BTL-A4 Y-wing assault starfighter/bomber

BTL Y-wing starfighter "They're the workhorses of this outfit, I can tell you that."

- Tiree

The BTL Y-wing starfighter is a single-seat Rebel Alliance assault starfighter used during the Battle of Yavin and the Battle of Endor.

Characteristics
The BTL Y-wing starfighter was crewed by a single pilot. The 23-meter-long attack starfighter had a paired ion cannon turret and two forward-mounted laser cannons, along with two proton torpedo launchers. The wedge-shaped cockpit and ejection system was placed on the front of the craft, with the central spar containing the power generator extending behind it. Two ion jet engines were attached to either side of the spar. The engines had exhaust nacelles and support pylons, and had domes on the front of the nacelles. The hyperdrive was at the rear of the spar. Squadron markings were placed on the cockpit and the forward tips of the engine nacelles.

History
The Rebel Alliance used the Y-wing during the Galactic Civil War against Palpatine's Empire. The Alliance deployed the starfighter to their hidden fortress, and launched Gold Squadron against the approaching Death Star during the Battle of Yavin. Flying with two wingmen, Gold Leader attempted the trench run to destroy the battlestation, but they were all shot down by Darth Vader. During the battle, all but one of the eight Y-wings were destroyed. Luke Skywalker, a farmboy from Tatooine and the son of Darth Vader, fired the shot that destroyed the Death Star.

Following the Rebel defeat at the Battle of Hoth, Y-wings were among the ships of the Rebel Fleet that met at the rendezvous point.

Y-wings also joined the Rebel Fleet to attack the second Death Star at Endor. During the battle, Y-wings were deployed as Gray Squadron. Under General Lando Calrissian's orders, they joined in attacking Imperial Star Destroyers at point-blank range, and then followed him into the Death Star after its defenses were knocked out by Han Solo's ground team. One Y-wing broke off and led TIE fighters away from Calrissian's strike group, which succeeded in destroying the battlestation.

Behind the scenes
The Y-wing appears in the Star Wars films. They were designed by Ralph McQuarrie.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novelization
 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi