TheForce.Net - Completely Unofficial Star Wars Encyclopedia

Bongo

Description

Additional Info

Related Entries

Sources

Images

Legend

this was the Gungan name for a small submersible vehicle. The Gungans literally grew several forms of bongo subs from organic material. Different designs were created for traveling beneath the surface of the planet Naboo, out of site of the native human population. Each bongo resembled an ocean creature, as the Gungan designers drew inspiration from squid and skates. The passenger and cargo compartments are sealed from the surrounding water by small, hydrostatic force fields, using the same technology employed to create Gungan cities. Despite their uniqueness, most bongos employed control systems which were fairly standard. The bongo sub was propelled by a grouping of long, tentacle-like devices - known as electromotive tentacles - which hung behind the bongo and rotated, providing propulsion. Most personal-use bongos were of the tribubble configuration, measuring about 15 meters in length, including the drive tail, and could reach speeds of 85 kilometers per hour. They had seating for three, which included the pilot and two passengers. Up to 600 kilograms of cargo could be stored in two modules, and an escape pod was often included for use in case of emergency. In order to be able to surface in case of emergency, bongos were equipped with special hydrostatic chambers that were silled with spongelike material. In order to dive, these chambers were filled with heavy oil, which the sponge readily absorbed. These chambers could then be purged of the oil, allowing the bongo to rise.