Star Wars Vintage Y-Wing Restoration: Part 2 - Kenner 1983

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RetroBlasting repairs the landing gears, electronics and puts the finishing touches on Jason's Kenner Star Wars Y-Wing fighter in this extensive restoration!
#RetroBlasting #YWing #toyrestoration

[@paulgatsios3333]

I love starting a random project like restoring a 1983 Kenner Y-Wing and finding that someone online has already made a fantastic tutorial on how to fix such specific problems. Thanks so much!

[@sg7335]

Thank you for doing these restoration videos,Michael.They are very helpful.I just finished restoring a vintage Y-Wing I bought on eBay a few months ago.The motor wasn’t working and the back landing gear were not secure.I followed your instructions for fixing the landing gear and now they work perfectly.The motor started working after simply turning the attached cog for a bit.It feels good to now have a fully functional Y-Wing,which I never owned as a kid.

[@spideysweb7484]

Y-wing is my second Star Wars ship after X-Wing. Great job on the restoration!!!

[@TheShadowKarl]

This was my favorite ship growing up. I loved that it actually had a Droid slot and because of the way they molded it the R2 feet would have enough friction to hold it in even when I turned it upside down. All in all it was in my opinion the best Rebel ship.

[@NickBartolo]

Great as always. It's funny how the incorrect scale of the vehicles never bothered us as kids. We were just too lost in our imaginations to notice.

[@franciscoendi9150]

I would be to busy crashing my snowspeeder into mud lol

[@stephenlozano2816]

Great fix with the Dental bands on the landing gear forks. Restoring one now.

[@nicholighkun]

I didn't get into SW until my mid teens, so the vintage stuff is unfamiliar to me, i.e. there is no nostalgia, nor need for watching repair videos to fix my old toys. And yet, I still find these so fascinating to watch. Probably due to my love of seeing how things work. None the less, I love these repair videos! So cool to see the simple elegance of the inner workings of these ambitious vintage toys, and the clever ways to fix their inherent problems. Love it!

[@retroblasting]

Thanks Nicholi! It's funny to me that the "improvement" in toys with digital sound boards make the sound effects more accurate, but when they break, they're so much more difficult to fix. Often impossible. Where the vintage toys in their simplicity can be repaired very easily most of the time.

[@Daniel-dh7og]

Thank you for the tip on properly reassembling the landing gear. Worked on a Hasbro's TVC orange y-wing. Suscribed!!

[@stuartayers3196]

Thank you for helping me with my landing gear droop. Clear plastic hair ties work too!

[@crazywonder7197]

Landing gear problem solved! I don't know why I didn't know there was a locked position until now, but glad you put that in there. Jason should be very happy. Great wok as always.

[@retroblasting]

Dan Geister Appreciate it, Dan! Glad your Y-Wing is now on solid footing!

[@robster001]

I know this video is a few years old already. But I had recently gotten a Power of the Force Y wing and the rear landing gear gave me problems from the get go. Now it's fixed thanks to your in depth video. So thank you Michael. Now it's proudly sitting as it should.

[@felipeferrer9601]

Thank you very much, i followed step by step your instructions, nevertheless i cutted 2 stripes of 3M electrical tape (4mm wide) to replace the elastic bands to wrap the forks and give them tension again, now my Y-Wing has the right stance!!!!! I would add as an advice, not to display the ship with the batteries, theres no need for the extra weight

[@batangbatugan]

Yet another great service to all retro fans out there, not just for vintage collectors, but for people who genuinely care for and look after their childhood possessions. Now on to Robotech! =D

[@retroblasting]

Wilson Tortosa HAHA!

[@ronkuznar9548]

What a great job you did I got my Y wing all back together and it works great...I would have been stuck without your guidance!!!!

[@retroblasting]

Congratulations!

[@roosterj2599]

The snow speeder is my number 1, but the Y wing was my second favorite. In my childhood Star Wars adventures the Y wing was my off planet fighter bomber. Luke flew it of course. Always partnered with the Falconfor defense. I miss those days.

[@scottjohnson388]

That note in the middle about the condition of Michael's hands and fingers. LOL.

[@Puuch44]

"There, I said it" Yes. Yes, you did. Long live RB!!!

[@retroblasting]

Thanks Trav'!

[@makishepard]

You're a professional, very impressive.

[@zer0sum727]

Easiest way I've found is to hold the slide in place with a toothpick through the aligned holes and tape the rear landing legs up with low tack tape. There is a variation on the front leg connection that has solid plastic forks with two holes instead of the open forks shown. Another excellent vid btw!

[@retroblasting]

David Goddard Thanks for the intel, Dave!

[@markdt73]

Thank you so much for your video, I looked at several other Y-wing restoration videos but they weren’t overinflated the specifics of the problem with mine and it was all to do with landing gears and exactly what you said the front landing Gear had popped out of the grip of the fork piece that held it in place. so I’ve ordered some dental rubber bands (medium) and I’m gonna try exactly what you showed . I need to buy a new set of stickers next! Thanks again!

[@TheDapperLad]

Easily one of Kenner's most genius designed vehicles. Look at those "innards." Just brilliant.

[@brett8481]

Thanks for the landing gear fix tip. I'll have to try that.

[@retroblasting]

Let us know how it goes!

[@slimmy_0076]

Don't know what it is but I was born 1997 and never grew up with anything vintage (except for an x wing Luke that was my dads) but there's something about Star Wars that is so timeless that it i feel the same nostalgia watching your childhood toys as I would if it was something i had a connection to, great video as always

[@BloodlineRC]

Thanks for doing the hard work on figuring this out. Followed your instructions and it works like a charm. A quick note, you can get clear hair bands from the local drug store. Those look to be the same. Also, i tried wrapping them around the front of the fork 3x and that was too much. 2x was just right. I was shocked at just how well this worked when following your instructions. Wow!

[@larryzeffert1043]

You did a phenomenal job. The Y-Wing is my favorite ship and you did it Justice!

[@c.a.k.comedy692]

This is awesome and you have to admit that the mechanisms for the landing gear and the turret is very complex and quite remarkable. I couldn't imagine being an engineer at kenner have to design, test and redesign over and over again. Unfortunately I wasn't born in that era but I wish I was so I could 1. Get all these awesome toys and see the theatrical versions of the original trilogy and 2. Get ahead on the Graflex discovery

[@pferreira1983]

Wow, the restored Y-Wing looks so bright and new. Well done Mike!

[@retroblasting]

P Ferreira Thanks!

[@Wolfstanus]

Just got me a y wing 1983. Has a beat up 1970 r2d2. Just missing the bomb and the struts etc for the engines but has the main parts of the engine.. Used your video to help put the landing gear and turret mechanism back together. I will note that my y wing does not have yellowing on the canopy but does have it in minor areas such as the seams. Mine is still dirty though. On another note for others. Isopropanol is not a good cleaner for plastic and even more so with aging plastics. Propanol is much kinder, specifically the screen cleaner ones. They are two different chemicals Curbell Plastics has an easy to understand chart on cleaning agents and plastic compatibility. Heptane (if you can get it) is a good way to remove stickers without damaging the sticker on what its attached to, including paper artwork. On the note of yellowing. Yes you sunlight, human oils etc do cause yellowing but its because these things are breaking down the retardant that was used in these plastics. And retrobrighting burns away that retardant but when you burn it away you're leaving cavities in the plastic and causing the the plastic to be more brittle

[@agentxdigitalvideo8231]

Great job! I love watching you take all these things apart. I'd never want to do it to my originals!

[@caviness1]

Hey just stumbled upon this vid. I'm working on a Y-wing restoration for my son who is now into some of my vintage stuff. The rubber band trick just behind the front landing strut is the key that I was looking for! Thanks much!

[@1980Triumph]

That was very clever with the dental bands...kool

[@retroblasting]

1980Triumph That took me a few hours to figure out, but then it hit me.

[@taquepariudf]

Great tutorial,I fixed the landing gears in minutes,lukily My kid wear braces and we have a ton of rubber bands at home ,Thanks retroblasting!

[@mjolnirmayhem5701]

I love your videos Retroblasting, I always watch them, especially the restorations.

[@artkingofwholefoods74]

Well played Sir... well PLAYED....

[@CUfan712510jd12340987]

Awesome restoration!!!

[@retroblasting]

CUfan71 Thanks!

[@petervenkman5483]

Thanks for another great project.

[@retroblasting]

Peter Venkman You're welcome!

[@justinschworn1444]

Suprisingly yes, everything was supposed to be in the box. Alas that was not the case. Wound up getting the re- release in the vintage collection box. As a collector since 1995, its one of the best purchases of the entire 20 plus year collection.

[@rikhorror]

Retroblasting, master of the restorations!

[@retroblasting]

And yet, still learning much each time...

[@rikhorror]

***** As a matter of fact, the more you do, the more you learn

[@matthewpahnke2613]

My PotF2 Y-Wing has droopy landing gear. It sits on them fine but when retracted, one of the rear one won't stay up all the way. Hmmm... Thanks for these videos. I'm restoring all my PotF2 stuff to pass down to my kid to play with and your videos (along with Toy Polloi) have been invaluable!!!

[@artpercy5944]

Thanks for another great video!!!

[@luisnunes1086]

Thank you for your video. It help me a lot to fix the y-wing that i bought ( it had the piece that looks like the arm of a record player loose). One thing that i found interesting was that the fork that holds the front landing gear in mine its totaly closed around the landing gear, so there is no way that it gets loose. Thanks again.

[@omnitrixbearer7364]

I love your work and hope you continue to talk about Star Wars toys and tell us your opinions on them. Also I'd love to see more restoration videos!

[@chrisshockley3909]

Love these restoration videos! Well done, sir!

[@Jedi3671]

Fantastic video!!!! Time to restore my childhood Y-wing! Thanks guys!

[@retroblasting]

Jedi Council Good luck!

[@SteveNigglechunks]

Another great restoration and excellent video!

[@retroblasting]

Thanks Eric!

[@MarkDemeo]

it would be cool to see reaction vids from ppl you have restored their items,to see how happy they are with their restored ships,bur of course that's up to the ppl themselves.

[@retroblasting]

Mark Demeo I wish that was possible. Juan did a reaction video to getting his snowspeeder back, which was cool.

[@OldBoley]

Well done on another great restoration guys. Thanks for the videos. I thoroughly enjoy all that you do.

[@retroblasting]

OldBoley Appreciate that, Old Boley!

[@RiFFxxx]

"They came from behind..." Looks brand new, awesome work guys.

[@retroblasting]

RiFFxxx Thanks Riff!

[@BanthaPooDOOM]

Wow, great job you guys!!! This Y Wing looks AMAZING! I'm happy for Jason who is getting an awesome piece back into his collection. Thank you for these videos as they are VERY helpful because I'm in the process of restoring a vintage Y Wing I got at a flea market for $2! Thanks Retroblasting team! :)

[@retroblasting]

You're very welcome! Good luck with the Y-Wing!

[@marioalbertocasillasochoa2745]

Good afternoon. An excellent video, show great dedication and passion to fix vintage vehicles of Star Wars, I personally own a Y-Wing of the toy factory Lili Ledy unfortunately gave it to my brother he keep it, but he lost the canyon that located above the cab, also lost the turbines; The worst thing is that I leave the batteries put into the compartment and those released fluid, clean but not, if it serves the mechanism to make it sound the canyon. As for the lost cannon and turbines try to get them, I went to look for a bazaar Mexico here at home, but they said they did not have the parts of the ship. And finally the R2-D2 has no decals is a shame as this ship, he puts decals and my grandfather died and I keep being when he was a little younger. Anyway good videos and thanks to you and your wife to repair these toys.

[@OrionPax9]

This saved my Y-Wing! Thank you!

[@curriecraig]

I have the same towel. Bought it at Daiso in Sapporo and it's been my gym rag for years.

[@kidbach]

Excellent video as always, M&M. And as far as your hands, the both of you are artiste and you need the tactile feeling to accomplish the task at hand. May I offer this, Mother had 'em...and you know the other part.

[@retroblasting]

Hahahahaha!

[@knavehart]

if you run a toothpick in the alignent hole on the landing gear, you can lock the gear up, while assembling the ship. then open the battery cover and remove the pick

[@toonytube2444]

Fantastic Video. 👍

[@myronaustin]

Stellar as always!!

[@retroblasting]

MC Austin Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Graytoke]

The Y-Wing flys again!! great resto :)

[@retroblasting]

Steve Mabee Thanks Steve!

[@PalJorgensen]

Nice going RB!

[@jboypacman]

Another amazing restore guys!

[@retroblasting]

John Gaither Appreciate it!

[@toy_room_of_insanity]

Fantastic guys! I came out really nice!

[@retroblasting]

Thanks Count!

[@miguelancira1347]

Good job guys!

[@retroblasting]

Miguel Ancira Thanks!

[@tikifire]

Great video! Thanks again for making these!

[@retroblasting]

Tikifire's Retro Clubhouse You're welcome!

[@vintagekennerguy7793]

Bravo! Love your work!

[@YourUncleBenis]

It's amazing how all these people can agree on one thing being an issue, and you're just like, "Guys, you're doing it wrong." If only I could see the face of someone that had that issue when you explained why the issue shouldn't exist.

[@retroblasting]

The Framemaster I was really confused by all the comments about it because my Y-Wing never had such an issue -- even to this day. Jason's was malfunctioning, but their comments suggested that a perfectly working assembly exhibited bad rear gear tension as a standard thing. I was like, "Uhh...no."

[@Sithtroy]

Mike you are one start guy.

[@retroblasting]

troy patterson Thanks Troy!

[@JediDB]

Another great job.

[@retroblasting]

Thanks Jedi!

[@OIFEagle]

Another successful restoration!

[@retroblasting]

***** We aim high!

[@OIFEagle]

But you're supposed to be aiming at the exhaust port. Doh!

[@c.a.k.comedy692]

OIFEagle He didn't stay on target

[@insertnamehere8121]

I would probably add some silicone paste to those plastic turret gears. Not saying RB did anything wrong or subpar, just a personal idea that comes to mind while observing the mechanisms at work. The paste should help cut down on the stresses put on aging plastic

[@eldergeeks7301]

Way late but I was thinking adding Rubber bands (temporarily) to hold the landing gear cam arms in place around the wings, reassemble with loose screws, cut and remove the bands then tighten down.

[@TheDarthvalen]

i have one of those later y wing models and from the moment i got it out the box i notice those back legs would not stay firm so i put a peace of plastic under to keep them strait

[@LaughItupFuzzball70]

Super helpful to many collectors and restorers I think, turned our great. On a personal note does the satisfaction of taking a piece back to its former glory outweigh the collecting or vice versa guys? Cheers, Fuzz.

[@retroblasting]

LaughItupFuzzball70 I think at this stage a great repair result does rival basic acquisition as far as a sense of accomplishment. One is just money. The other is money+problem solving+effort.

[@Pegwarmers]

Awesome!

[@billymusick]

Great video Micheal...I'm a hasbro collector as well as kenner...I have the 4 hasbro versions and they all have floppy gear and Vintage does not. The front landing gear on the newer ones is just a fold down and independent of the rears... They also don't have a locking mechanism either. So I believe hasbro went with a less complex gearing for cost savings...I'll open one up sometime at tell you want I find

[@retroblasting]

Yes! Please do! That's so disappointing to hear regarding Hasbro, but hardly surprising!

[@cobaltgreen1138]

Have you opened it up yet?

[@billymusick]

@@cobaltgreen1138 hey, thanks for asking. This is Kevin, billmaas friend. Sorry to say, he passed away a few years ago, so unfortunately no update on the x wing.

[@cobaltgreen1138]

@@billymusick I'm sorry to hear that, may bilmaa rest in peace

[@OZIO1977]

Thanks! very helpful :)

[@rikyannieh6119]

Bravo!!!

[@davidbrown1797]

Years ago I got a Y wing with almost everything missing ND brewed up batteries to boot. The landing gear works fine, though.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Did you cover the retro-bright process in this video? And I missed it? Glad I found your videos - I just got my y wing body this week and will start restoring it this year

[@Cavillier1970]

And Bravestar too! Knew I forgot one. LOL

[@retroblasting]

Cavillier1970 Bravestarr is planned, Centurions is planned, Defenders of the Earth is planned. Patience young padawan.

[@Cavillier1970]

No no no! I'd rather be a Redshirt Ensign than a Padawan Bubba! LOL Bravestar & Centurions I'm really looking forward to see neither was ever aire here in Buffalo when I was a kid. Even on out of town cable stations. But Bravestar I'm really wondering about 2 main issues; 1) where as 80s cartoons had a strong anti-drug message across the board, Bravestar was the only show I know of that had a child die due to an O.D. I'm serious. 2) The MTOU character Rio Blast was called He-Man's sherrif, I've always wondered if he was meant for Bravestar and way too far into production when the series was dropped and his addition to Masters was alast minute call.

That landing gear looks really rigid, what the hell are people talking about? :D Stellar work *****!

[@retroblasting]

Hjälte Björkdahl I wondered the same thing...

[@JLeoni96]

Excellent job, id be over the moon with that. :-)

[@retroblasting]

whiteknight723 Heck, it looks better than mine! HAHA!

[@JLeoni96]

Well you know what to do Michael lol

[@cadenlemley5329]

+RetroBlasting Your video is very helpful, and my only question is: Where, or how, did you get the stickers for the restoration?

[@Cavillier1970]

Great work as always Mike. I always loved the look of the Y-Wing which makes more sense, design wise than other spacecraft in most lines. But I gotta ask when are we're getting reviews of Centurions, Defenders of the Earth, and the final Voltron? LOL

[@retroblasting]

Cavillier1970 Final Voltron? You mean Gladiator Voltron II? Well, if there was a way for me to watch Lightspeed Electroid Albegas, then I'd do it. But since it has never been released, even in Japanese, in the U.S., I'm at a loss.

[@Cavillier1970]

*****(snaps fingers) Get the Deloran up to 88mph and we go back to 1984/5 and get tapes from Japan. : As we do that Melinda learns Japanese and I'll buy the pizza & Buffalo Wings as we go through it. lol

[@Sharksleep]

Am I the only person that thinks that the turret mechanism looks like someone playing the turntables? I guess it makes sense that the Y-Wing drops bombs like beats.

[@retroblasting]

Sharksleep HA! Melinda said the same thing!

[@swflegion1959]

Do you have a suggestion for if the front landing gear sides, that hook into the assembly forks, is broken on the ends? Thank you

[@MisterEye1975]

I just got a TRU exclusive (red one). trying to take it apart to fix the back landing gear but will not come apart in the middle. all screws are out. any ideas?

[@HouseClarkzonian]

Only issue with my own (so i think) is the Switch is mussy but it does work like normal you've just got to be a bit and i do mean a bit forceful with it to get it to lock in place. But still i do have it displayed flat without the landing gear because over time it's just going to wear out the support.

[@retroblasting]

TheMarkedOne Hmm...Sounds like something might be slightly out of alignment.

[@georgeowain]

What size dental bands did you use?

[@pnrcomps]

where do you get repro decals?

[@justinschworn1444]

another superb walk down memory lane. Are there any crashed A wings ready for the retroblasting restoration ? I believe that would be your first foray into the droids toy line. Can't wait to see your take on the star destroyer. Oh btw the POTF2 carbon freeze playses is awesome. i've had one since it was a fan club exclusive. Deffinitely worth the price of admission.... On a side note, would you be interested in trying to complete a loose legacy collection falcon. was given to my by a relative whos kid "lost intrest" in it after only a few days of playtime. missing most of the accessories but works fine.

[@retroblasting]

He lost the accessories after only a few days???

[@ToyzNWheelz]

Was there ever a specific pilot and Droid for the Y-wing?

[@retroblasting]

ToyzNWheelz No. The box shows Admiral Ackbar in the pilot seat and R2-D2 in the socket. I always put R5-D4 there and used whatever character suited me. Boba Fett always stowed away in the battery compartment.

[@ToyzNWheelz]

Thank you, that makes it easy. This one is almost complete except for the exhaust supports which are proving to be hard to find. thanks again.

[@luke9511]

i have to disagree on the yellowing being from finger oils or oils from your skin only because if that were true then all of vintage computers and stuff like that would have yellow finger prints on them instead of all of the plastic being yellow from age, just my 2 cents though, great videos and i am now subscribed!

[@omarmena711]

Where could I get the spare pieces?

[@timdm101]

Hi Rectroblaster.. where can I. buy. structs and other parts for a y wing. I just bought Y wing on eBay, but it was incomplete nd need maintenance. I. have done all the maintenance now, but need parts and stickers that are not expensive. can you recommend any bays or websites that you use??

[@shang6245]

Retro Blasting can you do a Tie Interceptor Review pls?

[@retroblasting]

Please watch this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3aUnJatjc-irJI

[@whitestar618]

my brother had this when we were children and I remember the engine slats bending and eventually breaking off. Do people make reproduction rods (like using a 3d printer)? kind of wish we still had them (my mother went on a rampage when we were in college and threw nearly everything out, including my matchbox robotech fighter..GAH)

[@retroblasting]

whitestar618 Oh those stories hurt every time!

[@justinenglishh]

do u buy aany of the new star wars toys like the black series?

[@retroblasting]

justin english Not really, I'm so busy trying to track down vintage toys.

[@sgf129]

hi, is there any way to get the motor running without taking it apart? but if I have to take it apart how would I get the motor to running?

[@retroblasting]

sgf129 You make sure the contacts are clean for the batteries and then you spin the motor by hand. DO NOT spin the turret post. It will resist and you will strip the gears and break the mechanism. I cannot see of any way to get the motor spinning without taking it apart.

[@retroblasting]

sgf129 You should be holding down the activating button while spinning the motor gear. You will also need to remove the upper assembly before spinning the motor gear so you do not strip the additional gears' teeth.

[@sgf129]

***** thank you, I will try that tomorrow. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to take it apart, I saw your attack track video, because I am not very mechanically inclined. thanks for this video, I have wanted my y wing to work again for a while now.

[@monsoonidiot]

I'm Wondering, Would You Do A 2010 Restoration? Like The Huge At-At ( That I Have ) It Is Missing A Few ( A lot) Of Parts. So I'm Also Interested In Any Type Of Newer Tutorial Videos For Newer Star Wars Vehicles (1980s-2012). Also I Wonder If There Is A Good Parts Websites For Any Star Wars Vehicle.

[@vernonwilmervideo]

The awesome engineering skills of vintage Kenner astounds me. And these days, with light & sound kits made so much easier, Hasbro rarely includes any electronic effects at all. Disappointing.

[@timdm101]

Dear Retroblasting! do you have a eBay account where you sell items as if you do , I like to check out any Star Wars items you. say have for sale!!