X-wing fighter

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
"X-wing" redirects here. For other uses, see X-wing (disambiguation).
X-wing starfighter
Star Wars vehicle
Rebel T-65B X-wings (the Red Squadron) in Star Wars (1997 Special Edition). BTL Y-wings (the Gold Squadron) are visible at the center right.
First appearanceStar Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker
(1976 novel)
Created byColin Cantwell
Information
Affiliation
Made byIncom Corporation
Incom-FreiTek Corporation
Auxiliary vehiclesGuidenhauser ejector seat
General characteristics
Class
Armaments
  • Taim & Bak KX9 laser cannons (4)
  • Krupx MG7 proton torpedo launchers (2)
Defenses
  • Chempat "Defender" deflector shield projector and generator
  • Titanium armor alloy
  • Bertriak "Screamer" sensor jammer
Maximum speed
  • 3,700 G (maximum acceleration)
  • 1,050 km/h (652 mph; maximum atmospheric speed)
  • 100 MGLT (megalight per hour; subluminal speed)
  • 1.0 HCR (hyperdrive class rating; superluminal speed)
Propulsion
  • Class-1 Koensayr GBk-585 hyperdrive motivators (4)
  • Incom 4L4 fusial thrust engines (4)
Power
  • Novaldex 04-Z cryogenic power generator
Mass10 metric tons (T-65B)
Length
  • 13.4 meters (T-65B)
  • 12.48 (T-70)
Width11.76 meters (38 ft 7 in)
Height2.4 meters (8 ft 1 in)
Population volume
  • 1 pilot
  • 1 astromech droid

The X-wing starfighter is a name applied to a family of fictional spacecraft manufactured by the Incom Corporation and later the Incom-FreiTek Corporation from the

Expanded Universe
that followed, and has been merchandised as a variety of toys and models.

Starting with

New Republic's defense fleet. The T-85 X-wing made its first appearance in the TV series Star Wars Resistance
(2018).

Origin and design

Colin Cantwell sketched and built models that eventually became the final X-wing fighter in Star Wars.[1] The X-wings were designed to appear more "traditional" than the Empire's TIE fighters.[2] ILM built miniatures in various scales, with wing markings indicating which prop represented which pilot.[1] When ILM fell behind on generating X-wing footage, Star Wars creator/director George Lucas and his editors temporarily used World War II dogfight footage for initial editing cuts.[3] Each X-wing model was built around a hollow core made from surgical tubing, which allowed lighting, cooling, and electrical connectors for the wing motors to be installed and maintained.[2] The cockpit windows were made from faceted glass so that accurate reflections could be filmed.[2] Although the movie's initial script and novelization describe the X-wings as belonging to "Blue squadron", limitations in bluescreen photography led to the markings on the filming models, as well as the fictional squadron affiliation being changed to red.[1]

In addition to miniatures, special effects expert

astromech droid visible behind each actor was changed for each starfighter.[4] Background noise pitch and tone also varied between X-wings to further differentiate the characters piloting them.[5]

The "lake" in which Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) crashes his X-wing in The Empire Strikes Back was only 3.5 feet (1.1 m) deep, requiring the creation of a rig resembling the starfighter sitting in the lake at an angle.[6] The rig was built in hinged sections so it could be manipulated by frogmen to sink or rise, a key feature for the scene when Luke fails to levitate his ship from the water.[6]

In 1993, ILM visual effects specialist John Knoll created a proof of concept test of dogfighting X-wings and TIE fighters to demonstrate the feasibility of using commercially available desktop computer software for simple animation work.[7] This resulted in numerous parts of space battle scenes being "re-shot" as digital animations for the original trilogy's Special Edition releases.[7] The ARC-170 starfighter seen in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith is the ancestor of the X-wing and is deliberately reminiscent of the X-wing's design.[8]

Depiction

X-wings with their s-foils locked in attack position as they assault the Death Star in Star Wars (1997 Special Edition)

The T-65B X-wing was produced by the Incom Corporation, which had previously supplied the

New Republic fleet and later the Resistance
, with Incom-FreiTek supplying upgraded T-70 and T-85 models.

Compared to the TIE fighter, the X-wing is said to be slower and less maneuverable in space, but boasts superior firepower, defenses, atmospheric maneuverability, and a

repulsorlift" provides for flight in planetary atmospheres.[9]

The T-65B X-wing's distinctive strike foils or "S-foils" are opened and closed by powerful servo motors in the spacecraft. When in the open or 'attack' position, they provided a greater range of fire to the laser cannons mounted on the end of each wing. They also serve to distribute energy to enlarge the deflector shield, shed waste heat, and function as stabilizer surfaces during air travel.[9]

Instead of a dedicated navigational system, the X-wing makes use of an

astromech droid (such as R2-D2) which fits in a socket behind the cockpit. The droid can hold up to 10 hyperspace coordinates, make minor repairs to the craft, and assume full control of the X-wing if needed. As with the pilot's ejection seat, an explosive charge can eject the droid from the X-wing in an emergency.[9]

In Legends

According to roleplaying and other literature prior to

Imperial Security Bureau began to suspect the company of Rebel sympathies. Before the empire could seize control of the company, the designers defected to the Rebel Alliance and handed over the X-wing's schematics.[10][11]

The Rebel Alliance adopted the military strategy of Doctrine of Space Denial, wherein the Rebellion would raid Imperial boneyards and shipping frigates, both to disrupt Imperial logistics and operations, and also to requisition desperately needed materials. X-wing hyperdrive capabilities allowed for this kind of harassment and escape before the Empire could react. The presence of a hyperdrive and deflector shields differentiate the X-wing from the Empire's TIE fighters, emphasizing the importance the Rebels place on pilots surviving their missions.[12]

Novels and roleplaying material set after

Yuuzhan Vong, have a third proton torpedo launcher, stronger lasers and improved engines.[13]

Merchandise and licensing

Kenner Toys produced an X-wing toy as a complement to its action figure line in 1978; this model was made from formed plastic and had a battery-operated light and buzzer in the forward fuselage. The "s-foils" were activated by depressing the molded astromech droid. In 1982, a "battle-damaged" version was released using the same mold but with damage stickers, a grey fuselage, blackened engine inlets, and a darker canopy. In countries outside the U.S., the electronics were removed and the R2-D2 “button” was chrome (apart from the U.S., the electronic X-wing was only available in Brazil, Canada, and France).[14]
Kenner also produced a die-cast 1:72 miniature X-wing in 1978 and a smaller scaled version with "battle damage crash feature" for the short lived Micro Collection line in 1982.

The X-wing appeared in four Micro Machines three-packs, including the first Star Wars pack released, a bronzed version, and a pack of three "battle damaged" X-wings with different colored markings.[15][16][17][18] The Micro Machines X-wing has also been released in two single-packs, as a promotional souvenir with German video releases, in a nine-pack of Original Trilogy vehicles, and once in clear plastic.[19][20][21][22] The X-wing appears eight times in the Micro Machines Action Fleet toy line: Luke's starfighter on its own,[23] with "targeter" stand,[24] with Dagobah swamp damage,[25] and in a double pack with a TIE Fighter,[26] Wedge's starfighter on its own,[27] and as a component of the Yavin Rebel Base playset,[28] a toy based on the prototype packaged with Biggs Darklighter's starfighter,[29] and Jek Porkins' starfighter.[30]

Lego also released numerous X-wing models, including a 76-piece miniature X-wing/TIE advanced kit,[31] a 263-piece X-wing (1999/2002), a 563-piece X-wing kit with Yoda's Hut (2004), a 437-piece X-Wing (2006),[32] a 560-piece X-wing (2012), a 730-piece X-wing (2018),[33] and a 474-piece Luke Skywalker's X-wing Fighter (2021).[34] A 1,304-piece "Ultimate Collector's" model was released in 2000.[35] A new "Ultimate Collector's" model with 1,559 pieces was released in 2013. In 2019, the Lego Group's annual Christmas gift to employees was a 1,038-piece Christmas X-wing, which also included Yoda's igloo and a sleigh.[36] In addition to the original T-65 X-wing, Lego has released several models of the newer T-70 X-wing. These include the black/orange Poe's X-wing Fighter (2015),[37] the gray/blue Resistance X-wing Fighter (2016)[38] and orange/white Poe Dameron's X-wing Fighter (2020),[39] as well as several small mini-scale versions.

X-wings also appear in numerous Star Wars games and Expanded Universe stories. The player pilots an X-wing in the

Wraith Squadron, the former expanding the story of pilots like Wedge Antilles who appear in the films. Dark Horse Comics has also published an X-Wing Rogue Squadron series.[41] In 2012, Fantasy Flight Games released the Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game featuring several pilots and variations of the ship.[42] The X-wing also included in its Star Wars: Armada miniatures game and Star Wars: Rebellion board game.[43][44]

Cultural influence

A model of Luke Skywalker's X-wing was among 250 Star Wars-related items on display at the

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver.[49]

In 2018, a number of Star Wars starfighters had their aerodynamic abilities tested using the

repulsorlifts and deflector shields to give themselves better flight profiles.[50][51]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "X-wing starfighter (Behind the Scenes)". Star Wars Database. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
  2. ^
    ISBN 1-933784-03-2
    .
  3. ^ Burns, Kevin and Edith Becker (2004). Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy (Documentary).
  4. ^ "Red Leader (Behind the Scenes)". Star Wars Database. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
  5. ^ Star Wars - Audio Commentary (2004). 1:49.05 - 1:05.00
  6. ^ a b Kershner, Irvin. The Empire Strikes Back - Audio Commentary (2004). 1:06.39-1:07.40
  7. ^ a b "The Evolution of Space Battles". Homing Beacon. Lucasfilm. 2005-09-15. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
  8. ^ "ARC-170 starfighter (Behind the Scenes)". Star Wars Databank. Lucasfilm. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  9. ^
    ISBN 978-1683839361
    .
  10. ISBN 0-87431-435-6
    .
  11. ISBN 0-34539-299-X
    .
  12. ISBN 0-87431-209-4
    .
  13. ISBN 0-7869-2777-1
    .
  14. ^ "The Vintage Vault: Looking Back at Kenner's X-wing Fighter - StarWars.com". starwars.com. 9 June 2015. Archived from the original on 20 January 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  15. ^ "#1: X-wing, Millennium Falcon, Star Destroyer (1993)". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-06-21. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  16. ^ "#III: Darth Vader's TIE Fighter, Y-wing, X-wing (1995)". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-06-21. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  17. ^ "#XIII: Battle-damaged X-wings (red, blue, and green) (1997)". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-08-20. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  18. ^ "Bronze 3-pack: AT-AT, Snowspeeder, X-wing". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  19. ^ "Single carded vehicle: X-wing Starfighter (1995)". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  20. ^ "Single carded vehicle: X-wing Starfighter (bronze)". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  21. ^ "Trilogy Gift Set". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  22. ^ "X-Ray Fleet #II: X-wing, AT-AT". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  23. ^ "Luke's X-wing Starfighter". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  24. ^ "Flight Controllers - X-wing Fighter". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  25. ^ "Luke's X-wing from Dagobah Swamp". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  26. ^ "Classic Duels: X-wing Fighter vs. TIE Fighter". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  27. ^ "X-wing (2 stripes)". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  28. ^ "Yavin Rebel Base playset (Action Fleet Set)". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  29. ^ "Series Alpha: X-wing Starfighter". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  30. ^ "X-wing (6 stripes)". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  31. ^ "Mini X-wing Fighter and TIE Advanced". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
  32. ^ "X-Wing Fighter". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
  33. ^ "X-Wing Starfighter". Retrieved 2022-05-26.
  34. ^ "Luke Skywalker's X-Wing Starfighter". Retrieved 2022-05-26.
  35. ^ "Ultimate Collector's Set X-Wing Fighter". Star Wars Cargo Bay. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
  36. ^ "Christmas X-Wing: the Lego 2019 employee exclusive set". 25 December 2019. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
  37. ^ "Poe's X-wing Fighter". Retrieved 2022-05-26.
  38. ^ "Resistance X-wing Fighter". Retrieved 2022-05-26.
  39. ^ "Poe Dameron's X-wing Fighter". Retrieved 2022-05-26.
  40. ^ "Star Wars Customizable Card Game Complete Card List" (PDF). Decipher, Inc. 2001-08-23. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
  41. ^ "Star Wars: Omnibus--X-Wing Rogue Squadron Vol. 1 TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
  42. ^ "X-Wing (TM) is Now Available". fantasyflightgames.com. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  43. ^ "STAR WARS (TM): Armada". fantasyflightgames.com. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  44. ^ "STAR WARS™: Rebellion". fantasyflightgames.com. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  45. ^ Brown, Jennifer (2 January 1997). "Smithsonian 'Star Wars' exhibit honors series' gifts to the imagination". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 16 October 2007.
  46. CBS Interactive
    . Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  47. Wired News. Condé Nast
    . Retrieved 10 December 2007.
  48. Ziff Davis, LLC
    . Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  49. ^ "T-65 X-Wing at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum". Wings Museum. Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  50. ^ Pockross, Adam. "Testing the Aerodynamics of Star Wars Ships in a Virtual Wind Tunnel". SyFy Wire. Retrieved 9 September 2020.[dead link]
  51. ^ Limer, Eric (19 June 2018). "Which Star Wars Ships Have the Best (and Worst) Aerodynamics?". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 9 September 2020.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=X-wing_fighter&oldid=1216958822"