V-Wing
Craft: Kuat Systems Engineering Alpha-3 Nimbus-class “Vwing” Starfighter
Type: Starfighter
Scale: Starfighter
Length: 7.9 meters
Skill: Starfighter piloting: V-wing
Crew: 1 and astromech droid (can coordinate)
Cargo Capacity: 60 kilograms
Consumables: 15 hours
Cost: 102,500 (new), 45,000 (used)
Maneuverability: 4D+1
Space: 8
Atmosphere: 500; 1,450 kmh
Hull: 2D+2
Shields: 1D
Sensors:
Passive: 20/0D
Scan: 30/1D
Search: 50/2D
Focus: 3/3D
Weapons:
2 Twin Laser Cannons
Fire Arc: Front
Skill: Starship gunnery
Fire Control: 2D
Space Range: 1-3/12/25
Atmosphere Range: 100-300/1.2/2.5 km
Damage: 3D
Background: The Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-wing starfighter, often simply known as the V-wing starfighter or Nimbus fighter, was a short-ranged starfighter deployed late in the Clone Wars by the Galactic Republic.
V-wing fighters were often unleashed from warship hangars in large swarms, and were one of the most numerous starfighters in the Republic Navy late in the Clone Wars. They were most frequently deployed from Venator-class Star Destroyers and were typically the primary fighter aboard these vessels. While they lacked the power of the ARC-170 starfighter, they made up for it in raw speed and agility. There were produced in limited numbers until 19 BBY.
V-wings were speedy and evasive targets, even for the advanced droid tri-fighters used by the Confederacy of Independent Systems in the last days of the Clone Wars. Mass-produced for Loyalist forces, V-wings participated in large-scale fleet operations and assisted in the defense of Republic worlds during the Clone Wars.
V-wing starfighters flew into battle alongside ARC-170s and Eta-2 interceptors during the Battle of Coruscant, fighting off droid tri-fighters, Vulture droids, and deadly buzz droids, with some even getting as far as the Separatist flagship, Invisible Hand, although many were lost to enemy fire.
Following the end of the Clone Wars, V-wing squadrons flew under the banner of the Galactic Empire. Three V-wings, flown by elite pilots, escorted the self-appointed Emperor Palpatine’s shuttle during his voyage from Coruscant to Mustafar and again on the return trip, culminating at the Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center. These elite V-wings were modified for hyperspace travel and equipped with upgraded shields.
In the early stages of the New Order, new V-wing models were commissioned. The new models of the V-wing star fighter were repainted with a black stripe. These craft featured Imperial livery and lacked an astromech droid. The pilots wore a completely black jump suit and a black helmet. These star fighters usually escorted the Emperor’s shuttle and Imperials of importance. Eventually, several of them were phased out in favor of the TIE Series, and were either scrapped or sold for surplus.
At least several V-wings would fall into the hands of the Rebel Alliance during the Galactic Civil War.
Eventually, private organizations, such as the Hutt Cartel, used V-wings after salvaging them. They were also used by the Mandalorians around the Battle of Yavin during a skirmish with the Zann Consortium.
In 13 ABY,they were one of many Clone Wars-era vehicles used by the Restored Empire. Several V-wings were present at the Imperial faction’s base on the class-6 planetoid RZ7-6113-23 for the arrival of former Imperial Guardsman Kir Kanos
The Restored Empire’s V-wings later saw action against a New Republic force investgating the disappearance of the Endor over RZ7-6113-23. The Nimbus-class starfighters engaged the MC80 Star Cruiser of Captain Lar Ndigo to buy time for the Restored Empire’s fleet to launch, losing at least two of their number to the cruiser’s complement of A-wing interceptors.
The faction once again employed V-wing starfighters in an attack on the insufficiently-defended Imperial Remnant capital of Orinda. The Restored Empire’s numerical superiority made short work of the planet’s defenses, with the outdated V-wings seeing success against the more modern TIE/LN starfighters.
