X Wings pilot who died at the battle of the first Death star

Moderators: erase, donleow

Post Reply
lhs1701
Posts: 638
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:05 pm
Location: Dantooine

X Wings pilot who died at the battle of the first Death star

Post by lhs1701 » Mon Jun 20, 2005 5:59 pm

Anyone has any information on the X Wings pilots who died during the battle of the first Death Star.

Xwing pilots like Porkins, Biggs, are suppose to legends in their own right before they died.

Has anyone come across any of their exploits? I have read some in comics.

User avatar
e3lipse
Posts: 1314
Joined: Thu May 26, 2005 9:02 pm
Location: Clonetrooper Land - Where the clones troopers roam free

Post by e3lipse » Mon Aug 29, 2005 6:51 pm

From starwars.com

Lieutenant Porkins bore the com-designation Red Six during the Battle of Yavin. This young Rebel starfighter pilot was a friend of Biggs Darklighter. Though his X-wing fighter was maneuverable enough to avoid the Death Star's sluggish turbolasers, a mechanical malfunction hampered his ability to dodge enemy fire. His fighter was hit by the Imperial weapons emplacement, bursting into fiery fragments, and killing Porkins immediately.






Homeworld:
Bestine IV
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Height:
1.8 meters
Weapon:
Blaster pistol
Vehicle:
X-wing starfighter
Affiliation:
Rebel Alliance



Jek Porkins was a free trader from the Bestine system. On his homeworld of Bestine IV, he perfected his piloting and gunnery skills with his civilian T-16. When the Empire established a new high-security base in the area, the entire population of Bestine IV had to be relocated. While much of the populace attempted to remain neutral in the Galactic Civil War, Porkins heard the stirring words of Princess Leia Organa, and joined the Rebellion.

As a pilot in the Rebellion, Porkins ranked an impressive record of 16 confirmed kills in under 40 hours of actual combat flight time. His prowess remained unchallenged in the oft-neglected strafing run. For his expertise and his girth, he was nicknamed "Belly Runner."

Jek Porkins served at Tierfon Rebel Outpost alongside his friend Wes Janson. In fact, it was Janson, not Porkins, who was called up for service at the Yavin base to fight the Death Star. Janson could not go as he was ill with Hesken's Fever. Porkins took his place. After his death at Yavin, Porkins posthumously received the Kenobi Medallion.


Behind the scenes
Actor William Hootkins was first called in to play the role of the humanoid Jabba stand-in for A New Hope, though Hootkins could not make it to the shoot. Hootkins also played a governmental official in Raiders of the Lost Ark and was featured in an episode of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.

The original script identified Porkins as Blue Four. When the color schemes were changed from Blue to Red, Porkins remained number "Four" up until shooting. He was then re-identified as Red Six, and John D. became Red Four. This last minute change may explain why a fellow pilot can be heard asking for Red Six after Porkins has already died.

The Marvel Comics adaptation of Star Wars identifies Porkins with the first name "Tono." The novelization also gives him the nickname of "Piggy."
After all these years, I still love Clones
"Young one, don't tell me what to do."

User avatar
e3lipse
Posts: 1314
Joined: Thu May 26, 2005 9:02 pm
Location: Clonetrooper Land - Where the clones troopers roam free

Post by e3lipse » Mon Aug 29, 2005 6:52 pm

Homeworld:
Tatooine
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Height:
1.83 meters
Weapon:
Blaster pistol
Vehicle:
X-wing starfighter
Affiliation:
Rebel Alliance



As happens far too often in war, many young hopefuls are never allowed the chance to grow into seasoned veterans. Biggs Darklighter is one example of this sad fact.

Biggs was Luke Skywalker's childhood friend on Tatooine. The two grew up together and spent much of their reckless childhood careening their T-16 skyhoppers through Beggar's Canyon. They called each other a couple of "shootings stars."

Darklighter was able to live out Luke's long-held dream of joining the Academy. Skywalker, however, had to stay behind on his uncle's moisture farm. When Biggs returned to Tatooine, he was a changed man. He opened Luke's eyes to the true nature of the Empire, and confided in Luke that he had defected from the Empire to join the Rebel Alliance.

Biggs and Luke were reunited a short time later on the fourth moon of Yavin. Together they flew in Red Squadron as they attacked the Death Star approaching the Rebel base. Although Luke was ultimately successful in destroying the Imperial battle station, Biggs was killed when his starfighter was shot to pieces by Darth Vader.







Homeworld:
Tatooine
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Height:
1.83 meters
Weapon:
Blaster pistol
Vehicle:
X-wing starfighter
Affiliation:
Rebel Alliance



Biggs was one of the few privileged class on Tatooine. The son of food magnate Huff Darklighter, Biggs had things better than most farm children. He was quite popular among the younger set in Anchorhead. Brashness seemed to go with popularity -- he was the first known hotshot pilot to thread the Stone Needle natural monument at racing speeds.

When Biggs was accepted into the Academy, he and Luke realized their friendship may not continue. The two had aspired to join the Academy together, but Luke's uncle Owen insisted he stay on the farm. Luke and Biggs took one last ride in Beggar's Canyon prior to Darklighter's departure for the Academy. After the flight, Biggs was attacked by a Tusken Raider with a poison-tipped gaderffii. Biggs would have died if Luke hadn't piloted through the dangerous Diablo Cut to a medical facility.

At the Academy, Biggs made friends with young Rebels, and became convinced with the Rebel Alliance's cause. Among his allies and contacts were Derek "Hobbie" Klivian and Captain Heliesk. His friends arranged a contact with a Rebel presence on the planet Bestine.

Though Biggs wasn't a Rebel very long, his legacy continues thanks to his cousin, Gavin Darklighter, who would later follow in his footsteps. Today, Gavin is leader of the famous Rogue Squadron, and in the forefront of the war against the Yuuzhan Vong,



If you got the comic Battleground : Tatooine , ROgue squadron series, you will find out more bout his father
After all these years, I still love Clones
"Young one, don't tell me what to do."

User avatar
jemDconqueror
Posts: 71
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 1:25 pm
Location: Classified

Post by jemDconqueror » Sat Apr 08, 2006 1:47 pm

Yeah, LT porkins was the first and only casualty to go down to turbolaser fire in EP4! :shock:
"Join me, and together we shall rule the galaxy as one!"

Post Reply

Return to “Star Wars Episode 4 : A New Hope”