BTL-S3 Y-wing starfighter

BTL-S3 Y-wing starfighter The BTL-S3 Y-wing starfighter was a variant configuration of the BTL Y-wing starfighter. It was used primarily by the Alliance to Restore the Republic.

Characteristics
The BTL-S3 was the most common Y-wing configuration. A two-man strike starfighter, the first crew member piloted the craft, while the second acted as a gunner and controlled the two swivel-mounted ion cannons, located right on top of the cockpit.

Many Y-wings of this variant were modified with defensive rapid-fire blaster turrets replacing the ion cannon turret, and particle cannons instead of the dual laser cannons on the nose. These Y-wings were used as heavy capital ship destroyers, and were eventually phased out by the new B-wing starfighters.

History
Luke Skywalker used this variant on his mission to Panna in 0 ABY, as did Princess Leia Organa and C-3PO on their journey to the Circarpous Major system.

The Deretta Destroyers, a mixed starfighter squadron of the Alliance to Restore the Republic, consisted of several BTL-S3s. Rebel pilot Tenk Lenso proved his skill as a gunner in the rear of a BTL-S3 while serving with the Destroyers.

The Rebel Alliance also used two-person Y-wings at numerous battles during the Galactic Civil War and at the Battle of Bespin.

Several of the BTL-S3s were stationed at Echo Base on the planet Hoth in 3 ABY. They assisted the base's T-65 X-wing starfighters in the evacuation of numerous GR-75 medium transports through the Imperial blockade of the planet. Rogue Squadron members Derek Klivian and Wes Janson escorted the transport Thon's Orchard to safety using a BTL-S3.

The Rebel Alliance-affiliated Bothan Blue Squadron used 12 Y-wings. Half of them were destroyed on the Raid on the Suprosa.

During the period after the Battle of Endor, Aggressor Wing's New Republic BTL-S3 Y-wing starfighters commanded by Colonel Horton Salm participated in the Battle of Brentaal IV, and later rescued Rogue Squadron during the First Battle of Ciutric IV.

Behind the scenes
The BTL-S3 Y-wing starfighter first appeared in 1978's novel Splinter of the Mind's Eye, by Alan Dean Foster, and the first Expanded Universe novel.

Both Rogue Squadron: Official Nintendo Player's Guide and Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide mislabel the single-seat BTL-A4 Y-wing starfighter as the S3 variant.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Battlefront
 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * Star Wars Missions 2: Escape from Thyferra
 * The Story of the Faithful Wookiee
 * Splinter of the Mind's Eye
 * Splinter of the Mind's Eye 1
 * Star Wars 68: The Search Begins
 * Star Wars 69: Death in the City of Bone
 * Shadows of the Empire comic
 * Shadows of the Empire novel
 * X-wing Rogue Squadron: In the Empire's Service
 * X-wing Rogue Squadron: In the Empire's Service
 * X-wing Rogue Squadron: In the Empire's Service