The creative works of Alfred Wong, All rights reserved.©
Y-speeder
In the early, desperate days of the Rebellion, the Rebels could not afford to use their few staifghters in the close-support role. Ever resourceful Rebel technicians conceived of converting old Y-Wing cockpit pods that were no longer space-worthy into small, armed close-support airspeeders. The Y-Wing cockpit pods were hollowed out, their standard nose gun bays and torpedo bays were removed and the space used for fuel cells and power generators. Repulsorlift thrusters were bolted to the rear of the cockpit pods and a pair of heavy blasters were bolted to each side. It was with these makeshift craft that Rebel ground forces relied on for air support.
The brave men and women who flew these airspeeders certainly had their hands full. The Y-speeders were unstable and prone to over-heating. They were a challenge to fly and heavy on the controls. Constant efforts were made to improve the speeders so they were constantly changing, no two were exactly alike. Nevertheless, the Rebels did not have the luxury of real attack speeders and they fought valiantly against the superior Imperial ground forces. The Y-speeders were eventually replaced by the much improved militarized T-47 airspeeder.
The Y-speeder has long since disappeared from military service but un-armed versions have enjoyed a resurgence among young, dare-devil civilian racers who actually relish the "challenge" of flying these temperamental craft. Since old Y-Wing parts are cheap and easy to acquire Y-speeder hot rods have become common status symbols in the civilian racing circuit.
