May The Air Force Be With You: R2-D2 Jet Takes Off

This might not be the droid you're looking for - but this R2-D2 jet is a good likeness to the pint-sized Star Wars favourite.

Japanese airline All Nippon Airways has unveiled plans to dress one of its planes up as the beloved robot in a tribute to the movie franchise.

In just a few months one of its Boeing (NYSE: BA - news) 787's will take to the skies decorated with R2-D2's famous blue and white stripes.

It will also bear its signature data ports as well as the classic Star Wars logo.

The design is part of the airline's five-year "Star Wars Project", which it hopes will "connect Japan to the global market".

The jet is scheduled to begin international flights this autumn, just months ahead of the December release of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.

The second trailer of the film was released to a packed audience in California on Thursday.

Star Wars Episode VII is a Disney reboot of the blockbuster series originally devised by George Lucas in the 1970s.

It the first of three planned instalments.