by Joe Belding

The Empire needed a tactic to subdue a vessel before it could jump into hyperspace. The Star Destroyers managed well enough, but a few ships managed to elude capture. Plans were put into motion to assure that the next officers in command would not fail.

Sienar Fleet Systems designed their Immobilizer 418 Heavy Cruiser. It became known quickly and more commonly by the name 'Interdictor Cruiser'. These heavy class cruisers carry a massive gravity well generator and 4 gravity well projectors. Any vessel within it's range is prevented from entering hyperspace. A vessel in hyperspace will also be forced back into realspace. They carry a arsenal of Ion cannon, laser cannon, blaster cannon, and tractor beams.

No vessel can escape a well laid out trap with an Interdictor's help. A formidable vessel solo, Interdictors have managed to trap and capture entire convoys and squadrons. Interdicors and Star Destroyers operating together have the potential to capture entire navies and fleets. Of course, the Star Destroyer captains get all the credit ......

I used the book 'Star Wars The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels' for the basic design. I originally scaled it to the Ertl (15") model of the 1600m Star Destroyer. The canon says the Interdictor is 600m (about 5.5"), but I found this seemed too small to me next to Ertl's kit. The Interdictor is supposed to be a heavy class cruiser, so I scaled mine up to 900m (about 8.5"). In my opinion it looks much better and more the way a heavy class cruiser should next to a ISD.

My Interdictor was created from a 'For Sale' sign I picked up at the local hardware store. The gravity wells are 'googly eyes' from Halloween novelty eye glasses. The engine nozzles were from a Gundam kit. Various thickness sheet styrene was greeblied to it until I was satisfied. A little stretched sprue makes up the antennae masts.

I primered it with a grey then added a few light coats of white. I used some pastel dust to try to add 'grit' and highlight some panels. A few drops of black and white were used to represent window ports through out the ship.

Image: Starboard side

Image: Bow

Image: Stern

Image: Top view