As we eagerly await the opening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I noticed some interesting visual relationships in the vehicle designs shown in the trailer. It seems that the creative direction has been "variations on a familiar theme." The designers have taken the old vehicles from episodes 4 - 6 and done small modifications to upgrade them for 30 years later.
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| copyright Lucasfilm |
Rey's Speeder
Rey's speeder is essentially the same form as Luke's but turned 90 degrees. Changing from a convertible 2 seater to a single rider vehicle. The weathered, desaturated orange body color is similar. The yellow orange striping is the same. And even the hemispherical wind screen is the same shape. Also notice how the strip grill in the front is the same. Perhaps they are the same manufacturer?
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| copyright Lucasfilm |
It seems that Rey could have used something with more cargo space, being a scavenger. Such as a pick-up truck speeder, but maybe the Sanford and Son style doesn't work for her. She apparently likes to strap a cargo net to the side.
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| photographer unknown |
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| photographer unknown |
Incom X wing fighter: Comparing the T-65 with the T-70
The new X wing, which is considered model T-70, is very similar to the original and only varies in some details. The most obvious being the cylindrical ion engine design. In the old version there are 4 separate cylindrical engines, one attached to each of the wings.
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| copyright Lucasfilm |
This makes sense if they are to work as jet turbine engines with a rotating turbine, intake and exhaust. But being a space craft, there is no air, so it would be a propulsion engine anyway. The new design is a half-cylinder, that when closed, forms a full cylinder. Other differences are in the wing tips that have a curved radius toward the edge laser cannons. The cockpit looks identical.
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| copyright Lucasfilm |
The Millenium Falcon seems unchanged except for a new radar attachment. Which makes sense because it keeps getting knocked off during combat, such as when attacking the Death Star V2.0 in Return of the Jedi.
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| copyright Lucasfilm |
Only 4 days left until the premiere! So we will get to see all of the new vehicle designs very soon. I would to give credit to the concept artists and production designers on the film as well.
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