Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis The Wise?
No, bad quote! Do you know the story of the V-19 Torrent starfighter? Let's go for a short ship thread...
No, bad quote! Do you know the story of the V-19 Torrent starfighter? Let's go for a short ship thread...
[Ship thread] V-19 Torrent starfighter - Clone Wars (Animated TV series, 2003). 
From the old SW databank: "As external licensees began exploring the action of the Clone Wars, it became clear that the Republic needed a fighter-class space ship that was faster and more maneuverable than the Republic gunship."
For this task, Lucas Licensing turned to LucasArts' Art Director, Chris Williams and Concept Artist Greg Knight, who together have had over 1,000 approved Star Wars designs used in games and comic books.
Greg Knight's The Force Unleashed (2008) artworks:
Greg Knight's The Force Unleashed (2008) artworks:
Greg Knight: "Back in 2002, I had just finished a project at LucasArts where I designed a bunch of Star Wars vehicles. Lucas’ Licensing department asked if I had anything that could be used as a fighter for an undisclosed project."
Greg Knight's concept art for Obi-Wan (2001):
Greg Knight's concept art for Obi-Wan (2001):
Greg Knight: "I didn’t, but jumped at it. Here is a page of sketches that led to the final." (gregknightart.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/sta…)
We can clearly see the evolution of design:
We can clearly see the evolution of design:
Apparently, the Torrent fighter's folding wings were inspired by the Vought F4U Corsair (1940).
If anyone knows Greg, I have a couple of questions for him. 😇
If anyone knows Greg, I have a couple of questions for him. 😇
Greg turned in the design shortly after, in 2002.
"Six months pass and I saw it shown in Genndy Genndy Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars Series. What a surprise!"
There were a lot of Torrent in Clone Wars 🙃
"When Dave Filoni’s Clone Wars Series came out, I was blown away to see that they were still using it."
Artwork for The Clone Wars (2008) movie by Thang Le (Solo, Rogue One, The Force Awakens).
Greg Knight: "On top of that, they made a toy out of it! We bought one for my girls. Apparently Polly Pockets fits perfectly into the cockpit. I’m feeling proud and a little bothered at the same time."
There was a cool Lego V-19 Torrent, too.
The V-19 in action:
In-universe, the Torrent is gradually replaced by the V-Wing at the end of the Clone Wars. A thread for another time.
More recently, we saw the V-19 in Poe Dameron (2018). 53 years after the end of the Clone Wars.
Last time, I think, was in Age of Republic - Anakin Skywalker 1 (2019) by @Jody_Houser
Hope to see it again in the Cassian Andor TV series! 😏
Last time, I think, was in Age of Republic - Anakin Skywalker 1 (2019) by @Jody_Houser
Hope to see it again in the Cassian Andor TV series! 😏
For now...
Then thanks the Story Group team and I'm counting on you to see the Torrent soon ;-)
I really like this design.
I really like this design.
Forgot to add that the Corsair inspired the Fireball (SW Resistance) too.
Cool!
