Cotlu-Hunlon Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I realise that when A New Hope was made, the concept art people etc. decided that if the spaceships had folding wings it would look cool and everything. The problem is, that design feature persisted into so many ships and now in SWTOR we see strange folding wings at any angle. Besides the obvious space savings that folding wings could allow, what else are they there for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfninjajedi Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 You mean S-foils? Well here ya go! Historically, S-foils had been developed to address overheating issues on wing-based starfighters. Because of the proximity of engines and weapons systems to narrow wiring that fit inside the thin wings, an excess of heat could cause mechanical meltdowns that would be devastating to the capacity of the fighters to function. S-foils like those seen on a number of Republic starfighter models during the Clone Wars held radiator panels that dispersed heat and cooled the interior mechanisms of the ships. S-foils were used when stress was being put on a ship's systems, usually when it was traveling at high speeds or locked in a dogfight. Stabilization was a key issue, especially with larger craft. For shuttles, which were often used to transport dignitaries or sensitive cargo, maintaining stability in flight was pivotal. Large folding wings served to reduce turbulence and protect the craft's contents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tekasi Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 It was the same for our own Space Shuttle; once it was in orbit they would open the bay doors to let out the heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angedechu Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Same concept as for American carrier aircraft : save hangar space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellatus Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Stabilization was a key issue, especially with larger craft. For shuttles, which were often used to transport dignitaries or sensitive cargo, maintaining stability in flight was pivotal. Large folding wings served to reduce turbulence and protect the craft's contents. This is, of course, a completely moot point in space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfninjajedi Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 (edited) This is, of course, a completely moot point in space. In space yes, however in atmosphere? Not really. Edited February 2, 2013 by Wolfninjajedi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spetulhu Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Radiator panels letting out heat is also a bit silly in space... There's no airflow to help cool the panels so you'll need a lot of them - well, having them on extra folded wings makes sense there. You'll also be alight like a christmas tree for any heat-seeking missiles. One would think it made more sense to somehow convert the heat into energy that the craft can use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNCommand Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 This is, of course, a completely moot point in space. Unless you decide to fight in the atmosphere of course http://images.wikia.com/starwars/images/a/a3/Bespin_battle.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurtzello Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 The STAR WARS: The Old Republic Encyclopedia states, on page 57, regarding the BT-7 Thunderclap, the Trooper's starship: "Folding wing design with wingtip laser cannons allows a wider field of fire". So I guess that's another reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phrase Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 In universe I would have to say that the folding wings more than likely have benefits beyond our current understanding of physics. It's clear that with much of the technology in SW (e.g. closed loop plasma beams that emit no heat, rapid multi-directional flight in space, anti-gravity drives, and ftl travel) comes as a result of their advanced understanding of physics. To try to explain them using our current rl understanding of physics is beyond us, and therefore pointless. Out of universe, it's simply a design aesthetic that differentiates SW from say Buck Rogers or BSG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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