This is the true icon of justice and all things right throughout The Galaxy. Let's talk for a minute about that.
The BTL-B Y-Wing entered service during the early years of The Clone Wars, first flown in a long range strike operation in an effort to destroy
The Malevolence
, or at least its ultra-heavy Ion Cannon superweapon, capable of disabling entire fleets in a single blow, rendering them helpless. The Y-Wing's first flight against this weapon of terror was successful, the vessel later brought down by combined Republic efforts. Thoroughly impressing the brass and its mettle proven by Anakin Skywalker himself, The Y-Wing became a staple of The Republic fleet, though something of an unsung hero.
Following The Clone Wars, the BTL-B Y-Wing was retrofitted and eventually decommissioned, universally being sent to scrap yards, as The Galactic Empire had no use for a long range, multi-crewed Strike Bomber. Its heroism done disservice by the government it once served, The old Clone Wars era Y-Wings were saved by Phoenix Squadron and crew, soon further refit into what would become the workhorse of the Yavin cell, and eventually the entire Rebellion as a whole.
The BTL-B Y-Wing was given new life, as the BTL-A4 Y-Wing. Its need for a secondary crewman was replaced, the vessel becoming a single occupant craft- shortened and lightened significantly, so that the Y-Wing could be more agile in combat. Though fussy to maintain for a ragtag Rebellion, rather than a fully armed and equipped Navy proper, The Y-Wing continued its campaign against terror under the Rebellion's Starbird, serving at the Battle of Scarif,
instrumental
to the Rebellion's success and securing of The Death Star Plans. Without its Ion Torpedo payload, the day would have surely been lost.
Sadly, The Y-Wing, though employed against a weapon of terror- the greatest one yet, The Death Star- did not fare all too well. Out of the entirety of Gold Squadron, only Evaan Verlaine's
Gold Three
would survive the engagement, alongside
Red Two, Red Five,
and
The Millennium Falcon,
famously flown by Wedge Antilles, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Chewbacca. Most unfortunately, no Y-Wing ever made it to the Exhaust Port, and if not for the X-Wings carrying their payload, The Rebellion would have been lost that day. Tough as it may be, the Y-Wing could no longer cut it alone.
After this, the Y-Wing quietly continued its campaign against tyranny. Still successful and still useful, it made its presence known at The Battle of Endor, performing admirably alongside other strike craft such as the X-Wing and A-Wing, but overshadowed by the significantly more powerful AS/F-01 B-Wing, which had reportedly killed entire Star Destroyers during the battle, a significant achievement to be certain.
At this time, the history of The Y-Wing seemed to be coming to an end. Unable to perform as well as a Strike Craft like the X or A-Wings, and not as destructive as the incredible B-Wing, the old horse was seemingly on its last legs.
But. The New Republic
had indeed
commissioned Koensayr to work on a brand new type of Y-Wing.
The BTA-NR2 Y-Wing may very well be yet another refit on the now 56 year old frame. With an extended crew cabin and what looks to be a manned gunner seat, the NR2 seeks to continue its fight against evil and its weapons of absolute terror.
The Republic.
The Rebellion.
The Resistance.
The Y-Wing has always fought on the side of good, has never faltered in its faithful service, and has always come through in the end.
There is no Starfighter in Galactic History more deserving of one's respect. Even the X-Wing must respect its legacy.
The Y-Wing is an
ineffable
proponent of all things good, just, and right.
