CLASSIC IMAGE: DISABLING THE BLOCKADE RUNNER!

The dreaded Star Destroyer Devastator has swiftly caught up with its Rebel Alliance prey over the far-off world of Tatooine, as its heavy weapons array soon outclasses and disables the fast but less well shielded diplomatic marked Blockade Runner and its vital solar fin.

A hit!

The opening scene as brilliantly rendered by Howard Chaykin for the first issue of Marvel's comic adaptation, from 1976.

'JEDI' AT 40: THE IMPERIAL SHUTTLE!

The sleek Imperial Shuttle carrying its important lone occupant arrives at the Death Star II and one of its primary hangars, whilst a trio of always visually impressive Star Destroyers stand sentinel distant above the forest moon of Endor.

Special image by ILM for publicity/merchandising use.

Model reference images.

Though a barely visible Imperial shuttle was briefly seen in The Empire Strikes Back (a model likely hurriedly put together from various existing Imperial vehicle parts), this new iteration for Return of the Jedi, having more important screen time, proved a great realisation success, and was one of the most popular new model vehicles created for the effects-ambitious movie. Supervisor Ken Ralston particularly liked the Imperial shuttle, noting that "it had nice lines, was fun to light, and photographed well."

Early concept design, The art on the right would later be adapted for use as the Emperor's shuttle in Revenge of the Sith.

Kit-bashing at its finest.

Bill George and colleague at work on the model.

The unpainted version of the model which would impressively boast internal wing mechanics.

Bill George adds more fine detailing to the model.

ILM talent Rob Bailey with the model.

Don Dow is one of the key ILMers overseeing of Imperial shuttle model shooting scenes used by the Empire and, later in the film, the Rebels.

ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: IMPERIAL PURSUER!

A terrific shot (taken by the late Grant McCune) of the mighty Imperial Star Destroyer (later named Devastator) model that will onscreen chase Princess Leia's soon-damaged Blockade Runner above the wastes of Tatooine, during the classic opening to the original Star Wars of 1977. It's amazing that this original three-foot long model was built smaller than the expensive to build six-foot long Blockade Runner at ILM, yet ultimately appeared so large and lengthy on screen- the power of the camera and the talented visual effects artists!

ILM technician Doug Smith prepares the model for filming.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: EVADING THE IMPERIAL STARFLEET!

Specially created effects composite image by ILM, used for theatrical release/merchandise publicity.

Luke and Artoo may have escaped Hoth relatively easy, now heading for the mysterious Dagobah, but things are harder for Han Solo and company. They've barely shaken off one set of Imperial enemies on the surface, now the crew of the Millennium Falcon face further, bigger threats in space, encountering the Star Destroyer blockade en force, all vessels of which are under orders from Darth Vader to capture the Falcon at all costs. Han Solo and Chewbacca must use all the piloting skills and tricks at their disposal to avoid such a fate.

The chase begins, as seen in this ILM storyboard by Joe Johnston.

The Falcon makes a fast descent that sends the Star Destroyers into chaos, as seen in this ILM storyboard.

A dizzyingly effective storyboard as the TIE fighters continue pursuit.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: BLOCKADE TRAPPERS!

Second Assistant Cameraman Madelyn Most with the clapperboard for the scene.

Their 'first catch of the day' soon turns out to be nothing of the kind for Imperial Captain Lennox and his cronies on the Blockade Star Destroyer Tyrant, as their vessel is soon temporarily crippled by an ion Cannon, allowing Rebel ships to escape. A scene filmed during May, 1979 for The Empire Strikes Back, with actors Oliver Maguire and John Dicks.

Oliver Maguire as an Imperial Lieutenant, and John Dicks as Captain Lennox.

Gary Kurtz confers with the actors between takes.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: VADER AWAITS...

Darth Vader looms ominously on the bridge of his Imperial Star Destroyer (not yet a Super Star Destroyer- that came a little later in the production phase), a busy hive of activity and technological superiority, as the Empire continues its hunt for the elusive Rebel band that destroyed the Death Star, in these lovely Ralph McQuarrie Production Paintings of epic visual scope for 'Star Wars II', aka The Empire Strikes Back.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: THE IMPERIAL DEATH FLEET!

The Death Star may have been destroyed but the Empire's technological might in war remains unstoppable, especially as the hunt for the Rebel Alliance intensifies. Having escaped the Battle of Yavin in his damaged TIE fighter, Darth Vader leads the new search and destroy mission, as well as his own personal agenda, commanding the mighty Super Star Destroyer, the Executor.

Concept art for the new Super Star Destroyer.

Originally, there was to have been no Super Star Destroyer for Vader in The Empire Strikes Back- he was to have commanded an ordinary Star Destroyer, but this notion was soon changed in the pre-production phase when ILM's Model Shop, led by Lorne Peterson, told George Lucas that a new and impressive craft could be created without going over budget.

Some behind the shots of the model-making...

Lorne Peterson at work.

Don Dow beside the impressive miniature.

EPISODE IX: BATTLING B-WINGS!

Their original onscreen involvement in the Battle of Endor for Return of the Jedi may have been curtailed by model filming problems at ILM in 1982, but that won't be the case for the upcoming The Rise of Skywalker, as fans will finally get to see the flexible fighting ships in full CGI action, and hopefully in the way they were originally intended to be seen...

In action for The Rise of Skywalker.