THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: RIC DIVES IN!

Bravo Squadron brings its brightest pilots to bear in attacking the heavily armed and defended Trade Federation Droid Control Ship (noticeable via its huge antenna array). But its shields prove too strong to destroy, despite continued torpedo attacks.

Bravo Squadron dives to attack the antenna array of the Droid Control Ship.

Seen on screen assisting Ric Olie's Bravo Leader -  Bravo 2 (Benedict Taylor), Bravo 3 (Clarence Smith) and Bravo 5 (Celia Imrie). Presumably, the naming of the Naboo Starfighters as Bravo Squadron was a homage/celebration reference to the kind of squadron names given to the brave British fighters in their planes during World War II.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: DESTINATION: TATOOINE!

With the capable Ric Olie at the controls- one of Naboo's finest pilots of ships and fighters, our fugitive heroes must now find some kind of safe haven from the Trade Federation to repair their damaged vessel. Their ultimate destination, against Captain Panaka's wishes: the gangster-controlled desert planet of Tatooine, a realm far away from their unsuspecting pursuers.

Note the position of Obi-Wan Kenobi in this above posed scene image, seated differently to the way he'd appear in the film.

"A lot of it will be done over and over again. And you're doing it for a very long time as well. And it's studio-based so you're always in whatever environment you are in. I mean you're not in Star Wars, you're not in space, you're sitting on a spaceship with a camera stuck in your face and all these people around you. You just want to be doing the real thing."

Ewan McGregor on filming space ship scenes - Empire magazine August 1999

"He's Harrison Ford without the laughs or the sex, unfortunately." Ralph Brown on Ric Olie- Empire magazine - August 1999.

Playing Ric Olie would be amiable UK actor Ralph Brown, who'd prior appeared in big budget sci-fi with Alien 3 back in 1991. Originally, Brown played Olie with his British accent and saw his pilot character as being of a cool, calm and experienced disposition. The blockade running bridge scene was partially reshot in later bouts of principal photography during 1997, as Lucas wanted more drama from it- he asked Brown and the other cast to heighten their reactions to the danger ahead of them. Brown would also be required to re-dub/change Olie's voice to an American accent by post production.

DELETED SCENE: A TRIUMPHANT RETURN!

The Trade Federation control ship has been destroyed and the war for Naboo has been won. As Queen Amidala's brave pilots return to the Theed hangar, the identity of the pilot who took down the enemy with such bravura skill and bravery is surprisingly revealed to Ric Olie: that boy Anakin Skywalker!

A nice little scene filmed at Leavesden Studios, UK in 1997 for the finale to EPISODE I that was deleted but ultimately made its way to the 2011 Blu-ray set.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THEIR FRIEND IN NEED...

"Over there. Fly low..."

Watched by Padme, Captain Panaka and the newly introduced to them Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan gives directions to Naboo's top pilot, Ric Olie, as they begin a quick rescue attempt of the being- attacked Qui-Gon Jinn, during an exciting moment from EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: STAR SQUADRON!

Ric Olie's fighter squadron takes to the air, away from Naboo and into battle with the Trade Federation, in this lovely composite shot for EPISODE I which visually conjures up the kind of Flash Gordon-esque imagery that first inspired Lucas to make his fantasy saga back in the early seventies.

CLASSIC IMAGE: PREPARING FOR TAKE-OFF!

Powering up their cruiser, top Naboo pilot Ric Olie and Captain Panaka begin the escape attempt of the royal party from the Coruscant orbital blockade, in a tense scene from EPISODE I.