There's been enough debate on the title to Episode II. More than half of the free world has been at least disappointed with the chosen one, though many have confessed to be warming up to the title over time.

Tonight, we've got first glimpse of what may become one of the most anticiapted vehicle on the big screen in Attack of the Clones. Not to mention the must-have vehicle for Episode II toy lovers. It has the potential to be an extremely cool vehicle, though as of this moment there's not too much confirmation on how long they'll actually appear in the movie. Needless to say, when they are on the big screen, you're going to dig it.

So whatever you think of the title aside, if you're a spoiler junky you're going to get your fix on this. You have been warned, shield your eyes away from the screen if you don't want to know this coolness:

The Republic Assault/Attack Gunship is its name, and mass destruction and troop deployment is its game. The Jedi and a strike team of clonetroopers use this tough vehicle during the Geonosis battle. As we said in an earlier spy report, "it is heavily armored and ready to attack airborne targets or engage the enemy on the ground, you'll be impressed with this flying monster."

Insiders had suggested to us that it appeared like a Russian Hind helicopter, with a touch of the Manga stylings of Appleseed. The wings also look very similar to the sloping styles of the Harrier AV-8B. But not only are they a powerful adversary themselves, inside they hold a small assault strike team each.

Click image for spoiler clone vehicle

Just as Dooku is about to order the legions of battledroids and the modified superbattledroids to annihilate the Jedi in the gladiator arena climax, Padme alerts them to the sky where six of these gunships descend into the arena and disgorge clonetroopers who laserblast the droids, and basically all hell breaks loose ...

As you can see, there are several gunner bubbles all over it, including the wings and under the cockpit. There are also other gun turrets and missile housings, and you can see one of the side loading and unloading ramps open in this rendering. Basically is has a lot of weapons and plenty of ground forces to back that up. It will be the familiar cream and reddish color of the Republic, and perhaps it will also sport a pre-Imperial insignia on it, much like the one on the Jedi Fighter.

Keep in mind that the rendering you see was probably not based on the actual final version, and we suspect the final product actually has a longer body and be perhaps a bit shallower. We can confirm that the gun turrets at the front are smaller, and the engine intakes portrude forward a lot more, almost like spikes. The cockpit is also a bit smaller we believe and more like the Hind, but the general configuration is about right.

People having seen the real thing confirming that the final version looks and feels very OT, and that this wouldn't look out of place on a battlefield today.

Click image for clear fan-made teaser poster

And finally, click the picture above to see the gunship in action, mocked up to be a stunning teaser poster for Episode II: Attack of the Clones.

Thanks to Taun_We for the title to this spy report, Hector for the link on the Hind pictures, Askaak for the AV-8B link. And of course, our Renderman Joel Dubin for doing some of his most fantastic work so far. If you want to comment on this, feel free to chime in and use the forum thread.