The YU-410 light freighter was a light freighter produced by Corellian Engineering Corporation.
Characteristics
―Han Solo
A YU-410 attacking an Action VI transport
The YU-410 measured 44 meters long, and had a double hull, with a spacious cargo pod on either side of the centerline.[1][2] This made it relatively large for a light freighter, and it could carry a fairly impressive 250 metric tons of cargo, more than twice the capacity of the earlier YT-1300.[1]
In addition, the crew accommodation was generous, with comfortable cabins and more space for recreation than was normally found on ships of its size. Even with a crew of eight, it was more suited to extended voyages than most other light freighter designs.[1]
It was also well armed, with four double laser cannon turrets, mounted on the upper and lower hull and at the front corners of its two cargo bays.[1] However, the YU-410 was relatively slow and had very poor maneuverability.[1] The choice of relatively small engines was a deliberate design decision, an attempt to make the ship more economical.[2]
The design was part of the YU series, aimed at the specific niche of modestly-sized businesses looking for an off-the-shelf freighter design. In contrast with most other CEC freighters, YU-series ships were not intended to be modified and upgraded, and in the case of the YU-410, the capacity for additional systems was further limited, as the heavy stock armament already placed heavy demands on the power systems and hull integrity.[1] However, it was easy to obtain spares and make repairs, and the big cargo bays could be easily converted into additional cabin space.[2]
Although the YU-410's production run was relatively modest compared with some other CEC light freighter designs, it was the most successful design of the YU series. The design proved popular with its intended clientel of smaller cargo lines in the Core Worlds, and it also had some additional appeal for independent traders who did not require a fast or easily-upgradable ship.[1] Due to its unobtrusive reputation and the ability to install extensive cabin accommodation in the cargo bays, it also became an attractive transport ship for mercenary groups, while smugglers found it easy to install secret compartments in hidden corners of the spacious holds.[2] Many owners, whatever their line of work, adapted the YU-410 to serve as a flying headquarters, converting part of the cargo bays into more spacious accommodation.[2]
The thief, smuggler and pirate Hunter Maas flew a modified YU-410 called the Cosmodium, with uprated drives that made it surprisingly fast, but an armament reduced to a single forward-firing laser mounting.[3]
Behind the scenes
The YU-410 first appeared in the article "A Legacy of Starships," written by Owen K.C. Stephens and illustrated by Jeffery Carlisle, published in the second issue of Wizards of the Coast's Star Wars Gamer magazine.[1] The design was later described again in the sourcebook Galaxy at War,[2] as well as making an appearance in the James S. A. Corey novel Honor Among Thieves.[3]
The sources give contrasting descriptions of the ship. The Gamer article characterises it as a design that was bought in respectable numbers by smaller freight lines.[1] In contrast, Galaxy at War emphasises its appeal to groups who could adapt its large cargo bays to other purposes, often less legitimate ones.[2] Additionally, Galaxy at War states that its standard armament consisted of "twin double laser cannon",[2] whereas the other sources specify a total of four separate laser mountings.[1][3]
Appearances
- Honor Among Thieves (and audiobook)
Sources
"A Legacy of Starships" — Star Wars Gamer 2 (First mentioned)- Starship and Airspeeder Speed Chart on Wizards.com (original site is defunct)
- Galaxy at War
