Gunstar
Gunstar is a spacecraft that features in The Last Starfighter.
Contents |
History
Gunstars were a type of starfighter that were created and used by the Star League. The creation of the Gunstar was a direct result of an urgent need for formidable defense technology by the Star League against the impending invasion of the Ko-Dan Armada, led by the treacherous Xur. Facing an existential threat, the Star League developed a new line of advanced, high-performance starfighters designed purely for space superiority, making no compromises for atmospheric flight. These ships were twin-seated and highly maneuverable due to numerous thrusters, with a pilot in the front and a dedicated navigator/gunner behind, much like an attack helicopter. Most of the original Gunstars were destroyed in a surprise meteor gun attack on the Starfighter base by the Ko-Dan, leaving only one remaining prototype ship designated Gunstar One. This specific prototype, which Navigator Grig had helped develop, was more advanced than the standard models, featuring greater range, power, improved armor, deflective shielding, and an experimental, high-risk, "last resort" weapon system called the "Death Blossom". With all other Star League defenders eliminated, the fate of the frontier rested on finding a pilot with extraordinary reflexes and skill to operate this single remaining vessel; the Star League created an arcade game called Starfighter as an interstellar training and recruitment tool to locate such a pilot on distant planets like Earth. Alex Rogan, a teenager from a trailer park, became that pilot after achieving the high score on the game, was recruited, and subsequently was forced to put the Gunstar One into immediate action, using its unique capabilities and the "Death Blossom" weapon to single-handedly fight and destroy the Ko-Dan command ship, effectively ending the invasion and saving the Star League.
Overview
In appearance, the Gunstar was a large, formidable, two-person space superiority fighter, approximately 20 meters in length, with a functional design aesthetic by artist Ron Cobb that emphasized maneuverability in zero-G rather than atmospheric streamlining. Its primary fuselage was a solid, sleek grey structure, bristling with various weapon systems, and flanked by a pair of prominent hull extrusions. The craft featured a unique four-engine configuration, with large engine pods mounted on each corner of the hull, each equipped with retrograde and lateral thrusters, allowing for rapid turns and omni-directional movement. The cockpit was a shared, tandem arrangement, with the pilot positioned in the front seat and the navigator/gunner situated in a rear, elevated position, similar to an attack helicopter. The gunner's station was particularly noteworthy, featuring a fully rotatable chair and a heads-up display suspended in a xenon mist, which allowed the operator to target enemies in any direction, even those behind the ship, by tracking them through the hull. For landing, the ship did not require a runway but landed vertically on four deployed legs, an action made possible by its unique engine placement. The ship's armament was extensive, including a nose-mounted laser cannon, two side-mounted turrets, two rear-facing turrets, a heavy particle beam, and multiple bays for photon bolt missiles, giving it a menacing and heavily-armed presence that reflected its intended role as the ultimate line of defense against the Ko-Dan Armada. The final, distinctive visual element was the activation of the experimental "Death Blossom" weapon, during which the ship spun rapidly on multiple axes as hidden panels opened and numerous additional energy weapons and missile launchers were deployed, creating a spectacular, star-like burst of firepower.
Pilots
- Alex Rogan :
- Grig :
Notes
- The Gunstar was created by Jonathan R. Betuel where it featured in the setting of The Last Starfighter universe.
Appearances
- The Last Starfighter:
External Links
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