- "Fireships to the left and the right."
- ―Obi-Wan Kenobi
The F-143 emergency speeder, also known as an F-143 firefighting speeder, Coruscant fire suppression ship, emergency firespeeder, emergency fire suppression speeder, firespeeder,[3] or fireship (also phrased fire ship), was a model of speeder utilized for fire suppression.
Characteristics[]
The F-143 emergency speeder was a fire suppression ship manufactured by Rothana Heavy Engineering. Designed to provide essential disaster relief, these speeders carried several tanks of fire-fighting solutions such as water, foam spray,[1] and fire retardant agents, as well as miscellaneous fuel-specific mixtures on the ship's undercarriage.[4] These fire-fighting solutions were released through pressurized dousers mounted to the vehicle's four wingtips. A tractor beam projector was fitted below the heat-resistant cockpit to shift debris during emergencies[1] and specialized repulsorlifts on the exterior assisted the ship's maneuvering thrusters in navigating debris fields.[4] There were also flashing emergency lights[1] and a siren mounted on the hull to warn passerby ships of the emergency.[4]
The interior was equipped with a medical bay where crewmembers could treat serious injuries quickly,[1] as well as space for multiple firefighters and rescue personnel. A forward airlock bay had several antigrav life jackets and emergency space suits stored and ready to be dropped at a moment's notice.[4]
History[]
- "—Get the dousers on it!"
"We need more help here, mobilize all the fire teams!" - ―Fire teams during the attack on Naboo
The Galactic Republic made use of fireships during the Clone Wars,[6] crewed by members of the Coruscant Rescue Ops equipped with radiation-proof suits and handheld fire suppression hoses.[1]
Several fireships were mobilized in an attempt to put out the flaming wreck of the Invisible Hand as it crash-landed on Coruscant at the conclusion of the Battle of Coruscant. Fire crews followed the wreck down to an airstrip landing, dousing flames on the hull with their dousers.[6]
The Royal House of Naboo also maintained fire teams, who were mobilized during the Imperial Operation: Cinder following the Battle of Endor. The teams' dousers were brought to bear on the fires caused by typhoon-strength storms.[5]
Behind the scenes[]
- "When the ship [the Invisible Hand] crashes, there can be fireships pouring foam on it."
- ―George Lucas, at a meeting with artists working on Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
The emergency fire suppression speeder was conceived on February 7, 2003 by George Lucas for his 2005 film Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith.[7]
Appearances[]
- Star Wars Journeys: Beginnings (First identified as emergency fire suppression speeder)
- Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith (First appearance)
- Shattered Empire 3
Sources[]
- Ultimate Star Wars
- Star Wars: Build the Millennium Falcon 46 (Starship Fact File: Emergency Firespeeder)
- Star Wars Helmet Collection 28 (Helmets: Coruscant Emergency Crew)
- Star Wars Helmet Collection 28 (Highlights of the Saga: Crash Landing on Coruscant)
- Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia
- Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles (First identified as F-143)
- Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, New Edition
- "Speeders on Land, Sea, and Air (1)" — Star Wars Encyclopedia (First identified as F-143 emergency speeder and F-143 firefighting speeder)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles
- ↑ "Speeders on Land, Sea, and Air (1)" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Star Wars Journeys: Beginnings
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Star Wars Complete Vehicles, New Edition
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Shattered Empire 3
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 The Making of Star Wars Revenge of the Sith