Mon Calamari Cruisers...

[Iceyl86]

I know this is a WC forum, not an SW one, but you guys seem to be the best source of info for specifics, but Im trying to figure something out and Im having trouble.

Mon Calamari cruisers were instramental in the success of the rebellion, in the movies we see two different ones, in some games, i've seen three. In the game Star Wars X-Wing Alliance i saw the light Calamari Cruiser which is built like a small carrier, two large hangars, and one medium engine on the back, though not present at the battle of Endor.

From what I've been able to gather, there were 4 Mon calamari cruisers present at Endor; Liberty (Winged), Maria (Winged), Independence (Home 1), and the Defiance (same design as home one).

The Liberty was the first one to fall. You see it explode when the Emperor orders the Death Star to open fire. The Defiance (which was separated from the main fleet with her escorts including the frigate Redemption and various transports and blockade runners) was destroyed next. As far as i know the others survived... though a few game and stories also say that a third ship the Urhani (an escort frigate) was also destroyed by the Death Star ray.

Now I know that no two Calamari cruisers are Identicle, but what is the difference between the Winged and the COmmand cruisers? Is one more heavily armed? Faster? Different purposes? Is one design older then the other? These are the questions I'm having trouble finding the answers too... if anyone could help, I'd appreciate it, thank you!

I've attached a pic of each, thanks!

 

[LeHah]

One of the major problems with Star Wars stuff in the last 15 years is its overemphasis on technology. It's especially evident in the crappy, thoughtless and undigestable narration in the Expanded Universe books.

Be that as it may - for all the "canon" (ugh) books out there about Star Wars Tech (I have three I can think of off the top of my head, no, four!), they all varry somewhat. Theres no true "complete" list, despite what the internet or theforce.net will tell you.

However, to satisfy your curious nature - I'll suggest going to StarWars.com. They have a ship's database there which is probably about as valid as anything else offically licensed from Lucasfilm.

 

[privfan]

x-wing alliance probbaly has in game stats for both, and I can check my SW encyclopedia when I get home and see if it has anything

 

[Iceyl86]

x-wing alliance probbaly has in game stats for both, and I can check my SW encyclopedia when I get home and see if it has anything

I dunno, I always thought Alliance was the most accurate to the movies. I mean take something like Rogue Squadron II... one of each Calamari cruisers, two Corellian Corvettes, 4 rebel transports and the Frigate Redeption!? COME ON!!! The rebels were not THAT bad off, plus two Calamari cruisers were destroyed and at least one had to survive! Also there is no way a fleet that pathetic would stand against a large fleet of star destroyers....

I thought X-Wing Alliance was far more accurate... 4 Calamari Cruisers; Two winged, two not, three escort frigates, 5 rebel transports, 5 blockade runners, that sounds a bit more reasonable... the thing I dont get is, I loved flying off the Defiance early on in the game, I wasnt that impressed w/ the Liberty... so why was the Defiance and her escorts separate from the main fleet? They were off by themselves barely taking any fire, thats probably why she was one of the two that got destroyed....

 

[QuailPilot]

How about just regular X-Wing the cd-rom collectors edition. THAT is probably the closest to the movies.

 

[Marc]

The X-Wing Official Strategy guide ha some info on them...

That's about all the usefull info I've got to contribute.

My general sence is that eatch Mc-80 star cruiser is an original work of art, crafted as mutch for esthetic consideration as for functionality. Calamiarian spacecrafts are known for their individuality, so no two ships are the same. This kind of special care would explain has to why the ships are so durable.

 

[Aplha 1-1]

Just going from memory having only finished X-Wing Alliance a few months back. I'm sure it states that theres virtually no difference in armour or armament between the winged cruiser and the other one, except for design.

 

[Primate]

IIRC in TIE Fighter the winged ones were light cruisers and the command type were regular cruisers, the difference being in weapons, shield and hull strength.

 

[PSJaguar]

IIRC TIE Fighter correctly, the Light Cruiser was designated the MC40.

It also appeared in the hands of several third-party factions, suggesting the Mon Calamari sold the design to any interested buyer.

 

[ChanceKell]

Traditional school of thought when it comes to Star Wars capital ships discussions is that the Mon Calamari were a race imprisoned by the Empire, much like the wookiees. (Some people may recall that Admiral Ackbar was personal slave to Moff Tarkin.) Before enslavement, the Mon Calamari were an advanced race. They fought on the side of the Republic during the Clone Wars while the species they share the planet with, the quarren, sided with the Seperatists.

Mon Calamari Cruisers themselves were originally converted starliners. Media like the X-Wing game and a few other sources have corrupted the history of the ship, making it appear to be fleets of these cruisers, even before Yavin. In reality, members of the Mon Calamari slowly freed themselves or were liberated over the course of the Galactic Civil War. Following the Battle of Yavin, especially around Hoth and the buildup to Endor, the former passenger cruisers were converted and armed to be the Rebellion's most formidable capital ships.

Once the Empire began to fall and Mon Calamari liberated, designs began to be implemented for starships built specifically for combat. I believe the ultimate design was the MC-100, which was the superior New Republic ship up to Dark Empire.

...Of course, a lot of this comes from Expanded Universe info, which I'm careful to ignore most of. What is true is that the X-Wing series has a lot of Mon Calamari cruisers with very little variety. X-Wing Alliance is probably the closest to canon. Redundant systems is every design's saving grace: With multiple shield generators across the ship, there's several safety nets in a major battle.