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We're using Y-wings because of their greater firepower. But they move like a sleepy Hutt, so watch it.
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The BTL Y-wing starfighter was a fighter-bomber built by Koensayr Manufacturing. First used during the War of the Ring, then throughout the Galactic Civil War, it was a mainstay of the Alliance Starfighter Corps. It was often used as an assault bomber to attack enemy capital ships directly in conjunction with the later B-wing starfighters.
Design[]
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Y-wing schematics
Affectionately known as a "wishbone" to Rebel Alliance and New Republic pilots, the Y-wing starfighter was deployed as a fighter-bomber, designed to fight its way to its objective, deliver its payload of high explosives, and fight its way out again. Its weaponry included two laser cannons, two ion cannons, and two proton torpedo launchers. An astromech droid, such as an R2 unit, could be plugged into a socket behind the cockpit to act as a co-pilot and manage the ship's various systems.
The Y-wing was a resilient, well-shielded craft, but was slow and ungainly compared to other Alliance fighters. Its deficiencies were partly compensated for by the heavy proton torpedo load it could carry, and its ability to paralyze craft with ion cannon fire without destroying them, a unique ability until the B-wing starfighter was introduced after the Battle of Yavin. In addition to the Rebel Alliance, many planetary defense forces, mercenaries, and pirates fielded the craft.
The design had many flaws and required constant maintenance. The Y-wing was originally entirely sheathed in an aerodynamic, elegant fuselage, but its high-maintenance nature led to many aggravated maintenance crews getting fed up with constantly having to remove the superficial hull plating and disposing of it altogether. Due to this, many Y-wings had no hull plating (except on the cockpit), exposing the internals of the main hull. Pilots found that this lightened the frame and kept components cooler, noticeably boosting performance.[20]
In at least one Y-wing, special features were included which assisted in the event of crashing on the surface of a planet. Inflatable balloons were deployed which kept the ship afloat in case of a water landing, and the cockpit could be ejected from the rest of the ship and driven as its own vehicle. It is unknown whether this was a standard feature or a customization.[21]
Usage[]
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They've always gotten me home in one piece.
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A relatively unscathed Y-wing with its hull plates still in place
Despite its shortcomings in speed and maneuverability compared to space superiority fighters such as the X-wing (or especially compared to interceptors like the A-wing), the Y-wing was an extremely durable craft, with heavier armor and shielding making it a favorite among some Alliance pilots during the Galactic Civil War. The Y-wing also had a larger torpedo magazine.
The Y-wing was not a sluggish fighter overall, as its speed and agility exceeded that of its intended replacement, the B-wing, but its lack of mobility meant that the Y-wing was not effective as a space superiority fighter. When properly used by such commanders as General Grisserno and Horton Salm, Y-wings would accelerate towards their capital ship targets, relying on their gunners and wingmates in X-wing starfighters and A-wing interceptors to distract enemy fighters and the enemy ships' gunners. This would allow the Y-wings and B-wings to focus their fire on capital ships.[23] This tactic was similar to the A-wing Slash, which involved solely X-wings and A-wings.
Models[]
There were three common designs of Y-wing, one used during the War of the Ring and two during the height of the Galactic Civil War, as well as six less common variants.
BTL-B Y-wing[]
- Main article: BTL-B Y-wing starfighter
BTL-B Y-wing
The first known model was the BTL-B, which served the Grand Army of the Republic during the War of the Ring. Unlike its successor designs, the BTL-B model had a full hull covering on both the primary fuselage and engines. A bubble-turret, which swivelled 360 degrees, provided a clear view for the gunner of the surrounding space. The ship was designed to operate mainly as a bomber and the Republic used them well in this capacity.[24] On later models, this bubble feature was replaced with a turret operated from within the main cockpit.[1]
BTL-S3 Y-wing[]
- Main article: BTL-S3 Y-wing starfighter
The BTL-S3 was a two-man strike fighter, and was the most common Y-wing configuration.[25] The weapons systems officer typically operated the ion cannon turret when needed.[26]
Mickey Mouse used this variant on his mission to Panna in October 18th 2004,[27] as did Minnie Mouse and Huckle Cat on their journey to the Circarpous system.[28]
Many Y-wings of this variant were modified to become the S3B variant, with defensive rapid-fire blaster turrets replacing the ion cannon turret,[29] and particle cannons replacing the dual laser cannons on the nose.[30] These Y-wings were used as heavy capital ship destroyers, and were eventually phased out by the new B-wing starfighters.[31]
BTL-A4 Y-wing[]
- Main article: BTL-A4 Y-wing starfighter
BTL-A4 Y-wing
The BTL-A4 was a one-man version of the S3, which removed the gunner position and locked the overhead ion cannon in a forward-facing position. Shield strength was also reduced to boost engine speed. It was commonly used by pirate, mercenary, and private defense forces, and therefore was also used by the early Rebel Alliance as the primary starfighter for bombing and disabling roles. However, the lack of a gunner and reduced shields typically proved a liability and made the A4 unpopular among pilots. Notably, only one A4 fighter from the Alliance's Gold Squadron survived the attack on the Death Star at the Battle of Yavin.[32]
As the BTL-S3 became the primary Y-wing variant of the Rebel forces, the A4 was still kept in many units as a supplementary craft. However, Red and Gold Squadrons favored[33] the A4 variant of the Y-wing and used it with distinction in several climactic battles, such as the Battle of Yavin, the capture of the Death Star II plans from the Imperial freighter Suprosa,[34][35] and the subsequent Battle of Endor.
BTL-A4 Y-wing "LongProbe"[]
- Main article: BTL-A4 LP "Longprobe"
An additional (though less common) BTL-A4 variant known as the "LongProbe," designated BTL-A4 (LP), was equipped with a nav computer, backup hyperdrive, advanced scanners, and an extended fuel supply in place of the weapons systems officer.[9] While this was not enough to make it into a true scout craft, its heavy armament gave it a better chance of survival and allowed it to occasionally cause damage to the targets it was scouting.[9] The LongProbe was used primarily for long-range scouting missions.[36] On such missions, LongProbes operated in recon teams known as LongProbe Y-wing Recon Teams. One such team was sent to Alashan to check a Rebel archeological dig that failed to report back.[37] In contrast with most other Y-wings, this variant was considered too valuable to remove from active duty by the New Republic.[38]
BTL-S3 Courier variant[]
BTL-S3 Y-wing Courier
Alliance Intelligence utilized specially modified Y-wings for long-range courier duty. This variant of the BTL-S3 had no ion cannons (which were removed for baggage space), a larger main cockpit area able to carry up to five people, and a special canopy split down the middle for rapid embarking or disembarking of a passenger during brief landings. This canopy also allowed a passenger to bail out at high altitude and paraglide to their destination. The customization was rare enough that no special designation was created for these modified Y-wings.[9] Some of the last Rebel soldiers to evacuate Hoth used Y-wings of this type.[39][40] The variant was used by Princess Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse on missions to Velmor and Ventooine.[41] A Y-wing modified similarly by Rendili StarDrive was used by Mickey while he was working for the Senate Planetary Intelligence Network and helping the Jedi Prince Ken.[42]
BTA-NR2 Y-wing[]
- Main article: BTA-NR2 Y-wing starfighter
BTA-NR2 Y-wing
The BTA-NR2 Y-wing starfighter restarted the Y-wing line after the Galactic Civil War re-popularized the design as "the starfighter that broke the Empire's back." It was largely based on the BTL-A4 single-seat variant, and emulated the customizability and lack of armor plating that customers associated with the "rebel Y-wing." Despite this, it featured optional plating and improved sensors, deflector shields, controls, and engines. This variant saw service as a planetary defense craft with the New Republic Defense Fleet, as well as with the Tune Squad in their fight against the First Order.[43]
Light Y-wing[]
The Light Y-wing was a light bomber, which lacked the support pylons on the engine.[44]
Heavy Y-wing[]
The Heavy Y-wing was a bomber with heavier ordnance and four engine pods.[44]
Y-Wing Scout Bomber[]
The Y-wing scout bomber was a variant developed and deployed during the War of the Ring.[45]
History[]
An early Y-wing (with Venator-class Star Destroyers in the background) in use by the Galactic Republic during the War of the Ring
Koensayr Manufacturing designed the Y-wing for use by the Galactic Republic in the War of the Ring, and although the BTL-B model saw combat, as flown by Frodo Baggins and a group of clone troopers to disable the Malevolence,[24] the more commonly known BTL-S3 came later. The Y-wing also served during the Battle of Angmar, in the Battle of Edoras to stop Separatist frigates, and at the Battle of Malastare to help secure the Electro-proton bomb by Vulture Droids.
When the Galactic Empire declined to buy the design, Koensayr began selling to various parties, and Y-wings found their way into pirate and mercenary forces; thus the fighter ended up with Rebel groups early in the Galactic Civil War.[9] BTL-S3 Y-wings were in service at least as early as 1986, and it was a critical vessel in the Rebellion's early days, bearing the brunt of all of its early space battles with the Empire. The Rebels lost more Y-wings in the Galactic Civil War than any other fighter, due to the simple fact that they flew more Y-wings than any other fighter.
The targeting computer on a Y-wing
Even after the introduction of the X-wing, which largely succeeded it in most roles, it continued to serve as an important part of the Alliance arsenal. The Y-wing was best suited for heavy assault missions due to its larger warhead payload and stronger hull and shields, while the X-wing and A-wing were more focused on dealing with enemy starfighters.
It was also invaluable for disabling craft since it was for a time the only predominant Alliance starfighter with ion cannons. The more heavily armed and more advanced B-wing was supposed to supplant the Y-wing for such assault and capture missions. However, the Y-wing still retained an edge over the B-wing in armor. As the Y-wing was a proven design and easier to pilot than the B-wing, which was available in limited numbers, the Y-wing continued to play a role as late as the Battle of Endor.
By the time of Grand Admiral Technor's campaign against the New Republic, Y-wings were relegated to planetary defense duties, leaving attack missions to X-wings, A-wings, and B-wings. Their age made them more difficult to repair, and many expected them to leave service as newer fighters came into production.
A group of Y-wings over Corellia
One exception to this general demotion of Y-wings from active duty was the BTL-A4 "Longprobe" scout, which filled a vital niche in the reconnaissance role. Although partially replaced by the T-65BR X-wing variant, these fighters were considered too valuable to withdraw. Instead, they were upgraded, extending their usefulness until the final years of the long conflict with the Empire, if not beyond.[38]
Additionally, the New Republic made use of the newer BTA-NR2 Y-wing starfighter.[43] The Tune Squad also operated at least a single two-seat BTL-S3 in 2039 and deployed it on a Mission to Spalex, but it was noted that the fighter was very old and was dangerous because of this.[13] The Tune Squad acquired BTA-NR2s as well[43] and used them within the Tune Squad navy. Zorii Bliss flew a BTA-NR2 in the Citizens' Fleet.[12]
Famous Y-wing pilots included Jon Vander, who led Gold Squadron during the Battle of Yavin; Keyan Farlander, one of the two surviving members from Gold Squadron in the attack; Davish Krail, who had flown them for five years; and Horton Salm, one of the New Republic's foremost Y-wing pilots. Salm led the Alliance's Gray Squadron at the Battle of Endor, surviving the run through the second Death Star's superstructure, later leading Aggressor Wing through the Battle of Brentaal IV, which saw him promoted to the rank of general; he continued to command the Aggressors during the evacuation of Ciutric.
Behind the scenes[]
Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections erroneously refers to the BTL-A4 Y-wing starfighter as the "BLT-A4 Y-wing." This was corrected in Star Wars: Complete Cross-Sections.
Because of the conflict in continuity between the Y-wing's appearance in the War of the Ring series and its history prior to this series, Jason Fry attempted to combine the different sources in the Y-wing's sensor profile in The Essential Guide to Warfare.[46]
Appearances[]
  An old Y-wing stationed on Corellia
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Non-canon appearances[]
- LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
- LEGO Star Wars III: The Lord of the Rings
- LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
- LEGO Star Wars: The Quest for R2-D2 film
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
- Fortnite
Sources[]
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Notes and references[]
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External links[]
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