View source for Y-wing

{{Short description|Fictional spacecraft from Star Wars}}

{{Infobox fictional vehicle
| name              = Koensayr BTL Y-wing starfighter
| series            = [[Star Wars]]
| image             = Y-Wing.webp

| alt               = 
| caption           =
| first_major       = [[Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker]] (1976 novel)<br />[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]] (theatrical appearance)
| last_major        = [[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker]]
| creator           = [[Colin Cantwell]]
| based_on          = 
| affiliation       = {{plainlist|
* [[Galactic Republic]]
* [[Rebel Alliance]]
* [[New Republic (Star Wars)|New Republic]]
* [[Resistance (Star Wars)|Resistance]]
}}
| launched          = During or Prior to 22 BBY<ref>Star Wars: Galactic Atlas</ref>
| decommissioned    = 
| captain           = 
| fighters          = 
| aux_vehicle       = Guidenhauser ejector seat
| class             = [[Multirole combat aircraft|Assault starfighter/bomber]]
| registry          = 
| armaments         = *Taim & Bak IX4 or KX5 laser cannons (2)
*ArMek SW-4 or SW-5 ion cannons (2) 
*Arakyd Flex Tube proton torpedo launchers (2)
**Proton bombs & torpedoes
| defense           = *Chempat deflector shield generator
*Titanium-reinforced alusteel hull
| max_speed         = *2,750 G (maximum acceleration)
*1,000 km/h (621 mph; maximum atmospheric speed)
*80 MGLT (megalight per hour; subluminal speed) <!--Its speed in meters per second would be 29,997 m/s; or around 107,925 km/h (67,061 mph)-->
*1.0 HCR (hyperdrive class rating; superluminal speed)<!--Hyperdrives are rated on a scale of 1.0 to 3.0, with lower numbers being faster-->
| propulsion        = *Koensayr R200 ion jet engines (2)
*Class 1 Koensayr R300-h hyperdrive motivator (1)
| chassis           = 
| power             = 
| mass              = 
| length            = {{plainlist|
*23.04 meters (Original)
*16.24 meters (Rebel-modified)
}}
| width             = 8.54 meters
| height            = 2.44 meters
| population_volume = {{plainlist|
*1 pilot
*1 gunner (optional)
*1 [[astromech droid]]
}}
}}
The '''Koensayr series Y-wing assault starfighter/bomber''' are a series of fictional spacecraft from the ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise. They are depicted as [[fighter-bomber]]s of the [[Galactic Republic]], [[Rebel Alliance]], [[New Republic (Star Wars)|New Republic]] and the [[Resistance (Star Wars)|Resistance]].  Within the ''Star Wars'' setting, Y-wings are known for being ideally suited for [[Anti-surface warfare|anti-shipping]], [[close air support]],  [[air interdiction]], [[escort fighter|escort]], [[force protection]] and [[Attack aircraft|ground attack mission]]s.  Y-wings made their first theatrical appearance in ''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]'' and have featured in movies, television shows, and the [[Star Wars expanded universe|''Star Wars'' expanded universe]]'s books, comics, and games.

==Origin and design==
[[Colin Cantwell]], who also designed the saga's [[TIE fighter]]s, initially designed the Y-wing with a large bubble turret for a gunner.<ref name="bts">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/ywingstarfighter/?id=bts|title=Y-wing starfighter (Behind the Scenes)|work=Star Wars Databank|access-date=2007-08-29|publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]}}</ref> However, the dome did not appear properly when filmed against [[chroma key|bluescreen]] and subsequent designs omitted the turret.<ref name="bts" />

==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]].

==Analysis==
In 2018, various ''Star Wars'' starfighters had their aerodynamic abilities tested using the [[Autodesk]] Flow Design virtual [[wind tunnel]] program.  Of those tested, the Y-wing had a [[drag coefficient]] of .68, which, while worse than the real-life example of the [[F-4E Phantom]] with a rating of .02, was better than that of most [[TIE Fighter]]s tested.  These poor results were rationalized with the in-universe explanations that drag coefficient plays no role in space travel and that ''Star Wars'' fighters can use [[repulsorlift]]s and [[Technology in Star Wars#Force fields|deflector shields]] to give themselves better flight profiles.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pockross|first=Adam|title=Testing the Aerodynamics of Star Wars Ships in a Virtual Wind Tunnel|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/testing-aerodynamics-star-wars-ships-virtual-wind-tunnel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620025609/http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/testing-aerodynamics-star-wars-ships-virtual-wind-tunnel|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 20, 2018|website=SyFy Wire|access-date=9 September 2020}} </ref>

==Cultural impact==
[[Ken Napzok]] in ''Why We Love Star Wars: The Great Moments That Built a Galaxy Far, Far Away'' argues that the Y-wing is the true workhorse of the Rebellion but that it gets unfairly overshadowed by the classic [[X-wing]] and other starfighters.  Admitting that it is a slower and bulkier design, he nevertheless points out the critical role it played in the ''Rogue One'' movie proved its worth as a vital Rebel asset for softening Imperial defenses.  He also highlights a larger point that such fun and often silly debates about little details in the ''Star Wars'' saga are what attract many fans to the series.<ref>{{cite book|last=Napzok|first=Ken|title=Why We Love Star Wars: The Great Moments That Built a Galaxy Far, Far Away|date=15 May 2019|publisher=Mango Media Inc.|isbn=9781642500011|chapter=Y-Wings to the Rescue: Celebrating the Workhorse of the Rebel Fleet}}</ref>

Writing for the [[Smithsonian (magazine)|''Smithsonian'']], Cory Graff contrasts the Y-wing and X-wing working together with another complimentary pair: the [[Supermarine Spitfire]] and [[Hawker Hurricane]] during the [[Battle of Britain]].  He states that the X-wing's popularity "is not unlike the preference wartime magazine photographers showed toward the stunning Spitfire fighter, while the workhorse Hurricane was all but ignored. Lucas’ war-wagon Y-wing received similar treatment."  The in-universe explanation for how the Y-wing was stripped down to make it faster mirrors how many fighters of the time were similarly converted for reconnaissance duties.  He also draws parallels between the design of the Y-wing and another fighter, the [[Lockheed P-38 Lightning]], with both featuring centrally-located cockpits and twin booms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/air-battles-became-star-wars-1-180975832/|title=The Real Aerial Battles That Inspired Star Wars|website=Smithsonian|date=October 2020|access-date=1 July 2025}}</ref>

In July 2024, a miniature of the Y-wing, used in the filming of the original ''Star Wars'' movie and identified as the model flown by Gold Leader, was sold at auction for $1.55 million USD.  It was one of only two "hero" miniatures that were created for filming close-up shots.  The auction was held by [[Heritage Auctions]], which began the bidding at $300,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aol.com/1m-star-wars-y-wing-142738514.html|title=$1M ‘Star Wars’ Y-wing starfighter, Princess Leia bikini up for auction|website=AOL.com|date=6 July 2024|access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://filmstories.co.uk/news/star-wars-original-y-wing-model-and-leia-bikini-go-up-for-auction/|title=Star Wars: Original Y-wing model and Leia Bikini go up for auction|website=Film Stores|date=11 July 2024|access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/star-wars-starfighter-miniature-princess-leia-bikini-sold-auction-1236087396/|title=‘Star Wars’ Starfighter Miniature Sells for $1.55 Million, Princess Leia Bikini Goes for $175K at Auction|website=Variety|date=27 July 2024|access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>

[[Lego]] has released multiple Y-wing sets starting with their first one in 1999, which was part of a combo pack along with a TIE Fighter.  Two of these were part of the Ultimate Collector Series (UCS), one in 2004 and again in 2018, which have high piece counts and meticulous detailing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://brickbucks.net/every-lego-star-wars-y-wing-set-ever-released/|title=Every LEGO Star Wars Y-Wing Set Ever Released|website=Brick Bucks|date=1 October 2022|access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>  The second UCS Y-wing set consisted of 1,967 pieces and when fully constructed measured 2 inches high by 24 inches long and 11 inches wide.  It also came with a display stand and sold at retail for $199.99 USD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-lego-y-wing/|title=The New Star Wars LEGO Y-Wing Looks Awesome|website=ScreenRant|date=4 April 2018|access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Star Wars spacecraft]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==External links==
* {{Star Wars Databank|subject=y-wing-starfighter|text=Y-wing starfighter}}
* {{Wookieepedia|BTL Y-wing starfighter}}
{{Star Wars universe|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:Star Wars spacecraft]]
[[Category:Fictional elements introduced in 1977]]
[[sv:Lista över farkoster i Star Wars#Y-wing]]