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How can TIE fighter fly in atmospheres? They have a terrible aerodinamic shape, their wings won't help at all, and their engine is located in back so it can't push power downwards. As far as I know TIEs don't have any sort of repulsion system, and even if they do it doesn't explain how they fly in the upper atmosphere.

TIE fighters either incorporate a thrust-vector system with powerful thrusters, and must use that to keep themselves up in the atmosphere, or they must have repulsorlifts. We KNOW that they use thrusters and thrust-vector, since they can maneuver in space, and repulsorlifts extend outwards to up to six planetary diameters, so you can take your pick as to which is the better explanation.

Although no source said so, I'm pretty sure that TIEs have repulsors.

Otherwise starting from the rack-system, inside a hangar would be nearly impossible...

Edit: Of course they can switch off the artificial gravity in cap. ship hangars when TIEs take off but that should make the whole procedure slower which can be critical in a combat situation.

Ties have repulsors. They can also control their thrust angle so that it could be downwards if needed.

And in any case since it is canon they can fly in atmosphere, how they do it is really moot.

Now if anyone wants to discuss how fast they can go in atmosphere, my theory is that they use some kind of energy projection (like a microwave like scientists are currently experimenting with) to clear out the air infront of them to let them hit the speeds talked about given their poor aerodynamic properties.

Ender wrote:And in any case since it is canon they can fly in atmosphere, how they do it is really moot.

Canon? Are you sure? Which canon resource does it contain? (No offense, I am only interested.)

vakundok wrote:

Ender wrote:And in any case since it is canon they can fly in atmosphere, how they do it is really moot.

Canon? Are you sure? Which canon resource does it contain? (No offense, I am only interested.)

The Empire Strikes Back ?

vakundok wrote:

Ender wrote:And in any case since it is canon they can fly in atmosphere, how they do it is really moot.

Canon? Are you sure? Which canon resource does it contain? (No offense, I am only interested.)

ESB, Cloud City, when they're rescuing Skywalker. They had TIE fighters come in and attack the Falcon in atmosphere. The Special addition includes a scene where they escort Vaders shuttle from Bespin to the Executor. Therefore it is canon they can fly in atmosphere.

vakundok wrote:

Ender wrote:And in any case since it is canon they can fly in atmosphere, how they do it is really moot.

Canon? Are you sure? Which canon resource does it contain? (No offense, I am only interested.)

Hold still, I'm going to beat the shit out of you with this copy of The Empire Strikes Back.

Oh, thanks!

There's worse things to get the shit beaten out of you by.

In fairness to the new guy, I forgot about that too.

He's not new, just doesn't post too often...if you mean vakundok.

justifier wrote:How can TIE fighter fly in atmospheres? They have a terrible aerodinamic shape, their wings won't help at all, and their engine is located in back so it can't push power downwards. As far as I know TIEs don't have any sort of repulsion system, and even if they do it doesn't explain how they fly in the upper atmosphere.

Curtis Saxton in ICS states that shields can be used to modify the aerodynamic aspects of a craft.

Since ANH indicates that TIE fighters have "navigational shields"(white flashes of light resembling shield effects when struck by the Falcon guns),the idea that the shield can be used to negate the negative aspects of drag on the TIE fighter.


Of course,this point is rather moot,since no Rebel or Imperial force has an aerodynamic craft,and its obvious neither of them requires Bellouini to lift those ships.

How TIE's fly in atmosphere in one word: Repulsors

don't forget, they are Twin Ion Engine fighters. Maybe one of the engines is somehow used in another thrust system?

Off-topic, but anyone know how big the engine assembly was on the TIES? Vader's TIE Advanced had a huge thing behind it which, on the toy, (yes, the toy ) opened into a little compartment that looked like part of an engine. hrm, maybe it's the hyperdrive...

Both ion engines can be seen thrusting directly back. I don't see what you're getting at in the first part of your post.

Howedar wrote:Both ion engines can be seen thrusting directly back. I don't see what you're getting at in the first part of your post.

sorry, brain fart. After I posted, i actually looked at the back of one... Still, maybe the whole engine isn't devoted to just thrusting back?