30th Anniversary Coin Collection. A few weeks ago a good friend of mine Ed Geronia posted the question "Why is it that R2-D2 does not fly in Episodes IV-VI?"

To the uninitiated, R2-D2 first took flight in Episode II in the Droid Assembly plants of Geonosis. R2-D2 then again in the hangar of General Greivous' flagship in Episode III where we find this actual scene where R2-D2 sprayed a pair of Super Battle Droids with fuel before igniting his Brooks Propulsion Booster Turbines and setting fire to the Super Battle Droids, destroying them in the process - though we only have one Super Battle Droid in the diorama.

R2-D2 was also depicted as flying in the Clone Wars -in fact Anakin Skywalker actually rode him (I know, weird.). And he is again seen flying this time in space in the Expanded Universe (Star Wars Legacy of the Force) where he saves Luke's Skywalker's Grandson Cade Skywalker from floating to his death in a sun.

I honestly don't recall him ever flying in the books, but I could be wrong.

STAR WARS: Rahm Kota (The Force Unleashed)

Presenting from the STAR WARS Force Unleashed video games and literature, Jedi Master Rahm Kota.

You may better remember Rahm Kota as the blind, half-drunk Jedi Master who fights by the side of Galen Marek, and much later, his clone Starkiller - which is ironic considering it was Galen who blinded him and sent him into a drinking binge. This incarnation of Rebel General Rahm Kota is seen in the STAR WARS Force Unleashed video game (The 1st one) as Galen Marek's first boss battle aboard the a crashing TIE Fighter Production facility above Nar Shadaa. After that he wanders around with bandages over his eyes; a tattered version of the Mandalorian Armor that he wears here; loses his topknot in favor of the wavy hair look; but can still fight effectively with his lightsaber - Hey if Luke can do it, so can he. The playable character if I remember correctly, is this version and not the blinded version.


Rahm Kota was actually trained by Master Yoda and survived Order 66 only because he didn't like to use clones during the Clone War, and actually organized his own militia.

Rahm Kota is also known as the "Samurai" Jedi having been built along the lines of  the roguish mentor image of QuiGon Jinn - though I think "Ronin" or "Masterless Samurai" is a more appropriate description for both QuiGon and Rahm as they did/do have their issues with the Jedi Leadership - strangely enough, Rahm was trained by Master Yoda. Qui-Gon was trained by Count Dooku who was also trained by Master Yoda. There seems to be a spring of rebellious spirit springing from that little guy.

STAR WARS 30th Anniversary Coin Collection: Final Batch

Presenting the final batch of my 30th Anniversary Coin Collection. As mentioned, it's been a long, hard journey to collect all 60 coins in the set. Many thanks to the many friends who carried or collected or accompanied me on my search that led to my having to cross several international borders. Thanks go out to my wife, Rochelle, my brother Joseph, my best-friend Amalia, Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, Alvin Jimenez, Karen Caparros and to all the other unsung heroes out there who helped me. Now a short pause..... Okaaay! We begin this final trek with a psychotic Protocol Droid unit. Yes, this is what happens if ever someone like C-3PO goes crazy and embarks on a life of Crime. #41 4-LOM is a bounty hunter and captain of the Mist Hunter. He's a LOM series droid - a series meant to compete against the more popular 3PO unit. 4-LOM was seen in the Executor in Empire Strikes Back holding his trademark Blastech W-90 Concussion Rifle before being sent out to hunt down Han Solo. 

STAR WARS: Jabbas Throne

A while I came across the warehouse of one of the country's premiere toy distributors in the Philippines. I crammed my 6'2 overweight frame through these two feet wide gaps between stacks of wonderful, wonderful toys and I found quite a few jems. This is one of them. Presenting, his bloatedness!! Mr. Loverboy extraordinaire! The one who gave you Princess Leia in a steel bikini! Jabba the Hutt.... and his massive throne.... and Oola the dancer, the first truly naked, unhairy humaniod (Yes, Wookies don't count) Star Wars character to be entered into the market.

STAR WARS 30th Anniversary Coin Collection: Batch 2

Presenting part 2 of my STAR WARS 30th Anniversary Coin Collection featuring coin numbers 21 to 40. First up: # 21 McQuarrie Concept Chewbacca: Easily one of the ugliest characters I've ever seen. It looks like Chewbacca's original inspiration was the Transylvanian Wolf-Man. You just have to love those googly eyes and sharp canines. Note the machine-gun inspired weapon in place of the Wookie Bowcaster which Chewbacca ended up using. 

STAR WARS 30th Anniversary Coin Collection: Batch 1

In the next series of blogs - and because I'm just to happy to make it all the way to 60 - I will be showcasing the 60 coins involved in my now complete STAR WARS 30th Anniversary Coin Collection. This is batch 1 which includes:

#01 Darth Vader: This particular Vader came with the album
# 02 Clone Army Galactic Marine: These elite Galactic Marines were originally members of the 21st Nova Corps of the 4th Secor Army. They were seen in Revenge of the Sith under the command of Commander Bacara first following then gunning down Jedi General Ki-Adi Mundi.

STAR WARS 30th Anniversary Coin Collection: Complete

Presenting my STAR WARS 30th Anniversary Coin Collection.

It is finished. I am done.

In 2005 STAR WARS commemorated the 30th anniversary of "The Power of the Force." "The Power of the Force" was a toyline released by Kenner in 1985 which featured a collectible coin with each figure. I'm old enough to have actually encountered those, but I didn't have the finances to get them all.

30 years later, Star Wars released its 30th Anniversary Coin Collection set which prompted me to collect 60 coins and put these coins into a special album that showcased a summary of all the major Star Wars characters from the 6 films.