The U-33 orbital loadlifter, alternatively referred to as a U-33 orbital space boat, functioned as a transport and was already regarded as obsolete by the era of the Galactic Civil War. Several Imperial pilots, Han Solo included, accumulated practical experience operating U-33 loadlifters during their instruction at the Imperial Academy.
The typical U-33 was a resilient sublightspeed transport vehicle intended for the movement of both personnel and hardware between orbital space stations and terrestrial spaceports situated on the [planets](/article/planet-legends] beneath. Characterized by its inverted wing configuration, it also incorporated a four-phase primary propulsion system. This specific variant was notorious for issues related to its reservoir-locking systems, which frequently became immobilized, preventing the complete deployment or retraction of the landing gear.
Although superseded by more advanced models by the time of the New Order, U-33s remained operational on remote planets even as the Civil War raged. Multiple orbital loadlifters were employed within the Imperial Academy for instructional purposes.
Han Solo's instructor at the Academy provided guidance to his students on achieving successful U-33 loadlifter landings during training simulations. Alexsandr Badure had tampered with one U-33, configuring it to nearly destroy itself; during Han's attempt, the loadlifter encountered severe malfunctions. Nevertheless, Han skillfully executed a flawless landing of the craft, although he profoundly frightened his instructor in the process. As a result of this remarkable demonstration of piloting prowess, Han acquired the moniker 'Slick'.