Swoop/Legends
A swoop, also known as a swoop bike, was a type of repulsorlift vehicle similar to a speeder bike; in fact, it was in essence simply an overpowered version and described as "an engine with a seat." Swoops were to speeder bikes what airspeeders were to landspeeders. Those who rode swoops were sometimes called a swooper or swoop jockey. Swoops were often used by gangs and criminals, and such organizations bore the mantle of swoop gang. Swoop racing was popular on many planets, including Coruscant, Onderon, Tatooine, and Nar Shaddaa.
Overview
Swoops were capable of traveling at over six hundred kilometers per hour. While some could travel several hundred kilometers above a planet's surface, they generally kept a low altitude. Due to their power and difficult controls, they had many flaps and control vanes to aid in controlling the vehicle, but due to the unpredictable nature of swoops, few used them. Turbothrusters could also be used on them to improve their top speeds.[1]
Many racing swoop bikes had their brakes removed to reduce weight, thus making the swoop bike faster. They also had deflector shields to protect them against impact. However, due to high speeds, many riders were thrown off and killed upon crashing into an object. Swoops are not to be mistaken for speeder bikes.
Behind the Scenes
Swoop bikes have been part of Star Wars since the Star Wars: The Han Solo Adventures prior to the completion of the original trilogy.
Legends/Canon
Swoops are an excellent demonstration of the ways in which the prequels ignored existing canon, creating situations which required retcon explanations. In this case, 'podracing' was invented and later required an explanation that swoop racing became popular due to the Empire outlawing podracing.
Appearances
Sources
Notes and references
- ↑ Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire trading cards (card: swoop)