Editing Y-wing (section)

==Depiction==
Based on ''Star Wars'' supplemental reference material, the Galactic Republic commissioned Koensayr Manufacturing to produce the BTL-B Y-wing during the early part of the [[Clone Wars (Star Wars)|Clone Wars]].  This original model of the Y-wing, as depicted in the ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|Clone Wars]]'' 2008 television series, features a forward module seating a pilot in the cockpit and a gunner in a [[ball turret|bubble turret]].  An [[astromech droid]] (which served as the fighter's navigation system) fits into a dedicated socket behind them.  The module contains the starfighter's armaments: two forward-firing laser cannons, twin ion cannons in the turret, and a pair of torpedo launchers with six-round magazines capable of launching bombs, cluster missiles and other ordnance.  The module connects to two powerful ion engines via reinforced central spar and cross wing, all encased in heavy armor plating. Modified and retrofitted versions of the original Y-wing (BTL-B) include the BTL-S3, which replaces the bubble turret with a [[Remote controlled weapon station|remote-controlled turret]] and seats the gunner [[Tandem#Aviation|behind the pilot in the cockpit]], and the BTL-A4, which removes the gunner altogether and gives the pilot control of the ion cannons.<ref name=swrsowm>{{cite book |title=Star Wars: Rebel Starfighters: Owners' Workshop Manual |publisher=Insight Editions |year=2019 |isbn=978-1683839361}}</ref>

Reference material states that the Y-wings were prized for their durability and long-range striking capability during the Clone Wars.  However, when the war concluded and the Galactic Empire came to power, Y-wings were decommissioned and relegated to [[military surplus]] sellers or [[Aircraft boneyard|scrapyards]].  The nascent [[Rebel Alliance]] sought to buy or commandeer as many Y-wings as possible.<ref name=swrsowm/>  In the ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'' 2014 animated series, the crew of the ''Ghost'' are shown stealing decommissioned Old Republic Y-wings, in the process of being dismantled by the Galactic Empire, for use by the Rebellion.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Steps Into Shadow|series=Star Wars Rebels|network=Disney XD|date=24 September 2016|season=3|number=301-302}}</ref>  Once acquired, Rebel technicians modified the fighter-bombers to make them more suitable to the Rebellion's [[hit-and-run tactics]].  Armor plating was removed to save on weight and make it easier to perform [[aircraft maintenance|maintenance]], compensated for by increasing [[Technology in Star Wars#Force fields|deflector shield]] power.  Various other components were removed or rearranged - such as replacing the six-round torpedo magazines with four-round versions - to lighten weight and increase performance while maintaining overall integrity.  The resulting modification made these Rebel Y-wings faster and more lethal than their original version, and they soon became the most readily available starfighters to the Rebellion during the [[Galactic Civil War]].<ref name=swrsowm/>

Y-wings make a theatrical appearance in ''[[Rogue One]]'' (2016), an anthology film set immediately prior to the events of the original ''Star Wars'' film.  Here the Y-wings of Gold Squadron are shown playing a pivotal role during the Battle of Scarif in disabling an [[Imperial Star Destroyer]] with ion torpedoes.  The same Gold Squadron features in the original ''Star Wars'' movie (1977) as they take part in the attack on the [[Death Star]].  Led by squadron leader [[Jon Vander]] ([[Angus MacInnes]]), Y-wings made the first unsuccessful "trench run" on the Death Star's exhaust port, and only one Y-wing would survive the battle itself. (The pilot of the surviving Y-Wing was identified in ''[[Star Wars Legends]]'' sources as Keyan Farlander<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/before-rogue-one-when-games-were-filling-in-the-history-of-star-wars|title=Before Rogue One: When Games Were Filling in the History of Star Wars|website=VG247.com|date=15 June 2020|access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref> but was later revised to be Evaan Verlaine following the acquisition by [[Disney]]<ref>{{Wookieepedia|Evaan Verlaine|Evaan Verlaine}}</ref>).  [[Luke Skywalker]] pilots a Y-wing in the animated segment of the 1978 [[Star Wars Holiday Special]]. Y-wings made a brief appearance at the end of ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' (1980) when the heroes are reunited with the Rebel fleet, and feature alongside other Rebel starfighters during the climatic space battle of ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' (1983).

Background material further describes that, after the defeat of the Empire, Koensayr introduced a new version of the Y-wing to capitalize on the fighter's popularity.  This BTA-NR2 model emulates the look of the Rebel-modified Y-wings both because the public was more familiar with this version and because it allowed for greater customization.  While outwardly mimicking the "classic" Y-wing design, the BTA-NR2 features various upgrades including stronger shields and more sophisticated sensors.<ref name=swrsowm/>   These versions of the Y-wing would appear during the climax of ''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker]]'' (2019) as the Resistance attempts to defeat the reborn [[Emperor Palpatine]].