Single Trooper Aerial Platform/Legends

"We could have stayed hidden in the swamps forever, if not for those accursed STAPs. They rooted us out of the trees like Gungans searching for gumbols."

- Tobias Pall

The Single Trooper Aerial Platform (STAP-1 or STAP) was an agile flying machine designed for use by the Trade Federation's and Confederacy of Independent Systems' B1 battle droids.

Characteristics


It was similar in design to personal repulsorlift airhooks used for both civilian and military purposes. Designed to travel fast, the STAP's only weapon was a twin blaster cannon connected to it. High voltage energy cells powered the machine.

Each STAP was piloted by a single battle droid that stood on a long foot panel, gripping a pair of handles that controlled its weapons and were used to pilot the craft.B1 battle droids usually piloted these STAPs. STAPs utilized by the Trade Federation prior to the Clone Wars tended to be brown in color; Separatist STAPs were predominantly blue with white triangular markings.

The STAP-1 was used for scouting and anti-personnel hunting operations, and would occasionally be used in open battle to harass enemy forces. Because of its open design, STAP units were vulnerable to enemy heavy weapons, making them rely on their speed and agility to dodge enemy fire.

There was also a heavy STAP with larger laser cannons and a missile launcher

It was the counterpart to the Republic 74-Z speeder bike.

History
STAPs were used extensively during the Invasion of Naboo, where Trade Federation forces used them to great effect against the Naboo security teams and to subjugate the local populace.



Later, they would be used during the Clone Wars, especially during the Dark Reaper Crisis, on planets such as Raxus Prime, alongside heavy armored vehicles. During the Battle of Teth, STAPs were utilized by the Separatist forces against the clone troopers and AT-TEs scaling the cliff wall. Anakin Skywalker managed to destroy all but one by knocking their droid pilots off, using the remaining STAP to reach the top of the cliff. STAPs were again utilized by the Separatists on Naboo during the Blue Shadow Virus crisis. A small force of three battle droids riding STAPs were escorting a tactical droid when the convoy was destroyed by Captain Typho, Chrin and another member of the Royal Naboo Security Forces. They were also deployed by the CIS during the Battle of Tirahnn.

It later saw use during the Galactic Civil War when a small Jawa warlord named Wittin found a STAP and remote controlled B1 battle droid pilot. He then outfitted it with several modifications, such as a twin ion cannon to stop other vehicles and advance armor upgrades. He then used this vehicle in Jabba Desilijic Tiure's dangerous game. Also, in the upcoming Star Wars MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic, it was announced that both the digital deluxe and The Collector's Edition would feature some kind of STAP.

Behind the scenes
It is possible that the STAP was based on the real life VZ-1 Pawnee, an experimental flying platform developed by the U.S. military and designed to be piloted by a single soldier.

LEGO produced many sets including the STAP. The first set that included the vehicle was "7121 Naboo Swamp" based on a scene in The Phantom Menace. The second was in the set "7654 Droids Battle Pack" which featured a redesign of the first STAP. The third was from the set "7675 AT-TE Walker" which was based on the scene during the Battle of Teth. The fourth was the promotional UK set "30004 Battle Droid on STAP", in which the design's basis was from the third, and the fifth is in the upcoming set for 2011 the "7686 Mace Windu's Jedi Starfighter" which includes the third's design for the STAP.

Some sources released around the time of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace said that organic beings could not use STAPs due to the radiation from the thrusters at leg level, but this has apparently been retconned with several sources since presenting organics using STAPs with no adverse effects.

Non-canonical appearances

 * ''LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game'
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
 * Sith make the best pancakes
 * Star Wars: Yoda's Challenge Activity Center