'STAR WARS' AT 45: TORPEDOS AWAY!

Abandoning his X-wing fighter's computer-controlled targeting computer and acting purely on his instincts and the power of the Force within him, Luke successfully launches his proton torpedos into the Death Star thermal exhaust under port, setting off a chain reaction stellar explosion of the dreaded space station. Its destruction proves a savage blow for the Empire, of which galactic freedom has been won by the Rebel Alliance. Luke and his surviving fighter pilot colleagues, plus the to-the-rescue Millennium Falcon, head back to Yavin IV to celebrate their incredible victory... 

BEHIND THE SCENES

Joe Johnston storyboard of the classic moment.

Steve Gawley at work on the Thermal Exhaust Port surface model.

The highly detailed model with previous unsuccessful rebel torpedo impact adjacent to the entry port.

An ILM hand at work!

Paul Huston and Joe Johnston add details work to the model.

On screen, Luke's skill in the Force pays off as the Death Star is destroyed!

A spectacular explosion filmed by ILM at high speed and slowed down in post production for more on-screen impact.

'STAR WARS' AT 45: INTO THE TRENCH!

"The exhaust port is marked and locked in."

With Gold Squadron's obliteration by enemy forces, it's turn for the first of Red flight's attack runs on the Death Star trench, undertaken by the courageous Red Leader and his wingmen. Despite their skills, and an incredible near miss at their thermal exhaust port target, the trio of Rebel heroes are soon dispatched by the return of Darth Vader and his equally lethal wingmen.

The X-wings begin their trench run.

Red Leader commands the first X-wing trench run, but he and his wingmen are also ultimately destroyed by Darth Vader and his pilots. Storyboards by Joe Johnston.

An X-wing is destroyed.

Death Star surface and trench conceptual art by Joe Johnston.

Planning the trench sequence with small X-wings on poles.

Two trench images taken by Dennis Muren,

Preparing to film another sequence.

Another view of the trench, this one leading to... Lorne Peterson!

Grant McCune with one of the model Imperial cannons. Image via the Alex Fish Collection.

One of the Death Star trench laser cannon emplacements.

Preparing to film the first part of the trench run entry sequence.

Capturing natural light pyrotechnics outside the ILM base at Van Nuys with a camera mounted van to capture the speed of the fighter attack.

'STAR WARS' AT 45: THE Y-WING FIGHTER TRENCH ATTACK RUN!

The time for the first trench run to the Death Star's thermal exhaust has begun, by the trio of pilots comprising the speedy Y-wing bomber fighters of Gold Squadron. Despite early hopes that their attack run would be uneventful and successful once past the heavy weaponry emplacements on the surface and towers, the arrival of top pilot Darth Vader and his two TIE fighter wingmen soon see the brave Rebel pilots quickly obliterated. 

Classic 1970's interview with John Dykstra:

https://www.therpf.com/forums/threads/rpf-first-look-john-dykstra-intergalactic-man-of-magic-part-1.99564/

https://www.therpf.com/forums/threads/rpf-first-look-john-dykstra-intergalactic-man-of-magic-part-2.100149/

https://www.therpf.com/forums/threads/rpf-first-look-john-dykstra-intergalactic-man-of-magic-part-3.100686/

The fighter trio would soon be in the murderous targeting sights of Darth Vader and his wingmen.

Working from Colin Cantwell's original model concept for George Lucas in 1975, the ultimate version of the Y-wing fighter seen onscreen was once again design refined and upgraded for model miniature building and filming at ILM by Joe Johnston.

The original model design by Colin Cantwell.

Conceptual work and blueprints for the refined Y-wings by Joe Johnston.

The revised Y-wing fighter model takes shape at ILM.

Unpainted models on poles.

Joe Johnston applies paint detailing and weathering to the models.

Various angles of the Y-wing for reference.

One of the original Y-wing models with the Red Squadron markings later changed to Gold.

The models gathered for filming at ILM.

Joe Johnston at various work with the models.

John Dykstra goes through a potential move for the model during ILM filming.

Joe Johnston at work on one of the fighter models.

David Jones (?) at ILM with model and trench section.

High angle shot, that may have been for either Star Wars or Return of the Jedi. If anyone can confirm which, please get in touch.