XPost: alt.toys.transformers, rec.toys.action-figures, rec.arts.   
   f.starwars.collecting.misc   
   From: nospam@falsorian.com   
      
   Just for fun...an explanation of the Star Wars Transformers toys   
      
   The History of the Transformable Starfighter in the Star Wars Universe   
      
   A fascinating diversion in the history of Galactic warfare, the AT-TF (All   
   Terrain Transformable Fighter) was a derivation of the technology originally   
   developed by Rothana Heavy Engineering (a subsidiary of Kuat Drive Yards)   
   for the AT-TE walkers used during the first part of the Clone Wars. The   
   AT-TF program was instigated in recognition of the need for a   
   space-to-planetside vehicle to counter the Separatist Forces Droid Fighters   
   which were capable of transforming into a ground-holding walker form after   
   atmospheric entry.   
      
   The critical component of the AT-TF program was the development of the   
   repulsorlift coordination field (RCF)-a droid-controlled web of repulsor   
   beams capable of disassembling the components of a standard Republic   
   starfighter and reassembling it into a fully functional mobile ground   
   platform (this is one reason why so-called "transformables" always have   
   outsized R2-styled droid units). The original test platform was built on a   
   Republic Delta-7 Aethersprite starfighter used by the Jedi for scouting   
   missions; this prototype, piloted by Jedi Master Saesee Tiin in the battle   
   for the planet Iktotchon, proved so successful that its basic elements were   
   later incorporated in the Eta-2 Actis Jedi interceptors used by Masters Mace   
   Windu, ObiWan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker (among others).   
      
   The development of the AT-SF program did not, however, go unnoticed by the   
   Separatist forces. Although the RCF was a Republican development, the Sith   
   had previously experimented with similar systems both in Darth Maul's   
   Infiltrator class cruiser and the uprated Firespray patrol ship owned by   
   Mandelorian mercenary Jango Fett. The culmination of this technology was the   
   "wheelbike" commanded by General Grievous in the battle of Genosis; while   
   not air capable, this fusion of tank and droid was an extremely effective   
   weapon against the Republican ground forces in the first part of the Clone   
   Wars.   
      
   By the second half of the Clone Wars, however, AT-SF technology was firmly   
   in place throughout the Republic forces. Variants of the ARC-170 starfighter   
   and LV02 Republic Gunship utilized AT-SF technologies, although only in   
   deployment with elite units commanded by Jedi Knights. By the end of the   
   Clone Wars, special Republic operatives were often deployed with their own   
   personal AT-SF units (such as the modified HAVw A6 Juggernaut used by Clone   
   Commander CC-2224 "Cody" in the battle of Utapu).   
      
   At the end of the Clone Wars (and the subsequent rise of the Empire), the   
   use of AT-SF systems were suppressed by Imperial directive; except for an   
   experimental AT-AT variant developed after the battle of Hoth in response to   
   the Rebel's snowspeeders, only one other design was taken into active duty.   
   This was the personal Lambda Class shuttle of Emperor Palpatine, who kept   
   its capabilities secret for most of his reign.   
      
   Shortly after the Battle of Hoth, the Rebel Forces, desperate for a counter   
   to the Empire's AT-AT and AT-ST designs, developed a modified Incom T65   
   X-wing fighter that incorporated the now relatively unknown AT-SF   
   technologies. This unit, developed for Rebel commander and Jedi Master Luke   
   Skywalker, was derived from Obi Wan Kenobi's battered Eta-2 Actis Jedi   
   Starfighter which he had stored in the Tatooine desert. A gifted mechanic   
   like his father before him, Skywalker also incorporated this technology into   
   his personal T-47 snowspeeder, although the uncompleted prototype never saw   
   action during the Hoth engagement. He also integrated AT-SF technologies   
   into the Millennium Falcon, a modified YT-1300 Correllian Transport piloted   
   by his friends Han Solo and Chewbacca the Wookie. This redesign was unique   
   in that it actually divided into TWO individual droid units; however, the   
   new Falcon's speed was so reduced by the modifications that it was   
   eventually restored to its "original" configuration.   
      
   Learning of Skywalker's experiments with his modified T-65, Sith Lord Darth   
   Vader recovered his own modified Eta-2 Actis Jedi interceptor from storage   
   at his castle on the planet Vjun. This unit, painted black and modified with   
   his own improvements, was a more powerful model than his first Eta-2, and   
   had been used during Vader's quest to eliminate the Jedi after his turn to   
   the Dark Side. However, seventeen years had rendered the Eta-2 design   
   obsolete (for starters, it did not have an internal hyperdrive), and Vader   
   elected to incorporate its AT-SF capacities into his next TIE Advanced   
   starfighter (the original having been damaged during the Battle of Yavin).   
   Over the next few years, Skywalker and Vader used their modified   
   interceptors in many battles, but never actually met in combat.   
      
   With the destruction of the Second Death Star, both Skywalkers' modified   
   AT-SF fighters and the Emperor's Lambda Class shuttle were destroyed,   
   rendering this interesting experiment in star fighter technology to the   
   dustbin of Galactic history.   
      
   BigDaddy776   
      
      
      
      
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