IG-227 Hailfire-class droid tank/Legends

"We've come to repossess the planet."

- InterGalactic Banking Clan commander Horgo Shive

The IG-227 Hailfire-class droid tank, also known as the wheel droid, was a war vehicle and a droid tank constructed by Haor Chall Engineering for the InterGalactic Banking Clan prior to and during the Clone Wars.

Characteristics


The Hailfire-class droid tank was a self-aware mobile missile platform capable of destroying entire platoons of enemy soldiers. It ran on large hoop-like wheels on either side of the main armored command module, which enable it to operate on almost any terrain.

The Hailfire-class was well equipped, with missile launchers fitted on each side of its head, each missile rack carrying 15 guided rocket warheads powerful enough to cause terrible damage to enemy targets. A well-placed shot with one of these missiles was enough to destroy a Republic AT-TE walker.

Each Hailfire droid also had a retractable double blaster for use against infantry and other "soft" targets.

History


Before the Clone Wars, the Hailfire droid was used by the Banking Clan's euphemistically named "Collections and Security Division" to punish customers who had declined to pay their debts on time.

Hailfire droids first appeared as part of the army of the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Battle of Geonosis, where they disabled or destroyed numerous AT-TEs and injured or killed countless clone troopers before being destroyed by LAAT/i gunships. During the war, many Hailfires of various models and types continued to fight in battles against the Galactic Republic's army.

Following the execution of the Separatist Council by Darth Sidious's new apprentice, Darth Vader, these units were deactivated.

Some Hailfires were reactivated and used by the Wookiees against Imperial landing parties during the Empire's subjugation of the planet in 19 BBY.

Behind the scenes

 * In Attack of the Clones, Confederate rockets, including those of Hailfire droids, were keyed to leave black smoke in contrast to the white trails left by Republic missiles.


 * The Hailfire droid had a real life counterpart, the Russian Tsar Tank, designed in 1914. It followed a similar design, with two large hoop-like wheels along with a third smaller steering wheel mounted on an axle with guns mounted in turrets in the middle. However, this tank never made it past the prototype stage, being deemed too unwieldy and vulnerable to enemy artillery fire.

Appearances



 * Star Wars: Battlefront
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars
 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * Duel
 * "Clone Wars Chapter 1"
 * "Clone Wars Chapter 2"
 * "Clone Wars Chapter 8"
 * Jedi: Shaak Ti
 * Blind Force
 * Hide in Plain Sight
 * Hero of Cartao
 * Star Wars Republic: The Battle of Jabiim
 * Star Wars Republic 59: Enemy Lines
 * Star Wars Republic 64: Bloodlines
 * Jedi Trial
 * "Clone Wars Chapter 22"
 * Boba Fett: A New Threat
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Star Wars Republic: The Siege of Saleucami
 * "Clone Wars Chapter 23"
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith novelization
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (game)
 * Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader