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vadersgirl_reflections

by: vadersgirl33

date posted: Jul 11, 2007 2:11 PM | updated: Jul 12, 2007 3:12 PM

Vader's flying ability

It's been a while since I wrote anything concerning Star Wars. Things just haven't been coming to me like they were. It's been a while since I saw anything concerning Star Wars. What??? No Star Wars??? How could you??? Then yesterday, I decided to watch The Phantom Menace. My Star Wars Groove is back!! YIPPEEEEE!!!!!! Then it hit me: a blog about Vader's skill as a pilot.
Vader was a formidable opponent when it came to flying. His skills first came about well before his turn to the Dark Side. As a slave boy on Tatooine, as Anakin Skywalker, Vader's skills were apparent. This was due to his high midi-chlorian count which gave him exceptional Force potential. This potential gave the impression of lightning-fast reflexes, which allowed him to participate in the very dangerous- even deadly- sport of podracing. As Anakin Skywalker, Vader accounted this to instinct, since he had no knowledge of the Force at the time.
His great Force potential- and the skill in flying which came with it- allowed him to destroy the Trade Federation droid control ship, flying out in the knick of time. It also allowed him to land the destroyed Invisible Hand, a seemingly impossible feat. Makes you wonder at the ability Vader had as a skilled pilot.
Even after the duel on Mustafar, Vader's precognition abilities did not diminish. He was still considered to be one of the best pilots in the GFFA. Vader felt at ease behind the controls of a modified Eta-2 interceptor or his modified TIE advanced fighter. His skill in opening fire just before passing through enemy formations- leaving little time for evasion- made Vader a dangerous opponent. His sensitivity to the Force also allowed him to shake off target locks as well as chase targets down. Indeed, it was in the best interest of Vader's enemies- whether in the form of Anakin Skywalker or Darth Vader- to NOT get within targeting range of any ship Vader personally manned!! Vader's enemies never wanted to EVER end up on the wrong end of the battle whenever Vader was in it.
So the next time you watch the saga, pay more attention to Vader and his flying skills. Cuz they're just awesome!!
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Sorry about the pic. I can't find one of Vader's craft.

http://blogs.starwars.com/vadersgirl_reflections/44

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	amidalooine The Emotional Galaxy
date Posted: Jul 11, 2007 2:27 PM Hey vg! I've wondered about this a few times, actually. Is Anakin/Vader supposed to be as superior a pilot as he was a simply Anakin? We don't get to see him fly much. Then again, maybe he's like Admiral James T. Kirk...dying to get back into the Captain's chair, as it were.

	vadersgirl33 vadersgirl_reflections
date Posted: Jul 11, 2007 2:41 PM You know what? You may be on to something. True we don't see him fly much, either as Anakin OR Vader. Maybe he is like Kirk. Nice touch!! I love Star Trek also.

	leia19886 Someone get this big walking carpet out of my way ...
date Posted: Jul 11, 2007 2:41 PM Hi VG! I've been thinking about you lately. Hope everyting is going well for you. Vader was an excellent pilot. Too bad we didn't get to see more of it in th OT. Leia

	vadersgirl33 vadersgirl_reflections
date Posted: Jul 11, 2007 2:57 PM My sentiments exactly. Would loved to have seen more of it, imo. Thanks for thinking of us. Things are getting better.

	hansgirl3 Invoking the Squee
date Posted: Jul 11, 2007 3:06 PM Great blog, VG!! You're certainly right; Vader was an exceptional flyer!!!

	indyStarWarsFan Code is Hapspir, Barrini, Corbolan, Triaxis
date Posted: Jul 11, 2007 3:17 PM It must've ticked him off when the Executor was destroyed...his personal Tie Advanced was on the ship. Good blog! And it seems piloting skills are genetic (Luke blew up the Death Star, and did a ton of other stuff).

	vadersgirl33 vadersgirl_reflections
date Posted: Jul 11, 2007 3:49 PM You're certainly right; Vader was an exceptional flyer!!! Yeah, too bad we couldn't see more of his skill! It must've ticked him off when the Executor was destroyed...his personal Tie Advanced was on the ship. True...but unfortunately for him, he didn't live long enough after the fact to take action against that.

	JediMelindaWolf Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.
date Posted: Jul 11, 2007 6:41 PM Indeed, he was one hotshot pilot . . . both in and out of the black-caped suit! MTFBWY

	vadersgirl33 vadersgirl_reflections
date Posted: Jul 11, 2007 6:57 PM Thank you, Melinda. I think so, too!!

	GalacticBabe I Have a Bad Feeling About This!
date Posted: Jul 11, 2007 7:01 PM Hey, VGirl! What a fantastic entry! Was little Ani's piloting ability the product of the Force? Or just his own natural skills? I've often wondered about that. But your entry has sparked a question in my mind...........I think I might just have to blog about it!

DJ Maul: Got Feet?
DJ Maul's Dancin' Cantina Party

date Posted: Jul 11, 2007 7:53 PM

I always found it interesting that Vader chose to personally man his TIE Fighter in ANH; I mean he had more than enough PILOTS he could have sent to to that dangerous work.

The Prequels answered that question by showing Anakins LOVE for flying, whihc never diminished even after his turn to the Dark Side.

And it was probably the only time he ever really felt in CONTROL of his destiny...

ketal13
HanAnWan

date Posted: Jul 11, 2007 9:55 PM

Love this entry VG!
Amazingly this is something that I had already thought about!

As soon as I saw little Anakin flying the Podracer I flashed back to the destruction of the Death Star scene in ANH. In the theatre, 30 years ago, I remember feeling such disgust that Darth Vadar survived the attack. How could that be possible???? Then, as I said, in the podracing scene I had an 'A-ha' moment, he survived the explosion because he was an amazing pilot with a little help from the force. Cool!

And it was probably the only time he ever really felt in CONTROL of his destiny...
Good point DJ.

vadersgirl33
vadersgirl_reflections

date Posted: Jul 12, 2007 6:19 AM

It's great when someone inspires another blogger to blog something!

. Will look forward to reading about it, GB. Glad you liked it!!

And it was probably the only time he ever really felt in CONTROL of his destiny...
Exactly!! Great point, as ketal13 says.

Amazingly this is something that I had already thought about!
Great minds think alike!!

he survived the explosion because he was an amazing pilot with a little help from the force.
That's the point I was making. Too bad we didn't see more of his skill at piloting either in the PT or OT. Makes me wish they had!

	Darth_Hiram A Journey into The Force
date Posted: Jul 12, 2007 9:53 AM Great entry, VG! Even as a youngster Anakin could anticipate the motions of the flight and react accordingly. His Force perception was what guided him into battle, even as Vader, and guided him to success ... he was a natural pilot as well, as you mention, but the Force was definitely his ally in the pilot's seat!

	vadersgirl33 vadersgirl_reflections
date Posted: Jul 12, 2007 10:16 AM His Force perception was what guided him into battle, even as Vader Yes, I agree. It's what helped him be such a good pilot before his turn to the Dark Side as well as after. Thanks, DH.

WifeofVader
Tales from the Death Star

date Posted: Jul 12, 2007 12:08 PM

Hi VG!

Loved the blog. Thanks for putting out the vader signal.... I had just finished a huge project and desperately needed a break!

BTW - No need to apologize for the picture.... it's great eye candy as far as I'm concerned!

Our dear Vader certainly did seem to have a great ability for flying - from the competitions in the Pod Races as Li'l Ani right on through the saga!

A secret for you? I/We haven't been watching SW in the Vader household lately either. We've just finished watching the 4 Harry Potter movies in preparation for the 5th (as well as rereading the books). Now that that's over, I believe an in order viewing of the GFFA is in order!

	padmeskywalker77 Padme's Legacy
date Posted: Jul 12, 2007 1:29 PM Hey VG!! Sorry I almost missed this Some great thoughts you have...and a great job of connecting what we see in the PT with what we see in the OT. Anakin/Vader truly was an excellent pilot

vadersgirl33
vadersgirl_reflections

date Posted: Jul 12, 2007 3:00 PM

Thanks for putting out the vader signal...
No problem!! Us Vader girls gotta stick together, you know???

. Anyhow, thanks for the comment. Just between us, my hubby rolls his eyes at me every time I bring the saga out to watch!! Go figure!!

Some great thoughts you have...and a great job of connecting what we see in the PT with what we see in the OT.
Thanks, PS77. It just hit me while watching l'il Ani during the Boonta Eve podrace!!

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