probably another silly question, but if the shuttle only has a forward firing arc, why does the model have rear guns?

Anti-Pursuit Lasers, apparently.

that just seems silly to me

Same reason Y wing and HWK models have turrets.

It should have had a rear arc like the Firespray does.

The issue there is that the rear firing turret is much, much less powerful than the main guns. The Firespray uses its main guns shooting forward or backwards. So, in this case having an upgrade card (or turret weapon cards in the case of the HWK and Y-Wing) makes the most sense thematically.

Same reason Y wing and HWK models have turrets.

Okay , i guess i just can't find the turret on my Y-Wings then...

Same reason Y wing and HWK models have turrets.

Okay , i guess i just can't find the turret on my Y-Wings then...

The ion cannons (above and just behind the cockpit) can rotate; that's the turret.

Lore-wise, single-seaters (or two-seaters with only one pilot) actually had the turrets locked to front or back usually, and two-seaters had the gunner in the second seat control the turret's facing.

Edit: Typos...

Same reason Y wing and HWK models have turrets.

Okay , i guess i just can't find the turret on my Y-Wings then...

Need to look very closely or use magnifying glass.