Panelman was Imperial Navy slang for a TIE fighter pilot who served as the wingmate to another TIE fighter while on a mission or exercise. The term was derived from the characteristic wing panels of the TIE/LN starfighter.
The term is apparently a modification of the modern military term wingman, which describes an aircraft flying beside and slightly behind the lead plane in a formation.
The term is apparently a modification of the modern military term wingman, which describes an aircraft flying beside and slightly behind the lead plane in a formation.