"New" X-wing design for Episode VII

[Mike DiCenso]

The X-wing or a variant of it has been unveiled.

However, this design isn't brand new, but a reuse of the old Joe Johnston and Ralph McQuarrie concept sketches and paintings from the original Star Wars. You can see some of Ralph's work here. Scroll down almost to the bottom of the page to see the early Death Star battle with the proto-X-wing being chased above the Death Star by TIEs.

Joe Johnston's work can be found here.

But at least I'm glad to see that Abrams is using real sets for Episode VII, like he did with the Star Trek reboot, and not relying too much on green screen.
-Mike

[Lucky]

The X-wing or a variant of it has been unveiled.

However, this design isn't brand new, but a reuse of the old Joe Johnston and Ralph McQuarrie concept sketches and paintings from the original Star Wars. You can see some of Ralph's work here. Scroll down almost to the bottom of the page to see the early Death Star battle with the proto-X-wing being chased above the Death Star by TIEs.

Joe Johnston's work can be found here.

But at least I'm glad to see that Abrams is using real sets for Episode VII, like he did with the Star Trek reboot, and not relying too much on green screen.
-Mike

From an in-universe point of view it makes sense for the X-wings to change a little over time as a proper government with no need to hide should be able to get better equipment then a hidden group of rebels on the run.

The engines are still ugly, and ruin the flow of the craft. >_<

[2046]

See, it actually makes me worry . . . it looks like a beaten-up vessel fielded by a force that can't afford paint. If the plot doesn't serve to explain this appearance, then it's just a "let's make it look that way because it did in the old one!" thing, which means, like so much Hollywood and JJ these days, it is ill-considered.

Of course, the notion of the Rebel fighters being old designs is a ship that went to hyperspace long ago. Instead, it turns out the B-wing was brand new and the X-wing, far from being an extant Clone Wars design, was actually probably not that old either. Only the Y-wing seems to have existed, but even then it was a very different vessel and may not have been the same ships or design.

So that said, the fact it looks so much like the other could imply different things. In a sane made-up universe, it would mean there wasn't much war between the old X-wing and this new one.

[Mike DiCenso]

Since the plot for Episode VII still remains a big secret, I'm not going to delve too much into speculation beyond the obvious already made. But here's something to consider: it was shown in the prequels that most Galactic Republic ships had blue markings (the Tantive being the most obvious example) while in the Empire-era, the ships tended to sport red markings. So, this could be a long forgotten prototype for the X-wing, or it could be New Republic surplus in some backwater region where the paint is wearing off.

As for the look, it's a Star Wars tradition, and remember how many people complained about the shiny clean look of many of the Old Republic-era ships.
-Mike

[Mr. Oragahn]

Since the plot for Episode VII still remains a big secret, I'm not going to delve too much into speculation beyond the obvious already made. But here's something to consider: it was shown in the prequels that most Galactic Republic ships had blue markings (the Tantive being the most obvious example) while in the Empire-era, the ships tended to sport red markings. So, this could be a long forgotten prototype for the X-wing, or it could be New Republic surplus in some backwater region where the paint is wearing off.

As for the look, it's a Star Wars tradition, and remember how many people complained about the shiny clean look of many of the Old Republic-era ships.
-Mike

Oh dear, yes, the whining there was. Those chrome ships, too clean they were.
Notice that the thrusters intake are a tad... chromish. Which is very odd. It clashes with the run down overall appearance, and feels a bit Naboo.
For plot reasons, chances might be that this pseudo-X-wing (do they wings even separate?) is an Old Republic predecessor that was mothballed in some backwater warehouse, worn out and pulled out and some character's going to reveal that ship through some kind of joke about a proven vintage model.
Or it's just a huge borrowing from the EU's zeeee ninety five.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Z-95_Headhunter

However, that would make the ARC-fighter's shape something of an outlier.
Typical of a clash prequel-EU.

Therefore, whether it was a predecessor to the Rebels' X-Wing or a variant that barely got used, it may very well turn out to be Luke's gift to someone, or something he found in the meantime or was given.

[Picard]

See, it actually makes me worry . . . it looks like a beaten-up vessel fielded by a force that can't afford paint. If the plot doesn't serve to explain this appearance, then it's just a "let's make it look that way because it did in the old one!" thing, which means, like so much Hollywood and JJ these days, it is ill-considered.

Of course, the notion of the Rebel fighters being old designs is a ship that went to hyperspace long ago. Instead, it turns out the B-wing was brand new and the X-wing, far from being an extant Clone Wars design, was actually probably not that old either. Only the Y-wing seems to have existed, but even then it was a very different vessel and may not have been the same ships or design.

So that said, the fact it looks so much like the other could imply different things. In a sane made-up universe, it would mean there wasn't much war between the old X-wing and this new one.

X wing seemed to be a fairly recent design as of the New Hope. Now consider that fighters have a typical lifespan of 30 years, and the way the world is going, it seems to be moving towards 50 (neither F-15, F-16 or F-18 look like they'll be getting replaced by anything in a hurry). Saab Draken had a first flight in 1955, and was used until 1995 in Sweden, 2005 in Austria. They were used at least until 2005 (and might still be operational there) by US National Test Pilot School. IRL, A New Hope was 37 years ago. So Republic using X-wings is not far fetched for such a good design.

[Mr. Oragahn]

See, it actually makes me worry . . . it looks like a beaten-up vessel fielded by a force that can't afford paint. If the plot doesn't serve to explain this appearance, then it's just a "let's make it look that way because it did in the old one!" thing, which means, like so much Hollywood and JJ these days, it is ill-considered.

Of course, the notion of the Rebel fighters being old designs is a ship that went to hyperspace long ago. Instead, it turns out the B-wing was brand new and the X-wing, far from being an extant Clone Wars design, was actually probably not that old either. Only the Y-wing seems to have existed, but even then it was a very different vessel and may not have been the same ships or design.

So that said, the fact it looks so much like the other could imply different things. In a sane made-up universe, it would mean there wasn't much war between the old X-wing and this new one.

X wing seemed to be a fairly recent design as of the New Hope. Now consider that fighters have a typical lifespan of 30 years, and the way the world is going, it seems to be moving towards 50 (neither F-15, F-16 or F-18 look like they'll be getting replaced by anything in a hurry). Saab Draken had a first flight in 1955, and was used until 1995 in Sweden, 2005 in Austria. They were used at least until 2005 (and might still be operational there) by US National Test Pilot School. IRL, A New Hope was 37 years ago. So Republic using X-wings is not far fetched for such a good design.

OMG the Saab Draken. Automatic boner. I could watch an entire show solely dedicated to that craft. :)

[Picard]

OMG the Saab Draken. Automatic boner. I could watch an entire show solely dedicated to that craft. :)

Yeah...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqiDEcfSnXs