One of the highlights of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew‘s finale is the arrival of the New Republic fleet to free At Attin from the pirate attack. As Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) says, they are “the real good guys,” and they look pretty cool, too. Their starfighters make quick work of the attacking pirates, with some cool maneuvers involving some of them shooting powerful laser beams at the pirate frigate. Those are the B-Wings, some of the coolest starfighters in Star Wars, and while everyone usually remembers the X-Wings, they play just as important a role in the Rebellion.
The B-Wing Is One of the Most Versatile Starfighters in the Galaxy
The composite lasers may look cool, but they are hardly the only surprise the B-Wing has. Although not as sleek looking as the X-Wing, and definitely not nearly as fast as the A-Wing, the B-Wing is considered the most heavily armed starfighter in the galaxy when it is incorporated into the Rebel Alliance’s fleet. It is certainly more armed than the Y-Wing, for example, which is the Rebellion’s top choice for bombing missions.
Indeed, the B-Wing carries a strong punch. It carries four blaster turrets, including one that can be manned by a gunner for extra accuracy, and is also armed with its very own ion cannons, which are vital to subdue larger frigates and even capital ships. None of them are as powerful as its composite-beam laser, of course. It works by combining the power of multiple lasers and focusing them onto a single beam. These are extremely powerful, and the B-Wing is the first starfighter to use such technology, most commonly found on larger vessels, like the Republic’s LAAT Gunship and the Empire’s two infamous Death Stars.
Another B-Wing exclusive is its unique gyroscopic maneuverability. The cockpit has its own pod, with the starfighter’s body rotating around it. For atmospheric flights, this comes in especially handy, meaning that the pilot is always aligned with the horizon. It’s also emblematic of the ship’s transition into attack position by opening its s-foils; when in attack mode, the B-Wing looks like a cross, with the cockpit on top, while cruising mode puts the cockpit usually to the left, with all the rest aligned to the right. Despite all this, the B-Wing remains one of the most underestimated starfighters in Star Wars, with Skeleton Crew being the first time its composite-beam laser was shown in live-action, for example.
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The B-Wing Is Introduced in ‘Return of the Jedi’, but Really Shines in ‘Star Wars Rebels’
The B-Wing’s first appearance is in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, during the Battle of Endor, along with the A-Wing, and an updated version also shows up on Exegol in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. Those are very brief, though, and it’s only in Star Wars Rebels that it really gets the spotlight and proper backstory in the Season 2 episode “Wings of the Master,” when Hera Syndulla (Vanessa Marshall) first tests it for the Rebellion on a daring mission.
Continuing his quest to destroy the Phoenix rebel cell, Agent Alexsandr Kallus (David Oyelowo) mounts an Imperial blockade around the planet Ibaar, forcing the crew of the Ghost to try and deliver food supplies to the local population before they starve. They are unable to reach the surface, but Captain Rex (Dee Bradley Baker) later comes up with a possible solution: he has been in touch with a Mon Calamari engineer named Quarrie (Corey Burton), who has developed a new starfighter described as a “blockade buster.” Hera then goes to Quarrie’s station on the planet Shantipole to test the fighter and negotiate its acquisition by the Rebellion.
On Shantipole, Hera tests and approves the fighter, which Quarrie had named “Blade Wing” – which is why it was eventually renamed as B-Wing – and arrives at Ibaar in the nick of time to help Kanan Jarrus (Freddie Prinze Jr.) and Ezra Bridger (Taylor Gray) bust the Imperial blockade. A single B-Wing fighter is able to destroy an Imperial Aquitens class light cruiser, showcasing its great firepower. After seeing his creation succeed on the battlefield, Quarrie authorizes the Rebellion to produce more B-Wings, and it goes on to become a key part of the rebel fleet.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.
Four kids make a mysterious discovery on their home planet that leads them to get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy.
- Release Date
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December 2, 2024
- Cast
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Jude Law
, Ravi Cabot-Conyers
, Ryan Kiera Armstrong
, Kyriana Kratter
, Robert Timothy Smith
, Nick Frost
, Fred Tatasciore
, Jaleel White
, Dale Soules
, Geoffrey Lower
, Marti Matulis
, Sisa Grey
, Dominic Burgess
, Vivienne Sachs
, Esai Daniel Cross
, Shane Almagor
, Paloma Garcia-Lee
, Alan Resnick
, Anthony Atamanuik
, John Gemberling
, Tunde Adebimpe
, Kerry Condon
, Alia Shawkat
, Cass Buggé
, Geneva Carr - Seasons
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1
WATCH ON DISNEY+
