Virago
Production information
Manufacturer	MandalMotors[1]
Model	Modified StarViper-class attack platform[1]
Technical specifications
Length	21 meters
Maximum acceleration	4,240 G
MGLT	110 MGLT[1]
Maximum speed (atmosphere)	880 km/h
Engine unit(s)	Quadex IGt engines[1] Koensayr N2-f microthrusters[1]
Hyperdrive rating	Class 1.0 Backup Class 10
Power plant	Heavy power generators (4) (1 per wing)
Shielding	Forward and aft deflector shield generators
Targeting systems	Carbanti St2x targeting computer with experimental laser sighting system[1]
Navigation system	Equipped
Armament	Taim & Bak Ht-12 heavy laser cannons (2)[1] Borstel proton torpedo launchers (2)[1] Standard load: 3 torpedoes each
Crew	Pilot (1)
Cargo capacity	1 metric ton
Consumables	2 months
Other systems	S-foil actuator
Usage
Role(s)	Heavy assault fighter Space superiority fighter
Era(s)	Rebellion era
Earliest sighting	0 ABY
Destroyed	3 ABY
Present for battles/events	Battle over Coruscant
Affiliation	Black Sun[1]
Known owner(s)	Xizor[1]

[Source]

Virago was a prototype StarViper-class attack platform and the personal starship of Prince Xizor.

CharacteristicsEdit

Virago had four adjustable wings and thrust nacelles that moved constantly during flight, which created the illusion that Virago was a strange, living creature. Each of the vehicle's wings were capped with two microthrusters. To achieve high speeds and for atmospheric travels, the craft's wings folded closed behind the cockpit.

In combat, the Virago's four wings expanded for better maneuverability. They moved and used the same type of S-foil technology used on the X-wing starfighter. These wings were heavily armored and each contained a power generator along with reserve fuel tanks for long travels.

Virago's weapon systems were built around an advanced targeting computer along with an experimental laser sighting system rather than being built around the weapons themselves. With this unorthodox design strategy, the craft would not require excessive or illegal weapons that would attract attention.

Once the targeting computer was in place, any weapon installed would perform better than manufacturer specifications. Virago was armed with two forward-mounted Taim & Bak Ht-12 double laser cannons and two forward Borstel proton torpedo launchers.

HistoryEdit

Although the crimelord had access to numerous starships, his favorite was a heavy assault starfighter called Virago. When Xizor contracted MandalMotors, he demanded a vehicle that could rival the TIE Interceptor in speed and agility.

The company succeeded by producing the StarViper-class attack platform, a vehicle which had more in common with a mobile weapons platform than a starfighter. A pleased Xizor christened the vehicle Virago and purchased all rights to the design to ensure that his transport would remain unique.

Virago was apparently destroyed in a battle over Coruscant, when Darth Vader's flagship Executor destroyed Xizor's skyhook. Soon after Xizor's death, MandalMotors regained the rights to the StarViper design and began producing inferior versions of the original craft.

Behind the scenesEdit

Virago also makes a cameo appearance in Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns; however, this is more than likely non-canon. The unit is placeable in the scenario editor, but any appearances in missions are more than likely Easter eggs.

The StarViper-class attack platform also appears in the game Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption as the main starfighter of the Zann Consortium. The 3D model was actually in the files of regular Star Wars: Empire at War, and it had game code, but it was commented out. It is possible that Petroglyph planned to have Xizor as a hero unit for the Black Sun, as they also included a Xizor model.

AppearancesEdit

• Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns (Non-canonical appearance)
• Scoundrels (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption
•  Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided (Appeared in loading screen)
• Shadows of the Empire comic
• Shadows of the Empire game
• Shadows of the Empire junior novelization
• Shadows of the Empire novel (First appearance)
• The Mandalorian Armor (Appears in flashback(s))
• Slave Ship (Appears in flashback(s))
• Hard Merchandise (Appears in flashback(s))
• Shadows of the Empire: Evolution (Appears in flashback(s))

SourcesEdit

• The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels
• Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook
• The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
• Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire trading cards (Card: Five Minutes Until Impact) (Indirect mention only)
• Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire trading cards (Card: Xizor Narrowly Escapes)
• Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire trading cards (Card: Xizor's Castle Blows Up)
• Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire trading cards (Card: Virago)
•  Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Micro Machines (Pack: Collection II)
•  Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Micro Machines (Pack: Action Fleet Virago)
• Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Embossed Metal Collector Cards (Card: ISSUE 6: Han Delivered) (Picture only)
• "A Guide to the Vehicles in Shadows of the Empire" — Star Wars Galaxy 9
• Star Wars: The Art of the Brothers Hildebrandt
• Star Wars Customizable Card Game – Reflections II: Expanding the Galaxy (Card: Virago)
• The New Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels
• Star Wars Trading Card Game – Rogues and Scoundrels (Card: Virago)
• The Official Star Wars Fact File 135 (VIR1-2, Virago)
• Starships of the Galaxy, Saga Edition
• The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
• Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game – The Shadow Syndicate (Card: Virago)
• "A Long Time Ago, In a Toy Aisle Not So Far Away...."—Star Wars Insider 120
•  Virago in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link on Archive.org)
•  Prince Xizor in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link on Archive.org)

Notes and referencesEdit