Sheathipede-class transport shuttle/Legends

Sheathipede-class transport shuttle "Haor Chall Engineering Sheathipede-class transport shuttle. Design is based on the soldier beetles. Upraised stern, bow ramp, clawfoot landing gear."

- A clone commando

The Sheathipede-class transport shuttle, also known as the Neimoidian shuttle, was a craft manufactured by Haor Chall Engineering and used by high-ranking officials of the Trade Federation to visit potential clients and marketplaces.

Characteristics


They were shaped like soldier beetles, and their clawfooted landing legs could only settle down on hard surfaces. This was due to the businessmen's distaste for dealing with poor, underdeveloped worlds.

These shuttles often had their cockpits removed and replaced by automated pilots, so that cabin space could be increased. The Sheathipede-class shuttle was a short-range ship, used only for planetary travel or to ferry passengers to and from an orbital space station or starship.

The personal shuttle of Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray was named Lapiz Cutter. This ship had no weapons, although it was protected by powerful deflector shields.

A distinct variant of the Sheathipede had several laser cannons and a seat for the gunner next to the pilot, thus widening the cockpit. Due to the additional armament on the dorsal fin, the communications antenna was shortened.

The shuttle bore a resemblance to the larger Neimoidian trader.

History


Sheathipede-class shuttles were used by Neimoidian officials to land on Naboo after they had invaded the planet. 10 years later, when the Battle of Geonosis appeared to go in favor of the Republic, the Neimoidian representatives took off in one of these craft.

Count Dooku maintained an armed shuttle onboard his personal frigate. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker used it to shoot his solar sailer down over Vanqor, though the Sith Lord escaped. During the Battle of Tirahnn, the Separatist spy Braxus Lyn attempted to transport the Zygerrian Zolghast off Tirahnn in one.

One was used to pick up General Grievous from Saleucami while he was fighting Republic troops. A shuttle was used by Anakin Skywalker his Padawan Ahsoka Tano and clone troops to escape Cad Bane's Munificent-class star frigate. General Grievous also used one of these shuttles to land on the planet Utapau following the Battle of Coruscant. His shuttle had an unaltered cockpit, due to the General's distrust of automated systems.

After the Clone Wars ended, few Neimoidians would venture outside their systems unless on business trips. When doing so, they still used Sheathipede-class shuttles.

Behind the scenes
In the Wii/PSP/Playstation II version of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, after Galen Marek ,a.k.a. Starkiller, rescues Senator Bail Organa from a corrupted Maris Brood on Felucia, the senator has a Sheathipede-class transport shuttle waiting for him to take him to Corellia, where he, Senators Garm Bel Iblis and Mon Mothma, Jedi Master Rahm Kota, and Marek will create the Alliance to Restore the Republic.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace comic
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Clones are famous across
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Quest for R2-D2
 * Star Wars The Clone Wars 4: Slaves of the Republic - Chapter 4: Auction of a Million Souls
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes
 * The Clone Wars: Act on Instinct
 * Star Wars The Clone Wars Volume 4: The Colossus of Destiny
 * Star Wars Republic: Trackdown
 * Star Wars: Obsession
 * Evasive Action: Reversal of Fortune
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith / comic / video game
 * Star Wars Dark Times: Blue Harvest, Part 1
 * Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video game
 * The Clone Wars: Act on Instinct
 * Star Wars The Clone Wars Volume 4: The Colossus of Destiny
 * Star Wars Republic: Trackdown
 * Star Wars: Obsession
 * Evasive Action: Reversal of Fortune
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith / comic / video game
 * Star Wars Dark Times: Blue Harvest, Part 1
 * Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video game
 * Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video game

Notes and references
Sheathipede-Klasse Transportshuttle Lanzadera de transporte clase Sheathipede Sheathipede-osztályú szállító sikló