Imperial combat driver
Imperial combat drivers were the elite ground-vehicle pilots of the Galactic Empire's Army. Standard Imperial combat drivers were trained to handle everything in the Imperial ground arsenal, including speeder bikes,[10] Imperial Troop Transports,[11] and various type of walkers like the All Terrain Defense Pod.[12] They also flew Imperial LAAT/le patrol gunships.[13]
Several assault vehicles used by the Empire boasted a specialized corps of drivers. Such corps included AT-AT pilots driving All Terrain Armored Transports, Imperial combat assault tank pilots piloting TX-225 GAVw "Occupier" combat assault tanks,[1] AT-ST drivers operating All Terrain Scout Transports,[2] and Juggernaut Pilots operating HCVw A9.2 juggernaut transports.[5] However, members of all corps were qualified to operate All Terrain Armored Cargo Transports, since they were not technically designated battlefield assault vehicles.[1] Despite this, they still had a specialized driver group.[3] AT-AT pilots saw themselves as the elite among the elite.[14]
They were organized in the Combat driver corps[7] and the Imperial Vehicle Corps.[8]
Uniforms[]
An Imperial combat driver piloting a 614-AvA speeder bike
Standard Imperial combat drivers—The standard armor worn by the Galactic Empire's combat drivers consisted of a jumpsuit, a cuirass, shoulder- and lower leg-armor, gauntlet-style gloves, and a domed helmet whose faceplate resembled that of Imperial cadets.[10] That combat uniform gave the combat drivers an imposing countenance,[6] and came in two different color schemes. The one worn by the ones driving Troop Transports featured a black jumpsuit and field grey armor parts and helmet, while the one worn by AT-DP[12] and speeder bike drivers had a light grey jumpsuit, field grey body armor, and a light grey helmet.[10] In combat, they used an E-11 medium blaster rifle.[15]
The armor of an Imperial AT-AT pilot.
- AT-AT pilot—The field uniform of the AT-AT pilots resembled a white version of the one worn by TIE fighter pilots. It consisted of a light grey flight suit complete with webbing, along with white gloves, boots and helmet.[16] On cold worlds like Hoth, their suits were insulated.[17]
- AT-ST driver—Contrary to other branches, AT-ST drivers wore little armor. They donned light grey jumpsuits with pockets, a grey-green open face helmet, a belt, black boots and gauntlet gloves, and a pair of dark goggles. To a certain degree, they resembled[18] the non-stormtrooper Imperial Army troopers who, at one time, had been a major part of the Imperial Military.[19]
- Imperial combat assault tank pilots—Tank drivers wore a partial suit of plastoid plates that not only provided protection, but also permitted the flexibility required to sit in the confining quarters of a tank. Commanders wore the same armor, but with a black stripe across the top of their chest plate.[1]
- AT-ACT driver—These pilots wore armor very similar to coastal defender stormtroopers, but in a white and black color scheme similar to combat tank commanders.[3]
- Imperial Transport Pilot—These pilots wore white armor with helmets similar to Imperial combat assault tank pilots and body armor similar to Stormtroopers, but with blue markings.[4]
- Juggernaut Pilot—These pilots wore armor similar to Imperial combat assault tank pilots, but was grey-green in color and more simplistic in design. Some pilots had red markings on their left upper arm.[5]
