This figure was inspired by my buddy George who asked me if we might see Grand Moff Tarkin in Episode 2 or 3. Obviously I did not have the answer, but I did have an idea. A backstory for Tarkin that stated he was from the planet of Naboo, I think it would go a little something like this......
As a young man, Tarkin (first name still unknown) joined the ranks of the Royal Flight Corps on his homeworld of Naboo. During the invasion of Naboo by the vile Trade Federation, Tarkin assisted in the underground rebellion movement against the Federation. When Queen Amidala returned home, Tarkin helped the young Queen devise a plan which would see Tarkin's Bravo Squadron attempt to disable the Federation's Droid Control Ship. Once successful, the squadron was decorated with high honors by Amidala and the newly appointed Chancelor of the Republic, Naboo's own Palpatine. Palpatine noted Tarkin's ability to plan strategy against an enemy, therefore the Chancellor requested Tarkin's transfer to his new Military Strategy section of the Republic. In time Tarkin helped develop and orchestrate the many devious assaults Palpatine needed to secure utter control of the Republic and turn it into his New Order. All this helped Tarkin quickly rise in the ranks of the new Empire, to eventually land the position of Grand Moff, governor of the entire Outer Rim territories. From there Tarkin helped in the development of the Death Star, the Empire's most powerful weapon. It was Tarkin's hope that he could use the Death Star to eventually overthrow the now Emperor Palpatine.
Well that's the story of a young Naboo Pilot named Tarkin, now the story of how he was made. This was an extremely simple custom to make. Take the body of a Episode 1 Ric Olie figure, remove head and replace with the head of Grand Moff Tarkin. Paint the hair on the new head black, and bada-bing, bada-boom you are done with this figure. Add a Naboo flight helmet and the small pistol that comes with the original Tarkin figure and this custom is ready to go to flight!