An Imperial starship, which is a kind of starfighter, was commandeered on Aquilae at Gordon by Luke Skywalker, along with Annikin Starkiller, Han Solo, Leia, Artwo and Threepio as they made their escape from the trap set by Valorum onboard the Baltarian freighter.
Although it was docked in a secure location, access was gained through trickery and makeshift repairs. The crew could use two bubble-domed turrets to fire lazercannons at enemy ships. It was outfitted with shields that protected different sections of the vessel.
Hunter destroyers, a class of Imperial vessel, gave chase. After withstanding a barrage of torpedoes and laser fire, it sustained significant damage above the planet Yavin, leading the crew to abandon ship in life pods.
The name "Imperial starship" was used for this vehicle in the early script version. It might be a Banta Four. Given its two manned turrets and capacity for 5-7 crew members, it would be considered a fairly large starfighter.
It serves as the initial concept for the "pirate ship," which later evolved into the Millennium Falcon in subsequent drafts.
There is no evidence of a hyperdrive system, and the astrography is unclear, although they navigate using a galactic map. In The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film, the ship is identified as a "royal starship." However, the script refers to it as an Imperial ship.
- The Star Wars rough draft
- The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film