The Empire has fallen and a New Republic is born out of the conflict. But in the ashes of civil war, yet another life stirs...
Preybirds were initially developed just prior to the Battle of Endor. They were a competent starfighter with capable weaponry and competitive speeds but significantly less maneuverability than a TIE fighter or even an X-wing. Company politics eventually led to the discontinuation of the fighter though and existing models were quickly sold off to anyone willing to pay, many making their way into pirate and mercenary organizations as a result.
As time went on, the Imperial Remnant lost control of more and more shipyards, making it extremely difficult to keep up production demands for capital ships and starfighters alike. This meant that many Imperial fleets were left to purchase surplus or refurbished ships to supplement their already meager fleets.
It was at this time that many Preybirds found their way into Imperial service, where trained Imperial pilots were able to put them to good use. In fact, being equipped with shields and a hyperdrive, some Imperial pilots even came to prefer them over the standard TIE fighter.
This is going to replace the standard TIE as the Empire's tier one starfighter? Or will they be another option?
Also, it looks like a boat with wings and guns.
Nope. TIEs still make up the bulk of Imperial starfighter wings. Preybirds are just another option. They're a hardier fighter, probably station level 2.
Will these be part of ship/starbase fighter complements?
Perhaps for higher level stations. Def for some types of star destroyers.
Eww in the sense that the guns are on the end of the wings like Xwings which is terrible.
I imagine they would be able to pivot slightly depending on the range, like those on an ARC-170.
Yeah, gun convergence would likely not be an issue with technology like this.
If we are looking at the design in a logical and realistic way, than wings make no sense, really...unless they are purely to allow weapon hardpoints...which the Preybird does not. But this is Star Wars so the aerodynamics are made up and the designs don't matter.
Well it does have concussion missiles so hardpoints is a possibility still well air doesn't truly matter in space obviously but I'd imagine you have to think of atmosphere as well and frankly straight edge wings are dumb so X wings are the worst to use in atmosphere where things like Ties have almost no drag and insane manueverability in both space and atmosphere. I like my mando designs best though :) In the end you have made a superb model like usual.
Thank you :)
Just for kicks though... It does say in many of the books that drag and aerodynamics aren't really a factor anymore because deflector shields are the actual surface that any atmosphere touches...and they can be shaped however the energy is dispersed, which in the books, means that even a brick could become aerodynamic.
This is why X-wings are more maneuverable in atmo than any TIE model...because TIE's lack shielding.
That is questionable though then as X wings are nearly what 2 times as large as a tie? even with the shielding its still larger more surface drag where as a Tie even without shielding has minimal surface due to its shape different type of engine that allows it to move in a more extreme way last I heard Ties were near the most maneuverable in the galaxy with only certain top end fighters beating them
though they sacrificed shielding and a hyperdrive for such capabilities.
Also Drag is always a factor an energy field cannot block physical aspects unless it is on certain wavelengths and certain energy type. Now with that said obviously like you said it can alter the shape that is presented but that would not get rid of drag I'm not sure what books you read but in every one I've read atmosphere flight included a lot of drag that caused a lot of fuel drain and harder maneuvers also I mean Mass Drivers penetrate shielding why would Drag be any different?
I'm starting to get the feeling you don't know how shields actually function... When a missile or bullet impacts a shield barrier, the shield cannot support such a huge amount of force on such a small amount of space, and lets the missile pass through.
When you extend the force of wind hitting the shield, the shield stays up because of the overall force is spread throughout the front area of the shield. Of course, some individual atoms do pass through the shield, but a great majority are stopped and instead pass over/rebound off the shield.
And regarding the standard TIE fighters; I know for certain that these are faster then the X-wing but I don't think they're more maneuverable than the X-wing.
Forget the last part, the timer expired before I could fix it
TIE Fighters of any type are more maneuverable than any other starfighter design, save perhaps the A-wing or the Clawcraft (which is basically a TIE anyway). However, this is only in space flight.
In atmosphere, TIEs are described as being horribly clumsy, slow and prone to g-force related damage, especially if the pilot tries to pull a maneuver that is only possible in space (something that is described as unfortunately common for inexperienced TIE pilots).
In fact, if I remember correctly, luring a group of TIEs into an atmospheric fight was actually a tactic used in the X-wing books by New Republic pilots who found themselves outnumbered or outmatched. They knew that if they could just get the TIEs to follow them, they would quite swiftly turn the engagement around because they could then fly circles around the TIE(s).
As for shield penetration and Mass Drivers… Let’s think of shields like a balloon. If we run water over the balloon, it simply flows around the shape. The faster the water is running, the more the balloon might flex but it’s not going to pop. Now, ram a stick/pencil/finger/etc into the balloon and you get a very different effect; the balloon most likely pops. This is because the density of the object hitting the balloon is far greater than the balloon’s surface and the speed of the impact is also far greater.
This is actually all just physics.
Density = Mass divided by volume. Simply, d=m/v
Density increases proportionally to mass as long as volume remains constant.
Mass increases with the speed of an object, therefore increasing density.
In order to pass through an object, object A must be denser than object B, which it is passing through. If object A is of a similar density to object B, than we must increase its mass by giving it energy (speed). Energy and mass are interchangeable (Einstein postulated that mass is actually a form of energy in the special theory of relativity). Therefore, the more energy we give something, the more mass it has while that energy is retained.
So a hypothetical Mass Driver Cannon (which is essentially a ‘rail gun’) would project an object at extremely high speeds in order to give it enough mass to pierce whatever armor or shielding it came into contact with. Wind passing over the surface doesn’t have the density to accomplish this same thing.
Sorry for long post....
You have valid points about shielding but you can't just say it cancels everything out doesn't happen even in Star Wars Drag in atmospheric flight will always be a constant. You can alter your interactions with it slightly but thats all you can't negate it completely. With that said So I guess X wings have an edge in atmosphere with shielding against Stock Ties something easily remedied though as you can see in newer models and I'd assume that the Empire would continue to update its current fleet I haven't heard of a single military that hasn't tried updating its current fleet with add ons so I find it strange that stock Ties after how many decades never got any kind fo shielding or other such crap, not to mention would Ties have inertia Dampeners? Even in space the high maneuvers they pull causes G forces would that not help in Atmospheric flight?
Also don't apologize its a bloody discussion information is key.
Also as to shields its questionable consider how many "variations" I've heard of between Heat shields energy to other means its truly questionable as to how one would say they react to certain objects. Last I checked ones focused on energy deflection are practically useless against physical forces solely because of their energy output much like a heat shield can only interact in a certain behaviour.
The stock TIE model has changed little, actually. That's because the Empire has always viewed its pilots as expendable. So therefore their ships have always been cheap and equally expendable. However, newer TIE variants like the TIE Defender, Hunter, X1 (advanced), do have some forms of shielding and can therefore compete on better terms than their stock counterpart.
As for shields, you are correct; there are several different types and each has a specialty. Ray shields disperse energy in such a way that deflects matter...or contains it, depending on the application. For example, ray shields are often used to hold captives or to contain harmful materials.
Other shield types like deflector shields are emitted in a way that deflects energy...such as laser-based projectiles. There's another type as well that absorbed energy but I do t recall what it is.
In the end, yes, drag will never go away completely. Shields significantly reduce it. G forces would be pulled in space only if they were close enough to a planet to be within its pull...otherwise g force doesn't exist.
That last shield type might be particle shields (if this is Star Wars shielding). Granted, particle shields weren't good for anything that hit it, as it's noted that they had to be temporarily shut down to launch fighters.
Yes, I believe you are correct.
Didn't venators have particle shielding?
Question on G forces cause we can create artifical gravity by simple movements in space relative to our bodies does this not have an affect on your body? We need an astronaut right now... also since almost all Rebel ships had deflector shields including the X wing wouldn't it be near useless in Atmospheric flight? Wouldn't Ray or particle shielding have the affect you're mentioning? I mean drag/air is a physical force atoms with a certain energy output different then what I think deflectors are attuned to seeing as it has to be attuned to Laser particles and such or am I wrong I mean I don't feel wrong about this.
Well I think in the end we may be both correct on this to an extent. Really physics and hypothetical shielding aside, I just know of many sources in the expanded universe that attribute an X-wings superior in-atmosphere maneuverability to its shields. Now, whether or not this would be realistic or even possible in the real world, I cannot say...I doubt that Star Wars authors work out physics equations to solve these problems when writing their books :)
Ahh that is true... as much as we love the EU it is inconsitent for these things lol never the less great conversation its why you're still one of my favorite modders next to cheese cake and Jeroenimo and a few others.. You're knowledgeable and care about interacting with your base. That and ******* Mandos dude who doesn't love Mandos
I just imagined the "Aliens" guy. "Mandalorians" Lol.
The base is 90% of the motivation and fun of modding. Don't get me wrong, the last 10% that's comprised of creative outlet and the puzzle of coding is very important but having a good base to encourage you and provide feedback is crucial :)
well when you put out as great as work as you guys do thats not hard lol I only wish the game engine was decent so your guys work wasn't hindered so much.
Just me. I work on the mod alone. Lol. But thank you very much :)
So you say, but how do we know you don't have a team of hundreds of Jawas to do this work for you?
I can hear the Utini all the way from here also I meant "you" every mod has the same inherent problems EAW is a **** base game with a subpar engine... still you guys do wonders.
Ooooh, yes. I do have a staff of Jawas on retainer, for housekeeping duties. Almost forgot about them...
Well, I figured the hundreds of Jawas were so you didn't need to focus on chores and stuff.
Jawas? Vithar pls... I do the work of 30 Jawas.
Also, the output of the thrust from typical twin-ion engines is very compact (way to close for siblings... an exception would be TIE/HU) whereas all of the early rebel starfighters had a much greater exhaust dispersal (Xwing has 4 spaced out engines, Awing and Ywing have 2 very spaced out engines), meaning that especially in an atmo. The dispersal would give them a considerable maneuverability advantage.
Nice team colors texturing
Thank you. I saw a Prebird design once that had eagle wings painted on each wing and I kind of wanted that same appeal but more graphic and less icon. Now it looks more like a 'rising sun' concept but I like it :)
This fighter is the bunnies! <3 Keep up the fantastic work, can't wait to play this again.
Lol thank you :)
New computer, can run in high resolution, ready for detailed mod. Any idea on release date for the next version? :3
Nice! Probably autumn this year. I plan to finish off all ground modifications over summer. Space is mostly done already...minus capital ships.
Great model, the Preybird is one of my favorite Starfighters though not my alltime fave that belongs to the R41-Starchaser, oh how underrated you are, it cost as much as TIE fighter and was superior in everyway.