Darth Vader
Wolff
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DON’T RELY ON JUST THE COO TO IDENTIFY A FIGURE. Mould, paint colour, plastic colour and figure assembly traits are also needed to confirm your figure’s origins.
Above you can see a comparison of all available torso moulds. It also shows the main shades of “red” colour usually aplied to those.
TORSO MOULDS:
The M1, M2 and M3 torsos were mixed throughout KADER production. They even found their way into the KADER factory in China. However, the GLASSLITE factory in Brazil only received the M2 mould. The M3 mould also got retooled along the production. M3a is an early mould that only appeared with early Fam I, II and III figures. The problem was probably quickly resolved and M3b can be found from then on up to the figures later produced by KADER China.
The SMILE factory worked exclusively with the M4 torso, which then went to LILI LEDY in Mexico. The differences between the M4a and M4b presumably lie in the different plastics used at the LILI LEDY factory. Therefore, I won’t distinguish between the two moulds in the following guide, but I thought it might be interesting to note that the mould can appear quite different in terms of sharpness.
At UNITOY, different torso molds were also sometimes mixed during production. Family V is consistent and used only M5 torsos. Familiy VI and VII used mainly M6 but also mixed it with M5 torsos. Family VIII used M6 and M7 torsos . Both moulds also ended up at PBP in Spain.
There are only very subtle differences between the two TAIWAN families X and XI, considering M9 and M10 torsos. These could also have been caused by wear and tear or the use of different plastic materials.
Because of the mixed production at the KADER and UNITOY factories, this guide is sorted after Coo Family, and then following, after torso moulds. To decipher further, it will be sorted along the applied red colour shades and the used head moulds. The determining of various arm shapes was refrianed.
TORSO COLOURS:
There is various torso colours to different factories known. Transitions between them can be fluid. The amount and intensity of both the underlying white color and the overlying red color also influence the overall appearance. To make them comparable these are sorted after main shades used. You will find many more hues and also inbetween shades or less vibrant ones (too less white underneath).
Above you can see a comparison of all available head moulds that can be found on Darth Vader.
HEAD MOULDS:
The M1, M2 and M3 heads were partially mixed throughout KADER production. All three headmoulds can be found with Family I figures, but only the M3 head made it to the KADER factory in China. On Family III, the M1 and M3 heads can be found regularly, but also only the M3 head made to the GLASSLITE factory in Brazil. On Family II, I could only find M1 heads, which might be bad luck or a lead to an early head sculpt (M1) and an early leg sculpt (Fam II). In addition I also couldn’t find the retooled M3b torso on Family II. It can be noted that the M1 head, the only head mould with an EPM to the back of the helmet, got worse over time and lost much detail, which might be the reason he wasn’t used in the later production times.
The SMILE factory worked exclusively with the M4 head, which never went to LILI LEDY in Mexico. Lili Ledy therefore created their own head moulds M5 and M6. Again the differences between the M6a and M6b presumably lie in the different plastics used at the LILI LEDY factory.
At UNITOY, different head molds were also sometimes mixed during production. Family V is consistent and used only M10 and M11 heads. Familiy VI and VII used mainly M10 and M11 heads but M7 heads can be found with those as well. Family VIII used M7, M8 and M9 heads. M7 is probably existing in 2 mould versions, but these are very hard to determine, because this rubbery produced head is prone to deformation and poor/short shots.
Within the two TAIWAN Families X and XI there are very obvious differences regarding the head moulds M13, M14 and M15, M16. They also can’t be confused with any Kader, Smile or Unitoy head mould.
KADER HONG KONG
Above you can see different Darth Vader figures from Fam I made by KADER in Hong Kong. They are sorted after the three different torso moulds M1, M2 and M3. M3a and M3b are both availible on Fam I. The figure in the middle was released in Spain by POCH using the same moulds.
On Fam I all three torso moulds and all three head moulds were used. They were mixed in production so every conceivable combination is probably possible. The same goes for the torso colours: Light orange, dark orange, red and dark red can possibly be found with all mould combinations. There might be an exception on the light orange on M3b torsos: This colour is assumed to be an early sprayoption and the M3b torso is a later retool from the M3a torso, so this might exclude this combination. Fam I is usually paired with M1, but mostly M5 sabers.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M1, Light Orange, Head M1
- Torso M1, Dark Red, Head M3
- Torso M2, Light Orange, Head M1
- Torso M2, Red, Head M1 (POCH)
- Torso M2, Dark Red, Head M2
- Torso M3a, Dark Orange, Head M1
- Torso M3b, Dark Red, Head M2
KADER CHINA No COO
Above you can see different Darth Vader figures from Fam I, No COO made by KADER in China. They are sorted after the three different torso moulds M1, M2 and M3b.
On Fam I No COO all three torso moulds were used, but only the head sculpt M3 went to the plants in China. The head mould M1 was getting worse and rougher in time, so it was probably pulled at some point before altering the COO. Also the M3a torso was altered earlier and can’t be found on this No COO. In this later production only three torso colours can be found: Dark orange, red and dark red. As mentioned earlier the light orange is assumed to be an early sprayoption and can therefore be excluded. Fam I No COO is usually paired with M5 sabers.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M1, Red, Head M3
- Torso M1, Dark Red, Head M3
- Torso M2, Dark Red, Head M3
- Torso M2, Dark Orange, Head M3
- Torso M2, Red, Head M3
- Torso M3b, Dark Orange, Head M3
- Torso M3b, Very Dark Red, Head M3
KADER HONG KONG
Above you can see different Darth Vader figures from Fam II made by KADER in Hong Kong. They are sorted after the three different torso moulds M1, M2 and M3. I couldn’t find any M3b torsos with this COO, which might indicate that Fam II was pulled before M3a was altered. Also Fam II is a very early leg mould. The figure in the middle was released in Spain by POCH using the same moulds.
On Fam II all three torso moulds (besides the M3b, see above) can be found. I could only find Fam II figures with the M1 head mould. As this a very early COO family, which also was pulled from production at an early stage, this might indicate that the head mould M1 is also the earliest availible. While studying those, I also was able to find one with an M7 head made by UNITOY. This might seem odd and there is few possiblities here, but most likely this figure is assembeld from overstock outside the Chinese factories (i.e. Spain).
The colours light orange, dark orange, red and dark red can possibly be found with all torso mould combinations (M1, M2, M3a). Fam II is usually paired with M1 sabers.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M1, Light Orange, Head M1
- Torso M1, Dark Orange, Head M1
- Torso M1, Light Orange, Head M1 (POCH)
- Torso M2, Dark Red, Head M7 (POCH?)
- Torso M3a, Red, Head M1
The Vader shown above is assumed to be a Poch variant. Its COO counterpart from Kenner is nearly identical. The torso on the Poch variant is quite duller and somehow seems to be more violet and lighter compared to Kenner produced ones. Typical for “Poch” is leaving the production ridged on figures (see arrow). The crack is factory-made and occurred while assembling. It is “fixed” as it is, means it’s welded together on the shoulders like this. The typical melt-marks on the back are also a hint for it being a Poch figure. The head is also very rough moulded.
The COO shown left exists also as Kenner COO. Typical for the Poch variant seems to be the huge leftover from the “gate scar”. In the Kenner production this was normally smoothed.
The cape (M17) is unique to the Poch variant. I personally have never seen such material used for a Vader’s cape worldwide. The texturing can be seen in the pictures below. The cape feels kind of thinner then normal capes. I think you can see how extraordinary this material is on the leftover from the cutting process (to the right).
KADER HONG KONG
Above you can see different Darth Vader figures from Fam III made by KADER in Hong Kong. They are sorted after the three different torso moulds M1, M2 and M3. M3a and M3b are both availible on Fam III.
On Fam III all three torso moulds and all three head moulds were used. They were mixed in production so every conceivable combination is probably possible. The same goes for the torso colours: Light orange, dark orange, red and dark red can possibly be found with all mould combinations. There might be an exception on the light orange on M3b torsos: This colour is assumed to be an early sprayoption and the M3b torso is a later retool from the M3a torso, so this might exclude this combination.. Fam III is usually paired with M1 and M5 sabers.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M1, Light Orange, Head M1
- Torso M1, Dark Orange, Head M1
- Torso M1, Red, Head M3
- Torso M1, Red, Head M1
- Torso M2, Red, Head M3
- Torso M2, Dark Red, Head M3
- Torso M3a, Light Orange, Head M1
- Torso M3b, Red, Head M3
KADER No COO/ GLASSLITE
Above you can see different Darth Vader figures from Fam III No COO made by KADER in Hong Kong. They are sorted after the three different torso moulds M1, M2 and M3b. The same moulds went to GLASSLITE (figure #4 and #5), but it seems only the M2 torso was actually used in Brazil.
On Fam III No COO all three torso moulds were used, but these wer only paired with later head mould M3. The head mould M1 was getting worse and rougher in time, so it was probably pulled at some point before altering the COO. Also the M3a torso was altered earlier and can’t be found on this Fam III No COO. In this later production only three torso colours can be found: Dark orange, red and dark red. As mentioned earlier the light orange is assumed to be an early sprayoption and can therefore be excluded. Fam III No COO is usually paired with the M5 sabers.
The torso mould M2 and head mould M3 went on to GLASSLITE in Brazil for producing their resident Darth Vader figures. Glasslite Vaders don’t have the circle on the belt buckle sprayed white. This might appear on KADER ones too, but only because of the paint beeing rubbed off. GLASSLITE also used unique capes and a unique saber sculpt. The sprayed chest colours vary from red to bright red.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M1, Dark Orange Head M3
- Torso M1, Red, Head M3
- Torso M2, Dark Red, Head M3
- Torso M2, Red, Head M3 (GLASSLITE)
- Torso M2, Bright Red, Head M3 (GLASSLITE)
- Torso M3b, Red, Head M3
- Torso M3b, Red, Head M3 (greyish torso)
Also see here:
SMILE HONG KONG/ LILI LEDY HONG KONG/ LILI LEDY No COO
Above you can see different Darth Vader figures from Fam IV made by SMILE in Hong Kong. The SMILE factory worked exclusively with the M4 torso, which then went to LILI LEDY in Mexico. The differences between the M4a and M4b torso presumably lie in the different plastics used at the LILI LEDY factory. Therefore, I won’t distinguish between the two moulds in the following guide.
On Fam IV the M4 torso mould and four different head moulds were used. Smile used the M4 head mould whereas LILI LEDY produced or altered its own head sculpts. They presumingly started with the M6 which was later replaced by the M5 head mould. The SMILE Vader was painted with light orange, whereas the early HK Vader from LILI LEDY (Retorno) was painted in coral and paired with the unique coloured M3 saber. Later produced LILI LEDY No Coo Vaders (Regresso) came painted red or dark red and were paired with the standard LILI LEDY saber mould M9.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
HONG KONG:
- Torso M4, Light Orange, Head M4 (SMILE)
- Torso M4, Coral, Head M6a (LILI LEDY “Retorno”)
NO COO:
- Torso M4, Dark Red, Head M6b (LILI LEDY)
- Torso M4, Dark Red, Head M6a (LILI LEDY)
- Torso M4, Red, Head M5 (LILI LEDY)
- Torso M4, Red, Head M5 (LILI LEDY, faded saber)
- Torso M4, Dark Red, Head M5 (LILI LEDY)
UNITOY HONG KONG
Above you can see different Darth Vader figures from Fam V made by UNITOY in Hong Kong.
Fam V only came with M5 torsos which is the earliest torso mould used by UNITOY. Over time, the torso’s metal mould became damaged (see image below), which may have been the reason the M5 torso was discontinued. These were typically paired with M10 and M11 head sculpts, which characterizes these as early head sculpts as well. The torso’s chest colours are dark orange, red, and raspberry. These colours may be found on all head sculpt combinations. Fam V is usually paired with the sabers M1, M2 and M3.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M5, Dark Orange, Head M11
- Torso M5, Red, Head M10
- Torso M5, Raspberry, Head M10
- Torso M5, Raspberry, Head M11 (deformed)
UNITOY HONG KONG
Above you can see different Darth Vader figures from Fam VI made by UNITOY in Hong Kong. They are sorted after the two different torso moulds M5 and M6.
Fam VI only came with M5 and M6 torsos which are the earliest torso sculpts (M5 before M6) used by UNITOY. The M5 torso mould was typically paired with M10 and M11 head sculpts, whereas the the M6 torso mould was typically paired with the M7 head sculpt. Fam VI and Fam VII are very close and share the same features. To distinguish them the mould to the bottom of the feet quite differs (see COO sheet). In addition these leg mould pairs also can be mixed on one figure and further more got altered at one point (–> smoothed soles).
The torso’s chest colours are dark orange, red and raspberry. These colours may be found on all torso-head sculpt combinations. Fam VI is usually paired with the sabers M1, M2 and M3.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M5, Red, Head M11
- Torso M5, Raspberry, Head M11
- Torso M6, Dark Raspberry, Head M7
UNITOY HONG KONG
Above you can see different Darth Vader figures from Fam VII made by UNITOY in Hong Kong. They are sorted after the two different torso moulds M5 and M6.
Fam VII only came with M5 and M6 torsos which are the earliest torso moulds (M5 before M6) used by UNITOY. The M5 torso mould was typically paired with M10 and M11 head sculpts, whereas the the M6 torso mould was typically paired with the M7 head sculpt. Fam VI and Fam VII are very close and share the same features. To distinguish them the mould to the bottom of the feet quite differs (see COO sheet). In addition these leg mould pairs also can be mixed on one figure and further more got altered at one point (–> smoothed soles).
The torso’s chest colours are dark orange, red and raspberry. These colours may be found on all torso-head sculpt combinations. Fam VII is usually paired with the sabers M1, M2 and M3.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M5, Dark Orange, Head M11
- Torso M5, Red, Head M11
- Torso M5, Raspberry, Head M10
- Torso M6, Dark Orange, Head M7 (mixed legs)
UNITOY HONG KONG
Above you can see different Darth Vader figures from Fam VIII made by UNITOY in Hong Kong. They are sorted after the two different torso moulds M6 and M7.
Fam VIII came with M6 and M7 torsos which are the mid (m6) and late (M7) torso moulds used by UNITOY. Both torso moulds were paired with M7, M8 or M9 head sculpts. The torso’s chest colours are dark orange, red and raspberry. These colours may be found on all torso-head sculpt combinations. Fam VIII is usually paired with the sabers M2 and M3.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M6, Red, Head M9
- Torso M6, Raspberry, Head M7
- Torso M7, Dark Orange, Head M7
- Torso M7, Red, Head M7
- Torso M7, Red, Head M8
- Torso M7, Raspberry, Head M7
PBP No COO
Above you can see different Darth Vader figures from Fam VIII with No COO made by PBP in Spain. They are sorted after the two different torso moulds M6 and M7.
Fam VIII No COO came with M6 or M7 torso sculpt. Both torso moulds came from UNITOY in Hong Kong. The COO was altered by PBP with the so called “scarred out” COO. Both torso moulds were paired with M8 or M9 head sculpts. The torso’s chest colours are dark orange, coral, red and raspberry. These colours may be found on all torso-head sculpt combinations. PBP figures are usually paired with M5 and M6 sabers.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M6, Raspberry, Head M9
- Torso M6, Red, Head M8 (spray error, “blobbed out” 3b)
- Torso M7, Dark Orange, Head M9
- Torso M7, Coral, Head M9
- Torso M7, Red, Head M8
- Torso M7, Raspberry, Head M8 (“blobbed out” 3b)
- Torso M7, Coral, Head M9 (spray error)
TOP TOYS No COO
Above you can see a Darth Vader figure from Fam IX made by TOP TOYS in Argentina. Typically this figure has no markings at all (No COO and no copyright) as well as no peg holes to the bottom of the feet.
Instead of using Kenner tooling, TOP TOYS took a cast of another production figure to create a completely new tool. Top Toys figures were a licensed product, however the result is a poor quality figure with many imperfections including bad articulation and excess flashing. Regarding the M8 torso it seems most likely that a Lili Ledy figure was used for the cast. TOP TOYS paired the Vaders with M10 sabers and M14 capes.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M8, Dull Dark Orange, Head M12
Also see here:
Top Toys Darth Vader Figure Guide
TAIWAN MITW
Above you can see different Darth Vader figures from Fam X made in Taiwan by an unknown factory. They seem to have appeared on Kenner SW 12backs (A,B and C) and also Toltoys SW 12backs (A and B with metrical sticker) .
On Fam X only one torso mould was used (M9), but it seems that two different head moulds were used: M13 and M14. The applied colours to the chest dont’t seem to vary much and can be called raspberry overall.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M9, Raspberry, Head M14
- Torso M9, Raspberry, Head M13
TAIWAN TW
Above you can see different Darth Vader figures from Fam XI made in Taiwan by an unknown factory. They seem to have appeared only on some Toltoys 12backs (A) and also on some Kenner 12backs (C) cards. Besides some unique mould features (see head sculpt comparison), these also come with the typical “wide stance”.
On Fam XI only the M10 torso mould was used. The M10 slightly differs to the M9 and probably is an altered version of the M9. Also two different head moulds were used: M15 and M16. Whereas the M15 might be an altered mould from the M13, the M16 is an all over new mould with three grills, which is an absolutley stand-alone in the series. The applied colours to the chest dont’t seem to vary much and can be called Red overall.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M10, Red, Head M16
- Torso M10, Red, Head M15
TAKARA JAPAN
Above you can see the Darth Vader figure made by TAKARA in Japan. These have a completely alternative mould and also come with a cross slotted screw in the back. Takara only made three figures on their own like that: Vader, Stormtrooper and C-3PO. Darth Vader also came on a unique white background SW12c-back with Takara sticker to the card.
Above you can see following figure mould and colour combinations (left to right):
- Torso M11, Bright Orange, Head M12
