Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-Wing Starfighter (17)Full unit name: Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-Wing Starfighter
Last updated: 25.04.2026 14:54:27
Version: 9.05.001.2025.12.06
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Navigation (6)
Basic info
First appearance: Labyrinth of Evil
Labyrinth of Evil
(BOOK)
Variants: Alpha-3B Besh and Alpha-3E Esk
Dimensions: 8 meters long
Available hardpoints: External hyperdrive
Crew (standard)
Was designed by: Walex Blissex
Was manufactured by: Kuat Systems Engineering
Known Facts (4)
19 BBY (2)
Battle of Coruscant (ROTS) (2)
Summary
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-wings were some of the more recent spacecraft in the Republic Navy, and frequently filled the role as combat support ships. The small silhouette, high speed, and great agility of this fighter made it hard to target and a very effective ship despite its small size. They were later succeeded by the Imperial TIE Fighter and its variants, as well as the Rebel RZ-1 A-wing interceptor, all of which incorporated aspects of the V-wing into their designs.
The Alpha-3 Nimbus-class starfighter was a sturdy, wedge-shaped starfighter similar to the Delta-7 Aethersprite-class interceptors used by the Jedi Order. It was manufactured by Kuat Systems Engineering, the same company responsible for both the Delta-7 fighter and its successor, the Eta-2 Actis-class interceptor. Both the Delta-7 and the Alpha-3 models were designed by the engineer Walex Blissex, who would later co-design the Rebel Alliance's A-wing fighter with Jan Dodonna. The V-Wing featured folding wings similar to those fitted on the later Eta-2 interceptors. But when landing, the wings fold downward to form as landing gear. On each wing was a radiator panel which helped aid in heat disposal during combat. Nestled between each wing and the hull were two twin laser cannons, which could swivel on the vessel's wing hubs to provide a wide range of fire. A single forward concussion missile launcher could be fitted to the prow. Some models were equipped with Flak guns and Proton bombs. Aft of the starfighter's main hull were two deflector shield heat sinks, located above the two vertically stacked ion drive thrusters. These flaps also provided some protection for the V-wing's clone pilot.
In keeping with the design of the Delta-7, the Alpha-3 featured an astromech droid socket aft of the oval cockpit. V-wing pilots were often assisted by spherical Q7-series astromech droids which provided in-flight navigation and maintenance skills that would otherwise require a copilot - which the compact V-wing could not accommodate. However, later incarnations of the V-wing used by the Galactic Empire omitted the astromech, with the pilot as the only occupant. In addition, some later incarnations utilized a similar engine to the later TIE Series, resulting in it having a similar engine roar to its successors.
The V-wing starfighter was too small to feature an integrated hyperdrive, and like their jedi-owned counterparts, it required transportation into combat zones by carriers such as the Venator-class Star Destroyers. Additionally, V-wing fighters were also capable of using Syluire-45 hyperspace transport rings to go long distances like the Eta-2 and both Delta-7 models. The clone troopers who flew the fighter had specially adapted helmets. These helmets, along with their flight suits, were fully sealed due to the lack of a life support system. These suits allowed them to survive in space after ejection.

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See also
UH
Organizations that used this starship
Republic Navy
Show All (2)
DetailsAlpha-3B V-Wings, Mygeeto (19 BBY)Such ship was used by them (Battle of Coruscant (ROTS))
Squad Seven
Details
DetailsWas used by them during Battle of Coruscant (ROTS)
Shadow Squadron
Details
DetailsNimbus-class V-Wings, Supreme Chancellor's Escort (after Battle of Coruscant (ROTS))
Compatible weaponry and equipment
Vehicle Bomb Launcher
Alpha-3B Besh
Ion Cannon
Alpha-3E Esk
Syliure-31 Long-Range Hyperdrive Module
Hardpoint: External hyperdrive
Weaponry, armor, equipment and smaller starships
Ion Cannon
Details
DetailsAlpha-3E V-Wing operated by Republic Navy, attacked YV-865 Aurore-class Freighter with this weapon during 19 BBY
Areas where this unit have been seen
Coruscant
Show All (3)
DetailsBattle of Coruscant (ROTS)Traveled through this area together with Contrail, Q7-series AstromechOdd Ball destroyed Droid Tri-Fighter of Confederacy of Independent Systems2 V-Wings (Supreme Chancellor's Escort) traveled through this area together with Shadow Squadron during 19 BBY
Mygeeto
Details
DetailsAlpha-3B V-Wings was used by Republic Navy (19 BBY)
Related characters and organizations
Wilhuff Tarkin
Details
DetailsWas Pilot (between 19 BBY and Declaration of a New Order)
Contrail
Show All (2)
DetailsBattle of Coruscant (ROTS)Was PilotWas used to travel through Coruscant together with Q7-series Astromech
Odd Ball
Show All (2)
Klick
Was Pilot (between 19 BBY and The Clone Wars)
Republic Navy
Details
DetailsAlpha-3E V-Wing attacked YV-865 Aurore-class Freighter with Ion Cannon during 19 BBY
Shadow Squadron
Details
Details2 V-Wings (Supreme Chancellor's Escort) was used to travel through Coruscant during 19 BBY
Contrail served on one of such ships as Pilot (Battle of Coruscant (ROTS))
Odd Ball served on one of such ships as Pilot (Battle of Coruscant (ROTS))
Klick served on one of such ships as Pilot (between 19 BBY and The Clone Wars)
Nimbus-class V-Wings was used by Shadow Squadron (after Battle of Coruscant (ROTS))
Wilhuff Tarkin served on one of such ships as Pilot (between 19 BBY and Declaration of a New Order)
Alpha-3B V-Wings was used by Republic Navy, Mygeeto (19 BBY)
Complete list

Full unit name: Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-Wing Starfighter Last updated: 25.04.2026 14:54:16

GAR Clone Pilot
Pilot
Q7-series Astromech
Astromech
Blissex, Walex
Kuat Systems Engineering
Coruscant
Shadow Squadron
Republic Navy (TCW)
YV-865 Aurore-class Freighter
Vehicle Ion Cannon
Contrail (CT-4981)
Davijaan 'Odd Ball' (CC-2237)
Droid Tri-Fighter
CIS
TIE Fighter
RZ-1 A-Wing Interceptor
Delta-7A Aethersprite-class Light Interceptor
Jedi Order
Eta-2 Actis-class Interceptor
Dodonna, Jan
Venator-class Star Destroyer
Syliure-45 Long-Range Hyperdrive Module
Flight Squad Seven
Mygeeto
19BBY
Battle of Coruscant (ROTS)
Vehicle Bomb Launcher
Syliure-31 Long-Range Hyperdrive Module
Tarkin, Wilhuff
Klick (GC-1000)
Declaration of a New Order
The Clone Wars
Sienar Fleet Systems
Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-Wing Starfighter
Republic Executive Building
Koon, Plo
Commander (Role)
Vulture-class Droid Fighter
Theta-class T-2c Shuttle
Supreme Chancellor
Palpatine
Delta-7B Aethersprite-class Light Interceptor
Admiral