View source for DS-61-4

{{Top|fga|leg}}
{{Nickname}}
{{Character
|type=Galactic Empire
|image=[[File:DS-61-4.jpg]]
|name=DS-61-4<br />"Dark Curse"
|homeworld=
|birth=
|death=[[0 BBY/Legends|0 BBY]],<ref name="NEC">''[[The New Essential Chronology]]''</ref> [[Yavin system/Legends|Yavin system]]<ref name="anh">{{Film|IV}}</ref>
|species=
|gender=[[Gender/Legends|Male]]<ref name="DS614card">{{CCG|set=A New Hope Limited|link=ANewHope-Dark/large/ds614.gif|cardname=DS-61-4}}</ref>
|height=
|mass=
|hair=
|eyes=
|skin=
|cyber=
|affiliation=[[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]]<ref name="anh" />
|masters=
|apprentices=}}
{{Quote|I can't shake him!|Luke Skywalker, flying against DS-61-4|<ref name="anh" />}}
'''DS-61-4''', nicknamed "'''Dark Curse'''," served the [[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]] as a [[Starfighter/Legends|starfighter]] [[Pilot/Legends|pilot]] during the [[Time/Legends|time]] before, and during, the [[Battle of Yavin/Legends|Battle of Yavin]]. An eventual member of [[Black Squadron (Galactic Empire)/Legends|Black Squadron]], he participated in various Imperial campaigns before being [[Death/Legends|killed]] by [[Rebel pilot/Legends|Rebel pilot]] [[Wedge Antilles/Legends|Wedge Antilles]] during the [[Battle of Yavin/Legends|Battle of Yavin]], where the [[Alliance to Restore the Republic/Legends|Rebel Alliance]] attacked the [[DS-1 Orbital Battle Station/Legends|first Death Star]] [[battlestation]] that DS-61-4 and others in his [[Squadron/Legends|squadron]] tried to defend.

==Biography==
[[File:Dark_Curse_XWM.png|thumb|left|250px|"Dark Curse" piloting his TIE fighter]]
DS-61-4 was a [[Gender/Legends|male]] individual who served as a [[TIE pilot]] in the [[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire's]] [[Imperial Navy/Legends|navy]] during the [[Galactic Civil War/Legends|Galactic Civil War]] fought between the Empire and the [[Alliance to Restore the Republic/Legends|Rebel Alliance]]. At some point, he was given the nickname "Dark Curse," and had survived numerous assaults against dissenter worlds, such as the [[Planet/Legends|planets]] [[Ralltiir/Legends|Ralltiir]] and [[Dac|Mon Calamari]].<ref name="DS614card" /> Sometime prior to the Imperial attack on the [[Moon/Legends|moon]] [[Yavin 4/Legends|Yavin 4]] in [[0 BBY/Legends|0 BBY]],<ref name="NEC" /> DS-61-4 was assigned to the Empire's [[DS-1 Orbital Battle Station/Legends|first Death Star]] [[battlestation]] as a member of<ref name="anh" /> [[Dark Lord of the Sith/Legends|Dark Lord of the Sith]] [[Anakin Skywalker/Legends|Darth Vader's]] elite [[TIE/LN starfighter|TIE Fighter]] unit,<ref name="Black Squadron CSWE">{{CSWECite|I|77|Black Squadron}}</ref> [[Black Squadron (Galactic Empire)/Legends|Black Squadron]].<ref name="B4card">{{CCG|set=A New Hope Limited|link=ANewHope-Dark/large/black4.gif|cardname=Black 4}}</ref> While serving on the Death Star, DS-61-4 had planned on retiring from military service, with the conclusion of his next combat mission.<ref name="DS614card" />

Flying the TIE Fighter [[Black 4]],<ref name="B4card" /> DS-61-4 flew with his fellow Black Squadron [[Pilot/Legends|pilots]] against the Rebel assault on the [[Death Star/Legends|Death Star]] during the [[Battle of Yavin/Legends|Battle of Yavin]]. During the initial confusion of the battle, DS-61-4 had managed to maneuver his TIE Fighter behind the [[T-65 X-wing starfighter/Legends|X-wing]] [[Red Five/Legends|Red Five]], flown by the [[Noob|rookie]] [[Rebel pilot/Legends|Rebel pilot]] [[Luke Skywalker/Legends|Luke Skywalker]], and was able to score a direct hit on the enemy [[Starfighter/Legends|starfighter]]. DS-61-4's damage to the X-wing caused Skywalker to call for assistance from his fellow [[Red Squadron (Rebel Alliance)/Legends|Red Squadron]] pilots. Discovering that he was unable to outmaneuver the pursuing DS-61-4, Skywalker received help from a fellow Rebel pilot, [[Wedge Antilles/Legends|Wedge Antilles]], who was able to destroy DS-61-4's TIE Fighter in a [[Corellian Slip]] maneuver, ensuring Skywalker's survival.<ref name="anh" />

==Equipment==
DS-61-4 wore the standard [[Imperial military uniforms/Legends|uniform]] for [[TIE pilot]]s.<ref name="anh" />

==Behind the scenes==
[[File:TurrPhennirSWG.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Turr Phennir, whose older brother, Cartha, was considered to be the same character as DS-61-4, although that was never canonized]]
DS-61-4's first appearance was in the [[1976]] [[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (novel)|novelization]] of the [[original trilogy]] film [[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''Star Wars'': Episode IV ''A New Hope'']],<ref name="EP4NOVEL">[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (novel)|''Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope'' novelization]]</ref> before appearing in the [[1977]] film itself, in which he flew against Luke Skywalker during the Rebel attack on the Death Star.<ref name="anh" /> His scenes were shot on Stage 8 at [[Elstree Studios]] between [[June 17]] and [[June 28]], [[1976]].<ref name="MakingOf">''[[The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film]]''</ref> He was first identified as DS-61-4, with the nickname of "Dark Curse," by the [[1996]] ''[[A New Hope Limited]]'' expansion set of the [[Star Wars Customizable Card Game|''Star Wars'' Customizable Card Game]].<ref name="DS614card" />

According to the ''Star Wars'' Customizable Card Game's [[2000]] ''[[Death Star II Limited]]'' card entitled "[[Major/Legends|Major]] [[Turr Phennir]]," Phennir had an older brother who was [[Death/Legends|killed]] by Wedge Antilles during the Battle of [[Yavin Prime/Legends|Yavin]].<ref>{{CCG|set=Death Star II Limited|link=DS2/DS/majorturrphennir.gif|cardname=Major Turr Phennir}}</ref> Phennir's older brother was later on named as [[Cartha|"Chaser" Cartha]] in the [[2014]] [[StarWars.com]] article [[Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Warfare Author's Cut|''Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Warfare'' Author's Cut]] which featured cut content from [[2012]]'s ''[[The Essential Guide to Warfare]]''.<ref name="AC10">{{SW|url=news/star-wars-the-essential-guide-to-warfare-authors-cut-part-10-the-rise-of-the-empire|text=''Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Warfare'' Author's Cut, Part 10: The Rise of the Empire|int=Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Warfare Author's Cut}}</ref> Notably [[Paul R. Urquhart]], an author for ''The Essential Guide to Warfare'', stated his original intent to make Cartha and DS-61-4 the same character, although that material did not make it into the final book or the Author's Cut article.<ref name="Urquhart">{{JCFcite|postnum=51719258|board=Literature|thread=The Official StarWars.com Blog Thread - That's right, I went there|user=[[Paul R. Urquhart|Thrawn McEwok]]|PTtime=07/30/2014|accessdate=06/24/2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002203019/http://boards.theforce.net/threads/the-official-starwars-com-blog-thread-thats-right-i-went-there.50015309/page-46}}</ref>

===Inconsistencies===
[[File:DS-55-2.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Images of what the ''Star Wars'' Customizable Card Game identified as DS-61-4 in Black 4 were identified as several different designations in the ''Star Wars Trading Card Game'', with this image being used to represent TIE Fighter DS-55-2.]]
In the [[1998]] ''[[Star Wars Encyclopedia]]'', it is erroneously stated that DS-61-4 "''[&hellip;]was an Imperial TIE pilot who survived the Battle of Yavin.''"<ref name="swe">''[[Star Wars Encyclopedia]]''</ref> This was later on repeated in [[2008]]'s ''[[The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia]]''.<ref name="CSWE">{{CSWECite|I|212|DS-61-4}}</ref> However, his death was clearly portrayed in ''A New Hope'' when Wedge Antilles destroyed his TIE Fighter, after it had scored a hit on Red Five.<ref name="anh" />

Further, the [[2002]] [[A New Hope (TCG)|''A New Hope'']] expansion of the ''[[Star Wars Trading Card Game]]'' used a film still of Black 4 to represent TIE Fighter [[DS-3-12]],<ref name="TCG">{{TCG|set=A New Hope (TCG)|sformatted=''A New Hope''|link=https://swtcg.com/Content/Images/Cards/ANH/TIE_Fighter_DS_3_12.webp?v=2|cardname=TIE Fighter DS-3-12}}</ref> while TIE Fighters [[DS-55-2]]<ref name="TCG2">{{TCG|set=Battle of Yavin (TCG)|sformatted=''Battle of Yavin''|link=https://swtcg.com/Content/Images/Cards/BOY/TIE_Fighter_DS_55_2.webp?v=2|cardname=TIE Fighter DS-55-2}}</ref> and [[DS-73-5]] were depicted with film stills of Black 4 in the [[2003]] [[Battle of Yavin (TCG)|''Battle of Yavin'']] set.<ref name="TCG3">{{TCG|set=Battle of Yavin (TCG)|sformatted=''Battle of Yavin''|link=https://swtcg.com/Content/Images/Cards/BOY/TIE_Fighter_DS_73_5.webp?v=2|cardname=TIE Fighter DS-73-5}}</ref> This article, as well as other articles linked to DS-61-4, treat DS-61-4 in Black 4 as the true identities of the TIE pilot and fighter from the ''A New Hope'' film, and treat the other designations as [[canon]] subjects separate from DS-61-4 and Black 4.

==Appearances==
*[[Star Wars (radio)|''Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope'' radio drama]]
*[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (novel)|''Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope'' novelization]] {{1st}}
*{{Film|IV}}
*''[[Star Wars: A Storybook]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[The Star Wars Storybook]]'' {{Imo}}
*[[Star Wars (1977) 6|''Star Wars'' (1977) 6]]
*''[[Star Wars: A New Hope - The Special Edition 4]]''
*[[Death Star (novel)|''Death Star'']] {{Imo}}

==Sources==
{{Scrollbox|content=
*''[[Star Wars: The Scripts]]'' {{Imo}}
*{{Topps|set=1995 Topps Star Wars Widevision|cardname=#95 - Int. TIE Fighter - Cockpit|link=https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/72988/cid/5257545/1995-Topps-Star-Wars-Widevision-95-Int.-TIE-Fighter---Cockpit}}
*{{CCG|set=A New Hope Limited|link=ANewHope-Dark/large/black4.gif|cardname=Black 4}} {{1stID|DS-61-4|{{CCG|set=A New Hope Limited|link=ANewHope-Dark/large/ds614.gif|cardname=DS-61-4}}}}
*{{CCG|set=A New Hope Limited|link=ANewHope-Dark/large/ds614.gif|cardname=DS-61-4}}
*{{GalaxyCite|10|Galactic Bazaar|Galactic Bazaar: The Cardboard Galaxy}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{Topps|set=1997 Topps Star Wars Special Edition|cardname=#50 - Exploding TIE|link=https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/73004/cid/5259714/1997-Topps-Star-Wars-Special-Edition-Widevision-Hobby-50-Exploding-TIE}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[Star Wars: The Annotated Screenplays]]''
*''[[Star Wars Trilogy Sourcebook, Special Edition]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[Star Wars Encyclopedia]]''
*''[[Star Wars Annual 1999]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{StarWarsKidsCite|14|A-maze-ing Universe}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[Star Wars: Behind the Magic]]''
*''[[Anakin Skywalker: The Story of Darth Vader]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[TIE Fighter: A Pocket Manual]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{CCG|set=Special Edition Limited|link=SpecialEdition-Light/large/antillesmaneuver|cardname=Antilles Maneuver}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{CCG|set=Special Edition Limited|link=SpecialEdition-Light/large/icantshakehim.gif|cardname=I Can't Shake Him!}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[X-wing: A Pocket Manual]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{GamerCite|3|Silent Death}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{FFCite|1|YAV2, ''The Battle of Yavin''}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{FFCite|7|TIE2, ''TIE Fighter''}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[Star Wars Roleplaying Game Revised Core Rulebook]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{FFCite|39|MAN2, ''Weapons Manufacturers''}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{TCG|set=A New Hope (TCG)|sformatted=''A New Hope''|link=https://swtcg.com/Content/Images/Cards/ANH/TIE_Fighter_DS_3_12.webp?v=2|cardname=TIE Fighter DS-3-12}} {{C|Starfighter only}} {{C|Starfighter misidentified as [[DS-3-12]]}}
*{{InsiderCite|63|A New Hope Card Encyclopedia}} {{C|Starfighter only}} {{C|Starfighter misidentified as [[DS-3-12]]}}
*{{TCG|set=Battle of Yavin (TCG)|sformatted=''Battle of Yavin''|link=https://swtcg.com/Content/Images/Cards/BOY/TIE_Fighter_DS_55_2.webp?v=2|cardname=TIE Fighter DS-55-2}} {{C|Starfighter only}} {{C|Starfighter misidentified as [[DS-55-2]]}}
*{{TCG|set=Battle of Yavin (TCG)|sformatted=''Battle of Yavin''|link=https://swtcg.com/Content/Images/Cards/BOY/TIE_Fighter_DS_73_5.webp?v=2|cardname=TIE Fighter DS-73-5}} {{C|Starfighter only}} {{C|Starfighter misidentified as [[DS-73-5]]}}
*''[[Star Wars Annual 2006]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide]]'' {{Imo}}
*''[[Creating the Worlds of Star Wars: 365 Days]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[Sculpting a Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars Model Shop]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: Special Edition]]'' {{Imo}}
*''[[Star Wars Tech]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{SWPM|set=Base Set|link=https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/89196/cid/6418218/2007-Star-Wars-Pocketmodel-TCG-57-Head-On-Fight?PageIndex=1|cardname=Head-On Fight}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{SWPM|set=Base Set|link=https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/89196/cid/6418190/2007-Star-Wars-Pocketmodel-TCG-29-Reasonable-Risk?PageIndex=1|cardname=Reasonable Risk}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{InsiderCite|97|Pirates of the Boards}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia]]''
*{{StarshipsVehiclesCite|3|multiple=[[Action Stations|Action Stations: Facing the Empire's massed fighters]]; [[Welcome On Board|Welcome On Board: TIE fighter pilots – elite but expendable]]}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[Star Wars: Frames]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{InsiderCite|Special Edition 2012|Now This Is Podracing!}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: Updated and Expanded]]'' {{Imo}}
*{{FFGXW|Core Set|cardname="Dark Curse"&mdash;TIE Fighter||link=https://xwing-miniatures.fandom.com/wiki/%22Dark_Curse%22}}
*{{FFCite|y=2013|1|YAV3, ''The Battle of Yavin''}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[Star Wars: Sith Wars]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{FFCite|y=2014|1|0 BBY 47, ''The Battle of Yavin''}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{FFCite|y=2014|8|TIE2, ''TIE/LN Fighter''}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[Star Wars in 100 Scenes]]'' {{C|Starfighter only}}
*{{FFCite|y=2014|51|XWI3, ''X-wing manoeuvres''}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
{{FFCite|y=2014|62|TIE3, ''TIE fighter manoeuvres''}} {{C|Starfighter only}}
*''[[Star Wars Widevision: The Original Topps Trading Card Series, Volume One]]''
}}

==Notes and references==
{{Mediacat|imagecat=Images of DS-61-4}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Interlang
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[[Category:Black Squadron members]]
[[Category:Death Star residents]]
[[Category:Individuals of unspecified species]]
[[Category:Males]]