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X-wing fighter

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"X-wing" redirects here. For other uses, seeX-wing (disambiguation).
X-wing starfighter
Star Warsvehicle
Rebel T-65B X-wings (the Red Squadron) inStar 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

TheX-wing starfighteris a name applied to a family of fictional spacecraft manufactured by the Incom Corporation and later the Incom-FreiTek Corporation from theStar Warsfranchise. Named for the distinctive shape made when its s-foils (wings) are in attack position, the X-wing was a class of starfighter used by theRebel Alliancein their conflict with theGalactic Empire.It made its theatrical debut, as the T-65B model, inStar Wars(1977) as the spacecraft piloted byLuke Skywalkerand the Red Squadron when Luke destroyed theDeath Star.The starfighter featured extensively in theStar Warsoriginal trilogyand in theExpanded Universethat followed, and has been merchandised as a variety of toys and models.

Starting withThe Force Awakens(2015), a new model of X-wing was introduced, which has gone on to play a prominent role in theStar Wars sequel trilogy.The T-70 X-wing, flown by theResistancein their fight against theFirst Order,is depicted as the successor to the T-65. Although described as being an improvement over the original, in the expanded literature this new X-wing is itself considered outdated, having been replaced by the T-85 X-wing in theNew Republic's defense fleet. The T-85 X-wing made its first appearance in the TV seriesStar Wars Resistance(2018).

Origin and design

[edit]

Colin Cantwellsketched and built models that eventually became the final X-wing fighter inStar Wars.[1]The X-wings were designed to appear more "traditional" than theEmpire'sTIE fighters.[2]ILM builtminiaturesin various scales, with wing markings indicating which prop represented which pilot.[1]When ILM fell behind on generating X-wing footage,Star Warscreator/directorGeorge Lucasand his editors temporarily usedWorld War IIdogfight 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 inbluescreenphotography 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 expertJohn Stearsand his crew made a single, full-size X-wing for scenes in the Rebels'Yavin 4base hangar; combined with cardboard cutouts and careful editing, the Rebels appear to have dozens of fighters.[1]The production crew also made a full-size X-wing cockpit that was used for all actors; theastromech droidvisible 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 whichLuke Skywalker(Mark Hamill) crashes his X-wing inThe Empire Strikes Backwas 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 byfrogmento sink or rise, a key feature for the scene when Luke fails to levitate his ship from the water.[6]

In 1993, ILMvisual effectsspecialistJohn Knollcreated aproof of concepttest of dogfighting X-wings and TIE fighters to demonstrate the feasibility of using commercially availabledesktop computersoftware 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]TheARC-170 starfighterseen inStar Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sithis the ancestor of the X-wing and is deliberately reminiscent of the X-wing's design.[8]

Depiction

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

The T-65B X-wing was produced by the Incom Corporation, which had previously supplied theARC-170andZ-95 Headhunterstarfighters to theGalactic Republicduring theClone Wars.When the Galactic Empire ordered them to produce a new starfighter for the Imperial Navy, Incom engineers took inspiration from their previous work to create the X-wing. Production was already underway however when politicking resulted in the Empire choosing instead to go with Sienar Fleet Systems'TIE fighter.Faced with anoverproductionof expensive starfighters, a new market was found when agents of the Rebel Alliance contacted Incom about acquiring their stock of X-wings, to which Incom eagerly agreed. The X-wing quickly became a symbol of the Rebellion thanks to its use in several spectacular victories and the role it played in ultimately defeating the Empire.[9]After the defeat of the Empire, the X-wing starfighters became a staple of theNew Republicfleet and later theResistance,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 asupraluminalhyperdrive.Its four laser canons can be fired singly, in pairs or all at once, and each launcher can carry up to threeproton torpedoes.In addition todeflector shields,the X-wing possesses a titanium alloy armored hull,electronic countermeasures,and armored cockpit. Aninertial dampenerprotects the pilot from high-g maneuvers, while ananti-gravity"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 asstabilizersurfaces during air travel.[9]

Instead of a dedicated navigational system, the X-wing makes use of anastromech droid(such asR2-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'sejection seat,an explosive charge can eject the droid from the X-wing in an emergency.[9]

InLegends

[edit]

According to roleplaying and other literature prior toDisney's acquisition ofLucasfilm,the origin of the X-wing is somewhat different compared to later material. Incom Corporation had already begun designing the X-wing when the Empire'sImperial Security Bureaubegan 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 ofDoctrine of Space Denial,wherein the Rebellion would raid Imperialboneyardsand 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 afterReturn of the Jedishowed the X-wing continued to be refined and upgraded in service to the New Republic; the "XJ" -series X-wings, depicted in the war against theYuuzhan Vong,have a third proton torpedo launcher, stronger lasers and improved engines.[13]

Merchandise and licensing

[edit]

Kenner Toysproduced an X-wing toy as a complement to itsaction figure linein 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 fourMicro Machinesthree-packs, including the firstStar Warspack 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 ofOriginal Trilogyvehicles, 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]withDagobahswamp 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 withBiggs Darklighter'sstarfighter,[29]andJek Porkins'starfighter.[30]

Legoalso 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 numerousStar Warsgames and Expanded Universe stories. The player pilots an X-wing in theAtariStar Warsgame. It is also a playable ship in numerousLucasArtsgames, and is the eponymous vessel in the first of severalspace combat simulator games.Both theRebel AssaultandRebel Assault IIrail shootersinclude X-wing levels, and X-wing squadrons are controllable units in theRebellionandEmpire at Warstrategy games.DecipherandWizards of the Coastpublished X-wing and X-wing-related cards for theStar Wars Customizable Card GameandStar Wars Trading Card Game,respectively.[40]Michael A. StackpoleandAaron Allstonwrote theX-wingnovel series that focuses on the X-wing pilots of Rogue Squadron andWraith Squadron,the former expanding the story of pilots likeWedge Antilleswho appear in the films.Dark Horse Comicshas also published anX-Wing Rogue Squadronseries.[41]In 2012,Fantasy Flight Gamesreleased theStar Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Gamefeaturing several pilots and variations of the ship.[42]The X-wing also included in itsStar Wars: Armadaminiatures game andStar Wars: Rebellionboard game.[43][44]

Cultural influence

[edit]

A model of Luke Skywalker's X-wing was among 250Star Wars-related items on display at theNational Air and Space Museumcelebrating the franchise's twentieth anniversary.[45]An original X-wing filming prop sold at auction for $160,000 in July 2016.[46]In 2007, theSan DiegoTripoli Rocket Association built and launched a 23-foot (7.0 m) X-wing model propelled by four rockets, which disintegrated seconds after liftoff.[47]A life-size X-wing is suspended from the ceiling at the Star Trader gift shop inDisneylandin California, as well as one displayed outdoors by theStar Toursattraction atDisneyland Paris.A life-size X-wing made from Lego blocks appeared in Times Square,[48]and a3⁄4-size replica is on display at theWings Over the RockiesAir & Space Museum inDenver.[49]

In 2018, a number of Star Wars starfighters had their aerodynamic abilities tested using theAutodeskFlow Design virtualwind tunnelprogram. When tested, the classic T-65 X-wing design had adrag coefficientof 0.45, which is only slightly better than the coefficient of a sphere. The newer T-70 X-wing flown byPoe Dameron(Oscar Isaac) was more aerodynamically sound with a rating of 0.24, but still fell short of theF-4E Phantomwith its 0.02 drag coefficient. These poor results were rationalized with the in-universe explanations that drag coefficient plays no role in space travel, and that Star Wars fighters can userepulsorliftsanddeflector shieldsto give themselves better flight profiles.[50][51]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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  51. ^Limer, Eric (19 June 2018)."Which Star Wars Ships Have the Best (and Worst) Aerodynamics?".Popular Mechanics.Retrieved9 September2020.
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