Alpha-3Nimbus-class V-wing starfighter

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Alpha-3Nimbus-class V-wing starfighter

V-wings were some of the more recent spacecraft in theRepublic Navy, and frequently filled the role as combat support ships. The small silhouette, high speed, and great agility of this fighter made it hard to target and a very effective ship despite its small size. They were later succeeded by theImperialTIE Fighter andits variants, as well as theRebelRZ-1 A-wing interceptor, all of which incorporated aspects of the V-wing into their designs.

Characteristics[]

The Alpha-3Nimbus-class starfighter was a sturdy, wedge-shapedstarfighter similar to theDelta-7Aethersprite-class interceptors used by theJedi Order. It was manufactured byKuat Systems Engineering, the same company responsible for both the Delta-7 fighter and its successor, theEta-2Actis-class interceptor, and was designed as a successor to theV-19 Torrent starfighter^[1] bySlayn & Korpil.^[10] Both the Delta-7 and the Alpha-3 were designed by the engineerWalex Blissex,^[1] who would later co-design the Rebel Alliance'sA-wing fighter withJan Dodonna.^[11]

The V-Wing featured folding wings similar to those fitted on the later Eta-2 interceptors. But when landing, the wings fold downward to form as landing gear. On each wing was a radiator panel which helped aid in heat disposal during combat. Nestled between each wing and the hull were two twinlaser cannons, which could swivel on the vessel's wing hubs to provide a wide range of fire.^[2] A single forwardconcussion missile launcher could be fitted to the prow.^[5] Aft of the starfighter's main hull were twodeflector shield heat sinks, located above the two vertically stackedion drive thrusters. These flaps also provided some protection for the V-wing'spilots.^[2] Some models were equipped withFlak guns andProton bombs.^[12]

In keeping with the design of the Delta-7, the Alpha-3 featured anastromech droidsocket aft of the oval cockpit. V-wing pilots were often assisted by sphericalQ7-series astromech droids which provided in-flight navigation and maintenance skills that would otherwise require a copilot—which the compact V-wing could not accommodate.^[2] However, later incarnations of the V-wing used by theGalactic Empire omitted the astromech, with the pilot as the only occupant.^[13] In addition, some later incarnations utilized a similar engine to the laterTIE Series, resulting in it having a similar engine roar to its successors.^[7]

The V-wing starfighter was too small to feature an integratedhyperdrive, and like their Jedi-owned counterparts, it required transportation into combat zones by carriers such as theVenator-class Star Destroyers.^[2] Additionally, V-wing fighters were also capable of usingSyluire-45 hyperspace transport rings to go long distances like the Eta-2 and both Delta-7 models.

History[]

V-wing fighters were often unleashed from warship hangars in large swarms, and were one of the most numerous starfighters in theRepublic Navy late in theClone Wars. They were most frequently deployed fromVenator-class Star Destroyers and were typically the primary fighter aboard these vessels. While they lacked the power of theARC-170 starfighter, they made up for it in raw speed and agility. There were produced in limited numbers until19 BBY. V-wings were speedy and evasive targets, even for the advanceddroid tri-fighters used by theConfederacy of Independent Systems in the last days of the Clone Wars. Mass-produced for Loyalist forces, V-wings participated in large-scale fleet operations and assisted in the defense ofRepublic worlds during the Clone Wars. They were^[2] Theclone trooper pilots who flew the fighter had specially adaptedhelmets, differing from the ones usually worn by other clone pilots. These round helmets fully enclosed the wearer's face and, along with theirflight suits, were fully sealed due to the lack of alife support system. These suits allowed them to survive in space after ejection. The same pilot suit was also worn by the pilots ofTheta-class T-2c shuttles.^[2]

V-wing starfighters flew into battle alongside ARC-170s and Eta-2 interceptors during theBattle of Coruscant near the end of the conflict, fighting off droid tri-fighters,Vulture droids, and deadlybuzz droids, with some even getting as far as the Separatist flagship,Invisible Hand, although many were lost to enemy fire.

Following the end of the Clone Wars, V-wing squadrons flew under the banner of theGalactic Empire.^[1] Three^[7]Experimental V-wings, flown by elite pilots,^[1] escorted the self-appointedEmperorPalpatine'sshuttle during his voyage fromCoruscant toMustafar and again on the return trip, culminating at theEmperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center.^[7] These elite V-wings were modified forhyperspace travel^[1] and equipped with upgraded shields. In the early stages of theNew Order, new V-wing models were commissioned. These craft featured Imperial livery and lacked an astromech droid.^[13] The pilots wore a completely black jump suit with a life support system and a black helmet simlar to the ones worn by the clone pilots, but with parts of their face being exposed and and goggles covering their eyes.^[14] These star fighters usually escorted the Emperor's shuttle and Imperials of importance.^[source?] Eventually, most of them were phased out in favor of theTIE Fighter andits variants, and were either scrapped or sold for surplus.^[5]

At least several V-wings would fall into the hands of theRebel Alliance during theGalactic Civil War.

Eventually, private organizations, such as theHutt Cartel, used V-wings after salvaging them. They were also used by theMandalorians around theBattle of Yavin during askirmish with theZann Consortium.^[8]

In13 ABY,^[15] they were one of many Clone Wars-era vehicles used by theRestored Empire. Several V-wings were present at the Imperial faction'sbase on theclass-6 planetoidRZ7-6113-23 for the arrival of formerImperial GuardsmanKir Kanos^[9]

The Restored Empire's V-wings later saw action against aNew Republic force investigating thedisappearance of the [[[Dauntless-class heavy cruiser|Dauntless-class heavy cruiser]] [Endor (Dauntless-class)|Endor]] over RZ7-6113-23. TheNimbus-class starfightersengaged theMC80 Star Cruiser ofCaptainLar Ndigo to buy time for the Restored Empire's fleet to launch, losing at least two of their number to thecruiser's complement of [A-wing interceptors.^[16] The faction once again employed V-wing starfighters in anattack on the insufficiently-defendedImperial Remnantcapital ofOrinda. The Restored Empire's numerical superiority made short work of theplanet's defenses, with the outdated V-wings seeing success against the more modernTIE/LN starfighters.^[17]

Behind the scenes[]

The Alpha-3Nimbus-class V-wing starfighter was designed for the filmStar Wars: Episode IIIRevenge of the Sith directed byGeorge Lucas.^[7] Prior to the release of the film onMay 19,2005,^[18] the V-wings appeared in the novelLabyrinth of Evil byJames Luceno, released onJanuary 25,^[19] and were described and identified in the reference bookStar Wars: Revenge of the Sith Incredible Cross-Sections,^[2] released onApril 2.^[20]

Animation directorRob Coleman originally considered showing TIE Fighters at the end ofRevenge of the Sith, but Lucas decided to show V-wing starfighters instead, pointing out that the Empire would have nineteen years to build TIEs.^[source?] As a reference to TIE fighters, however, they have very similar engine sounds, as can be heard towards the end of the film when several pairs of V-wings are seen patrolling the area where construction of theDeath Star is beginning.

Further appearances and discrepancies[]

In the gamesStar Wars: Battlefront II andStar Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron,^[6] the V-wing is depicted as a heavybomber withshock cannons and proton bombs rather than the fast interceptor craft that it has been established as in other sources. Although this portrayal of the ship is likely considered non-canon, it was done regardless as the fighter and interceptor roles for the Republic faction were already filled, leaving the V-wing to take on the bomber ship class. Surprisingly, the ARC-170, which has a role of bomber in other sources, does not have that same role inBattlefront II—it is given the multi-purpose fighter role, likely for the purpose of creating continuity with its better-known descendant, theX-wing. The V-wing was also a ship in which players of the now closed MMOStar Wars Galaxies could fly as their personal ship. However, it was a very rare ship as it was only available as a loot card in theSquadrons Over Corellia trading card game booster packs. Due to the rarity of this ship inStar Wars Galaxies it was highly sought after by pilots who actively took part in player versus player content in space. A V-wing can be found onRaxus Prime inStar Wars: The Force Unleashed on the Nintendo DS version of the game. In the video gameStar Wars: Empire at War, V-Wings are used by pirate space forces, however their icon is the same of that of theZ-95 Headhunter's. This is fixed in the sequel. InStar Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption, during theMission to Mandalore, there are V-wings used by theMandalorians that have ion cannons. WhenHasbro designed the V-wing action vehicle, the folding wings were not fully incorporated into use as landing gear as was shown inRevenge of the Sith.

Non-canon appearances[]

MultipleLEGOStar Wars sets of V-wings were released. The first set was released in2006 as part of theStar Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith line and included minifigures of a clone pilot and Q7-series astromech droid.^[21] In the newer line of LEGOStar Wars products in January of2011, a new set called the "Imperial V-Wing Starfighter" was released. This set includes a black version of the V-wing fighter, and a minifigure^[22] of an original Imperial V-Wing Pilot design with a fully black colored variant of the uniform of the craft's clone pilots,^[23] as well asR2-Q2.^[22] Another LEGO release of the Republic V-wing came out in January2014, with a clone pilot and an unnamed red astromech droid as minifigures included in the set.^[24]

Appearances[]

Explore all of Wookieepedia'simages for this article subject. Star Wars: Battlefront II Labyrinth of Evil(First appearance) Star Wars: Episode IIIRevenge of the Sith Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron Dark Times 2 Dark Times 4 Dark Times 5 Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader(andunabridged audiobook) Darth Vader and the Lost Command 2 Darth Vader and the Lost Command 4 Dark Times 11 Dark Times 13 Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows 4 The Last of the Jedi: Secret Weapon Evasive Action: End Game "The Guns of Kelrodo-Ai" —Star Wars Insider 132(reprinted inStar Wars Insider: The Fiction Collection Volume 1) "The Queen of Air and Darkness" – Dawn of Defiancecampaign(Mentioned only) "The First to Strike" – Dawn of Defiancecampaign Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron Star Wars Galaxies(post-NGE) Crimson Empire III: Empire Lost 1 Crimson Empire III: Empire Lost 4 Crimson Empire III: Empire Lost 5 Millennium Falcon(andaudiobook)

Non-canon appearances[]

• LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game
• LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
• LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
• LEGO Star Wars: Microfighters video game

Sources[]

Non-canon sources[]

• LEGO Star Wars Character Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded

Notes and references[]

External links[]

• Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-wing starfighter on theSWG Wiki