Rapid erosion of X-wing surfaces in flight

[Sea Skimmer]

I think the engines breathe air during atmospheric flight and ionize it to save fuel for space flight. The engines have intakes and the cones would compress the air like the cones on the Blackbird. Having shields up would cut off that air flow.

Nope. ICS is very clear that the ‘air intakes’ on the front are in fact nozzles for reverse thrust for braking and improved agility.

And just as a random note, the X-Wing was calculated to be able to linearly accelerate at 1,500 gravities at Yavin. Even if it lost 99% of this capability to drag and what have you in an atmosphere, it would still be able to accelerate from a 500mph subsonic cruise to hypersonic speed in less then TEN SECONDS. Escape velocity from could still be reached in not much more then a minute provided the X-wing climbed while accelerating, which should be trivially easy given that drag will cease to be a factor within seconds.

[Illuminatus Primus]

Of course, the fact is that maximum thrust and KE loss to friction would result in horrific collateral damage to the nearby surface.

[MichaelFerrariF1]

Nope. ICS is very clear that the ‘air intakes’ on the front are in fact nozzles for reverse thrust for braking and improved agility.

Thanks. I don't have the OT ICS.

[Sea Skimmer]

Of course, the fact is that maximum thrust and KE loss to friction would result in horrific collateral damage to the nearby surface.

Yeah, that’s an issue even with a mach 1 aircraft at low level; but the capability should exist none the less, and rate of climb would be insane. Interestingly shields might actually improve the crafts drag coefficient, depending on geometry and just how closely they conform to the minor contours of the hull, while increasing drag area. The net result could be less drag.

[Illuminatus Primus]

Of course, the fact is that maximum thrust and KE loss to friction would result in horrific collateral damage to the nearby surface.

Yeah, that’s an issue even with a mach 1 aircraft at low level; but the capability should exist none the less, and rate of climb would be insane. Interestingly shields might actually improve the crafts drag coefficient, depending on geometry and just how closely they conform to the minor contours of the hull, while increasing drag area. The net result could be less drag.

Right, as I pointed out, that is attributed in the ICS's.

[Sea Skimmer]

Thanks. I don't have the OT ICS.

Thanks to a series of gifts I have them all. The suspiciously air intake like features on a couple other starfighters like the ARC-170 are also reverse thrusters; but many air speeders and the podracers do have air breathing engines.