MovieChat Forums > Ekkusu bonbâ (1980) Discussion > Earth: a 'one ship planet'

Earth: a 'one ship planet'


Always wondered why Earth never seemed to have a single other ship apart from X-bomber.

Isn't that like Britain building ONE Spitfire during World War II and expecting it to defend the entire country?

(Oh, and Earth's six Astro Fighters sucked - big time)

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I have sometimes wondered this as well. But a theory which struck me as to why X-Bomber was so unique compared to other Earth ships may be in the flashbacks of some episodes.

Professor Hagan discovered the ship which brought Lamia to Mars- same technology as the Skull, (which also appeared to be virtually indestrucatable). My theory is that Hagan studied this ship and used its technology and engineering as a basis for his X Bomber design, since he was the architect of the X-Bomber. And as he then disappeared before the construction was complete- maybe he had not fully briefed anyone else on his design. Meaning it would take someone else years to copy.
As X-Bomber was Earths only real form of defence, it would not have been practical to mothball her to enable someone to study the engineering principals and make more ships of the same class.

It was never spelled out so bluntly in the show, but there are enough clues throughout the series to suggest that this is a possibility.


"I'm not really me. Thats me there- that pile of albino mouse droppings!"

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Yeah, that makes sense. But I still think Earth was pretty poorly protected anyway. The Imperial Alliance was coming up with new weapons left, right and centre - remember the 'Death Ball'? Classic! What did Earth do? Just keep on sending out X-bomber again and again - no wonder the poor ship spent much of its time shot down on a planet.

I really hope Shiro, Hercules and John-Lee got paid overtime for the amount of hours they had to put in.

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The bigger question to that is why on Earth were those three pilots chosen to form half of the X-Bomber crew?
It was said in the first episode that they had only recently graduated the academy and had no practical experience. Why not put an experienced crew on board your most advanced ship?

It was also clear that X-Bomber was short of a full crew complement. There was the communications station behind Lee's navigation station which was occasionally manned by Lamia- the rest of the time Lee had to be the navigator; engineer and communications officer.
Then there was the oft empty seat besides doctor Benn- hinted at but never confirmed as being meant for Captain Carter (proffessor Hagan's first choice of captain for the ship). Although Doctor Benn was a scientist, he was also a medical Doctor. So why else would the ships captain also be hits surgeon?

I know that when the X-Bomber was first launched it was on a suicide mission, but even so- would you not put your best people on board your last line of defense?


"I'm not really me. Thats me there- that pile of albino mouse droppings!"

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I always figured Shiro was chosen for his snappy taste in headgear.

Try as I might (in the early 80s) I could never find a helmet like that to wear.

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Yeah, never really worked out what it was for. But in hindsight it looks like a cycle helmet

"I'm not really me. Thats me there- that pile of albino mouse droppings!"

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You could ask the same Question of Star Wars Episode IV, you have hundreds of experienced pilots, but only a small amount of x-wings, so you put a newbie who's never been trained never mind been in combat to pilot one of those precious x-wings?

Gotta give them both up to dramatic licence.

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Hundreds of experienced pilots?
When did the Rebels EVER have enough experienced pilots?

Red Leader was old enough to remember Anakin, but by ROTJ they needed pilots so badly they made Lando a General!

And Luke? He qualified for the Academy, due to skills learned flying his T-16 back home - and he had Biggs there to vouch for him.

After all, Biggs himself jumped ship after a short time in the Academy. He had no actual experience himself, compared to Han or Lando.

Do you think Porkins was anyone's first choice for the trench run?

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