The Imperial siege balloon was a balloon that was used during the Galactic Civil War by the Galactic Empire.
Description
Imperial siege balloons
The Imperial siege balloons were identified by a brown and red canopy[2] that was powered by three gas jets.[3] It also had a platform underneath connected by various wires,[2] along with six laser cannons on the perimeter of the platform. The gas jets also acted as a weak point:[3] blowing them up would result in them falling to the ground, as well as the wires connecting the canopy with the platform separating. The gaps between wires were large enough for an RZ-1 A-wing interceptor to fly between. They bore similarities to the Floating health spas.[2]
History
Imperial siege balloons were utilized during the Rebel's Raid on Bespin.[2] The Imperials had the siege balloons aim their laser cannons on the gas platforms, preferring to destroy the platforms than let the Rebels secure them.[3] However, the Rebels exploited their weakness regarding the exposed gas jets and sent them tumbling down to the surface of Bespin.[2]
Behind the scenes
Imperial siege balloons first appeared in the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron video game series, making it's debut in Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader,[2] and later re-appearing in the co-op mode of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike.[1]
Appearances
- Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (First appearance)
- Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike (Co-op campaign)
Sources
- Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide (First identified as Imperial siege balloon)
- Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
