Jazwares is supposed to release a huge electronic ship in the future, larger than the Falcon. I don’t know if it will be the AT-AT or a much needed capital ship. So I made my own cap ship out of the Zurg Mothership from Lightyear Hyperspeed
At 55 cm, this ship is huge and features 4 opening sections, and light-up engines with sound. Hopefully we can get a similarly sized Starship-class from Jazwares!
Before and after
Imperial Customs Auditor-class Cutter
Type: Cutter (first gen) / Corvette (second gen)
Affiliation: Galactic Empire Revenue Service
Manufacturer: Rendili StarDrive
Armament: 2 dual laser cannon turrets (cutter version) / 4 dual laser cannon turrets, 1 ion cannon (corvette version)
Crew: 25 Customs personnel, 1 stormtrooper squad
The Tarkin Doctrine emphasized “Rule by fear”, but in reality the Galactic Empire ruled by taxes. Without taxes there could be no Empire. Hence, one of its most important bureaucracies is the Imperial Revenue Service, also known as Imperial Customs.
While the Imperial Navy had the Star Destroyer, the IRS had the Auditor-class cutter. This instantly recognizable ship with the red Customs band enforced taxes and tariffs in trade routes across the galaxy.
With 5 main sublight engines and 6 secondary ion engines, it was fast enough to catch smugglers and outrun blockade runners. It was this ship that managed to corner the Millennium Falcon, forcing Han to dump his cargo and earn the ire of Jabba the Hutt.
“Why are we standing this close to the engines? Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Shut up Gary.”
The powerful engines also allow the cutter to tow impounded ships up to 4x its size back to base. This earned it the nickname “profit cutter” among pirates and smugglers who detested its red-striped hull.
While it only had 2 laser cannons, powerful holonet antennas studding the ship’s exterior enabled it to call on the Imperial Navy for backup. One cutter typically operated with a squadron of TIEs in patrol and interdiction ops. It also carried a squad of stormtroopers for inspection and boarding actions.
The starboard side was home to clerical offices and analyst stations
The port side held the engineering spaces for the cutter, and later the ammunition storage for the more heavily armed corvette
Seized cargo and contraband were stored in ventral holds.
As the Rebellion grew and the Imperial Navy became preoccupied, the Customs Cutter was gradually upgraded with more weapons and heavier armor, eventually turning it into a corvette. This reduced its acceleration and top speed, but allowed it to operate independently of the Navy. The upgunned version was highly desired by pirates and criminals for its perfect balance of speed and firepower. They would ambush lone ship patrols and hijack the corvette.
Even the famous smuggler Talon Karrde secretly owned one, which he named the “Hidden Karrde”. Unlike other criminal corvettes repainted in loud colors, the Hidden Karrde retained its stock look and Imperial markings. Karrde used it as a fake Customs vessel to scare competitors and disrupt their smuggling routes.
These disruption tactics have caused a shortage of deathsticks, blackmarket tibanna, and Jazwares toy supplies across the galaxy.
The inspiration: the actual Imperial Customs Corvette
Where to Buy
The Zurg Mothership is normally $25 on Amazon. However, it’s on sale now for under $12, so at this price you can easily create a fleet (until Jazwares finally steps up their cap ship game!)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you buy it from the link above, so please do support our site!
Leave a Reply