Star Wars: The Best Spaceship For a Father-Son Road Trip – Mando’s N-1 Starfighter Breakdown
Take a starfighter capable of spinning (a neat trick), and modify it almost beyond recognition, and you’ll have an N-1 fit for a Mandalorian.
Rarely does a starship live up to its full potential. Whether designed by the engineers at Sienar Fleet Systems, Kuat Drive Yards, or even the shipbuilders of Incom, starships are often built with limitations in mind. Top speeds that are meant to be “safe for pilots.”
Engine power levels won’t overtax the reactor and cause it to run dangerously hot. Weapons that are balanced against the hull of the ship. But often, iconic starships don’t really show what they’re capable of until someone gets in there, rips out the guts (and especially the safety measures) replacing them with parts and custom upgrades the designers never intended.
This is why the modified N-1 Starfighter belonging to the Mandalorian, Din Djarin, flew so brilliantly it could only be described as wizard.
Mando’s N-1 Starfighter – Speed Personified
Mando’s N-1 Starfighter was a heavily modified version of the original Naboo N-1 Starfighter, designed by the Theed Palace Space Vessel Engineering Corps. While the starfighter no longer carried the brilliant yellow coat that reflected the royal colors of Naboo, nor did the years leave it with a buffed, chromium finish, there’s no hiding the sleek elegance of Theed’s design.
The twin radial J-type engines, the delicate rear cockpit—everything about the vessel screamed for speed. Which is exactly what the modifications brought it.
Heavily modified by Peli Motto for the Mandalorian, Din Djarin, this N-1 starfighter was said to be “faster than a fathier.” And it took some innovative engineering to do so.
The front cones of both engines were removed. As was the ship’s vapor manifold. Instead, it was replaced with a turbonic venturi power assimilator, taken from another starfighter. To make up for the missing manifold, Motto added in a custom induction take charger as well as a Kineso-switch that would let the starship’s engines directly access the intake charger, allowing for blinding speeds.
Alongside these modifications, a cryogenic density combustion booster from a repulsor train added a significant boost to the rear thruster.
But the Mandalorian’s N-1 was about more than just speed. The ship’s twin blaster cannons were replaced with significantly heavier models, supplemented by the underslung torpedo launcher beneath its nose.
All of which meant the ship could outperform and outfight many things in the hands of a capable pilot.
Wizard
And Din Djarin was indeed a capable pilot. During the ship’s rebuild, the Mandalorian bonded with his ship. And on a test flight following the modification, the Mandalorian discovered that the ship was agile and smooth while flying at high speeds.
Capable of navigating the infamous Beggar’s Canyon, Mando’s N-1 Starfighter proved to be much more than a throwback model. At the hands of the Mandalorian, the N-1 was capable of outflying even T-65B X-Wing starfighters. At least in brief moments, thanks to the kineso-switch.
All of these made Mando’s N-1 Starfighter more than capable of handling the significant demands that Djarin would place on it. Including fighting alongside another famous Mandalorian, Boba Fett.
All in all, this ship was a perfect ship for any father and son duo.
