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Why are all of those critical-looking parts on the Y-Wing exposed? Why isn't there any plating or armor plating covering them up in case of a shield failure? Do they need to be out in the open like that?

http://www.theforce.net/multimedia/arch ... ywing6.jpg

Y-wings supposedly come stock all armored up but mechanics end up taking it off because they're old enough now that it becomes a pain in the ass to access all those old and constantly failing parts through the armor.

According to theforce.net's entry for the y-wing,

Because the Y-Wing required constant repairs, the Alliance - and many other independent parties - stripped off the outer hull covering the craft, aft of the cockpit, to make repairs easier to execute.

Its not as big of a problem as you might think. Early on, the Y-Wing was expected to engage other fighters and needed the durability.

With its stripping down and use as a strike fighter, it really needs to get in, get out, and drop bombs or launch torpedoes. Its surpassed by current trends in fighters, and thus it makes no pretense to be engaged by them and survive. It depends on defending space-superiority fighters such as the X-Wing, and the its own efficiency at completing the mission with punctuality. Therefore, combined with high-maintanence nature of the Y-Wing, stripping down her armor and body plates increase operational time (easier and more efficient maintanence), and increase mission efficiency by lightening the fighter, which in-turn opens for more ordinance or simply to increase engine performance.

IRG CommandoJoe wrote:Why are all of those critical-looking parts on the Y-Wing exposed? Why isn't there any plating or armor plating covering them up in case of a shield failure? Do they need to be out in the open like that?

Probably not. But then again there's no particular reason for them not to be; any armor isn't likely to be tough enough to stop them from being toasted by a good shot.

And the maintenance thing makes sense. And in addtion it might give the Y-wing a bit of a boost not to be carrying a bunch of excess armor.

Though it might actually slow it down in an atmosphere due to the reduced aerodynamic effenicy.

AOTC ICS suggests that shield geometry is integral to aerodynamic qualities.

darthdavid wrote:Though it might actually slow it down in an atmosphere due to the reduced aerodynamic effenicy.

I don't think the exposed surfaces would effect aerodynamics much, due to their location.

darthdavid wrote:Though it might actually slow it down in an atmosphere due to the reduced aerodynamic effenicy.

True, but they aren't likely to be used in an atmosphere for any extended period. And so that's bound to be a secondary consideration compared to regular maintenance and the possibility of shedding plenty of extra mass.


Not to mention the Y-wing is areodynamic as a brick anyway.

Stormbringer wrote:Not to mention the Y-wing is areodynamic as a brick anyway.

Hey, if you put enough power behind a brick, you can make it fly...

A lot of SW craft have poor aerodynamics, because for them it's not really an issue.

Crayz9000 wrote:

Stormbringer wrote:Not to mention the Y-wing is areodynamic as a brick anyway.

Hey, if you put enough power behind a brick, you can make it fly...

I'm familiar with the saying. But even the F-4 Phantom is a lot more aerodynamic than the Y-wing. I can't imagine it flying on engine power alone. More likely repusler lifts.

And aerodynamics is not particularly importany since the Y-Wing was designed to be a starfighter not an aerospace fighter.

So once it's shields are down, it's basically a slow-moving TIE Fighter. And why are there similar exposed spots on the top aft part of the X-Wing? Similar reasons?

http://www.squaremodels.netfirms.com/xwing.htm

It doesn't work.


But yes, in all likelihood it's open for ease of maintenance.

Yes...I just noticed that and fixed it to link to the page where the pic is on.

EDIT: Also, perhaps it is open like that for the R2 unit to access as well...

IRG CommandoJoe wrote:Yes...I just noticed that and fixed it to link to the page where the pic is on.

EDIT: Also, perhaps it is open like that for the R2 unit to access as well...

Again, it's probably just open access for maintenance personel.

IRG CommandoJoe wrote:So once it's shields are down, it's basically a slow-moving TIE Fighter. And why are there similar exposed spots on the top aft part of the X-Wing? Similar reasons?

http://www.squaremodels.netfirms.com/xwing.htm

With shields down armour does not matter much since a few shots will kill any unshieled fighter. It is better to lose the armour and use the weight saving for higher agility so the fighter does not get hit in the first place.

Well, even without plating a Y-wing is still a bit better off than a TIE without shields. The whole thing's triple redundant or better (or worse, if you're a mechanic). And the main problem is getting those shields down in the first place.

Rogue 9 wrote:Well, even without plating a Y-wing is still a bit better off than a TIE without shields. The whole thing's triple redundant or better (or worse, if you're a mechanic). And the main problem is getting those shields down in the first place.

Which honestly isn't that hard, really...

Well, its harder than on a TIE.

Well, the armor would have protected against grazing shots, but the added manueverability would likely make up for that loss.

Just out of curiosity, are there any pictures of an Y-wing with the plating still on?

In Star Wars: Incredible Cross-sections there is. It looks all nice and shiny...

Stormbringer wrote:

Crayz9000 wrote:

Stormbringer wrote:Not to mention the Y-wing is areodynamic as a brick anyway.

Hey, if you put enough power behind a brick, you can make it fly...

I'm familiar with the saying. But even the F-4 Phantom is a lot more aerodynamic than the Y-wing. I can't imagine it flying on engine power alone. More likely repusler lifts.

Its certainly repulsors, a relativistic ejecta stream in the atmosphere is going to have very bad effects, on top of the fact that its pretty radioactive.