Action Fleet ships Inspiration.

[sicqnus]

Back to the roots !
Where did the inspiration came from ?
I wanted to start a topic to show pictures of the real ships that have inspired the SW starships made into AF toys.


First : The Alpha series Droïd fighter.
Inspiration :
USAF 1955 secret prototype "Avrocar". Note the double bubble cockpit and the turbine.
Two prototypes have survived. One of them will be restored and be exposed in the SmithSonian museum.
Link : http://www.avroarrow.org/Avrocar/Avrocar.html

[sicqnus]

Now the Amidala Queen 327-J Nubian Starship from Episode 1.

Lokheed SR-71 "BlackBird".
Spy plane of the early seventies.

[sicqnus]

The Episode 2 Naboo senator's flying wing (Cordé's ship).

The Northrop YB-49.
It was the jet-propelled variant of the company's XB-35 bomber.
The program was canceled by the Air Force in 1949.
Link :
http://www.yourzagi.com/history.htm
http://northrop.host.sk/northrop_yrb49.htm

[sicqnus]

The Alpha series Naboo fighter.

The Chance Vought XF5U-1 prototype called "Flying Pancake".
In fact, the Pancake was the pilot after the flight...
Project cancelled.
Pictures : Vought Heritage.

[sicqnus]

The Episode 2 Republic Gunship.

The Russian Assault helicopter MIL-24 : NATO nickname - "HIND"
Link : http://www.flygplan.info/heliryss.htm


Any other ideas ?

[Bobby Fett]

I'm glad you spotted the lineage of Corde's ship as the YB-49.

I've seen sources that list the inspiration as the B-2 stealth bomber. While the B-2 is similar, it is obvious that the YB-49 is a much closer match.

Thanks

[JediTricks]

Nice to see Doug Chiang & crew were so creative.


BTW, the Avrocar had some panels that extended for stabilization, just like the Series Alpha Droid Starfighter has!

[jeddah]

Great thread Sicqnus, thanks for the pics and your thoughts.

What do we think of this, the inspiration for the Jedi Starfighter, perhaps?

jeddah
Edit: A-hem, maybe it would be more sensible if I included the aircraft's designaiton/name. Martin X24/B (from Lockheed before the merger, I presume)

[sicqnus]

Cool find Jeddah, it's very close to the movie prop !