The Bantha-II cargo skiff, also known as simply as the Bantha class skiff, desert skiff, or sand skiff, was a model of skiff manufactured by Ubrikkian Industries.
Characteristics[]
Measuring 9.5 meters in length, the Bantha-II cargo skiff[3] was a fast-moving[6] model of repulsorlift skiff.[1] Despite being lightly armored,[6] they were extremely durable making them an austere choice for desert climes and perfect transports for passengers, cargo, or slaves.[3] Featuring an elongated deck,[1] Bantha-IIs were little more than floating platforms and were easily identified by their rust coloring, reinforced bows[3] build to withstand head-on collisions,[1] and intermittent[3] safety railings designed to protect passengers or cargo[1] around the perimeter.[3] They were operated from a rear control station designed for a single pilot and could exceed 250 kilometers per hour at their maximum speed.[1] Bantha-IIs also came equipped with planks.[3]
History[]
Manufactured by Ubrikkian Industries,[1] the Bantha-II cargo skiff was common outside the Galactic Republic, and later the Galactic Empire, and were used by the Hutt Clan and the Zygerrian Slave Empire.[3] The Hutt crime lord Jabba Desilijic Tiure used a number of the rugged skiffs equipped to survive the heat and sandstorms of the Tatooine deserts.[1]
During the Galactic Civil War, the Alliance to Restore the Republic outfitted Bantha-IIs with weapons specifically designed to defeat more heavily armed Imperial vehicles. These modified skiffs were known as Anti-Vehicle Skiffs.[6] Accompanied by Jabba on his sail barge, the Khetanna, two Bantha-IIs were used by him when he attempted to execute Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker and his companions at the Great Pit of Carkoon. However, the prisoners managed to kill Jabba and used one of the skiffs to escape the destruction of the Khetanna.[5]
Appearances[]
Non-canon appearances[]
- LEGO Star Wars: Droid Tales — "Gambit on Geonosis" (In flashback(s))
- Star Wars: Visions — "Tatooine Rhapsody"
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Sources[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Ultimate Star Wars
- ↑ Starships and Speeders
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 Desert Skiff in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Star Wars: Commander
- ↑ The Book of Boba Fett — "Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger"