T - 47 airspeeder / Legends The Incom Corporation T - 47 airspeeder was an airspeeder that became famous during the Galactic Civil War for its use by the Alliance to Restore the Republic as a military fighter known as the snowspeeder . Characteristics . The Incom Corporation ' s T - 47 was an atmospheric vehicle designed for industrial cargo handling . Its cockpit featured positions for a forward - facing pilot and a rear - facing cargo manager . The cargo manager used the airspeeder ' s magnetic harpoon and tow cable to control repulsorlift cargo modules . Mechanical braking flaps , along with the high - powered thrust nozzles , allowed for precise maneuvering . The military version of the airspeeder was piloted by one individual and featured a gunner . History . The T - 47 was modified by the Rebel Alliance technicians into a patrol and combat craft , becoming commonly known as the snowspeeder , especially after its extensive use at Echo Base on Hoth . The Rebel Alliance had used the T - 47 airspeeder for reconnaissance on Dantooine and other planets . When the Rebels moved to Hoth , the airspeeder required modifications to function for extended periods in the extremely cold climate . One of the technicians involved in the modifications was Deen Voorson . Heaters were added near the drive units , and de - icing nozzles were added to prevent icing on control surfaces . Rebel technicians also scavenged Y - wing parts , including armor plates , control surfaces , and refitted cockpit modules for the snowspeeder . The Rebels armed the craft with AP / 11 dual laser cannon s and converted the cargo manager into a gunner . Computerized targeting systems and displays were used by the gunner to control the lasers and harpoon gun . However , the pilot could take control of weapons if needed . Since the speeder lacked shields , armor plating was added to the hull . An advanced power plant and repulsorlift engines were installed to compensate for the added weight of armor and weapons . Its small size , maneuverability and speed allowed the ship to dodge weapons fire . In addition to cold environments , T - 47s were modified by Alliance forces for use in several different climates . The swampspeeder version included flotation gear and water - tight seals . The sandspeeder was equipped with advanced filters to keep out sand , engine cooling units , and long - range radar for navigating sandstorms . The skyspeeder had a pressurized cockpit and more powerful repulsorlifts for higher altitudes , and was used in patrolling the Rebel ' s base on Arbra . Aquaspeeders were water - based modifications . T - 47s were used by the Rebel Alliance in hit - and - run missions during the Galactic Civil War . The T - 47 was also vital to Alliance tactics such as Attack Pattern Beta and Attack Pattern Delta . During the Battle of Hoth in 3 ABY , snowspeeders delayed the advancing Imperial forces , providing extra time to evacuate Rebels from Echo Base . After finding the snowspeeders ' blasters to be ineffective against the armored AT - AT walkers , Rebel pilots used tow cables to tie up the legs of AT - ATs , causing at least one to crash to the ground . Regardless of this partial success , many — if not most — of the snowspeeders that participated in the battle were either damaged or destroyed . Those not lost in combat were demolished by the Rebels . Following the Battle of Hoth , the T - 47 continued to be used by the Rebel Alliance and the harpoon - and - tow cable tactic was employed in other battles , including the Battle of Kothlis . Behind the scenes . Hasbro released a T - 47 airspeeder vehicle based on the one Luke Skywalker pilots in " " . Kenner had planned to make a desert - based version of the T - 47 airspeeder called the Sandspeeder , colored orange and red , although the toy ' s production had been cancelled . Early concept art from " The Empire Strikes Back " played with the idea of snowspeeders being built from X - Wing and Y - Wing parts . In the 2001 video game " " and its 2002 , snowspeeders were the Rebel Alliance ' s special unit , built at Fortresses for a cost of 55 units of food and 66 units of nova crystals . They were upgradeable to armored airspeeders . They are provided to the player during Rebel Alliance " The Battle of Hoth " mission and may be built at other times during the campaign .