The Star Wars-themed painted plane has flown away – Fans wave goodbye over the fence

▲The Star Wars painted plane departs Taiwan. (Video / Provided by reader Cheng Ying-chiao)

Reported by Chen Ruizhong / Taipei

ANA’s Star Wars R2-D2 aircraft arrived at Taipei Songshan Airport from Tokyo Haneda at 15:43 today, marking the first-ever visit of the R2-D2 painted flight to Taiwan. Whether inside Songshan Airport or at popular plane-spotting spots such as Binjiang Street and the Produce Market, fans showed up with professional gear to capture the moment. The R2-D2 painted plane departed from Songshan Airport at 16:45.

See more photos of the Star Wars R2-D2 painted plane＜＜＜＜Click here !

▲The Star Wars painted plane attracted a large crowd of fans coming to pay homage.

The R2-D2 painted plane, which has been in service since October last year, is the “eldest” of ANA’s three Star Wars-themed aircraft and had previously only been spotted on routes from Japan to Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, and other destinations. For many aviation and Star Wars enthusiasts in Taiwan, it had been “long heard but never seen,” so the arrival of the painted plane filled observation decks around the island with crowds of photographers — an estimated near one thousand spectators.

▲The R2-D2 painted plane departed Taiwan at the scheduled time of 16:45.

One photographer with professional equipment said he hadn’t been to Songshan Airport to shoot planes for years, and came this time especially for the R2-D2; another member of the public said they came to pay homage after seeing related reports. Some fans also said: “Passengers on this flight had an amazing experience!”

See more photos of the Star Wars R2-D2 painted plane＜＜＜＜Click here !

As the R2-D2 painted plane does not operate regularly on the Songshan–Haneda route, the next time it will appear in Taiwan is uncertain, so many fans waved goodbye after the plane left the runway, saying: “Goodbye, R2-D2!” creating a heartwarming scene.