Tantive IV

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Fictional Star Wars spaceship

title: "Tantive IV" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["star-wars-spacecraft", "fictional-elements-introduced-in-1977"] description: "Fictional Star Wars spaceship" topic_path: "general/star-wars-spacecraft" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantive_IV" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Fictional Star Wars spaceship ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox fictional vehicle"]

FieldValue
nameTantive IV
seriesStar Wars
imageTantive IV.JPG
captionCR90 Corellian Tantive IV Alderaan Diplomatic Envoy used by Leia Organa as her personal Consular ship
firstStar Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker (1976)
last_minor
based_onCR70 Corellian Corvette
affiliation{{plainlist
launchedBy 22 BBY
decommissioned35 ABY, Exegol (Canon)
0 BBY, destroyed over Tatooine (Legends)
captainRaymus Antilles
classCR90 corvette
registryCorellian Engineering Corporation
fighters3 fighters (external mounting)
aux_vehicle{{plainlist
armaments{{plainlist
defenseShield generators
Ceramic hull plating
max_speed950 km/h (atmosphere)
propulsion{{plainlist
length126 m
height49 m
population_volume165-300
::

| name = Tantive IV | series = Star Wars | image = Tantive IV.JPG | alt = | caption = CR90 Corellian Tantive IV Alderaan Diplomatic Envoy used by Leia Organa as her personal Consular ship | first = Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker (1976) | first_minor = | first_date = | last_major = | last_minor = | last_date = | creator = | based_on = CR70 Corellian Corvette | affiliation = {{plainlist|

  • Royal House of Alderaan (consular security)
  • Galactic Republic
  • Alliance to Restore the Republic
  • Resistance | launched = By 22 BBY | decommissioned = 35 ABY, Exegol (Canon) 0 BBY, destroyed over Tatooine (Legends) | captain = Raymus Antilles | class = CR90 corvette | registry = Corellian Engineering Corporation | fighters = 3 fighters (external mounting) | aux_vehicle = {{plainlist|
  • 1 shuttle (ventral bay)
  • 4 12-passenger escape pods
  • 8 4-passenger escape pods | armaments = {{plainlist|
  • 2 dual anti-ship turbolasers
  • 4 single anti-fighter turbolasers
  • 1 tractor beam projector (optional) | defense = Shield generators Ceramic hull plating | max_speed = 950 km/h (atmosphere) | propulsion = {{plainlist|
  • Class 2-CEC Subspace Hyperdrive
  • 11 Ion Turbine (Drive Overcharged sublight drive assembly) | chassis = | mass = | length = 126 m | width = | height = 49 m | population_volume = 165-300
  • 200-600 passengers
  • 3000 metric tons of cargo
  • 1 year's worth of consumables

The Tantive IV Alderaan Diplomatic Envoy (also referred to by its model as the CR90 Corellian corvette or simply as the Rebel Blockade Runner) is a fictional spaceship in the Star Wars film series. Designed by the Corellian Engineering Corporation (CEC), the highly modified CR90 corvette is designed to be utilitarian, durable, modular, similar to its predecessors like the CR70 with its simple interiors featuring subtle luxury for Alderaan officials. It was used by Leia Organa in the original Star Wars film and was the first vessel audiences saw when Star Wars premiered in 1977. Other CR90 Corellian corvettes, which share the Tantive IV's design, appear in Return of the Jedi and in the Star Wars Expanded Universe's books, comics, TV series, and games. A ship of similar design to the Tantive IV also appears in the sequel trilogy film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

Origin and design

The ship's design stems from initial concepts for the Millennium Falcon. When Space: 1999 (1975–1977) featured a ship called an Eagle Transporter with an appearance similar to the Industrial Light & Magic's Falcon design, the model makers redesigned the Falcon and adapted the initial design for the Tantive IV. The revised model was scaled down, with replacements for outsized components and a different cockpit. This also explains the 194-centimeter model's intricacy, which would have been necessary for depicting the prominent Falcon. Although not visible in the original Star Wars film, modelmakers put a miniature nude centerfold in the cockpit's interior. The Tantive IV was the last model completed for the film. A smaller 16-inch model was also made for the shot of the craft receding into the distance. A separate model was needed for this because of the limited length of the Dykstraflex track used. That model has lights for the eleven engines to give the illusion of exhausts. The miniature model was in the collection of Grant McCune until he died in 2010 and it was then sold at auction in 2015 for a record sum of $450,000.

The model was altered slightly for Return of the Jedi, with the addition of windows along the ship's spine and larger weapons.

Depiction

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/devastator2.jpg" caption="The ''Imperial I''-class [[Star Destroyer]] ''Devastator'' chases the ''Tantive IV'' over Tatooine."] ::

The Tantive IV first appears in the opening of Star Wars as it is captured by the Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Devastator over Tatooine, It started life as a CR90 named as Star of Alderaan, but was renamed in honor of diplomats from Tantive IV who visited Alderaan, The ship was carrying Princess Leia and the plans for the Empire's Death Star battle station. Leia had taken the ship to Tatooine to recruit the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to join the rebellion. Unable to find Kenobi herself, Leia gives the plans and a message to R2-D2, who escapes with C-3PO in an escape pod and lands on Tatooine. According to the Star Wars Encyclopedia, the ship was subsequently destroyed by Darth Vader. Since the Disney purchase of Lucasfilm, this plotline is part of the non-canon Legends timeline.

The vessel appears at the end of Rogue One (2016), with the film's final scenes depicting how the Death Star plans reached the ship and Leia beginning their journey to Tatooine. The film's novelization further states that the ship was meant to take part in the Battle of Scarif, but had been docked for repairs aboard Admiral Raddus' ship, the MC75 Star Cruiser Profundity. Once the battle was finished, the ship would head to Tatooine to deliver Bail Organa's request for help to Obi-Wan Kenobi. However, Tantive IV was forced to launch before repairs were completed due to the capture of the Profundity and in order to protect the newly stolen Death Star plans from Darth Vader. Although they were able to elude Vader initially, damage sustained during the escape and the still-unrepaired malfunctions allowed Vader's ship to disable and catch them above Tatooine.

The ship appears in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as the center of the Resistance's base and during the final battle on Exegol as part of the Resistance's initial attack fleet. Prior to the events of the film, it was discovered in a state of disrepair by a former Imperial senator in the Yarma system. The senator, who was sympathetic to Leia's cause, repaired the vessel and returned it to her as a gift. It was one of the ships hit by the resurrected Darth Sidious' Force lightning assault, and although the fate of the ship and its pilot, Nien Nunb, are not mentioned in the movie, it is presumed to be destroyed and Nunb lost. This supposition was confirmed by the novelization's author, Rae Carson.

Name

The ship was initially referred to as the "Rebel blockade runner", and National Public Radio's radio adaptation of Star Wars in 1981 reveals the name "Tantive IV" (pronounced 'Tan-tiv-ee four'). Star Wars Expanded Universe material initially referred to the class of ships as "Corellian corvettes", but Lucasfilm later identified them as Alderaan Cruisers. The name Tantive IV was used in various merchandise as well as the official Rogue One novelization. The name may be derived from the term tantivy, referring to a rapid gallop or blaring of horns, associated with the sport of fox hunting, suggesting the Tantive IV's role in the early scenes of A New Hope as the hunters' quarry.

Games and models

Both Decipher, Inc. and Wizards of the Coast published Tantive IV and Corellian corvette cards for the Star Wars Customizable Card Game and Star Wars Trading Card Game, respectively.

A small Lego model of the Tantive IV is included with the Ultimate Collector series 3,000-piece Star Destroyer which, at the time of its 2002 release was Lego's largest set. Lego's 1,700-piece Ultimate Collector series blockade runner model, released in 2001, was the first set to include dark red bricks. In 2019, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of such models, Lego released an updated model of the Tantive IV .

Two Micro Machines three-packs included a Corellian corvette toy, and Hasbro's Collector Fleet line included an electronic blockade runner.

Kenner's Die Cast Star Destroyer from 1979 includes a miniature Tantive IV that can be inserted into a docking bay under the Star Destroyer.

The Tantive IV also appears as a ship model in both the X-Wing miniatures game and Star Wars Armada produced by Fantasy Flight Games. A 16 in miniature of the Tantive IV sold at auction for $450,000, making it the most expensive Star Wars item sold at auction.

References

Footnotes

Citations

References

  1. "Tantive IV (Rebel blockade runners) (Behind the Scenes)". [[Lucasfilm]].
  2. Peterson, Lorne. (2006). "Sculpting A Galaxy - Inside the Star Wars Model Shop". Insight Editions.
  3. Taylor, Chris. (2014). "How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise". [[Basic Books]], a member of the [[Perseus Books Group]].
  4. "Republic Cruiser (Behind the Scenes)". [[Lucasfilm]].
  5. Sansweet, Stephen J.. (1998). "Star Wars Encyclopedia". Ballantine.
  6. (April 25, 2014). "The Legendary ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe Turns a New Page".
  7. Armitage, Hugh. (2016-12-20). "Rogue One director says THAT cameo is no plot hole".
  8. (2017-01-16). "17 Rogue One Secrets Revealed in the Official Novelization".
  9. (January 22, 2017). "Ah, So That's Why Leia Was at the Battle of Scarif in Rogue One".
  10. Szostak, Phil. (2020). "The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker". Abrams.
  11. "Here's How Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Brought Back This Iconic Spaceship".
  12. (January 9, 2020). "The Rise of Skywalker VFX Artist Confirms Star Wars Resistance Ship in Final Battle".
  13. (28 April 2020). "Star Wars: Why Tantive IV Is NOT Pronounced Like It Should Be".
  14. "Alderaan Cruiser". [[Lucasfilm]].
  15. (2001-08-23). "Star Wars Customizable Card Game Complete Card List". [[Decipher, Inc.]].
  16. "Tantive IV (A)". [[Lucasfilm]].
  17. "Corellian Corvette". [[Lucasfilm]].
  18. (2002-09-23). "LEGO Ultimate Collector Star Destroyer". [[Lucasfilm]].
  19. "LEGO Store - Product (Rebel Blockade Runner)". [[Lego]].
  20. "#4: Blockade Runner, Sandcrawler, Y-wing (1994)". [[Lucasfilm]].
  21. "#I: TIE Interceptor, Star Destroyer, Blocade Runner (1995)". [[Lucasfilm]].
  22. "Rebel Blockade Runner". Rebelscum.com.
  23. "Vintage 1979 Kenner Star Wars Die Cast : Imperial Star Destroyer 100% Complete and Original With Mini Tantive IV Blockade Runner".
  24. Serjeant, Jill. (Oct 2, 2015). "''Star Wars'' spaceship model sets auction record". [[Reuters]].
  25. (12 April 2019). "Lego Star Wars celebrates 20th anniversary with Tantive IV special edition set". Metro.
  26. Ionut Ungureanu. (5 October 2015). "Original Blockade Runner from 1977 Star Wars Sells for $450,000". Autoevolution.

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