I always assumed the foils were more for sensors than anything else, increase the size of the aperture to get better resolution, etc.

As for the rotating cockpit, I always assumed it was fixed more or less except you could spin it for different kinds of flying (like nap of the earth flying, orient so the fighter/bomber is above you, etc.)

But I also assumed that the b wing was ridiculously fast but turned for shit, in order to get into a capital ships defenses, drop payload and back out with minimal exposure.

Alas, I was a child and they had to make them stupid.