Manufactured in the orbital shipyards of the Corellian Engineering Corporation, the Consular-class was a space cruiser propelled by three powerful Dyne 577 radial atomizer engines situated at the aft of the hundred-and-fifteen-meter vessel. It was also equipped with a Longe Voltrans tri-arc CD-3.2 hyperdrive, and protected by sturdy deflector shields generated from a cluster of radar dishes forward of its three engines. Aside from its shielding, the Consular-class was typically unarmed. A docking ring was located on the side of the vessel, and the bridge was situated at the fore, above a diplomatic salon pod.
The striking red color of the Republican ship sent a clear message. The scarlet indicated his diplomatic status and warns of possible attacks. Red has been the color of diplomatic relations and neutrality on Galactic Republic starships for generations. The unusual all-red paint job meant it comes directly from the mighty main world of Coruscant. During the chancellorship of Sheev Palpatine of Naboo, the color red becomes even more important, as he prefers to use it on any Republic ships.
The control console of the Radiant VII was designed in such a way that the captain and co-pilot can share control, but one can fly the ship alone if necessary.
In order to communicate with any culture on the journey, the Republican Corvette had many bowls and other antennas. Two com-officers were specifically concerned with the operation of the communication computers, the translation of languages and the decoding of unorthodox transmissions of foreign worlds.
The Radiant VII was a modified consular-class ship. Civilian models were used for simple transportation purposes, but the red versions of the Republic were equipped for the special demands of the Galactic government service. On missions, it was not uncommon for their reputation as absolutely safe ships to be decisive for diplomatic conferences and crisis meetings. For security reasons, the crew was reduced to a minimum, with many ship functions performed by .
Republican cruisers like this corvette were often serve as neutral ground for conferences of officials and leaders of rival groups. In order to provide space for physiologically different foreign worlds, Coruscant's hangars had suitable parlor pods with which the ship could be equipped. In case of emergency, the entire salon pod was replaced. It had its own sensors and an independent life support system for the delegation on board. However, when the Radiant VII was attacked, the crew was unable to escape.
The Consular-class cruiser became recognizable throughout the galaxy during the last decades of the Galactic Republic, due to its distinctive shape and hue. Painted with a striking red color scheme, the cruiser's hue declared the ship's diplomatic immunity, as red marked a starship as neutral in the Republic. It also indicated that the vessel was conducting a mission on behalf of the Galactic Senate, the Supreme Chancellor, or the Jedi Order.
Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum dispatched the Consular-class cruiser Radiant VII, carrying Jedi ambassadors Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, to negotiate the Blockade of Naboo by the Trade Federation. Docking within the landing bay of the Saak'ak, the Radiant VII was fired upon by a concealed turbolaser turret on the orders of Darth Sidious. The ship's crew were taken by surprise, and the vessel was destroyed.
A fleet of Republic cruisers arrived on Carnelion IV at the culmination of the Open-Closed war, after a summons by Obi-Wan Kenobi who claimed the planet's atmosphere had a high concentration of tibanna gas. The cruisers arrived to secure the planet and survey for signs of the gas, and their presence was enough to bring the battle between the Open and the Closed to a halt.
With the onset of the Clone Wars, numerous Consular-class cruisers were converted into frigates adapted for combat as part of Project Supercharger. These Republic frigates were equipped with new armored hulls and laser turrets.
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