So I had a thought, likely something that won't even end up in Adywan's revamp, but something that is nevertheless worth considering in my opinion. I've been rereading the original Star Wars novel, and I still love it. It's a good book with its own unique traits and insight into Star Wars.

Now, as is well known, there were 30 ships involved in the assault on the Death Star ("We count 30 ships, Lord Vader, but they're so small they're evading our turbolasers," both in the novel and film). Additionally, we see unique pilots with different helmets during the takeoff from Yavin, pilots and helmets we never see again. In the end, we see two X-wings (obviously Luke and Wedge) and a mysterious Y-wing return to Yavin. According to the novel, there were four squadrons involved in the attack, as evidenced by, Dodonna saying during the briefing, "Yellow squadron will cover for Red on the first run. Green will cover Blue in the second." As is well known, Luke was part of a 12 man X-wing squadron assigned the Blue designation (changed to Red for the film), and the Y-wings who made the first trench run were part of Red squadron (changed to Gold for the film). But we see none of the interference run by the other two squadrons.

I can't help but wonder what it would have been like to see more of the other two groups' involvement. It wouldn't have to be much, but it sure would be nice to see a slightly extended battle as we already have in ANH:R, but with newly filmed pilots (with helmets like those in the Yavin hangar) in cockpits engaging and distracting the TIE fighters, taking part in radio chatter, perhaps every now and then even making encouraging comments to Red and Gold squadrons. I feel this could be done without destroying the pacing of the battle if worked in carefully. But it would involve a great deal of unique visuals and building at least one cockpit for filming.

I just looked this up: according to EU sources, Blue and Green would have distracted Imperials by attacking the superlaser. Though I'm sure most here are not fans of the EU (and my fandom does not extend particularly far), this would be an interesting way to interpret it, as such an attack could not afford to be ignored by the Imperials and really could provide some freedom for the more important but less threatening (in appearance) trench run. I understand that dragging out the battle could potentially damage the tension felt by the audience, but I wonder if it could be pulled off without such problems. I know I'd really like to see something like this.