X-wing 50801 225923154 2008-07-16T01:06:51Z EEMIV 335429 Reverted 1 edit by [[Special:Contributions/70.121.186.14|70.121.186.14]]. ([[WP:TW|TW]]) {{otheruses}} [[Image:x-wing.jpg|thumb|X-wing fighters, with their s-foils closed, in ''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope|A New Hope]]'' (1997 Special Edition). [[Y-wing]]s are visible at the center right.]] '''X-wings''' are fictional [[starfighter]]s from the original ''[[Star Wars]]'' trilogy and the [[Star Wars Expanded Universe]]. They are depicted as the primary [[Interceptor aircraft|interceptor]] and [[dogfight]]er of the [[Rebel Alliance]] and the [[New Republic (Star Wars)|New Republic]]. The craft has been merchandised as a variety of toys and models and licensed for use in games, novels and comics. ==Origin and design== [[Industrial Light and Magic]]'s (ILM) [[Joe Johnston]] sketched and [[Colin Cantwell]] built models that eventually became the final X-wing fighter in ''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]''.<ref name="xwingbts">{{cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/xwing/?id=bts|title=X-wing starfighter (Behind the Scenes)|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]||work=Star Wars Database|accessdate=2007-10-16}}</ref> The X-wings were designed to appear more "traditional" than the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Empire]]'s [[TIE fighter]]s.<ref name="insideshop">{{cite book|first=Lorne|last=Peterson|title=Sculpting A Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars Model Shop|date=2006-11-14|publisher=Insight Editions|isbn=1-933-784-03-2}}</ref> ILM built [[Miniature effect|miniatures]] in various scales, with wing markings indicating which prop represented which pilot.<ref name="xwingbts" /> When ILM fell behind on generating X-wing footage, ''Star Wars'' producer [[George Lucas]] and his editors temporarily used [[World War II]] dogfight footage for initial editing cuts.<ref name="empireofdreams">{{cite video|people=Burns, Kevin and Edith Becker|date=2004|title=Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy|medium=Documentary}}</ref> 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.<ref name="insideshop" /> The cockpit windows were made from faceted glass so that accurate reflections could be filmed.<ref name="insideshop" /> 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.<ref name="xwingbts" /> In addition to miniatures, the production crew made a full-size X-wing for scenes in the Rebels' [[Yavin]] base hangar; combined with cardboard cutouts and careful editing, the Rebels appear to have dozens of fighters.<ref name="xwingbts" /> The production crew also made a full-size X-wing cockpit that was used for all actors; the [[astromech]] droid visible behind each actor was changed for each starfighter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/redleader/?id=bts|title=Red Leader (Behind the Scenes)|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]||work=Star Wars Database|accessdate=2007-10-16}}</ref> Background noise pitch and tone also varied between X-wings to further differentiate the characters piloting them.<ref>''Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - Audio Commentary'' (2004). 1:49.05 - 1:05.00</ref> The "lake" in which [[Luke Skywalker]] ([[Mark Hamill]]) crashes his X-wing in ''[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back]]'' was only 3.5&nbsp;feet (1&nbsp;meter) deep, requiring the creation of a rig resembling the starfighter sitting in the lake at an angle.<ref name="esbaudio">Kershner, Irvin. ''Star Wars Episode IV: The Empire Strikes Back - Audio Commentary'' (2004). 1:06.39-1:07.40</ref> 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.<ref name="esbaudio" /> 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.<ref name="Homing145">{{cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/episode-iii/bts/production/beacon145.html|title=The Evolution of Space Battles|accessdate=2007-10-16|date=2005-09-15|work=Homing Beacon|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]}}</ref> This resulted in numerous parts of space battle scenes being "re-shot" as digital animations for original trilogy's Special Edition releases.<ref name="Homing145" /> The [[ARC-170]] starfighter seen in ''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]'' is deliberately reminiscent of the X-wing's design.<ref name="170bts">{{cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/arc170fighter/?id=bts|work=Star Wars Databank|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|title=ARC-170 starfighter (Behind the Scenes)|accessdate=2007-10-14}}</ref> ==Depiction== [[Image:Battle of yavin.jpg|thumb|X-wings with their s-foils locked in attack position as they assault the [[Death Star]] in ''A New Hope'' (1997 Special Edition)]] The Expanded Universe states that Incom Corporation designers defected to the Rebel Alliance and handed over the X-wing's design.<ref name="swrpg">{{cite book|title=Star Wars Roleplaying Game|edition=Second Edition, Expanded & Revised|publisher=[[West End Games]]|year=1996|isbn=0874314356}}</ref> One design of the [[List of Star Wars starfighters#Z-95 Headhunter|Z-95 Headhunter]] is based on an initial Johnston X-wing sketch;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/z95headhunter/?id=bts|title=Z-95 Headhunter (Behind the Scenes)|accessdate=2007-10-16|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Databank}}</ref> the Z-95 has since been described as an X-wing precursor.<ref name="swrpg" /> According to roleplaying and other material, X-wings depicted in the movies and Expanded Universe material that takes place around the same era are equipped with four laser cannons and a pair of proton torpedo launchers.<ref name="swrpg" /> The fighter has two flight modes: one in which the wings are flat and another when they are expanded into "attack position", affording the wingtip lasers a larger fire area.<ref name="swrpg" /> "S-foil" servomotors control the transition between the two, hence the expression "to lock s-foils in attack position".<ref name="rebsb">{{cite book|title=Rebel Alliance Sourcebook|publisher=[[West End Games]]|year=1994|month=04|isbn=0874312094}}</ref> Lacking an on-board navigation computer, they rely on an astromech droid to calculate [[Hyperspace (science fiction)|hyperspace]] jumps.<ref name="swrpg" /> The presence of a hyperdrive and deflector shields differentiate the X-wing from the Empire's more-mobile but unshielded TIE fighters, emphasizing the importance the Rebels place on pilots surviving their missions.<ref name="rebsb" /> Novels and roleplaying material state that the X-wing continues to be refined and upgraded in the years beyond ''[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi]]''; the "XJ"-series X-wings depicted in the war against the [[Yuuzhan Vong]] have a third proton torpedo launcher, stronger lasers, and faster engines.<ref>{{cite book|title=The New Jedi Order Sourcebook|first=J.D.|last=Walker|coauthors=Steve Miller|isbn=0786927771|publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|date=2002-02-01}}</ref> ==Cultural impact== A model of Luke Skywalker's X-wing was among 250 ''Star Wars''-related items on display at the [[National Air and Space Museum]] celebrating the franchise's 20th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/getaways/010297/star02.html|title=Smithsonian 'Star Wars' exhibit honors series' gifts to the imagination|publisher=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]|date=1997-01-02|accessdate=2007-10-16|first=Jennifer|last=Brown}}</ref> In 2007, the [[San Diego]] Tripoli Rocket Association built and launched a 23-foot-long X-wing model propelled by four rockets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/magazine/15-12/st_xwing|title=Star Wars-Obsessed Rocket Geeks Build and Launch an X-Wing Fighter|date=2007-11-27|accessdate=2007-12-10|publisher=[[Wired News]]|first=Mary Jane|last=Irwin}}</ref> ===Merchandise and licensing=== [[Kenner Toys]] originally produced a 100mm scale X-Wing as a complement to its action figure line in 1977, complete with pilot figure; 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, which opened the wings to attack position. Kenner also produced a die-cast 1:72 miniature X-Wing in 1978. 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 coloured markings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/12967|title=#1: X-wing, Millennium Falcon, Star Destroyer (1993)|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11792|title=#III: Darth Vader's TIE Fighter, Y-wing, X-wing (1995)|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11801|title=#XIII: Battle-damaged X-wings (red, blue, and green) (1997)|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11805|title=Bronze 3-pack: AT-AT, Snowspeeder, X-wing|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11980|title=Single carded vehicle: X-wing Starfighter (1995)|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/13031|title=Single carded vehicle: X-wing Starfighter (bronze)|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/12963|title=Trilogy Gift Set|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11811|title=X-Ray Fleet #II: X-wing, AT-AT|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref> The X-wing appears eight times in the Micro Machines Action Fleet toy line: Luke's starfighter on its own,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11925|title=Luke's X-wing Starfighter|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref> with "targeter" stand,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/12765|title=Flight Controllers - X-wing Fighter|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref> with [[Dagobah]] swamp damage,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11924|title=Luke's X-wing from Dagobah Swamp|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref> and in a double pack with a TIE Fighter,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11982|title=Classic Duels: X-wing Fighter vs. TIE Fighter|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref> Wedge's starfighter on its own,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11937|title=X-wing (2 stripes)|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref> and as a component of the Yavin Rebel Base playset,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11950|title=Yavin Rebel Base playset (Action Fleet Set)|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref> a toy based on the prototype packaged with [[List of minor Star Wars Rebel characters#Darklighter, Biggs|Biggs Darklighter's]] starfighter,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11946|title=Series Alpha: X-wing Starfighter|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref> and [[List of minor Star Wars Rebel characters#Porkins, Jek Tono|Jek Porkins']] starfighter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/11811|title=X-wing (6 stripes)|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref> [[Lego]] also released several X-wing models, including a 76-piece X-wing/TIE advanced kit,<ref>{{cite web|title=Mini X-wing Fighter and TIE Advanced|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/9197|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-10-16}}</ref> a 263-piece X-wing,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/1828|title=X-Wing Fighter|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-10-16}}</ref> and a 1,304-piece "Ultimate Collector's" model.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ultimate Collector's Set X-Wing Fighter|url=http://cargobay.starwars.com/webapps/cargobay/item-detail/1853|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]|work=Star Wars Cargo Bay|accessdate=2007-10-16}}</ref> X-wings also appear in numerous ''Star Wars'' games and Expanded Universe stories. The player pilots an X-wing in the [[Atari]] ''[[Star Wars (1983 video game)|Star Wars]]'' game. It is also a playable ship in [[LucasArts]]' ''[[Star Wars: X-Wing|X-Wing]]'', ''[[Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter|X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter]]'', ''[[Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance|X-Wing Alliance]]'', ''[[Star Wars: Rogue Squadron|Rogue Squadron]]'', ''[[Star Wars: Battlefront II|Battlefront II]]'', and ''[[Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy|Lego Star Wars II]]''. Both the ''[[Star Wars: Rebel Assault|Rebel Assault]]'' and ''[[Star Wars: Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire|Rebel Assault II]]'' [[rail shooter]]s include X-wing levels, and X-wings are controllable units in the ''[[Star Wars: Rebellion|Rebellion]]'' and ''[[Star Wars: Empire at War|Empire at War]]'' strategy games. [[Decipher, Inc.|Decipher]] and [[Wizards of the Coast]] published X-wing and X-wing-related cards for the [[Star Wars Customizable Card Game]] and [[Star Wars Trading Card Game]], respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.decipher.com/starwars/cardlists/swallcards.pdf|title=Star Wars Customizable Card Game Complete Card List|accessdate=2007-08-23|publisher=[[Decipher, Inc.]]|date=2001-08-23|format=PDF}}</ref><!--need ref for WotC--> [[Michael A. Stackpole]] and [[Aaron Allston]] wrote the ''[[Star Wars: X-wing (book series)|X-wing]]'' novel series that focuses on the X-wing pilots of [[Rogue Squadron]] and [[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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=13-749|title= Star Wars: Omnibus--X-Wing Rogue Squadron Vol. 1 TPB|accessdate=2007-10-16|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==External links== * {{Databank|category=starship|subject=xwing|text=X-wing starfighter}} * {{Sww|X-wing}} {{SW RebVechs}} [[Category:Star Wars starfighters]] [[da:X-wing]] [[es:Ala-X]] [[fr:X-wing]] [[it:X-wing]] [[nl:T-65 X-Wing Starfighter]] [[ja:Xウイング]] [[pl:X-wing]] [[pt:X-Wing]] [[ru:Звёздный истребитель T-65 X-wing]] [[fi:X-siipinen]] [[sv:Lista över farkoster i Star Wars#X-Wing]] [[tr:X-wing]]