AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: A VERY PALPABLE HIT!

The Tyrant is hit! An ILM composite image created for later in release movie publicity and merchandising.

The Ion Cannon's belly blasts from the surface of Hoth have found their deep space target on the Imperial Star Destroyer Tyrant, temporarily crippling the formidable vessel and allowing the first Rebel Transport and its X-wing fighter support to escape unheeded.

ILM storyboard for the beginning of the scene as the cannon blasts streak from the planet's surface.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: UNLEASHING THE ION CANNON!

The Rebels of Hoth unleash their big gun- the Ion Cannon- skyward at the nearest blockading Imperial Star Destroyer, in this great production painting art from Ralph McQuarrie that was well translated to film by ILM, via model and matte work combination.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: ION CONTROL READY!

In the panoramic control room adjacent to the main weapon that is the Ion Cannon, Rebel technicians prepare to fire on the orbiting Imperial Death Fleet in this great conceptual art by Ralph McQuarrie, for a set that was apparently almost constructed for filming at Elstree but ultimately aborted for time and budget reasons. Instead, the action would be transferred to the main Rebel Command Centre set.

The maquette for the unused Ion Cannon control room set.

A close look at the would-have-been set matching closely with the McQuarrie painting.