Many people consider this fighter to be the replacement for the Y-Wing. It is certainly true that the B-Wing is similarly equipped and is both faster and better protected than the Y-Wing. The B-Wings major problem is cost, the B-Wing costs over twice as much as Y-Wing which means that the Y-Wing will remain in service for a long period of time and a less expensive replacement will be strongly considered. Like most Rebel / New Republic fighters, the B-Wing is equipped with a hyper-drive that allows the fighter to make attacks in systems other than the system of origin of the fighter. In several early engagement, the potential firepower of the B-Wing actually caused imperial fighters to retreat without engaging the B-Wing. Imperial Pilots have now realized that by using larger numbers, they can destroy B-Wings in combat. In many ways, the B-Wing could be considered a light corvette not a fighter even though it has only one crew member
The B-Wing is one of the most unusual fighters in operation with either Rebel or Imperial forces. The main part of the fighter is a large wing like structure. On the end of this wing like structure. The fighter has one weapon cluster with a laser cannon and an ion cannon. On the other side of the fighter near the middle is a pair of folding wings that are also called S-Foils. They each have a laser cannon. Even further down the main wing is the fighters engine and proton torpedo launchers. The fighter has 4 fusion/ion engines to provide the fighter with thrust. At what is effectively the beginning of the wing is the fighters cockpit. Two of the fighters ion cannons are located on the cockpit and the cockpit is in a gymbal mount that twists as the fighter maneuvers. This allows the fighter to stay in a fixed position. The problem is that if it is badly damaged or improperly maintained, the gyroscopic mount will fail and will be fixed in one position. If this occurs, then the fighters maneuverability is greatly reduced. The fighter is ungainly, and as a result suffers if the fighters navigational computers were to crash. If the fighter is operated in an atmosphere, the normal configuration is for the main wing to be pointed down. While the fighter is more maneuverable in an atmosphere, the fighter is unstable which causes inexperienced pilots to loose control.
For the fighters primary weaponry, the B-Wing carries a total of three laser cannons that are all linked and are capable of inflicting great damage. For the role as raider, the fighter also carries three ion cannons. The main energy array of the B-Wing is actually powerful enough for capital ships to be concerned with the B-wing. The B-Wing is equipped with proton torpedo launchers which are normally used to engage capital ships but may be used against fighters and other small targets as well. The fighter carries a total of sixteen missiles. The hull is about one third tougher than a Y-Wing and the fighters shields are tougher as well.
In many ways, the fighter is as good as the fighters within the Three Galaxies. The fighter is not quite as long ranged as some but still has a very good range and endurance. It also does not carry as many missiles as many of the fighters within the Three Galaxies. It would most likely be consider by size to be in the same class as the Proctor heavy fighter.
Notes of game conversion:
Because of the nature of the movie series "Star Wars" and the needs
to put the fighter into game mechanics, I have given many statistic as
two different possible statistics to take this into account. The G that
I have seen listed would not be sufficient to get near the speed of light
yet many episodes have indicated speeds in this area. In some ways each
version is closer to what was seen in the series. I do make one huge change,
fighters in Star Wars act as if they are in the atmosphere even when they
operating in space. This is incorrect. The Television series Babylon 5
is a good series to watch to get a clearer idea on how space vehicles would
probably maneuver.
Phase world version uses my revised phase world starship rules and can hold their own against most C.A.F. and Kreegor fighters. This version is recommended if you with to put them into Phase World as among equals. See Revised Starship Rules for Phase World for more details.
Moderate version uses Gs of acceleration and reduced weapon ranges. This version is useful for Mutants In Orbit, Phase World if used as a lower tech race, used with my Earth Force ships conversions for B-5, and as a possible crash on Rifts Earth. Listed is the formula to allow player and game masters to calculate the fighters velocity and distance traveled.
Model Type: B-Wing
Vehicle Type: Heavy Assault Starfighter
Crew: One
M.D.C. By Location:
Laser Cannons (3): | 50 each | |
Ion Cannons (3): | 30 each | |
Proton Torpedo Launcher Bay: | 200 | |
[1] Engines (4): | 250 each | |
S-Foils (2) | 225 each | |
Landing Struts (3): | 20 each | |
[2] Main Body: | 1,200 | |
[3] Reinforced Pilots Cockpit / Gyroscopic Mount: | 400 | |
[3] Variable Force Field: | 500 per side (3,000 total) |
Notes:
[1] Loss of the fighter's engines will reduce performance of fighter
by one quarter per engine and loss of all four engines will prevent fighter
from performing beyond 5% of normal (This is using maneuvering thrusters
and gravitic propulsion). Due to gravitic propulsion systems, fighter will
not crash in an atmosphere even if all four engines are destroyed.
[2] Depleting the MDC of the main body will put the fighter out of
commission. All internal systems will shut down, including life support
and internal gravity. The ship itself will be an unsalvageable floating
wreck. In an atmosphere, the fighter will crash
[3] If the Pilots Cockpit takes over half damage, the Gyroscopic mount
will be disabled and all bonuses will be lost.
[4] Shields positions can be varied and all could be combined in one
shield. Shields regenerate at the rate of 5% (150 MDC) per melee
Speed:
Driving on the Ground: Not Possible.
Sublight:
Phase World Version: Has a special sublight engine that allows
the ship to travel up to 40 percent of the speed of light. Fighter can
accelerate/decelerate at the rate of 1.4 percent of light per melee maximum.
Moderate Version: The fighter does not have an effective top
speed but is limited by acceleration. Fighter can reach a top acceleration
of 8.5 G.
Atmospheric Propulsion: Both Version: The fighter is
aerodynamic but is unstable for atmospheric flight. The computers compensate
for most of this but not completely. The fighter is relatively fast and
is capable of escape velocities (Mach 32.6 / 25053 mph / 40320 kph) but
normally operates at Mach 5 (3,707.3 mph / 5,966.3 kph) or less. The fighter
also has Gravitic propulsion systems enabling it to leave an atmosphere
even at low velocities.
Stardrive: Uses a hyperdrive system that allows the ship to
reach a maximum of 40 light-years per hour (In the Game universe of Phase
World, it could be limited to 4 light-years per hour to compare to the
other Phase World FTL systems). The fighters computer can store up to 4
coordinates for hyperspace jump locations..
Maximum Range: Both Versions: the fighter has enough
fuel for 720 hours (30 days) of operation. Fighter uses a very small fusion
cell system for power systems. The fighter carries six weeks of consumables
for fighters crew.
Statistical Data:
Length: 55.4 feet (16.9 meters)
Height: 21.3 feet (6.5 meters) with S-Foils retracted, 84 feet
(25.6 meters) with S-Foils extended
Width: 149.3 feet (45.5 meters)
Weight: 137.8 tons (125 metric tons) unloaded
Power System: Fusion power supply with a 30 day duration at
normal output. Fusion power supply can run life support without any thrust
for 4 years although rations and water will have long run out.
Cargo: Small Storage Space, 3 ft x 3.5 ft x 3 ft. Used for emergency
equipment and weapons but a passenger can be crammed in emergency.
Market Cost: 185 million credits to build.
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
COMBAT BONUSES: The Rebel B-Wing Starfighter is very maneuverable and very accurate. Use the Phase World Starfighter combat (Elite or Basic) skill. If the gyroscopic mount for the cockpit is not operative, then all bonuses are lost and the pilot suffers a -1 to strike and dodge. This can occur by battle damage and has a 5% chance per melee of combat if not properly maintained.
[ Phase World TM, Kreeghor TM, and CAF TM are trademarks owned by Kevin
Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and
Palladium Books Inc.]
[ STAR WARS copyright © 1977 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
All rights reserved. Copyright © 1980, 1983, 1996 Lucasfilm Ltd.]
[ Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and their associated
logos are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd.]
CGI of Ship by Ian Palmer. More of his CGI pictures of Star Wars ships at SWMA Gallery.
By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune ).
Rifts Conversion Copyright © 1998, Kitsune. All rights reserved.