X-wing fighter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids X-wing starfighter |
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| 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.
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| First appearance | Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker (1976 novel) |
| Created by | Colin Cantwell |
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| Affiliation |
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| Made by | Incom Corporation Incom-FreiTek Corporation |
| Auxiliary vehicles | Guidenhauser ejector seat |
| General characteristics | |
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| Defenses |
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| Maximum speed |
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| Power |
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| Mass | 10 metric tons (T-65B) |
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| Width | 11.76 meters (38 ft 7 in) |
| Height | 2.4 meters (8 ft 1 in) |
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The X-wing starfighter is a famous fictional spaceship from the Star Wars universe. It was built by the Incom Corporation. The X-wing gets its name from its unique shape when its wings, called s-foils, open up for attack.
This starfighter was a key vehicle for the Rebel Alliance in their fight against the Galactic Empire. The T-65B model first appeared in the 1977 movie Star Wars. It was the ship Luke Skywalker flew when he destroyed the Death Star. The X-wing played a big role in the original Star Wars movies and in many other stories that followed. It has also been made into many toys and models.
Later, a new X-wing model, the T-70, was introduced in The Force Awakens (2015). This model was used by the Resistance to fight the First Order. Even newer, the T-85 X-wing is used by the New Republic's defense fleet. The T-85 first appeared in the TV series Star Wars Resistance (2018).
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How the X-wing Was Designed
Colin Cantwell created the first sketches and models for the X-wing fighter in Star Wars. The X-wings were made to look more "traditional" than the Empire's TIE fighters. The special effects team, ILM, built small models of the X-wing in different sizes. Markings on the wings showed which pilot each model represented.
For scenes in the Rebels' Yavin 4 base hangar, special effects expert John Stears and his team built one full-size X-wing. They used cardboard cutouts and clever editing to make it seem like there were many fighters. They also made a full-size X-wing cockpit that all the actors used. The astromech droid behind each actor was changed to match the pilot.
When Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) crashed his X-wing in The Empire Strikes Back, the "lake" was only about 1 meter (3.5 feet) deep. A special rig was built to make the starfighter look like it was sitting in the water. This rig could be moved by divers to sink or rise, which was important for the scene where Luke tries to lift his ship.
What Makes the X-wing Special?
The T-65B X-wing was created by the Incom Corporation. This company had previously made other starfighters for the Galactic Republic. When the Empire wanted a new fighter, Incom designed the X-wing. However, the Empire chose the TIE fighter instead.
Since Incom had many X-wings already made, the Rebel Alliance bought them. The X-wing quickly became a symbol of the Rebellion. It helped them win many battles and defeat the Empire. After the Empire's defeat, X-wings became a main ship for the New Republic and later the Resistance. Newer models like the T-70 and T-85 were then supplied.
X-wing vs. TIE Fighter
Compared to the TIE fighter, the X-wing is said to be slower and less agile in space. However, it has much better firepower and defenses. It also flies better in a planet's atmosphere. The X-wing has a supraluminal hyperdrive, which means it can travel faster than light.
Its four laser cannons can fire one by one, in pairs, or all at once. It also has two launchers that can carry up to three proton torpedoes each. For defense, the X-wing has deflector shields, a strong titanium alloy hull, and electronic countermeasures to block enemy sensors. Its cockpit is also armored.
S-foils and Droids
The T-65B X-wing has unique wings called "S-foils." These wings open and close using powerful motors. When they are open in 'attack' position, the laser cannons on each wing have a wider firing range. The open wings also help spread energy to make the deflector shields stronger. They also release extra heat and act as stabilizers when flying in the air.
Instead of a built-in navigation system, the X-wing uses an astromech droid, like R2-D2. The droid fits into a special slot behind the cockpit. This droid can store up to 10 hyperspace coordinates. It can also make small repairs to the ship and even take full control if needed. If there's an emergency, an explosive charge can eject the droid from the X-wing, just like the pilot's ejection seat.
X-wing Toys and Games
The X-wing has been a very popular toy and has appeared in many Star Wars games.
Action Figures and Models
Kenner Toys made an X-wing toy in 1978 to go with its action figures. This model had a battery-powered light and sound. Its "s-foils" opened when you pressed the R2-D2 droid. Later, a "battle-damaged" version was released. Kenner also made smaller, die-cast X-wing models.
The X-wing has appeared in many Micro Machines toy sets. It was in the very first Star Wars pack and in sets with "battle damaged" versions. It also appeared in the Micro Machines Action Fleet line, including Luke's X-wing and others belonging to pilots like Wedge Antilles.
Lego Sets
Lego has released many X-wing models over the years. These include small miniature kits and larger, more detailed sets. Some popular Lego X-wing sets include:
- A 263-piece X-wing (1999/2002).
- A 563-piece X-wing with Yoda's Hut (2004).
- A 730-piece X-wing (2018).
- Luke Skywalker's X-wing Fighter (2021).
Lego also made "Ultimate Collector's" models with many pieces, like the 1,304-piece one from 2000 and a 1,559-piece one from 2013. For Christmas in 2019, Lego gave employees a special Christmas X-wing set. Lego has also made models of the newer T-70 X-wing, including Poe Dameron's black/orange X-wing.
Video Games and Books
X-wings appear in many Star Wars games. Players can fly an X-wing in the Atari Star Wars game. It's also a playable ship in many LucasArts games, and it's the main ship in the X-Wing space combat games.
X-wing squadrons are also units you can control in strategy games like Rebellion and Empire at War. Companies like Decipher and Wizards of the Coast have made X-wing cards for Star Wars card games.
Authors Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allston wrote the X-wing novel series. These books focus on the X-wing pilots of Rogue Squadron and Wraith Squadron. Dark Horse Comics also published an X-Wing Rogue Squadron comic series. In 2012, Fantasy Flight Games released the Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game, which features different X-wing pilots and ship variations.
X-wing's Impact on Culture
The X-wing is a very recognizable part of pop culture.
- A model of Luke Skywalker's X-wing was shown at the National Air and Space Museum to celebrate Star Wars' 20th anniversary.
- An original X-wing prop used in filming was sold for $160,000 in 2016.
- A life-size X-wing hangs from the ceiling at the Star Trader gift shop in Disneyland in California. Another is displayed outside the Star Tours ride at Disneyland Paris.
- A life-size X-wing made from Lego blocks was displayed in Times Square.
- A three-quarters-size replica is at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver.
In 2018, some Star Wars starfighters were tested using a virtual wind tunnel program. The classic T-65 X-wing design had a drag coefficient of 0.45, which is not very good for aerodynamics. The newer T-70 X-wing, flown by Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), was better with a rating of 0.24. For comparison, a real-world F-4E Phantom jet has a drag coefficient of 0.02. These results were explained by saying that drag doesn't matter much in space. Also, Star Wars fighters use repulsorlifts and deflector shields to help them fly better.
See also
In Spanish: Ala-X para niños
- List of Star Wars spacecraft
