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Description

The RZ-1 Starfighter, colloquially known as the A-Wing, was one of the smallest fighters in service with the Rebel Alliance, measuring just 6.9 meters in length. Designed by Kuat Systems Engineering, the A-Wing was intended to be the replacement for the older Delta-7 fighter, but with the Republic's transition to the galactic Empire, it was rejected as too vulnerable. The early rebel movement could not afford to be picky so easily and adopted the fighter against the Galactic Empire, letting these so-called RZ-1s see action during the Age of the Empire and the Galactic Civil War.

In modifying the A-wing, the Rebels first sought to equip it with a hyperdrive. They then realized they could swap out the original sublight engines mounted on the stern for two massive, more-powerful "Event Horizon" models that made it faster than even the TIE interceptor. The original hull armor, weapons and deflector system were also swapped out for lightweight material and components. Essentially a cockpit with two engines, the RZ-1 was so fast and maneuverable it was a challenge to pilot even for someone with Jedi-like reflexes. This challenge was due to the fact that there was no room left to fit an astromech droid within the limited space of the A-wing's hull. Flying the RZ-1 not only required precision manipulation of the dorsal and ventral stabilizers, but also the thrust-vector controls built into the engines and the thruster-control jets located between the engines, all without assistance from an astromech. As such, only the best pilots could fly an A-wing without losing control.

The A-wing was ideal for missions that required speed: hit-and-run raids, surgical strikes on capital ships, and intelligence gathering missions.

Though they're sometimes thought of as Glass Cannons, they've earned pilots' respect. During the Rebellion against the Empire, a single A-Wing was considered a match for up to 3 standard TIE Fighters. However, with the increase in use of faster TIE Interceptors, the A-Wing lost its advantages and was demoted by the new Republic. The Kuat Yards then developed the RZ-2 successor making the chassis slimmer and longer to yield even more speed. These RZ-2s came to be used by the Resistance during their war with the First Order.

Rendered in 3ds Max 10

Post Work and additional lighting in Adobe After Effects CS6

A-Wing by Jose Gonzalez

More Star Wars Artworks:

Description

The RZ-1 Starfighter, colloquially known as the A-Wing, was one of the smallest fighters in service with the Rebel Alliance, measuring just 6.9 meters in length. Designed by Kuat Systems Engineering, the A-Wing was intended to be the replacement for the older Delta-7 fighter, but with the Republic's transition to the galactic Empire, it was rejected as too vulnerable. The early rebel movement could not afford to be picky so easily and adopted the fighter against the Galactic Empire, letting these so-called RZ-1s see action during the Age of the Empire and the Galactic Civil War.

In modifying the A-wing, the Rebels first sought to equip it with a hyperdrive. They then realized they could swap out the original sublight engines mounted on the stern for two massive, more-powerful "Event Horizon" models that made it faster than even the TIE interceptor. The original hull armor, weapons and deflector system were also swapped out for lightweight material and components. Essentially a cockpit with two engines, the RZ-1 was so fast and maneuverable it was a challenge to pilot even for someone with Jedi-like reflexes. This challenge was due to the fact that there was no room left to fit an astromech droid within the limited space of the A-wing's hull. Flying the RZ-1 not only required precision manipulation of the dorsal and ventral stabilizers, but also the thrust-vector controls built into the engines and the thruster-control jets located between the engines, all without assistance from an astromech. As such, only the best pilots could fly an A-wing without losing control.

The A-wing was ideal for missions that required speed: hit-and-run raids, surgical strikes on capital ships, and intelligence gathering missions.

Though they're sometimes thought of as Glass Cannons, they've earned pilots' respect. During the Rebellion against the Empire, a single A-Wing was considered a match for up to 3 standard TIE Fighters. However, with the increase in use of faster TIE Interceptors, the A-Wing lost its advantages and was demoted by the new Republic. The Kuat Yards then developed the RZ-2 successor making the chassis slimmer and longer to yield even more speed. These RZ-2s came to be used by the Resistance during their war with the First Order.

Rendered in 3ds Max 10

Post Work and additional lighting in Adobe After Effects CS6

A-Wing by Jose Gonzalez

More Star Wars Artworks: