First Order Stormtrooper Transport

[Nicklab]

One of the interesting developments of the vehicle/starship front has to be the new First Order Stormtrooper Transport.  This is NOT your PT era Republic Gunship by any stretch of the imagination.  This is much more like a WWII Higgins boat landing craft from Omaha beach.  And it's one of the first vehicles we see in THE FORCE AWAKENS.  What do you think of this new vehicle?

[Pete_Fett]

I definitely think it is an interesting design. I wasn't "sold" on it at first but when I got the Lego version of this vehicle, I quickly warmed up to the vehicle from a military/practicality standpoint. I agree with your assessment that the vehicle was intended to evoke WW2-era landing craft.

We never really got to see Troop deployments from orbiting ship-to-planet in the OT. The Sandtroopers were "just there" on Tatooine in ANH, the AT-ATs were already on approach in ESB and all of the troops and equipment on Endor were already in place. So seeing the First Order deploy a landing party to take out that village on Jakku was something "new" from an Empire/First Order troop deployment standpoint.

I just might have to pick up the cross sections book - looks like there might be some interesting details on each vehicle from TFA...

[Jayson]

I was expecting an Omaha beach-type landing scene when they arrived at Maz's Castle on Takodana. I was imagining them flying in low along the water and skimming up the beach, dropping the ramp and having them flood out out the bay. Anyway, I like there practicality and utilitarian design, except for the pilot tower.

[Jesse James]

When I saw the Lego design, I fell in love with it...  military stuff, I just dig it in Star Wars.

That said...  I've felt like the FO sure have as little regard for their troops as the old Empire did, with the forward-facing ramps and all.  The Higgins Boats were as they were because the design warranted it.  In Star Wars, you'd think they'd at least have side-opening doors, haha.  But still, Empire gonna Empire and stuff so I dig it.  TIE's seem about as ****** as ever too as well, save for the 2-seater's obvious enhancements.

I thought vehicle designs were pretty nifty this film in general.  Much cooler than some of the PT stuff that came out.  See my praise of the Snowspeeder "Speep" I can't get enough of.  Hoping I can find more of it at this point.  Wish it'd be on sale, but I'll suffice with just finding one or two more at retail.

[JediJman]

I was expecting an Omaha beach-type landing scene when they arrived at Maz's Castle on Takodana. I was imagining them flying in low along the water and skimming up the beach, dropping the ramp and having them flood out out the bay. Anyway, I like there practicality and utilitarian design, except for the pilot tower.

+1 - can't stand the pilot tower.