The Starfury Explained | Babylon 5 Lore | Ship Breakdown

[@NerdCookies]

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[@thestanleys3657]

Probably one of the more realistic sci-fi starfighter designs

[@erpherp4047]

so much so that nasa fanboyd it.

[@beamracer_2600]

I believe the Starfury was one of the few spacecraft that held tightly to Newtonian physics throughout the series. The larger capital ships, especially of the non-human races, tended to operate more like modern day sea craft, such as submarines, while the Minbari White Stars generally behaved more like aircraft. Other than that, the designs of all the spacecraft in B5 were some of the most impressive in all the sci-fi genre.

[@CallmeKenneth-tb1zb]

Not entirely. The are a few episodes were the Mimbari fighter flipped over on its centre of gravity, which was the pilot, to effectively face 180 from where it did seconds before. The same manoeuvre was carried out by more than one White Star, which for all intents and purposes was a scaled up Mimbari fighter.

[@eamonnholland5343]

Babylon 5 had the most realistic space combat and spaceship design in scifi, until The Expanse came out. B5 still holds up incredibly well, even though it was released almost 30 years ago. It's a minor miracle, given the low budget it was made from.

[@PrincessFionaYT]

It wasn’t just the motion and combat that were realistic by the actual lighting. The environments were also realistic and as a result it led to some scenes that were actually criticized by people as looking “wrong” For that very reason. People just aren’t used to watch stuff looks like in space.

[@adamwu4565]

In universe, the more advanced alien races used gravimetric drives rather than reaction drives. One could imagine that a gravimetric drive would essentially allow a ship to "sail" the fabric of spacetime in a manner analogous to a submarine moving through water, or a plane moving through air.

[@adrianmcmahon5731]

The Starfury has long been one of my favourite SF ship designs. A lot of its maneuverability was homaged in the reboot of BSG and the updated Viper designs.

[@DavidLee-df888]

I love Babylon 5. It's my favourite sci-fi franchise if all. The star fury is a great design and I built a couple from the revell kit back in the 90s, and spent a large chunk of my pay on various merch.

[@eurincon79]

YES!! MORE B5 LORE!!

[@fuelman1391]

I'm thrilled to see some Babylon 5 love!! My favorite feature of the Starfury was it's manueverability. It seems like it won a lot of battles by it's ability to flip a quick 180.

[@ninjabreadman8166]

I love Babylon 5! Any chance we can get a video on The Vorlons?

[@brotherkellymatthewbarnes8882]

“Surprise and terror for the future.” -Ambassador Kosh.

[@JessWLStuart]

I love how the Babylon 5 designers made a design in the Starfury that would actually function reasonably well in space. I hope NASA does use the Starfury like designs in real life!

[@danielseelye6005]

If I remember correctly, Straczynski told NASA that if they did use the design or a variation of it, they needed to call it a Starfury. 😉

[@TheMelbournelad]

@@danielseelye6005 i remember something like that. Hope they do

[@sneezingidiot301]

I like that it can turn on a dime and give what's behind it a black eye

[@redchopsticks4539]

It's a great design concept, executed as an enduring icon for the show. For plot purposes a pilot was required, but now an entirely semi- or fully-autonomous drone swarm would be more realistic, perhaps as a "loyal wingman" to the dual-crewed Mk.III?

[@alanmike6883]

That moment of sadness when you realize many of the Babylon 5 cast are now no longer with us

[@necrosunderground]

The Starfury was such a beast, and I think it owes a lot of its reputation to the fact that the designers for the show grounded it in hard science. I didn't know that the Gunstar was an inspiration for the design, but I can see the influence there, another solid fighter craft that doesn't seem to get the recognition it deserves in sci-fi lore.

[@luishion]

Always loved the way this ship looked. But I wonder if they ever equipped one with death blossom.

[@necrosunderground]

As long as they Grig involved with it somewhere, I'd love to see that. "Theoretically."

[@calolson9572]

I always loved seeing the Starfury maneuver - that thing turns on a dime!!!

[@bozhijak]

That's what made it so deadly.

[@UtopianBroadcast1]

It's great to see more KZbin channels reviewing Babylon 5 content. 🤟

[@timothymorgan1175]

When Babylon 5 first aired, friend of mine who hated Babylon 5 (saying it was a straight up rip off of Star Trek Deep Space 9) was surprised that I loved the show because it ripped off Star Wars. When I asked how, he out right came out with the Starfury/X-Wing comparison. I had to go point by point why he was wrong. And yes, I used the Gunstar influence. Hope you are going to do Babylon 5 lore,so I can add that to the DUNE lore I have in my library.

[@msgtpauldfreed]

Loved the design. Really liked them show casing the fact that if an enemy was chasing one they'd just do a 180 while still traveling on the same vector and blow them out of the sky.

[@bdetert82]

Pretty much the ultimate design for a realistic manned space fighter platform.

[@bozhijak]

Or a tug/teleoperated repair robot.

[@Conundrum191]

Both the Starfury design, and the design of many ships in the Expanse were so great because they could technically exist one day. About the only thing missing from either are any form of radiators to deal with heat dissipation from the engines and weapon systems.

[@gordol66]

Cool video as is, though I was expecting a more indepth technical breakdown. I like how the Starfury is a purpose built craft that does one thing, and does it very well. And its design to me is more realistic than the Omega class destroyers, which are fairly realistic themselves (and reminds me of the Leonov from "2010").

[@grahamcann1761]

The Starfury reminds me of The Last Starfighter's Gunstar. As always thank you so very much for your videos.

[@seanmcgrath3826]

I remember the first time i saw it, I had 2 thoughts the first was "that's what Star Wars's X_Wing should've looked like" the second was "it's a iot like the GunStar"

[@youtubevoice1050]

A most welcome breakdown! Great craft, great series!

[@madrabbit9007]

I've started rewatching B5 on HBO Max. Seasons 1 and 2 are pretty easy to watch but after that you really get kicked in the feels. I know I'll be crying again.

[@CantankerousDave]

The HD remaster doesn’t really jump out at you until you look at the old DVD releases. It’s like putting on a pair of glasses that you didn’t know you needed.

[@Draelyn]

I just got done binge watching all 5 seasons, and I forgot how bad Season 5 was XD For the Best Babylon 5 experience, ignore season 5 XD

[@madrabbit9007]

@@Draelyn you can’t because there were a lot of really good episodes in there. Yeah the over all season was weak but it was still good.

[@Draelyn]

@@madrabbit9007 Nah, you can literally skip season 5, and if you want closure watch the last episode.

[@madrabbit9007]

@@Draelyn there are a number others near the end that helps wrap things up. Lita and Gkar, Lenair’s betral, Garibaldi going back to Leis and making a deal with Lita. Lots of good meat in there.

[@alexflores7652]

Given the tech level of Earth Force it is one of the best space fighters. I love how it does not break any known laws of physics. It fully uses known Newtonian physics in maneuvering. The only other in scifi was the Gunstar. I loved watching it during the show.

[@Rosabel_Believe]

More B5 please! Great video

[@philly83]

I love seeing anything on Babylon 5

[@Spencer_Beard]

I love B5, been rewatching the series on HBO Max, loved it in the 90's, and love it more now

[@fearisthemindkiller5225]

We don´t have it here on HBO max. :(

[@VosperCDN]

Lore on my favourite starfighter, and favourite tv series? Yes, please!

[@shanenolan5625]

Shattered dreams ( opening quote)

[@CallmeKenneth-tb1zb]

The Starfury is the best fighter in any Sci Fi ever, not because it looks the coolest, but because the creator of the model actually put thought into its design and so created the perfect fighter for true three dimensional combat.

[@kevins4213]

Fun, as I just started watching B5 Sunday. I don't remember watching the whole series when it originally aired.

[@RX552VBK]

To this day, I'll never understand why there wasn't a space combat game based in the B5 universe. Piloting a Starfury sim would be fantastic.

[@Chris_Hood]

I don't know the Babylon 5 universe, but I know the Starfury design in as much that the ship itself has surpassed the show in my opinion.

[@JonBowe]

The Bomber (rear turret) version of the Starfury was called the Badger.

[@ALTRON3]

Always an interesting fighter design. Check that gunstar out ! So cool. And I didnt even know that it was designed by the legend Ron Cobb

[@vinnydaq13]

This show and The Expanse are my favorite sci-fi shows, mainly because they are quite realistic when it comes to physics.

[@Adam-ul2px]

One of the few and arguably best examples of space combat as it might actually occur

[@erikbjelke4411]

I still remember watching Babylon 5 when it aired, and my folks and I looking at the Starfuries and saying "Oh, like an X-Wing gone wrong." Then Sinclair fires a small burst from one set of engines, pivots instantly, and blasts the Raider fighter tailing him. See an X-Wing do THAT!! It's one of the things that makes Babylon 5 so special. . . as you hit Centauri and Minbari tech levels, you start getting into "softer" science, and the First Ones are full-frontal "Sufficiently Advanced Alien" magical technology. . . but the human tech of Babylon 5 all feels so real, so achievable, because it all works based on principles we understand (with the one exception, as always, being FTL travel). Like, given the time, money, and industrial base, we could build the Babylon 5 station. And the promise of the show is that that's merely a stepping stone to something far greater.

[@Banzai431]

Wahey I love that you're doing B5 stuff now too!

[@OdariArt]

As far as star fighters go in sci-fi, the Starfury is by far my favorite.

[@seanmcgrath3826]

It & the Viper from BSG are tied for a close second My fave is still the GunStar from The Last Starfighter

[@robertnelson3179]

Glad you have turned you OCD to the B5 story my favorite show. Another you might look into is Earth Finale Conflict.

[@jedironin380]

Long-time B5 fan, I've watched the whole series many times. I always hear references to the hard-points on the Starfury to carry missiles or bombs, but I don't ever recall seeing them in-use in the show? I've also never heard of the "heavy" 2-seater Starfury with the tail-gunner, either. Also a fan of Star Wars, and I loved how some SW ships had tail gunners!

[@stevemcallister4965]

I really wish there was a Wing Commander-style space combat sim in the B5 universe. Flying a Starfury would be such a blast, and a nice change from "fighter planes, but in SPACE" lol

[@JoeFrohlich]

I am a great fan of the last starfighter. It is one of my favorite scifi movies.

[@RainbowSkyDancer]

thank you, and happy new year :)

[@theSl33p3r62]

You forgot the best feature of the Starfury, that they have external speakers that blast the main theme song whenever they are launched from the Cobra Bay's. 😎

[@worldtraveler930]

The Starfuries Rule the Thunderbolts are just Cool!!!! 🤠👍

[@victorboshnyak8518]

The R60 T-wing from Star Wars - features a similar engine and wing geometry layout

[@christopherbouier1089]

I knew about the Gunstar heritage, but I didn't know that J-Mike was actually approached by NASA over the IP of this design. That's like Heinlein sitting in Mission Control for the Moon Landing at their request because they had all read Rocketship Galilieo as kids and "plagiarized" his ballistics! ;-) Enlightening and enjoyable as always! Well done!

[@jamesrose1460]

I love this design....as it has a realistic feel. As part of the Council of Ancients continuity group for Agents of Gaming...we all had some exclusive info on them....as well as the Thunderbolts. I recall the conversations on the T-Bolt launch racks...which first appeared on the Excalibur class...as well as the Poseidon Class Heavy Carriers. (The spindle of three fighters that dropped out from below the hull.. and the top and bottom fighters would rotate some 40-45 degrees opposite each other to allow all three to launch without overlapping each other.) I even went as far as trying to come up with potential test rules for B5 Fighters using the STAR WARS X-WING system as a base for a seperate system. The biggest snag there was licensing as it was never a completely clear license. However...the first few tries proved quite playable....as the 4 main races..the others being the Minbari Niall (Ni-All), the Narn Frazi Heavy Fighter & Centauri Sentri Medium fighter...all fit the system well. I even dove into the minor race fighters some...but beyond initial flight model ideas...not much beyond....though I also recall beginning come up with stuff for the Ancients...and Mid-Born...including the IA Bluestar Attack Ships designed to counter the Drakh Raiders...as well as leading the controversy over the dimensions of the Whitestars....as there were specific designs in the class. If I felt ambitious enough...and had help with the licensing issues...it would have been fun. (And who can't say they would love to see a pack of Star Furies taking on TIEs?)

[@kipclifton9403]

Yay cookies today, I needed this today, about to get a spinal injection. Keeps my mind thinking about other things.

[@gilad84]

take care mate. Hope you feel better

[@champisthebunny6003]

Great video and presentation, as always.

[@jaredcolon4535]

That AND NASA has said out of all scifi craft the starfury is the one they would build is a sign that you did a really amazing design and actually took advantage of how physics would actually work

[@esdren7424]

In the middle of rewatching the whole series right now

[@ISAFSoldier]

Arguably, one of the best starfighters still rooted in realism.

[@dmac3183]

The ships were a highlight of the show, the White Star is still one of my favourites from all Sci-fi

[@BOBSMITHH]

B5 had some unique ship designs, from the starfuries to the shadow's spider ship design, I was blown away as a kid. B5 will always be a part of my childhood

[@12oshinko]

This and the Gunstar 💯💯💯

[@marknovak6498]

Built with the laws of know physics was the key IMHO. In the military world, the ugliest craft are often the deadliest and most useful.

[@Nodux359]

I hope we get to see soon something concrete from Strazcinsky and the reboot.

[@kamilpotato3764]

By looking at current state of filmography and pushing “the message” in most of the current movies, tv series, I’m concerned

[@armni4619]

Wonderful breakdown

[@geminicricket4975]

I always thought that the Star Fury is what a space ship would look like if an X-Wing and a TIE-Fighter mated. ;)

[@paull8678]

My girlfriend has always said the same thing!

[@theturquoisedream9244]

Yay!!! Stargate Cookies!!!!🤩🤩🤩

[@zaphodthenth]

According to the Babylon 5 wiki, the inspiration for the Starfury were the Gun Stars from "The Last Starfighter", due to the tip-equipped engines that made it capable of full movements.

[@jrosa__]

Coolest star fighter ever in every sci fi universe.

[@trustarscreamer]

YES!!!!!! Hitting Babylon 5!

[@brotherkellymatthewbarnes8882]

Gunstar? I thought so Starfighter Nerd Cookies, now defend the frontier from Xur and the Kodan Armada 💫

[@StephenCole1916]

JMS told NASA they could use the design, just so long as that call it a Starfury.

[@PrincessFionaYT]

I dream of a world where Star Furies and Space 1999 Eagles Service the space stations orbiting around earth. And both of those ship designs are iconic for the very fact that they are actually feasible.

[@rfletch62]

A favorite among realistic spacecraft, along with the Eagle from "Space: 1999.

[@wolfgangcomacho]

Painted Bayard's Revenge while listening to this, thank you :)

[@louhodo5761]

The Starfury was and is the best designed space fighter in sci-fi. It makes sense. It isn't overpowered, it is realistic and it is functional. No extra stuff thrown into a military craft. The only fighter that is near the Starfury is the Viper mkIII from Battlestar Galactica. And even that falls short of the realistic appearance and function.

[@mattwho81]

The Starfury was one of the deadliest fighters among the Younger Races yet was built from a relatively primitive technology base. Which begs the question why weren’t every race pumping out their own versions? The answer must be there were only two fighters that could outperform the Starfury: the Minbari Naill and the Centauri Sentri, both of which operated in a very different manner. The rest of the League had been tying for centuries to chase the perfection of these two fighters, whereas the Starfury developed in isolation and approached combat in a totally unfamiliar way.

[@FarrellMcGovern]

The Starfury is definitely one of the best and most plausibly designed spacecraft. Other SF spacecraft that fall into this category are the Discovery from 2001: A Space Odessey and the Space:1999 Eagle, both were made by Brian Johnson. It is very easy to see the common design esthetic between the two. Although the Eagle is really only a cis-lunar spacecraft it is too bad that Space 1999 also used them in planetary atmospheres, which is unrealistic.

[@belegur8108]

i remember a YT clip calculating the aerodynamics of popular SciFi space fighter designs and both the TIE and the X-Wing where equal to a brick flying in atmosphere... only the A-Wing from all SW designs got a decent performance rating out of space 😂😂

[@feffe4036]

Who would compare xwings and starfurys? Ive been a long time fan of B5 and never ever thought of it.

[@dhaucoin]

I have a couple plastic model kits of the Starfury, and one came with a unit patch of the 361st Tactical Fighter Squadron. Unit motto: "Ugly, but well hung". Pretty much summarizes the 'fury. Certainly not a 'sexy,' or elegant craft, especially compared to Minbari or Centauri designs. But man, those two pulse cannons under the cockpit packed a serious whallop.

[@margareteadie8941]

The earth alliance destroyers are from the main ship in the movie 2010.

[@JOOLZNED]

The interesting thing is that NASA has asked to use the design as it makes a very good space tug

[@jonathanfrost8767]

I agree that it's the best and most realistically designed spacecraft I have seen to date.

[@ultimoguerreiro82]

Great vid as usual. I got B5 to watch with my 9yo kid. It´s gonna be a cool ride. BTW the Starfury is the ONLY star fighter that made any sense, in any sci-fi.

[@SYBEX21]

So a major question I have always had is that the Furry has 2 banks of guns (top and below the pilot) but in the entire run od the show they never show them fring the upper guns. Why?

[@alanmike6883]

Babylon 5 is one of the greatest Sci fi shows ever

[@fanuluiciorannr1xd212]

They are practical. And they look cool.

[@stevieturner9338]

Babylon 5 is my all time favourite sci fi. I once had a Star Wars fan. Not the best example of a fan. Say all they did was copy the X Wing. Lol. Anyway. Thank you once again for the informitive video.

[@marcturmel924]

Aye, this is a fantastic design!

[@sennull6884]

Yay some B-5 lore! Woot!

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

If Babylon 5 gets rebooted, I hoped they don't change the Starfury to much.

[@shanenolan5625]

Thanks Elaine. And nick

[@dennisud]

IMHO This is the BEST thought out Space fighter in all of Sci-fi, and would blow many of the Current star fighters up! Bye bye Tie fighter, Cylon Raider, Thunder-fighter, A, B, Y, and X-fighters! None would Survive for long against this demon!

[@1003196110031961]

B5 was so underrated and that still brakes my heart. The design of the show was years ahead of its time. Sorry but gravity plating and enertial dampeners are just copouts for “ I don’t know how this works “. The B5 station, the Starfury and all earth forces ship worked on principles of science we can understand. This fact must have made it even harder on the writers and directors. As a big science fiction fan, I have the box set and this show gives me the biggest fix ever when I can’t stand the crap that passes for SF today.

[@sigmamansslotcars1415]

Bloody gorgeous spacecraft!!!

[@canis2020]

Not sure what's different but the vocal audio seems tinny and flat. Normally there is a lot more cadence but it sounds subdued. Maybe it's me.

[@slayerstenis]

If I have to choose between 1, X, 2

[@shawnkarst6411]

Can you imagine what they would do with this story line today?…not Rian Johnson…he’d blow up Babylon 5 immediately

[@omnigar9611]

I could listen you you read VCR instructions

[@CoinSlotKitty]

Hell yeah B5

[@leemiah3583]

Love this ship❤️

[@Raist474]

Virgin X-Wng vs. Chad Starfury.

[@Robert_Douglass]

Just so you know, Hyundai isn't pronounced Hi-yun-die, it's pronounced Hyoon-day. It's a Korean word meaning "modern".