Y-wing with full fairing

[Connor MacLeod]

ordnance.

There'd have to be extra launch tubes for that, which aren't evident - maybe there's some on the underside but I bet you we won't see any tubes for torpedoes or bays for bombs when the show hits.

How would we exactly know or identify them? For all we know they're concealed behind panels ro something. Torpedo launchers were never exactly evident on the Falcon, A-wings, OR B-wings either.

For that matter, why would we assume they neccesarily launch the way X-wings are depicted to launch torpedoes (basically smart bullets, as I think of them)

Further, I just can't see the Rebellion getting rid of what appears to be enough volume for two extra sets of torpedo tubes and lots of proton torpedoes or bombs.

That assumes this particular model carried over in production into the OT era, or that parts for it were available. We DO know that ships can require particular parts.

In any case, exta bombing capacity is only one possible solution. Y-wings are used for other roles (like recon, for example. Sensors or extended range capability would also serve in that role. Hell, maybe it even deploys probes or something.)

[Vympel]

How would we exactly know or identify them? For all we know they're concealed behind panels ro something. Torpedo launchers were never exactly evident on the Falcon, A-wings, OR B-wings either.

Well I'd go by the torpedo launchers on the underside of the Y-Wing nose, which are very visible - it'd be odd for the Y-Wing to have extra torpedo tubes that are concealed when the two under the nose are in plain view on the model (being similar to the X-Wings' tubes).

(Also, though the warhead launcher on the MF isn't evident, the ones on the A-Wings were always pretty obvious on the model to me.

That assumes this particular model carried over in production into the OT era, or that parts for it were available. We DO know that ships can require particular parts.

In any case, exta bombing capacity is only one possible solution. Y-wings are used for other roles (like recon, for example. Sensors or extended range capability would also serve in that role. Hell, maybe it even deploys probes or something.)

That's a good idea, but methinks we'll just see it flying around fighting. I suspect it'll be a long range "heavy" fighter or interceptor.

[Typhonis 1]

Isn`t it cannon that the Rebellion had a very low stockpile of Proton Torpedoes?

Also couldn`t there be two types of Y wings much like their were what two types of T-34s made in WW2?

[Spanky The Dolphin]

I think it looks quite awesome, definitely more imaginative compared to the version from the ICS.

Only if the frame is monocoque or semi-monocoque in construction, I guess.

What do those terms mean, exactly? I'm only really familiar with them in context with mobile suit frames from Gundam.

[DrMckay]

Proton Torpedoes and concussion missiles cost A LOT, (the reason each fighter on the Death Star raid only had 2 each) Pulling any hypothetical extra tubes/ammo storage could simplify maintenance, and would not be a problem ammo-wise, as the Rebels didn't have much anyway.

[Old Plympto]

What do those terms mean, exactly? I'm only really familiar with them in context with mobile suit frames from Gundam.

Monocoque construction in aviation terms means that the fuselage of the aircraft is its primary load bearing component. Nothing inside is taking up its load. Semi-monocoque is basically the same, but it has construction components under its fuselage, like frames and stringers to strengthen the skin's load bearing capability.

These are considered primary structures on an aircraft, which means if you cut a piece out of the skin you compromise its strength which can lead to catastrophic failure.

Older aircraft use internal tubing called truss-tubes to form an endoskeleton, to use a non-aviation term. You can see an example on Bell 47 helicopter tails, like during the intro on MASH. That's why some WWI-WW2 aircraft sometimes even use fabric as their skin.

Now for this Y-wing I would conjecture that this is its construction:

1. Some sort of internal truss tube (or a Star Wars universe method unknown yet to us but is more structurally sound) is built which is the basic Y shape.

2. All basic components (power plants, hyperdrive, sensors, flight computer, repulsors, life support, cockpit equipment, R2 socket, etc) and associated cabling are physically installed onto the truss tube structure internally. Some armour plates are installed within the skin or between the truss tubes to protect the equipment and pilots. In the OT, the cockpit section is still covered, but most of the rest of the fighter is not.

3. Specialized equipment (enhanced sensors, ordnance, drogues, fuel for extended missions etc) is proposed to be installed. Now, these can be installed externally of the basic Y shape structure, but they are exposed to the elements. So a carbon-fibre (or some non-load bearing composite material) fairing is created to cover them.

You know what could conceivably be that large-ish thing on its back? Some sort of auxiliary power unit so they don't need to connect the Y-wing's electrical system to a ground power unit (the umbilicals in ANH?) to power the fighter before the engines take over as power plants.

[Connor MacLeod]

Well I'd go by the torpedo launchers on the underside of the Y-Wing nose, which are very visible - it'd be odd for the Y-Wing to have extra torpedo tubes that are concealed when the two under the nose are in plain view on the model (being similar to the X-Wings' tubes).

(Also, though the warhead launcher on the MF isn't evident, the ones on the A-Wings were always pretty obvious on the model to me.

I don't see your bloody point. This particular Y-wing model may not even have the "underside" type launchers the OT Y-wing had. And if it does, that doesn't preclude additional launchers. THe concept of multiple warhead/bomb bays is used in TIE Bombers to good effect as well (to allow carrying different kinds of ordnance.)

That's a good idea, but methinks we'll just see it flying around fighting. I suspect it'll be a long range "heavy" fighter or interceptor.

Could be. The ARC-170 was supposed to be a bomber after all, ,and we just saw it bloody dogfighting most of the time too. Same for B-wings really.

[Drooling Iguana]

Check this out

Honestly I like it better than the Incredible Cross Sections version, although the bubble on the turret is a little silly. I suppose this is an early model, so the ICS version is still valid as a later model.

The bubble-turret is actually from one of Ralph McQuarrie's drawings that went with one of the early drafts of the first movie. It's where C3PO stood when he blew up the Death Star (yes, in one of the early drafts of Star Wars C3PO blew up the Death Star.)

[Spanky The Dolphin]

I've read each of the drafts and I don't recall that in any of them. But I'll go check.

EDIT: Silly me, it's in the second draft; 3PO and Antilles man the turrets of Luke's fighter. You win this round, DI.

And for the record, in regards to the early Y-wing design, McQuarrie incorporated Colin Cantwell's concept model for the ship into those specific concept sketches and paintings. The Y-wing was then later refined and finalized by Joe Johnston, and McQuarrie would use that design in later concept paintings for the film.

[Anguirus]

EDIT: Silly me, it's in the second draft; 3PO and Antilles man the turrets of Luke's fighter. You win this round, DI.

WHY DIDN'T I KNOW THIS?

Man, and folks complain about lil' Anakin destroying the battleship.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

EDIT: Silly me, it's in the second draft; 3PO and Antilles man the turrets of Luke's fighter. You win this round, DI.

WHY DIDN'T I KNOW THIS?

You gotta read the drafts, man.

[Darwin]

hah. they brought back the big bubble turret from the original concept. sneaky!

Looking at panel lines, the delta fuselage could actually easily be FAST packs, though I can't really figure out the reasons for fairing in the control vanes. Maybe this is a heavily armored assault variant.

I have no problem with both faired-in Y-wing versions. Now I have more things to consider when I build my Fine Molds Y-Wing kit. ^.^

[Vympel]

I don't see your bloody point. This particular Y-wing model may not even have the "underside" type launchers the OT Y-wing had. And if it does, that doesn't preclude additional launchers. THe concept of multiple warhead/bomb bays is used in TIE Bombers to good effect as well (to allow carrying different kinds of ordnance.)

I'm going by the concept art, i.e. this is intended to be a non-stripped OT Y-Wing, which is why the nose is identical (as the concept art notes) - assuming the nose is identical, then I'd imagine the torpedo tubes, if there were any extra, should be as well.

Still, bombs are a possibility. It should be able to pack in quite a few.

Speaking of the ARC-170, I still don't know where any of its supposed warheads were supposed to come from. The LEGO version had a bomb dispenser though

[Winston Blake]

Maybe the new version and the ICS version have a relationship similar to the F-22 and canceled FB-22. That would help with the fighter vs bomber schizophrenia.

The FB-22 differs from the original F-22 design significantly. A lengthened fuselage and larger delta wing provide greater fuel capacity for greater range, of some 1,600 miles, compared with the F-22's 600 miles. This also allows room for a larger internal weapons bay, better suiting long range attack missions and improved stealth. A possible change to the General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136 or the new F135 engines (developed for the new F-35) would allow for a higher top-speed.

[...]

Related research is currently being undertaken to develop a stealth ordnance pod and hardpoints. This would allow the F-22, and any aircraft it spawns, to carry a far greater amount of ordnance than the internal bays alone, while still allowing the craft to maintain its stealth characteristics.

[...]

Because of the work already done on the F-22, developing the FB-22 might cost about $5 billion to $7 billion – a fraction of the price for starting a bomber from scratch.