Marmot sends us this:

Well, it's come up again, and it's my favorite Lucasfilm dodge of the prequel/classic films.

As you know, R2-D2 has the ability to fly using tiny rockets in Episodes I and II, but no longer possesses this ability in the Classic Trilogy. The reason, according to Holonetnews.com, is an expired warranty on his rockets after twenty years! This fact is so amusing that Entertainment magazine featured it in their latest issue. Our little droid is the victim of an expired warranty! Who would have thought it!