Star Wars Mini Rigs are a must-have for any Star Wars fan or collector. These small-scale vehicles and playsets were first introduced by Kenner in 1981 and have since become an essential part of my Star Wars toy collection. This article will provide you with a complete guide to everything you need to know about Vintage Star Wars Mini Rigs, including their history, significance, models, and collecting tips.
Star Wars Mini Rigs have always been quite special to myself as I have fond memories of my Dad buying them for me in the early 1980’s. Back then they were a nice Star Wars toy for parents to buy their kids without having to pay the full price of a larger Star Wars vehicle or playset.
They are a unique addition to any Star Wars toy collection, and with their intricate details and design, they bring the Star Wars universe to life in a small but mighty way.
History of Star Wars Mini Rigs
Kenner introduced the first Mini Rigs in 1981. These small vehicles and playsets were created to expand the Star Wars toy line and add a new dimension to the Star Wars universe. Throughout the 1980s, Kenner released several waves of Mini Rigs, each with their unique design and features, to keep fans excited and engaged.
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Star Wars Mini Rigs Wave 1 – 1981
Wave 1 of Star Wars Mini Rigs introduced fans to the first of The Empire Strikes Back inspired vehicles: the MLC-3 Mobile Laser Cannon, MTV-7 Multi-Terrain Vehicle, and PDT-8 Personnel Deployment Transport. Each Mini Rig came with its unique features, and were designed to look familiar and fit into the Star Wars universe although they never featured in the original trilogy of movies.
MLC-3 Mobile Laser Cannon
The MLC-3 is a small tank-like vehicle with twin cannons on the front with room for one action figure in the enclosed cockpit. The box art shows the mini rig vehicle with Han Solo in his Hoth outfit alongside a Hoth Rebel Commander action figure. This is very much a small vehicle for the rebels to use when defending themselves during the Empire’s attack on the rebel base on the snow planet.
MTV-7 Multi-Terrain Vehicle
This one person multi terrain vehicle had been imagined as an Imperial attack vehicle for the Empire on Hoth. The Box art shows the vehicle being driven and surrounded by Imperial Stormtroopers in their Hoth battle gear. The MTV-7 has a single gun/cannon and it runs on rollers with legs that can be lowered by pressing the vehicle down. A nice little land based vehicle for early 80s kids.
PDT-8 Personnel Deployment Transport
This rebel transport vehicle with two twin thrusters features two compartments one for a pilot and a rear compartment to transport another figure between locations within a rebel base. Originally Kenner planned for this mini rig to be a droid transport but changed the name to a personnel deployment transport.
Star Wars Mini Rigs Wave 2 – 1982
Wave 2 of Star Wars Mini Rigs continues The Empire Strikes Back theme. Wave 2 featured the CAP-2 Captivator and INT-4 Interceptor. The CAP-2 Captivator was a unique addition to the Star Wars toy line, as it had a capture claw that could be used to trap other toys. The INT-4 Interceptor was also a standout Mini Rig, with its sleek design and front blaster.
CAP-2 Captivator
A fantastic looking Star Wars toy ideal for any young kid to have some imaginative adventures with. The CAP-2 Captivator looks like an Imperial Probe Droid but has a cockpit for bounty hunters to fly and capture their targets in. With suction pad feet, claws and a mechanism on the back to hold captured prisoners this mini rig offered a great deal of play value.
INT-4 Interceptor
One of my personal favourite Mini Rigs is the INT-4 Interceptor is a compact scout vessel for the Empire. It has a front cannon that swivels around, two fold out wings, a landing gear to stand it up and a cockpit for one figure. A great little ship to accompany your Scout Walkers and AT-AT’s as they attack the rebel base on Hoth.
Star Wars Mini Rigs Wave 3 – 1983
Wave 3 was the first Return of the Jedi based Mini Rigs. This wave included the AST-5 Armored Sentinel Transport and ISP-6 Imperial Shuttle Pod. The AST-5 was a favourite of mine, with its unique design aimed at Jabba the Hutt’s henchmen. The ISP-6 was also a popular Mini Rig, with its iconic Imperial shuttle inspired design.
AST-5 Armored Sentinel Transport
A small one man ship that based on the images on the box is clearly aimed at being used by Jabba the Hutt’s henchmen. With a side cannon on each side the AST-5 also has a rotating piece of plastic that you use to stand the transport up or close it up for a more sleek look when in flight.
ISP-6 Imperial Shuttle Pod
Imagine a small one man Imperial Shuttle, that’s basically the ISP-6. A very cheaper alternative to the actual Imperial Shuttle toy that was released for the Return of the Jedi line. This is very much the small scale mini budget version of the famous imperial shuttle.
Star Wars Mini Rigs Wave 4 – 1984
Wave 4 of Star Wars Mini Rigs introduced more ROTJ inspired vehicles: the Desert Sail Skiff and Endor Forest Ranger. The Desert Sail Skiff was a unique Mini Rig, with its design based on being a smaller version of Jabba the Hutt’s famous sail barge from Return of the Jedi.
Desert Sail Skiff
A great mini Sail Skiff to fly Boba-Fett or any of Jabba the Hutt’s henchmen around the dune seas of Tatooine. A really cool mini rig for kids looking for some Return of the Jedi play based around the rescue of Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt.
Endor Forest Ranger
A unique small one pilot attack tank type vehicle that I could easily see being deployed by the Rebel Alliance during the battle of Endor. One of the trickier Mini Rigs to find for your Star Wars collection today.
Other Weapons and Accessories You Probably Remember
You’ll also probably remember the following weapons and accessories. I have always considered these as Star Wars mini rigs but according to the 1997 book Star Wars: The Action Figure Archive these toys that featured in the movies are separate to the mini rigs I have already mentioned.
Radar Laser Cannon
The Radar Laser Cannon is seen in The Empire Strikes Back as part of the rebels defences from the Empire’s attack on Hoth. The toy looks just like the one seen on screen and with one push of a button at the back will break into pieces (possibly from an AT-AT cannon blast).
Tri-Pod Laser Cannon
The Tri-Pod Laser Cannon can also be seen in The Empire Strikes Back. The Imperial Stormtroopers hurry to assemble this cannon as Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia and C3-PO look to make their escape from the rebel Hoth base in the Millennium Falcon.
This is a great looking cannon which displays really well.
Vehicle Maintenance Energizer
The Vehicle Maintenance Energizer was not as prominent but did feature in the background of The Empire Strikes Back. This you comes with flexible fuel pipes with suction cups to refuel your Star Wars vehicles and also comes with a collection of hand tools too.
Ewok Assault Catapult
This is exactly what it says on the box – an Ewok Assault Catapult complete with boulders to sling at the Stormtroopers and Imperial Walkers during the battle on Endor. A great toy to weaponize your Return of the Jedi Ewok figures.
Collecting Star Wars Mini Rigs
I was fortunate enough to pick up all of my Star Wars Mini Rigs a few years ago now. Although I thought they were fairly expensive 6 to 7 years ago, the prices (especially for boxed mini rigs) have increased dramatically. My tip for adding these to your Star Wars toy collection would be:
- Watch and save plenty of eBay auctions to get a feel for the current prices.
- Try to find well priced Mini Rigs that are ‘buy it now’ on eBay that may also be accepting offers.
- Look for local vintage toy fairs to visit. You can often do deals with the dealers selling toys there.
- Check Facebook Marketplace regularly too.
Find out why I think action figure collecting is cool.
Vintage Star Wars Mini Rigs
Vintage Star Wars Mini Rigs are a crucial part of any Star Wars collection. With their intricate design and unique features, they add a new dimension to the Star Wars universe. I would definitely encourage all Star Wars fans to start or add to their Mini Rig collection, as they are sure to bring joy and excitement to any collection. May the force be with you!
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