But it just looks cool to be able to open and close them yourself doesn't it?

Indeed! Full control, baby!

Lets just be realistic here. The Xwing has opening/closing wings ....because George Lucas thought itd look cool.

Alas, the definitive answer hath come forth. Your absolutely right. lol ;)

well your all missing the importance of storage aswell were not just talking about the x-wings here , B-wings have to fold up 1: because its kinda hard to stand a B-wing on its wing 2: some hangers coldent fit B-wings inside thier hangers because of hight 3: easy for the pilot to enter the B-wing while its on its side 4: Also why the gyroscopic cokpit was made because they had to land on its side so pilots could get in at a 90 degree angle insted of having it stationary and a pain for those trying to get in. those are my points

and yes increased maneuverability and cooling were also features of opening the S-foils

Well, actually the B-wing was designed with a gyroscopic stabilization system for a few different reasons. The slim fore and aft profile of the craft coupled with the gyroscope system, which allows it to swing around the cockpit clockwise/counter-clockwise, give it a small signal on enemy scopes and keeps it inconsist with the craft's true position. The gyro system also allows the craft to hit targets from multiple angles with an amazing field of fire. And we all know what kind of firepower the B-wing carries.

Despite the B-wing being slower and less maneuverable than the Y-wing, it can be a very difficult target to hit because of it's slim fore and aft profile and the ability to swing the craft around the cockpit. Plus the B-wing has re-inforced armor plating and powerful deflector shield systems that are almost on par with the Y-wing. So even if it gets hit a few times it won't be enough to destroy it.

It makes sense that the S-foils open up to allow for a better cooling of the cannons, since blasters produce alot of heat, they might have not been able to fire with S-Foils closed.

Wookiepedia says the ability to do so is an upgrade in a later version.

Actually, craft are equiped with cooling systems that keep weapon functions in check as well as other sub systems, like engines. Granted, some work better than others. Opening the s-foils wasn't designed to directly affect weapon cooling as it doesn't really need it.

Even if it's not on the record, RS was made by Lucas Arts...

No, it was published by LucasArts. It was made by a bunch of people who'd not bothered to do a minute of SW research.

Just that LA developed or published something, doesn't mean it's accurate. Heck, EaW was published by LA, for crying out loud.

So true, my friend. So true. It's really a shame LucasArts doesn't dev their own titles anymore. Or at the very least make sure Star Wars canonity is in check. Same with LFL.

As for ships not being able to fire their weapon systems while s-foils are closed… there hasn’t been any real official material that confirms this. It’s illogical that this would truly be the case as the weapon systems would have to be armed first and opening the s-foils only increases the firing radius for the cannons. Even if it’s true, the craft could be modified to fire when s-foils are closed.

Seeing that s-foils are only open during combat, it'd make sense that weapons were also set to safety when the s-foils were closed.

Modifying them to fire with s-foils closed makes about as much sense as modifying an F-16 so it could fire with weapons set to safety.

Yes. That's why I think that it's not canon. A starfighter's weapons system have to be armed before being able to fire. Like an F-16, 15, 22 or any other real military plane. I was saying IF it is canon, but I've never heard any definitive confirmation. It's not logical, though. Setting the S-foils in attack position still requires the pilot to arm weapons system.

and yes increased maneuverability and cooling were also features of opening the S-foils

Wookiepedia says the ability to do so is an upgrade in a later version.

I never liked that in RS. In order to go faster, you for some reason had to close your s-foils - in the middle of battle. Not even while in the trench did they close their s-foils. They obviously have nothing to do with speed.

Seeing that s-foils are only open during combat, it'd make sense that weapons were also set to safety when the s-foils were closed.

Modifying them to fire with s-foils closed makes about as much sense as modifying an F-16 so it could fire with weapons set to safety.

No, it was published by LucasArts. It was made by a bunch of people who'd not bothered to do a minute of SW research.

Just that LA developed or published something, doesn't mean it's accurate. Heck, EaW was published by LA, for crying out loud.