AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: HOTH DEPARTURE!

Wedge (left) says goodbye as Luke checks his X-wing fighter.

Ready for a swift departure from Hoth and the invading Empire, Luke Skywalker gives his X-wing nose tip a friendly pat (not in the script and presumably improvised by Mark Hamill) whilst his comrade in battle, Wedge Antilles (once more played by Denis Lawson), having said goodbye to his commander, carries equipment to his own ship, in a deleted scene from The Empire Strikes Back, filmed on location in Norway. There is mention in the script of Wedge's gunner being present at the location, but if this was the case it was more likely a Norwegian or UK cast member in a background flight suit at the site. Ultimately, this scene was partially re-filmed at Elstree Studios near the end of principal photography on Empire, with changed/additional dialogue between Luke and Artoo

Luke checks out his X-wing and pats it. The craft was literally just the nose cone length cockpit at the location, without the heavy long wings.

From the Empire script Fifth Draft revised 20/2/79.

Scene 210: EXT ICE SLOPE - X WING - HOTH

Luke, Wedge and his gunner trudge onward toward the nose of an X-wing fighter.

LUKE: At least Han got away. Wedge, that looks like yours over there.

WEDGE: Right. Good luck, Luke... see you at the rendezvous.

The Pilots split up. Luke waves. He walks on, and hears a familiar whistle.

LUKE: Artoo, is that you?

Artoo chirps an excited acknowledgement as Luke climbs aboard the spacecraft. Artoo beeps his relief. The roar of the departing X-wing can be heard in the distance.

LUKE: Activate the power and stop worrying... we'll soon be airborne.

Hamill awaits his scene cue, as other Rebel pilots (presumably Norwegian or UK crew) can be seen in the background.

Location shot seen in the movie with expanded background by ILM of departing X-wings and escape transport. Note Luke walking towards camera is holding his arm from an unseen injury, we assume from his fall from the Walker.