1. From what I understand, the T-16 is incapable of flying in space.
'From what you understand'? Understand from where, exactly? I don't remember any mention of the T-16's capabilities in the film; neither can I find any in the script. Anything mentioned in the EU doesn't count; ANH came
before the EU, so it's not fair to blame the film for a problem created by the novels (which weren't even written by Lucas in any case). And even if the T-16 can't fly in space, what's to say Luke hasn't also flown other ships which
are capable of space-flight?
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2. The reason they probably didn't use the ship at all is because it probably doesn't exist. As I said in a previous thread, I believe Luke was just imagining that he was a great pilot (as indicated by the fact that an 18 year old is playing with a toy).
...what, as opposed to him just wishing he could be flying one at that moment? So now you're claiming that Luke doesn't have any piloting experience whatsoever, even though he shows himself to be an perfectly capable pilot in the final space battle? That would certainly be a major problem with the film... were it not for the fact that, oh yes, IT'S NOT IN THE FILM. The film tells us very plainly - both through dialogue and by actually showing us - that Luke has plenty of previous experience as a pilot; the idea that he's only 'imagining' being a pilot is one that
you have entirely made up.
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3. If the T-16 does exist and can fly in space, that raises a great question. Why didn't they use it instead of risking their necks to find a pilot in Mos Eisley? The only logical explanation is that they needed to meet Han Solo for the story to go on.
Two possible explanations, both of which I've mentioned before: a) The T-16 in question was one that Luke hired for practice sessions, not one he owned himself. b) Luke (or the Lars family) did own a T-16, but it couldn't fly in space; Luke's space training was done in other ships.
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An airbase on Tatooine, a planet which is essentially run by thieves? I don't think so. And even if there was, Owen would never pay for Luke to attend it considering how he was so determined to prevent Luke from becoming like his father.
OK: firstly, where in the film does it say that the planet is 'run by thieves'? The crap about the Hutts being in charge didn't come along until TPM, and even if they were, that wouldn't prevent there being an airbase there. Secondly, if Owen was prepared to let Luke go to the Academy (which he apparently was, once the harvest was done), there's no reason for him to refuse to let him have flying lessons. He was concerned about Luke being similar to Anakin in terms of his 'ideals', not his piloting skills - why the hell should he mind him being a pilot?
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From what I understand, the Rebel's plan wasn't to defend Luke and hope he delivers the lucky shot. What kind of squadron would be willing to sacrifice themselves so that the most inexperienced pilot would have a chance at destroying the Death Star?
Their plan was not to 'sacrifice themselves'; it was to try and collectively evade/fight off the Imperial ships so that Luke -
or anyone else - could get in a shot at the exhaust port. We actually see several Rebels attempting to do this, but Luke is the only one who succeeds.
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At one point during ANH, Luke whines to C-3PO "Now I'll NEVER get out of here", thus implying he has never left the planet and flown in space.
Bullshit. A short flight in space above Mos Eisley is the same as permanently leaving the planet? If I were fed up of living in England and said "I'll never get out of here," would that imply that I'd literally
never been out of it in my whole life, or even up in a plane? Of course it fucking well wouldn't.
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From your stand point, we could also say we didn't know what Anakin's flying experience was in the TPM. Perhaps when he was six years old he stole one of Watto's ships and saved Alderaan from a devasting attack from the crab people.
Oh, for Christ's sake. So you genuinely think it's equally plausible for a nine-year-old and a twenty-year old to have become a good pilot? This is quite possibly the lamest argument I've ever seen on this site, and I can tell you now that the competition is pretty stiff.
There is nothing implausible about Luke having become a pilot. There are no problems with the way it's portrayed in the film; the only problems are the ones
you have invented. You come up with a ridiculous straw-man conceit - that Luke has never flown before, yet instantly turns into a great pilot at the end of the film - and pretend that this is what's shown by the film itself. NO IT'S NOT. If you're not prepared to accept something that's plainly stated in the film, and which we have no reason to disbelieve, that's entirely your problem.