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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.^[10] 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.^[11][1]

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.^[12] 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,^[13] as did Princess Leia Organa and C-3PO on their journey to the Circarpous system.^[14]

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.^[15]

The Rebel Alliance also used two-person Y-wings at numerous battles during the Galactic Civil War^[12] and at the Battle of Bespin.^[5]

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.^[15]

The Rebel Alliance-affiliated Bothan Blue Squadron used 12 Y-wings. Half of them were destroyed on the Raid on the Suprosa.^[16]

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,^[7] and later rescued Rogue Squadron during the evacuation of Ciutric.^[17]

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 Star Wars: Rogue Squadron: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide and Star Wars: 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[]

Sources[]

Notes and references[]