Lit Fleet Junkie Flagship- The technical discussions of the GFFA (Capital Ships thread Mk. II)

I love his fanlore there and art accompanying it!

I had another thought watching this though: Given the Cantwell X-Wing with its 90° angled wings was not used ultimately, I always regarded the B-Wing from ROTJ as a spiritual successor to the Cantwell X-Wing. Aside the weird B name that is debateable if it fits the shape, the B-Wing has 90° angled wings like the Cantwell version, giving it a similiar profile, merely placing the cockpit not in the center and having two wings shorter and folding down on the same side instead of opposite sides.

 

Not sure I buy this one, TBH.

--Adm. Nick

 

I came up with my own more mundane backstory for the X-wing in the headcanon thread, where it's still a good and above-average fighter design, but not quite the bleeding-edge machine that he makes it out to be.

Speaking of which, why did they call it a B-wing to begin with? If they were going with the shape of the craft, T-wing would have made more sense.

 

Out-of-, or in-universe? The name originally came from the RotJ model team's labels of "fighter A" and "fighter B", I believe.

 

Yeah, I meant out-of-universe. I mean, X-wing and Y-wing obviously came from the shape...A-wing kinda vaguely looks like an "A" from above so that fits...but then B-wing doesn't.

 

Episode guide out for the first 3 Andor episodes, some of ship names are given but not all.

 

That is a lot on just that one pic.

 

That was one Retcon yeah. But it does not look very Blade-like either, unless you take the B-Wing with its "crossguard" wings extended as the hilt and the "blade" is the powerful boostershot it can use according to Hera and Rebels in its prototype. That'd make it a fine Laserblade!

Though ironic that it also showed the Empire how to miniaturize Death Star technology given small craft can carry powerful guns thx to Mon Cal inventors!

 

I don't know where the name came from in Legends, but in canon's Rebel Starfighters Haynes Manual it's explicitly established that the "B" in B-Wing derives from "Blade Wing" which is what Quarrie called his initial prototype. The book doesn't go on to explain the origin of "Blade Wing" but my guess is that it derives from the ship's silhouette, which could be viewed as a stylized dagger when the wings are extended (cockpit strut as the hilt, wings as the crossguard, and the remaining structure as the blade).

 

Andor

Spoiler

It's great to see TIE fighters fill a role other than "disposable cannon fodder" in media for once. I was thinking the other day that while we've gotten used to hearing it all the time for years, the unique engine sound would be really intimidating to hear from the ground.

We also get our best look yet at the "Coronet passenger starliners" outside of concept art for Solo and they look fantastic.

 

Andor 1.07

Spoiler

There's a Libertine-style ship in the background flying away when Mon visits Luthen. (Here's a link incase I didn't embed properly)

 

Andor

Spoiler

The prison barge is a new design, right?
I think for the interior they might be using a modified version of the Zeta-class shuttle's set from Rogue One.

 

Spoiler

It appears to be a new design. Looks like a larger unarmed version of the Imperial transport from Mando and Obi-Wan

 

I'll admit I still struggle with the boxy look of ships like this. I mean, yes, it makes sense for a utilatarian function such as the one in the show. But when you start getting a few of the same of these types, it really just comes across as a little boring. Granted, I don't have an idea for something much better but, then, I'm not a concept designer. I just wish there was SOMEthing to breakup the boxes with engines on it. I'm reminded of the Separtist shuttles which aren't wildly extravagant but still have a unique design hook to make them stand out.

Does not detract from the show at all (which I adore) but just one too many of these really basic shapes for me this time around (coming from the perspective of someone who wants memorable ship designs, not as a critique of their look relative to their place in universe).

 

As far as troop and prisoner transports for the Empire I have no issue with utilitarian...however I really do want to see more ships of different varieties that show different design aesthetics.

My issue...as always...is make and model along with some basic information on the ships.

 

Oh, I will freely admit it's my own hangup. And I don't mind seeing one or two models of the same ilk, would just prefer something different at this stage. Heck just try a sphere with engines or a trapezoid or anything.

In contrast, was quite impressed by the purple ship in the second Dooku episode of TOTJ (I think it is new). Yes its finery befits its owner's station but I think it showed there are areas where Star Wars animation excels still vs other mediums. I agree that, like the prisoner transport, would appreciate some offical info about it tossed in a databank article or what have you pending some sort of guide material (prospect of ever getting which may be at mythical status now, but I was going through some old boxes and couldn't help but feels nostalgic for the very many essential guides we use to get).

 

I will say as far as breaking up the monotony of clunky industrial ships while still fitting that aesthetic, I really liked the pyramidical Prex-Mor corporate security ship in the first couple of episodes, and I think it's kind of a shame that it's unlikely to show up again.

 

I get it...but we did get a bunch of other designs earlier...so I hold out hope.

 

Since we'll be seeing Saw's Partisans using the X-Wing pretty soon, I'll be headcannoning that they somehow got delivery of a number of early models or examples, or even stole them. It's also possible the X-Wing did get limited buyers before the defecting design team story (which numerous reference sources, including the Haynes Guide, have indicated is still canon, so far)

 

I was actually hoping some version of the Incom design team rescue would be an Andor mission for Season 2 (honestly would have worked for me as a Season 1 finale before the show started). Nice alternative to a Death Star revelation and I think a flashy shot of an X-wing design as the payoff would be sufficiently recognizable as a major victory to the general audience.

Not going to happen now, of course. Maybe it could still be a part of a hypothetical Saw Gererra show. Retcon it to the Partisans being the ones to facilitate the defection (sure they seem more the blow things up type but I imagine they branch out). Probably makes more sense for another group to have done it, though and the ships filter out to other factions. I just want more Saw and company.

 

Interesting that the X-Wing that would be so iconic would originate in the Partisan extremist faction, whereas the more straightforwardly heroic Phoenix squadron's a-wings get shelved until near the end of the war.

The Raxus senator ship was very fool. Super fancy.

I don't mind boxy, utilitarian designs...though, even then I find myself liking older box ships like the X-Wing series' Stormtrooper Transport or Assault Transport over some of these newer ships. Not a big deal though.

 

I just want to say how amazing the T6 Shuttle looks in the ToTJ episodes. So much more detailed than in any previous appearances.

 

Is that a T-6? I'm almost sure its a precursor to the T-6.