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.

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.

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

Armament
Its armament consisted of two laser 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 droid fighters and a gun platform.

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. 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.

Behind the scenes

 * LucasArts' Art Director Chris Williams and Concept Artist Greg Knight developed the design of the V-19 Torrent for the Clone Wars micro-series. They drew inspiration for the fighter's folding wings from the real-world F4U Corsair.


 * The fighter design may have been inspired by Terran air unit "Wraith" in Starcraft, which is similarly shaped, and also armed with a laser cannons (for ground attack) and missile launchers (for air attack).


 * A fightercraft very similar in terms of shape is featured in the game Star Fox Command.

Appearances



 * Star Wars: Clone Wars
 * "Chapter 1"
 * "Chapter 2"
 * "Chapter 4"
 * "Chapter 8"
 * "Chapter 10"
 * Star Wars: Republic Commando
 * Republic Commando: Triple Zero
 * Star Wars Republic 61: Dead Ends
 * Star Wars Republic: The Dreadnaughts of Rendili