Lambda shuttle wings

Coalition · Post by **Coalition** » 2003-02-17 11:51pm

In Return of the Jedi, we see the Lambda shuttle with the three wings. The fixed upper one, and the two lower ones that fold up.

My question is this:
What purpose do those wings serce?

1) Maneuverability in atmosphere (not sure about this, as the snowspeeders n Hoth were fairly aneuverable, without large wing surfaces)
2) sensor system (large phased array radar system?)
3) heat dissipation (lots of surface area)
4) communications (large fixed antenna?)
5) style
6) other?

Sorry if this bothers anyone, but the search routine mainly came up with SW game quotes, and numbers aboard imperial ships. If there is a thread to this, please list it.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2003-02-18 12:00am

SWTC:
http://www.theforce.net/swtc/lambda.html#wings

Cal Wright · Post by **Cal Wright** » 2003-02-18 12:02am

While I cannot explain the technical aspects at this time (due to lack of research) I do think I can see a few obvious reasons.

First off, it looks pretty damn cool and advanced. X-Wings, B-Wings and the shuttle all have rotating foils. How cool was it to hear, 'Lock S-Foils in attack position' and then see the X-Wings spread em for the Death Star? Likewise in RotJ and you see B-Wings rotating upright. Bad ass right.

Second, and this is the plausible reason seeing how we need a real excuse. How would a B-Wing land or dock in it's familiar upright position? What about an X-Wing. What I notice, is it allows for more confined space, as in for one the docking bay doors do not have to be as wide open. Which is a huge plus. Less to keep covered by the magcon field, and not an easy target for suicide runs or missle barrages. Notice how ISDs have large ventral bays to accomodate TIEs. (Plus other craft, but think about the solar panels.). Same with the shuttle. How do you get that thing in? Simple, the foils fold up. It would also seem to me that be a vague reference to real world aircraft. I don't know when the F-14 was made, but I'm guessing either it or it's predecessor was around long enough to be an influence. Remember, they used war time aircraft as examples for the X-Wing, and gunner balls and B-52 cockpits on the Falcon. This would seem to correlate to a design. To mimic the actions of the wings, or Harrier Jets, (whatever the fuck those hovering jets are) by having wings or 'S-Foils' pivot.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-02-18 12:27am

Lambda's wings likely are for atmospheric use, and are extended whenever in flight by some automatic program.

The X-wings S-foils most likely serve to keep the very powerful lasers separated so they don’t interfere with each other and are well clear of the pilot for off axis fire. The reason for keeping them locked at high accelerations may be because the foils can't take the stress, but when locked together are stronger.

Boba Fett · Post by **Boba Fett** » 2003-02-18 02:10am

Sea Skimmer wrote:Lambda's wings likely are for atmospheric use, and are extended whenever in flight by some automatic program.

The X-wings S-foils most likely serve to keep the very powerful lasers separated so they don’t interfere with each other and are well clear of the pilot for off axis fire. The reason for keeping them locked at high accelerations may be because the foils can't take the stress, but when locked together are stronger.

Exactly my thoughts!

The craft was carrying important persons generally so high athmospheric stability is vital. It ensures "friendly" and smooth behaviour to the craft.

vakundok · Post by **vakundok** » 2003-02-18 03:21am

In reality: It is just style.

I think they are linked to maneuverability. Both in atmosphere and in space. The ANH novelization stated that the X wing had higher manuverability when expanded their wings. Not necceserily thrusters but something advanced.
However advantage of the wings must be huge since these wings require very high hangars onboard ships causing huge amount of wasted space.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2003-02-18 09:23pm

I believe the wings on the Lambda shuttle are for atmospheric maneuverability, and perhaps heat dissipation, and the wings extend to radiate it away from the rest of the ship.

I also think the S-foils are probably for a wide range of fire when open, and strength and more compact storage when closed.
But then again, that's just my opinion.

Robert Treder · Post by **Robert Treder** » 2003-02-18 09:31pm

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi wrote:I believe the wings on the Lambda shuttle are for atmospheric maneuverability...

Do you mean you think they have thruster jets on them or that they assist in flight as an airplane wing would?

They're aerodynamically crappy, so they can't function as a wing in the traditional sense. If they have thrusters on them, then they will aid in space as well as in atmosphere. Also, if they have thrusters, they must be very small, because we're not able to see them.

Spanky linked to the SWTC above; Saxton pretty much exhaustively discusses the possibilities for the wings' function.

Post by **Kuja** » 2003-02-18 11:11pm

vakundok wrote:However advantage of the wings must be huge since these wings require very high hangars onboard ships causing huge amount of wasted space.

What the hell are you talking about? Imp hangars don't need to be really tall for the Lambdas-they're already tall so that the TIE fighters can launch from the ceiling racks. And there are larger things that need to dock than Lambdas (AT-AT dropships, for example).

Coalition · Post by **Coalition** » 2003-02-19 06:19am

Well, from reviewing the website, the only possble reasons are:

heat dissipation: (not possible due to light color of wings)
attitude control (very small then)
hyperdrive (possible way of getting critical components far apart to assist in hyperdrive operation)
sensors/communications (only good laterally)

So te only options are attitude control, and style.

My reason for asking is that I am writing a crossover fanfic, and the non-imperial bay is too small to receive a Lambda with wings, so I am wondering what would happen if they were removed.

Another option is for the wings to furl lke a sail. I.e. the main struts would furl/raise the sails for entering/leaving a hangar, allowing the extra range for attitude/hyperdrive, but allowing the short height for entry.

Thanks to all who donated, especially Spanky for the link.

Robert Treder · Post by **Robert Treder** » 2003-02-19 06:29am

Coalition wrote:Well, from reviewing the website, the only possble reasons are:

heat dissipation: (not possible due to light color of wings)
attitude control (very small then)
hyperdrive (possible way of getting critical components far apart to assist in hyperdrive operation)
sensors/communications (only good laterally)

So te only options are attitude control, and style.

My reason for asking is that I am writing a crossover fanfic, and the non-imperial bay is too small to receive a Lambda with wings, so I am wondering what would happen if they were removed.

Another option is for the wings to furl lke a sail. I.e. the main struts would furl/raise the sails for entering/leaving a hangar, allowing the extra range for attitude/hyperdrive, but allowing the short height for entry.

Thanks to all who donated, especially Spanky for the link.

The wings could conceivably fulfill all of those functions, just in minor rolls each.
As far as unfurling goes, I don't feel it solves the problem. The "sail" would still have to go somewhere, and if it's collapsable, it would presumably lose much of its function. That would be even more of a style over substance gimmick.

vakundok · Post by **vakundok** » 2003-02-19 12:46pm

IG-88E wrote: What the hell are you talking about? Imp hangars don't need to be really tall for the Lambdas-they're already tall so that the TIE fighters can launch from the ceiling racks. And there are larger things that need to dock than Lambdas (AT-AT dropships, for example).

I was primarily talking about smaller uncanon ships like the Strike cruiser.

vakundok · Post by **vakundok** » 2003-02-19 12:48pm

Coalition: If hyperdrive is not needed use the Tie Shuttle instead! It is canon too.

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2003-02-19 07:33pm

I agree with the wings being an important part of manoeuvrability, so having thrusters in the tips makes sense. Even if it's not thrusters, it could be some magneto-technobabble thing. I remember the (unofficial) schematics in the game X-Wing showing that there were manoeuvring thrusters in the wings, but not exactly the tip (more like the beginning of the wing).

Maybe there are attitude controls and thrusters all along the edge of the wings in a Lambda?