Lambda-class shuttle

Infobox Fictional Spacecraft
name = "Lambda"-class shuttle


caption =
first = "" (1983)
last = "" (1997 Special Edition)
status =
affiliation = Galactic Empire
launched =
decommissioned =
class =
registry =
fighters =
auxcraft =
armaments = Double laser cannons
defense = Deflector shields
propulsion =
power =
length = 20 meters
width =
height =
primeref = Starwars.com Databankcite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/lambdashuttle|title=Lambda-class shuttle|work=Star Wars Databank|publisher=Lucasfilm|accessdate=2008-06-23]

Lambda-class shuttles are spacecraft in the fictional "Star Wars" universe. The craft appear in ', ', and in the Star Wars Expanded Universe's book, comics, and games.

Origin and design

Joe Johnston, Ralph McQuarrie, and Nilo Rodis-Jamero borrowed elements from the skyhopper designed for ' when refining the shuttle's appearance.cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/lambdashuttle/?id=bts|title=Imperial Lambda-class shuttle (Behind the Scenes)|work=Star Wars Databank|accessdate=2007-09-08|publisher=Lucasfilm] Earlier versions were boxy, boat-like, or had TIE fighter-like components. Industrial Light and Magic's modelmakers made two shooting models, although CGI versions were used for the craft's Special Edition appearance in "The Empire Strikes Back". The "Theta"-class shuttle in ' was designed to appear like a predecessor to the Lambda class. [cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/thetaclassshuttle/?id=bts|title=Imperial Theta-class shuttle (Behind the Scenes)|work=Star Wars Databank|publisher=Lucasfilm|accessdate=2007-09-08]

Depiction

The Lambda-class shuttle initially appeared in "Return of the Jedi". Both Darth Vader (David Prowse) and Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) arrive aboard the second Death Star in Lambda-class shuttles. Later in the film, the stolen shuttle "Tydirium" transports a Rebel Alliance strike team led by Han Solo (Harrison Ford) to the forest moon of Endor, and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) escapes from the exploding Death Star aboard another Lambda-class shuttle. Scenes of Vader traveling aboard a Lambda-class shuttle were created for the Special Edition release of "The Empire Strikes Back".

Lambda-class shuttles also appear in numerous LucasArts titles, including the and Rogue Squadron flight simulator series. In the X-Wing series, particularly , Lambda-shuttles are frequently found in the hands of pirates and smugglers, rather than exclusive Imperial use. Missions often use them as starfighters instead of their role of transporting important personal. They fare poorly due to their large size and lack of maneuverability. The Lambda shuttle was erroneously referred to as the "Tydirium Shuttle" and its rear turret is removed. TIE Fighter also featured a similar but more streamlined vehicle that did feature a rear turret, called the "Delta"-class JV-7 escort shuttle, however this has made no appearances outside of the games.

Cultural impact

An imperial shuttle makes a cameo appearance during the docking sequence of Inara Serra's shuttle in "Serenity", the pilot episode of Joss Whedon's "Firefly". [cite book |title= Firefly: The Official Companion |edition=First ed. |volume=1 |year=2006 |month=July |publisher=Titan Books |location=London |pages=29|isbn=9781845763145 |oclc= ]

References

External links

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* [http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Delta-class_JV-7_escort_shuttle Escort Shuttle]