Idiot sci-fi question: Why do X-Wing fighters have…um…wings?

[SUBMAN1]

Well, since there is hardly anything scientific to be found in Star Wars, it's kind of an exercise in futility, but my theory is because it looks cool.

In my opinion however, the best best best Outer space sci fi still is the vulnerable 2001 a Space Odyssey. Nothing can touch it accuracy, such as no sound in space, etc. That was an accurate movie.

Anyway, Star Wars is still fun. I guess if I want to get closer to accuracy, then I need to go Star Trek, but still, that is a little bogus in cases too.

-S

[Ducimus]

Well, its not called Science-Fiction for nothing.

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Well, its not called Science-Fiction for nothing.

I should add some background:

So here’s the idiotic science fiction question for the week: Why do X-Wing fighters have wings?

Officially, “The wings not only serve as stabilizer surfaces in air travel, but also distribute deflector shield energy and serve as weapons mounts.”

Poppycock.

Clearly, the wings have nothing to do with aerodynamics, as there is nothing aerodynamic about 99% of the vessels in the Star Wars universe, and almost everything short of the Death Star makes controlled landfall and takeoff. (Seriously, how does the Millennium Falcon do it? It’s a stunted frisbee! Eh, a question for another day…) As to the suggestion that the so-called “S-foils” are used to generate deflector shields, that doesn’t explain how the other fighters in the Rebel fleet create defensive energy screens (well, maybe the B-Wing). It just doesn’t add up.

Now, I grant you, looking for science in Star Wars is a largely a futile gesture (Parsecs are a unit of distance, not time!), but we can have fun trying, anyway. The Sci-Fi Apologist has an amusing wing-theory: The x-wings are really heat sinks for the high-powered laser cannons.

Cute, but I think we can do better. So, here’s your assignment, boys and girls: What’s the REAL reason X-Wing starfighters have wings? Let the theorizing begin!

[XabbaRus]

Wikipedia is really deficient in star wars' ship info.

also the TIE fight Twin Ion engine that gives great speed...hmmmmmm

As I understand it there are a few space probes out there that are using ion drive engines to get them to their targets. My understanding was that the thrust from these is gentle but constant not wham bam like a rocket, so should TIE fighters be really slow and unable to change direction quickly?

[Iron Budokan]

"That was an accurate movie."

Define accurate. Dust clouds billowed on the Moon. The drink in the straw in zero gravity fell back down. And this:

http://www.moviemistakes.com/film8

And this:

http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/amk/doc/gaffe.html

And this:

http://www.continuitycorner.com/Tfilm/00104.htm

There are many others but my point is made, I think. Anyway, it's all relative. And everyone knows the most accurate movie ever made is Plan 9 From Outer Space anyway! :P

[Kazuaki Shimazaki II]

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

Clearly, the wings have nothing to do with aerodynamics, as there is nothing aerodynamic about 99% of the vessels in the Star Wars universe, and almost everything short of the Death Star makes controlled landfall and takeoff. (Seriously, how does the Millennium Falcon do it? It’s a stunted frisbee! Eh, a question for another day…)

With the raw power of SW engines, it is possible to make a brick fly through the air, and dissipate or withstand the friction heat with shields and uber-hulls. This does not equate that aerodynamics does not help.

As to the suggestion that the so-called “S-foils” are used to generate deflector shields, that doesn’t explain how the other fighters in the Rebel fleet create defensive energy screens (well, maybe the B-Wing). It just doesn’t add up.

That the X-Wing employed a certain technical solution to a common problem does not equate that other technical solutions are impossible.

Now, I grant you, looking for science in Star Wars is a largely a futile gesture (Parsecs are a unit of distance, not time!)

They actually retconned this one in the EU by saying that Han Solo, flying a difficult course and cutting corners, managed to reduce the total distance of a trip by what must have been a tiny fraction, just enough to get it under 12 parsecs of distance.

[joea]

Ok I was wrong about the TIE fighters.



:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

[SUBMAN1]

Well, here is what the rest of the world though about this question:

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/geekend/?p=522

-S

[fatty]

I recall from a few of the X-Wing novels that the wings served two purposes. First, in their deployed mode, they spread the cannons far enough apart that their high-powered discharges wouldn't damage each other. Second, they provided improved maneuverability during combat in atmosphere. Yes, with enough engines and repulsorlifts anything could fly, but not necessarily fly well. In one of the books they state that the TIE fighters lost all of the maneuverability advantages they had in the vacuum of space when fighting the skies, and the X-Wings were able to fly circles around them.