History Main / TechnicallyATransport

* When Germany started running out of tanks and SPG's in the closing years of [=WW2=], its standard armoured troop carrier, the [=SdKfz=] 250/251 series, was repurposed to carry first the [=PaK38=] (50mm anti-tank gun) and then the PaK40 (75mm). This was even extended to some unarmoured soft-skin halftracks as a cheap stop-gap measure.

* When Germany started running out of tanks and SPG's in the closing years of WW2, its standard armoured troop carrier, the SdKfz 250/251 series, was repurposed to carry first the PaK38 (50mm anti-tank gun) and then the PaK40 (75mm). This was even extended to some unarmoured soft-skin halftracks as a cheap stop-gap measure.

** The T-47 airspeeder was originally built as an industrial cargo handler, using its magnetic harpoon and tow cable to control repursorlift cargo modules. They're better known as the Rebel Snowspeeder, as the Rebels, strapped for resources as usual, armed them with light laser cannons and used them as recon and light attack crafts. [[HobblingTheGiant They also put the towcables to good use.]]

** Corellian Engineering Corporation is well known in-universe for making highly customizable transports that could be turned into capable warships, sometimes with modification kits made directly by CEC. Among them we have the YT-series of light freighters (in their stock models they carry a single light gun... And provisions for more numerous and much heavier ones, plus the ability to mount incredibly fast engines and powerful shields. The ''Millennium Falcon'' is a [=YT-1300f=], and the weapon array includes two ''capital ship'' point defense quad-guns, a pop-up light blaster cannons, and concussion missiles), the ''Gozanti''-class cruiser (a largish merchant ship, if a well armed and armored one and intentionally made slow to prevent pirate use. Both Rebels and Empire are known to modify it into a light assault carrier, and CEC itself has made their own militarized version), the [=CR90=] corvette (an armed transport, with available assault corvette and troop transport configurations among many, with the stock model being already more than capable of fending off pirates), the [=CR70=] corvette (an unarmed transport in its standard configuration. Once the Vanguard c20 retrofit suite is applied it basically turns into a [=CR90=]), the ''Consular''-class space cruiser (a completely unarmed vessel, that both the Republic's Judicial Forces and the various local militias were known to arm for anti-pirate duties. Then for the Clone Wars CEC came up with the Charger c70 retrofit, turning it into a very capable light frigate and giving the Republic a military fleet almost overnight), and the ''Sphyrna''-class corvette (another armed transport, even if inspired by an ancient warship model, armed with three laser cannons. The Rebellion would modify the ships with torpedo launchers or additional engines for hit-and-run attacks. In ''Film/RogueOne'' one with an additional engine was able to [[RammingAlwaysWorks push]] a disabled [[TheBattlestar Star Destroyer]] into a fully active Star Destroyer and a hostile space station, destroying all three at once).

** The T-47 airspeeder was originally built as an industrial cargo handler, using its magnetic harpoon and tow cable to control repursorlift cargo modules. They're better known as the Rebel Snowspeeder, as the Rebels, strapped for resources as usual, armed them with light laser cannons and used them as recon and light attack crafts.

** Corellian Engineering Corporation is well known in-universe for making highly customizable transports that could be turned into capable warships, sometimes with modification kits made directly by CEC. Among them we have the YT-series of light freighters (in their stock models they carry a single light gun... And provisions for more numerous and much heavier ones, plus the ability to mount incredibly fast engines and powerful shields. The ''Millennium Falcon'' is a [=YT-1300f=], and the weapon array includes two ''capital ship'' point defense quad-guns, a pop-up light blaster cannons, and concussion missiles), the ''Gozanti''-class cruiser (a largish merchant ship, if a well armed and armored one and intentionally made slow to prevent pirate use. Both Rebels and Empire are known to modify it into a light assault carrier, and CEC itself has made their own militarized version), the [=CR90=] corvette (an armed transport, with available assault corvette and troop transport configurations among many, with the stock model being already more than capable of fending off pirates), the [=CR70=] corvette (an unarmed transport in its standard configuration. Once the Vanguard c20 retrofit suite is applied it basically turns into a [=CR90=]), the ''Consular''-class space cruiser (a completely unarmed vessel, that both the Republic's Judicial Forces and the various local militias were known to arm for anti-pirate duties. Then for the Clone Wars CEC came up with the Charger c70 retrofit, turning it into a very capable light frigate and giving the Republic a military fleet almost overnight), and the ''Sphyrna''-class corvette (another armed transport, even if inspired by an ancient warship model, armed with three laser cannons. The Rebellion would modify the ships with torpedo launchers or additional engines for hit-and-run attacks-with [[Film/RogueOne one with an additional engine successfully pushing a disabled ISD into a fully active one]]).

** Corellian Engineering Corporation is well known in-universe for making highly customizable transports that could be turned into capable warships, sometimes with modification kits made directly by CEC. Among them we have the YT-series of light freighters (in their stock models they carry a single light gun... And provisions for more numerous and much heavier ones, plus the ability to mount incredibly fast engines and powerful shields. The ''Millennium Falcon'' is a [=YT-1300f=], and the weapon array includes two ''capital ship'' point defense quad-guns, a pop-up light blaster cannons, and concussion missiles), the ''Gozanti''-class cruiser (a largish merchant ship, if a well armed and armored one and intentionally made slow to prevent pirate use. Both Rebels and Empire are known to modify it into a light assault carrier, and CEC itself has made their own militarized version), the [=CR90=] corvette (an armed transport, with available assault corvette and troop transport configurations among many, with the stock model being already more than capable of fending off pirates), the [=CR70=] corvette (an unarmed transport in its standard configuration. Once the Vanguard c20 retrofit suite is applied it basically turns into a [=CR90=]), and the ''Consular''-class space cruiser (a completely unarmed vessel, that both the Republic's Judicial Forces and the various local militias were known to arm for anti-pirate duties. Then for the Clone Wars CEC came up with the Charger c70 retrofit, turning it into a very capable light frigate and giving the Republic a military fleet almost overnight).

** The Trade Federation's ''Lucrehulk'' warships were originally unarmed merchant ships, if incredibly massive, supposed to deal with pirate attacks simply by [[NoSell ignoring them thanks to powerful deflector shields and their sheer size]]. Then the Trade Federation turned them into troop transports and strapped some guns on them for the invasion of Naboo, as a planetary government, even a pacifist one, had access to better weapons than pirates (such as the proton torpedoes that eventually took out the droid control ship), and ten years later, having had time for a more complete refit, they sport stronger shields and more (and better placed) guns, turning them into formidable warships.

** The Rebel's Mon Calamari-made ships were originally liners, cityships, and traders that, as per Mon Cala building practices, were completely unarmed but sported surprisingly strong shields... And hardpoints for weapons, that were put to use once the Mon Cala rose against the Empire.

** Corellian Engineering Corporation is well known in-universe for making highly customizable transports that could be turned into capable warships, sometimes with modification kits made directly by CEC. Among them we have the YT-series of light freighters (in their stock models they carry a single light gun... And provisions for more numerous and much heavier ones, plus the ability to mount incredibly fast engines and powerful shields. The ''Millennium Falcon'' is a [=YT-1300f=], and the weapon array includes two ''capital ship'' point defense quad-guns, a pop-up light blaster cannons, and concussion missiles), the ''Gozanti''-class cruiser (a largish merchant ship, if a well armed and armored one and intentionally made slow to prevent pirate use. Both Rebels and Empire are known to modify it into a light assault carrier, and CEC itself has made their own militarized version), the [=CR90=] corvette (an armed transport, with available assault corvette and troop transport configurations among many, with the stock model being already more than capable of fending off pirates), the [=CR70=] corvette (an unarmed transport in its standard configuration. Once the Vanguard c20 retrofit suite is applied it turns into a [=CR90=], and the ''Consular''-class space cruiser (a completely unarmed vessel, that both the Republic's Judicial Forces and the various local militias were known to arm for anti-pirate duties. Then for the Clone Wars CEC came up with the Charger c70 retrofit, turning it into a very capable light frigate and giving the Republic a military fleet almost overnight).

** The GR-75 medium transport was made by Gallofree Yards as a cargo ship, capable of transporting 19,000 tonnes of cargo. After its manufacturer went bankrupt, the Rebel Alliance acquired so many of them it started becoming known as the "Rebel transport"... And, being perpetually strapped for ships, they adapted a number of them into light corvettes and troop transports, and were prone to load them with explosives and throw them at Star Destroyers (the very reason they had them at Endor being kamikaze attacks).

** Corellian Engineering Corporation is well known in-universe for making highly customizable transports that could be turned into capable warships, sometimes with modification kits made directly by CEC. Among them we have the YT-1300 light freighter (in its stock model it carries a single dorsal gun. Modified it can even carry ''capital ship'' point defense weapons, as shown by the ''Millennium Falcon''), the ''Gozanti''-class cruiser (a largish merchant ship, if a well armed and armored one and intentionally made slow to prevent pirate use. Both Rebels and Empire are known to modify it into a light assault carrier, and CEC itself has made their own militarized version), the [=CR90=] corvette (an armed transport, with available assault corvette and troop transport configurations among many, with the stock model being already more than capable of fending off pirates), the [=CR70=] corvette (an unarmed transport in its standard configuration. Once the Vanguard c20 retrofit suite is applied it turns into a [=CR90=], and the ''Consular''-class space cruiser (a completely unarmed vessel, that both the Republic's Judicial Forces and the various local militias were known to arm for anti-pirate duties. Then for the Clone Wars CEC came up with the Charger c70 retrofit, turning it into a very capable light frigate and giving the Republic a military fleet almost overnight).

** The ''Dauntless''-class cruisers were originally luxury liners manufactured by [=SoroSuub=], the shipwright company of the planet Sullust. When the Sullustans rose and joined the Rebellion, [=SoroSuub=] revised the design to equip it with thick hulls, strong shields, sophisticated countermeasures, and [[MoreDakka an insane amount of weapons]], turning them into one of the few ships capable of taking on an Imperial Star Destroyer and win.

** The GR-75 medium transport was made by Gallofree Yards as a cargo ship, capable of transporting 19,000 tonnes of cargo. After its manufacturer went bankrupt, the Rebel Alliance acquired so many of them it started becoming known as the "Rebel transport"... And, being perpetually strapped for ships, they adapted a number of them into light corvettes and troop transports, and were prone to load them with explosives and throw them at Star Destroyers.

** Corellian Engineering Corporation is well known in-universe for making highly customizable transports that could be turned into capable warships, sometimes with modification kits made directly by CEC. Among them we have the YT-1300 light freighter (in its stock model it carries a single dorsal gun. Modified it can even carry ''capital ship'' point defense weapons, as shown by the ''Millennium Falcon''), the ''Gozanti''-class cruiser (a largish merchant ship, if a well armed and armored one and intentionally made slow to prevent pirate use. Both Rebels and Empire are known to modify it into a light assault carrier), the [=CR90=] corvette (an armed transport, with available assault corvette and troop transport configurations among many, with the stock model being already more than capable of fending off pirates), the [=CR70=] corvette (an unarmed transport in its standard configuration. Once the Vanguard c20 retrofit suite is applied it turns into a [=CR90=], and the ''Consular''-class space cruiser (a completely unarmed vessel, that both the Republic's Judicial Forces and the various local militias were known to arm for anti-pirate duties. Then for the Clone Wars CEC came up with the Charger c70 retrofit, turning it into a very capable light frigate and giving the Republic a military fleet almost overnight).

** The ''Millennium Falcon''. Originally a stock light freighter, but has since been upgraded with souped up drives, heavy-duty quad laser cannons, concussion missiles, and a sensor suite that's like seeing the future.
*** The ''Falcon'' is an YT-1300 light freighter, built with high modularity that allows an enterprising owner to customize it as they prefer, and is only the most famous of the upgunned ones. In fact its manufacturer, Corellian Engineering Corporation, mostly builds ships liable to be turned into capable warships, such as the ''Gozanti''-class cruiser (a largish merchant ship that has been used as a light assault carrier) and the ''Consular''-class space cruiser (a completely unarmed diplomatic ship that for the Clone Wars received a specific kit to turn it into a light frigate-one put together by looking at the various planet security forces that armed them on their own and picking the best configurations).

* ''Franchise/StarWars'':

*** The ''Falcon'' is an YT-1300 light freighter, built with high modularity that allows an enterprising owner to customize it as they prefer, and is only the most famous of the upgunned ones. In fact its manufacturer, Corellian Engineering Corporation, mostly builds ships liable to be turned into capable warships, such as the ''Gozanti''-class cruiser (a largish merchant ship that has been used as a light assault carrier) and the ''Consular''-class space cruiser (a completely unarmed diplomatic ship that also comes with a specific kit to turn it into a light frigate).

[[folder: Film ]]

*** The ''Falcon'' is an YT-1300 light freighter, built with high modularity that allows an enterprising owner to customize it as they prefer, and is only the most famous of the upgunned ones. In fact its manufacturer, Corellian Engineering Corporation, mostly builds ships liable to be turned into capable warships, such as the ''Gozanti''-class cruiser (a largish merchant ship that has been used as a light assault carrier) and the ''Consular'-class space cruiser (a completely unarmed diplomatic ship that also comes with a specific kit to turn it into a light frigate).

* The Batmobiles seen in The Dark Knight Returns and Film/BatmanBegins.
* In the ''Film/DawnOfTheDead2004'' remake, the survivors turn a tour bus into an armoured zombie killing death machine (complete with slots that let them use chainsaws to get rid of undead hitchers) in order to make a break towards the pier.
* ''Film/TheATeam'' with their modified vehicles.
* The movie ''Film/ThePentagonWars'' is about a Real Life development project that went this way: the Bradley Fighting Vehicle started out as a pure troop transport vehicle, but as development continued it acquired more and more features of a tank.

[[folder: Tabletop Games ]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

[[folder: Real Life ]]

* The AC-130 gunship. It's simply a Hercules cargo plane with guns and ammo rolled on board,pointing out the port side. The AC-47 and AC-119 having a similar history.