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Is there any reason as to why Imperial and Rebel turbolasers are of different colors ?

I always figured it was so they could tell the difference between incoming, and out going fire.

KhyronTheBackstabber wrote:I always figured it was so they could tell the difference between incoming, and out going fire.

But Rebel blasters and Imperial blasters are both red. If they do not need this feature on the ground why use it in space.

Color has no real effect or purpose. Some suggest it might be related to the type of "gas" used (but this doesn't work for all weapons types), some indicate the visible light is simply a harmless side effect of the bolts or as a "tracer" effect - the latter sometimes indicates the color of hte bolt can be modified.

As far as we know color is adjustable by adjusting a little screw in the turbolaser's firing mechanism. Perhaps certain weapon manufacturers or contractors prefer to associate themselves with a certain color?

This is sort of an off-topic comment, but I'm reminded of something from an episode of The History Channel's Mail Call where they had a question concerning tracer rounds.

IIRC, RLE mentions that during the Vietnam War, the US and Vietcong forces used different colours for their tracers: the Americans used green while the VC used red (or the other way around). They then showed a clip of some nightfire being exchanged, and it looked almost like red and green blaster bolts were being fired through the jungle.

Old Plympto wrote:As far as we know color is adjustable by adjusting a little screw in the turbolaser's firing mechanism. Perhaps certain weapon manufacturers or contractors prefer to associate themselves with a certain color?

Bad idea, would you want the Empire knowing that your company is the one supplying the Rebels with weapons and equipment?