About this creation
Story: After Geonosis, the Jedi council set down to discuss different methods of limiting the losses of the Republic's precious clone troopers. Yoda himself suggested an older method of using a squadron of bombers with much more destructive power than missles or troopers to eliminate large numbers of the enemy's forces before the Republic even landed a single trooper. Rothana Heavy Engineering presented this prototype, wider than the original Gunships, they are capable of dropping 10 very large bombs (dumb and smart varieties) or 36 smaller ones. Like its predecessor, it could hold a speeder bike, but this new version, with a crew of 5, could also hold an entire 30-man squad of clones (no really, there is room in this thing for that many minifigs), as well as weapons and equipment. Bench seating is provided for 22 passengers, with standing room for the rest, and a ladder at the rear allows the clones to move from the top to the bottom. Troopers can transit from the front to the back between the bomb racks on a 2-stud wide platform with netting on either side to prevent falls. This platform also acesses the manual release for the bombs in case the auto-release malfunctions. the engines have been moved down into the body on either side of the rear acess door, with exhaust ported out behind shields (one on either side) to help prevent heat-seekers. When approaching its target, the doors open on either side and the bombadier (who sits behind the pilot) releases the weapons, and then the Liberator can deliver its clone troopers or supply cargo.
The Liberator prototypes were easily given the go-ahead and several squadrons were used to eliminate Seperatist armies during the war, but to Yoda's instructions, they only dropped their loads on the Trade Federation's mechanized armies.
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rear unloading hatch. a speeder can be set here if the ladder is removed from its hinges.
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bomb racks full of the 10 very large dumb and smart bombs.
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here is the catwalk between the bomb racks, with nets in place for safety. there is also a manual release here for the bombs.
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