AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: FRIENDS REUNITED...

The Rebel Fleet survivors have regrouped at the Outer Rim (now in a sector called 'Wild Space', for the Expanded Universe). Amidst this insecure time of pause comes the chance for our heroes to recover from the shock and revelations of their conflict against the Empire, whilst others prepare their first steps in the mission to rescue Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt.

A lovely composite shot above, presumably supervised by Terry Chostner at ILM, showing the small group of rebel ships, including several not fully seen in the film's final cut.

Smaller Rebel vessels lined up together for filming on the ILM stage.

Ken Ralston and colleague readying the models.

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: LAUNCHING THE TRANSPORTS!

Created by Joe Johnston and originally nicknamed 'tuna tubs' because of their pink-ish visage, the flying pod transport container vessels, essential vehicles for the Rebel Alliance to be protected at all costs, are not fully appreciated visually unless you see them close-up in model-form, especially with their maws, filled with cargo containers as well as evacuated Rebel crew members.

Concept art by Joe Johnston.

Ease Owyeung at work on the model at ILM

Reference test for the 'tuna tub'!

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: EVACUATION PLANS AFOOT!

In the Rebel Transport bay, a Captain confers with his officers on the evacuation plans from Hoth. An insert shot that was handled in post production to help cover the jump of scenes set within the Rebel base, and after some previous footage set in the hangar had been cut out linked to Han and Leia, the sequence has ILM veteran Joe Johnston in the main speaking role, alongside Harrison Ellenshaw and a fellow colleague. Also about in the background as a Rebel pilot would be matte painter Michael Pangrazio.

Concept idea for the newly added ILM scene.

The gorgeous painting used as the background for the insert scene.

An unknown ILMer with Joe Johnston and Harrison Ellenshaw.

Harrison Ellenshaw gets ready for filming.

Ellenshaw with Lucas and McQuarrie.

By far one of the best ILM cameos in this scene would be that of legendary concept artist and matte painter for the Classic Trilogy in Ralph McQuarrie, here having fun playing a brief walk-past moment as 'General McQuarrie'.

Behind the scene on the cameos filming.

'General McQuarrie' makes a background pass.

More on the scene:

https://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.com/2012/02/ilm-classic-image-empires-rebel-cameos.html

Matte paintings:

https://www.starwars.com/news/empire-at-40-5-amazing-matte-paintings-from-star-wars-the-empire-strikes-back?fbclid=IwAR0soc2HMyaliEpCJBbNguY7Q0p4QpPNUbvwU7iAOa36b2UU1S952c7fj-U

CLASSIC IMAGE: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL!

The densely populated space above Endor becomes even more crowded when trapped Rebel ships get up close and personal against the firepower of intimidating Imperial cruisers, so as to avoid a quicker death from the Death Star's primary weapon, during tense and superb effects shots for RETURN OF THE JEDI.

ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: BREAKING THE BLOCKADE!

Flying boldly into the face of the Imperial blockade, the first Rebel Transport and its two X-wing protectors make a full speed departure from Hoth covered by the destructive energy rounds sent from their base's Ion Cannon, in this great storyboard from THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

CLASSIC IMAGE: CAUGHT IN THE KILLING BOX!

A Rebel Blockade Runner, transport and the Medical Frigate squeeze together as they soon come under attack from sneak Imperial Forces in legion, during the climactic Battle of Endor, from RETURN OF THE JEDI.

ROTJ AT 30: CLOSE QUARTERS SPACE BATTLE

Several accelerating Rebel fighters and transports only just escape the kill zone reach of the Death Star II's prime weapon-though one of their fellow vessels isn't quite so lucky- during the epic Battle of Endor in RETURN OF THE JEDI.

CLASSIC ART: HANGAR EVAC!

A Rebel Transport vessel begins evacuating staff and technology from its ice planet base, just as the Imperial Death Fleet enters the Hoth system, in this intriguing storyboard for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK that was sadly never made reality as far as we're aware...