I suggested the rocket thing back here for two reasons, as already mentioned it removes the stupid protoPT slapstick moment and the other reason is it establishes these things exist.
It makes sense that Artoo would have them he is an astrodroid.
VinCENT in The Black Hole had them for much the same reason and that was one aspect of that robot that didn't embarrass me.
He wouldn't use them at any other point in the OT (even on Dagobah because a swamp is usually full of explosive gas, the ignition of which wouldn't have done himself, the ship or his master any good).
So as it is the only part of the OT where they make sense and would actually improve a scene, probably.
The design exists and it allows them to be used in the PT without the crappy EU justification for why he doesn't use them in the OT.
Where is the magnet on the skiff anyhoo?
Why is it there?
How does it rapidly vanish in the next shot?
It just makes more sense to me.