Clone pilot

Clone Pilots are mass-produced Republic and Imperial soldiers in Star Wars.

The Clone Pilots are (part of) the Republic's most elite military force, accompanied by their grounded cousins, the Clone Troopers. They are key combatants in a large-scale military conflict known as the Clone Wars. War being a great motivation for technological innovation by humans, "morphing" is developed during the Clone Wars. This is the local term for the heretofore-unknown technology of transformation, which at this time is known to be used by the Army of the Republic for four types of machines: their ARC-170 starfighters, airborne Gunships, V-19 Torrent Starfighters and Y-wings.

They also pilot non-transforming vehicles. It is unknown if these are exclusively older weapons systems or if single-mode vehicles continue to have an irreplaceable role in combat.

Who are they cloned from? For some reason, we're not being told.

Fiction

Star Wars Transformers

Their Republic Gunships are in use sweeping across Geonosis, blasting the Separatist forces with their armament of missiles. A Clone Pilot can land in the middle of a fierce battle between droids and clone troopers and convert the gunship into a heavily armed combat mecha that goes straight for enemy droids.

At some point, the Clone Pilots joined the Empire, and started hunting down Jedi loyalists.

Toys

Attacktix

Mechs! We need mechs!

• Intergalactic Showdown (2006)
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Star Wars Transformers

• Clone Pilot/ARC-170 Starfighter (2006)
  • Accessories: 2 missile launchers, 2 missiles, Clone Pilot figure

The first transforming Clone Pilot toy turns from a ARC-170 Starfighter into a battle robot with wings sticking off its body here and there. The fighter has two missile launchers hanging off its wings that become handheld weapons in robot mode. The toy comes with a tiny pilot mini-figure that can be seated inside the craft in both modes.

• More information on Clone Pilot/ARC-170 Starfighter at TFU.info

The Seekers wish they could get someone this badass.

• Clone Pilot/ARC-170 Starfighter (2006)
  • Accessories: 2 missile launchers, 2 missiles, Clone Pilot figure

A retool and redeco of the previous toy, with a new head mold and a new deco, replacing the maroon stripes with dark blue "tigershark" detailing and a grinning red mouth. The Clone Pilot accessory is also provided with new, matching colors.

Hovering like some vast, predatory bird.

• Clone Pilot/Republic Gunship (2007)
  • Accessories: 2 missile launchers, 2 missiles, Clone Pilot figure

The second Star Wars Transformers Clone Pilot toy transforms from a winged robot into a Republic Gunship. Like the ARC-170, it's armed with twin missile launchers in both modes and comes with a little pilot. The toy's head is sculpted from a shiny white plastic that doesn't mesh particularly well with the beige-ish color of the altmode.

• More information on Clone Pilot/Republic Gunship at TFU.info

• Clone Pilot/Republic Gunship (2007)
  • Accessories: 2 missile launchers, 2 missiles, Clone Pilot figure

Like the ARC-170, the Republic Gunship toy was also given a new head and redecoed in blue, white and red.

Crossovers

• ARC-170 Starfighter to Clone Pilot (2008)
  • Accessories: 2 missile launchers, 2 missiles

The Star Wars Transformers "tigershark" version of the ARC-170 toy was repackaged for the Crossovers toyline. The only difference between the two releases is that this version lacks a Clone Pilot mini-figure.

• Republic Gunship to Clone Pilot (2008)
  • Accessories: 2 missile launchers, 2 missiles

Just like the ARC-170, the "tigershark" Republic Gunship toy was re-released during Crossovers without its pilot figure.

• Clone Pilot to V-19 Torrent Starfighter (2009)
  • Accessories: 2 missile launchers, 2 missiles

The first new Clone Pilot mold under the Crossovers banner transforms into a three-winged V-19 Torrent Starfighter. This incarnation of the Clone Pilot is also armed with two missile launchers/handguns. While it doesn't come with a pilot figure, the cockpit still opens up to seat one.

• Clone Pilot to V-wing Starfighter (2009)
  • Accessories: 2 missiles

A black, white and grey redeco of the Shock Trooper toy, this clone sports a fairly simple transformation from robot to V-wing Starfighter. Its arms have an awkward amount of joints which make its posing difficult in some instances. The ship features two missile launchers with two-pronged missiles, which become the robot's lower arms. Its hands are just molded onto the launchers and can't hold anything.

This is the first Clone Pilot toy to represent the Empire rather than the Republic.

• Y-wing Pilot to Y-wing (2010)
  • Accessories: Vehicle nose/gun, missile

The Y-wing toy transforms from a white and yellow starship to a robot mode based on a Clone Pilot, and features a firing two-pronged missile in its nose and flip-out landing gear. In robot mode, the nose detaches to form a handheld missile launcher.

While the front of the packaging only says "Y-wing Pilot", the bio on the back explains that this toy indeed represents a Clone Pilot.

Unlike most Star Wars Transformers/Crossovers toys thus far, this mold (along with the Anakin Skywalker "Twilight" retool) does not feature an opening cockpit to fit a mini-figure.

This mold was also used to make Anakin Skywalker.

Notes

• Within the Star Wars universe, the blue and white "space whale" deco was originally only seen on Republic Gunships. The Star Wars Transformers line marked the first time it was applied to ARC-170 fighters and Clone Trooper armor. It was, of course, only a matter of time before versions of each came out for the normal Hasbro Star Wars toy line. Transformers has added to the main Star Wars canon. Awesome.
• Yes. This army builder has the most toys.