The First Order Jet Trooper from Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker was first released as a Carbonized exclusive - sold at Walmart in the US and Smyths Toys in the UK. The figure was then released in wave 23 in its standard colouring in the standard phase 3 packaging.
Packaging 4/5
THe First Order Jet Trooper is number #99 in the Black and Red Phase 3 packaging. The design of the box remains unchanged with the figure presented against a red card back which works really well for white armoured figures.
The artwork by Gregory Titus is well executed and this is repeated on the back of the box with the usual background text.
"Specialised Stormtroopers of the First Order, Jet Troopers soar into battle equipped with agile rocket packs"
Both versions of the Jet Trooper uses the same size of box and the same artwork. The colouring is different and the Carbonized version has the cut in round panel on the window confirming it as part of the Carbonized Collection.
There is a slight different on the rear of the boxes with the artwork on the standard release sitting higher and being cut off more at the bottom with a larger "Attention" segment. Both of my versions were UK releases.
Paint & Sculpt 4/5
The Jet Trooper design borrows a lot of elements from previous First Order troopers, but the figure does not appear to re-use any parts. The helmet is a cross between a Snowtrooper and a Stormtrooper with sleek flared lines and black painted panel lining and visor.
The body is covered predominantly by a large chest piece, complete with some decal work. The jet pack sits on the back of this section with a wide vent area at the top. A further red decal sits underneath this.
The figure is cast in a white plastic for most of the armour but there is a section under the main chest piece which is cas in black plastic and then painted. That can look mismatched in very strong light. The bright white armour is screen accurate and matches other First Order Troopers in shine and colour.
There is no difference on sculpt for either Jet Trooper, only the finish. The Carbonized version is still cast in white plastic like the standard release, with the pearlescent paint applied on top. The decals remain the same and the only key difference is the jets and vents on the Carbonized Trooper being blue, while they are gun-metal grey on the standard release.
Accessories
The Jet Trooper comes with a single blaster pistol. It is a new three barrelled affair with sights that do arrive warped. It is cast in grey with white and gunmetal silver paint applied.
It fits into the Trooper's right hand, but the fit is not all to secure and the hands are very stiff and difficult to manipulate to have the trigger finger slot in place.
There is a socket on the right thigh and my first thought was that this allowed the Trooper to holster his weapon. It does not! There is no corresponding peg on the weapon. The leg is not the same as the Storm Trooper or Sith Trooper so the inclusion of a non-working holster slot is an odd one. The blaster from the Sith Trooper does slot in the hole, and I wonder if the original plan was for this figure to have a secondary weapon?
Both weapons are identical in sculpt, with the standard version getting extra paint apps with the addition of silver round the barrel and sights which do improve the look.
Both suffer from warped sights, but the standard version less so. Both are tight fitting into the figures hand, and neither fit in the thigh socket.
Articulation
Our Jet Trooper has 16 points of articulation in total
Head : ball joint neck
Body : torso ball joint
Arms : ball joint shoulders, single joint rotating elbow, wrist pivot
Legs : ball joint hops, thigh swivel, double joint knee, ankle rocker
The upper body mobility is good with a lot of range on the torso joint under the armour. Arms can do most poses and can be raised fully with the shoulder armour withdrawing under the chest as the arms are raised. The elbows give enough for a rudimentary two handed weapon pose, but only at a carry position - no real firing options.
Like a lot of armoured figures the legs are a bit restricted by the thigh armour. You won't get the legs to raise into anything other than a wider action stance.
As a "flying" character the figure does look awesome when placed onto an aftermarket flight stand
Summary
The standard version of the Jet Trooper is a brilliant release and another Troop type to add for the First Order, and potentially army build if you wish.
It is well sculpted, and has crisp white armour and well applied decals and paint apps where needed - the only niggle being that slightly different shade of white on the midriff.
The gun is OK, but is a tough fit in the hand and it doesn't go into the socket provided on the thigh which is odd?
I score the standard release First Order Jet Trooper a 4 out of 5.
