This starfighter was the main fighter of the Rebels almost since the birth of the Rebel Alliance. It is more expensive to construct than the Imperial Tie fighters were but is heavier armored and unlike the imperial fighter, carried shields. It could be expected to engage two or three Tie fighters with a good chance of success. Another feature that was very important was the fact that the rebel fighter had a hyper drive which allowed the fighter to operate more independently than previous fighter class such as the Headhunter.
The Y-Wing is a very blocky fighter. The nose is a wedge shape with a very blunted nose. In the front of the nose, the fighter carries two laser batteries. The pilots cockpit is on top of the fighter and above the cockpit are two Ion cannons. The cockpit fits two crew members but due to the lack of pilot, it is often operated by only one. If the fighter is piloted by one, the ion cannon is fixed forward and with a second crew member it is operated as a turret. If the crew has to eject, the top of the fighter is blow off and the pilot ejects out of the top of the fighter. Behind the cockpit is a blocky section that contains much of the fighters equipment including power systems, life support, hyperdrive, and the Astromech Droid. The fighters engines are relatively large and are on pylons on the outside of the system section of the fighter. As this fighter is not very aerodynamic, the fighter flies in an atmosphere mainly through brute force.
The Ion cannons carried were very useful in the start of the Rebel Alliance and many Imperial cargoes were captured giving the Rebels badly needed weapons, ammunition, equipment, and other supplies. The laser cannons are relatively powerful and are capable of making short work of the much lighter armored Imperial fighters. The ships is also armed with two proton torpedo launchers with six torpedoes each. These are the equivalent of long range missiles in Rifts. These torpedoes are the main weapon normally used against larger ships but can target other fighters if needed.
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.
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. The Television series Babylon 5 is a good series to watch to get a clearer idea on how space vehicles should 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 forthcoming Earthforce 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: BTL-A4
Vehicle Type: Heavy Starfighter/Bomber
Crew: Two and one Astromech Droid (can be operated by one and
one Astromech Droid)
M.D.C By Location:
Laser Cannons (2): | 50 each | |
Ion Cannon Turret (2 Barrels): | 60 | |
Proton Torpedo Launcher Bay (2 Launchers): | 100 | |
Astromech (Behind Cockpit): | 50 | |
[1] Engines (2): | 300 each | |
Landing Struts (3): | 20 each | |
[2] Main Body: | 800 | |
Reinforced Pilots Cockpit: | 325 | |
[3] Variable Force Field: | 375 per side (2,250 total) |
Notes:
[1] Loss of an engine will reduce performance of fighter by one half
and loss of two engines will prevent fighter from performing beyond 5%
of normal (This is using maneuvering thrusters and gravitic propulsion).
Due to gravitic propulsions systems, fighter will not crash in an atmosphere
even if both 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] Shields positions can be varied and all could be combined in one
shield. Shields regenerate at the rate of 5% (113 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 1.25 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 7.5 G.
Atmospheric Propulsion: Both Version: Due to the fighters
being non aerodynamic, the fighters flies in an atmosphere through brute
force and gravitic propulsion systems. As a result, the fighter is relatively
slow in an atmosphere and has a top speed of Mach 2 (1,482.9 mph/ 2,386.5
kph) in an atmosphere. The Gravitic propulsion enables the fighter to enter
and leave an atmosphere under its own power.
Stardrive: Uses a hyperdrive system that allows the ship to reach
a maximum of 60 light-years per hour (In the Game universe of Phase World, it
could be limited to 6 light-years per hour to compare to the other Phase World
FTL systems). Astromech Droid can store up to 10 coordinates for hyperspace
jump locations.
Maximum Range: Both Versions: the fighter has enough
fuel for 600 hours (25 days) of operation. Fighter uses a very small fusion
cell system for power systems. The fighter carries three weeks of consumables
for fighters crew.
Statistical Data:
Length: 52.5 feet (16 meters)
Height: 6.6 feet (2 meters)
Width: 28.2 feet (8.6 meters)
Weight: 24.8 tons (22,500 kg) unloaded
Power System: Fusion power supply with a 25 day duration at
normal output. Fusion power supply can run life support without any thrust
for 2 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: 80 million credits to build.
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
COMBAT BONUSES: The Rebel Y-Wing Starfighter is very maneuverable and very accurate. Use the Phase World Starfighter combat (Elite or Basic) skill.
[ 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 Jan Berthelsen. 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.