V-19 Torrent starfighter/Legends

V-19 Torrent starfighter The V-19 Torrent starfighter was an assault fighter with exceptional speed and maneuverability used by the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars.

It was a predecessor of the Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-wing starfighter, in terms of purpose and usage.

Characteristics
The V-19 was unique in that it had two pairs of folding airfoils (S-foils) that gave the ship added maneuverability and provided pilots with easy access to the cockpit's sliding canopy. The lower, hinged S-foils coupled with enhanced repulsorlift engines made the V-19 an exceptional vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fighter.

Armament
Its armament consisted of two blaster cannons (one on each wingtip) and two concussion missile launchers. The number of concussion missiles carried by the V-19 is currently unknown, but was at least six. At Muunilinst, it was shown that these missiles were capable of independently acquiring and tracking their own targets. Anakin Skywalker took advantage of this feature to destroy a swarm of Nantex-class starfighters and a gun platform.

Production rush
After prototypes proved to be successful during the Battle of Geonosis, the Republic quickly produced V-19s to add to the arsenal of the growing clone army to fill the gap evidenced by the LAAT gunships' ineffectiveness against enemy starfighters. However, due to the months of training it took for the Republic's clone trooper pilots to become proficient with the vessel, the fighter was not available in large numbers for some of the early engagements of the war, not making a prominent showing until the Battle of Muunilinst.

V-19 fighters, were present during the Battle of Teth, when Obi-Wan Kenobi arrived with reinforcements for assisting General Skywalker. They were also constantly present in Skywalker's flagship, the Resolute, especially during the Malevolence crisis.

This fighter also saw action during the Battle of Kiros, while Skywalker and his Padawan succeeded setting free the Togruta colony world from the separatist forces. When the peaceful world of Nexus Ortai was place of a terrible battle during the Clone Wars, the V-19 served as principal defense force against the separatist in the space fight.

After that, fighters of this class were also present during the Sky Battle of Quell, where they defended the flagship of Jedi Aayla Secura, while she was waiting for reinforcements from Anakin Skywalker.

Not long after that, V-19 fighters saw action the in space fight during the Battle of Ryloth, before the initial retreat of Jedi Commander Ahsoka Tano and later during the Battle of Rendili under the command of generals Saesee Tiin and Plo Koon. They were also deployed during the Battle of Tirahnn.

Design upgrades
Initially designed as a short-range fighter, Republic technicians later added a Class 1 hyperdrive to equip the vessel for escort missions. Some were also modified to use Syluire-31 hyperspace docking rings. However, many of the hyperdrive-less fighters remained in service.

Venator-class Star Destroyers were sometimes equipped with V-19s instead of V-wings, with a complement of 192. When a Venator opened its dorsal hangar V-19s would often be scrambled as a picket to screen the vulnerable, exposed hangar. The Acclamator-class assault ship also fielded V-19s. Although the number of fighters these ships could carry is unknown, the Acclamators that took the strike force to Muunilinst held at least 156 V-19s each.

Torrent starfighters were joined&mdash;and eventually replaced&mdash;by ARC-170 starfighters and V-wings as the main fighters in the Republic's fleet towards the end of the Clone Wars. However, V-19s were still in frontline service by the Republic near the end of the Clone Wars, serving as part of the task force sent to defend Kashyyyk shortly before the execution of Order 66.

After the execution of the Order 66, the unconscious clone trooper HOB-147 of the Light Brigade Division was rescued by a man named Hurd Coyle, from the remains of his V-19 Torrent starfighter, where he was lost in space. This clone trooper would befriend young Padawans transported in Coyle's salvage ship, and would not turn them over to Imperial troopers.

The Galactic Empire continued to utilize Torrents after the end of the Clone Wars, often reassigning these fighters to older carrier vessels and installations in the Outer Rim.

Behind the scenes
LucasArts' Art Director Chris Williams and Concept Artist Greg Knight developed the design of the V-19 Torrent for the 2-D Clone Wars micro-series. They drew inspiration for the fighter's folding wings from the real-world F4U Corsair. Concept art of the Torrent for the 3-D Star Wars: The Clone Wars film was drawn up by Thang Le.