Sometimes you’re going through old files and you discover projects you worked on for months and then abandoned. Where on earth did I find the time for this?

Based on the Incredible Cross Sections book

X-Wing

Some dreams I've had since I was an actual child came true this year, in more ways than one. I've been planning how to write about those experiences, and do justice to the amazing people who brought me there.

But in the meantime, what do I do to celebrate? Start all new projects!

I present to you a photomatched study of the Full-Scale X-Wing. The props in the photos below are from A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, respectively. The geometry matches across all three movies. Either the prop is actually the same or it followed the same blueprints between movies. My gut says that the prop for A New Hope was scrapped and rebuilt with the same blueprints on Empire, which is how the full-scale Falcon was built. Then that full-scale X-wing was reused on Return of the Jedi. In one of the photos an X-wing that is only built from the nose forward is visible, which may have also been a prop in Echo Base on Empire.

Cantwell Prototype X-Wing, with a new paint job

Rogue One X-Wing Comparison

So some pictures are coming out of Hollywood showing a full-scale x-wing parked outside the theater where Rogue One will be premiering. Details match the prop we've seen in trailers and behind the scenes footage. How does it look compared to its sister prop from A New Hope?

Started with a photomatch of one of the images from the hollywood prop:

This is pretty quick and dirty, and I don't think I nailed the proportions or matched the perspective perfectly, but I think this is giving me a good idea of the major planes the make up the body.

here's the same thing done with the ANH version

And here's a comparison of the two

the different colors show the major planes. ANH's nose was more complex, and most of the planes are subtly curved to meet each other at the seams. The RO version seems more streamlined. That large yellow plane across the nose is completely flat as far as I can tell. Only the orange panel with the curved edges is a complex non-planar shape.

Rogue One Partisan X-Wing

Huh... I dig it. Also, damn I'm excited for Rogue One!

Adapted from my model of the full-scale ANH X-Wing. there are some subtle differences, especially some curved lines directly aft of the cockpit, but otherwise it looks spot on to its ANH and ESB sisters, from the images I've seen.

X-Wing Cockpit Photomatch

Finally nailed it... I've been trying to get this particular photo to work as a photomatch for hmmm, maybe a year or two.

Colin Cantwell X-wing concept model

Full Scale X-wing

The last X-wing I built was based on the special effects model used for filming the battle sequences for A New Hope. Now here's a completely different version, based on the full-scale prop, over 40' long and 36' wide.

They're basically very similar, it takes a sharp eye to tell the two versions of the iconic ship apart.

here's an overlay of my geometry, showing how close it is the genuine article, filmed on the Elstree Soundstage.

X-Wing

Building myself an all new X-wing from scratch. DaveG of the Replica Prop Forum posted his progress building an x-wing from a casting of one of the original models used on A New Hope.

more here

As I followed the thread, I became deeply dissatisfied with the model I'd previously built.

so here's where I'm at now

Falcon and X-Wing in flight

with some bonus extra angles

Force Awakens X-Wing

I'd built a model of this a long time ago, but lost it in a back-up fiasco. So here's an all new version. Designed in sketchup from photomatched images of fullscale prop built for Force Awakens.

Earlier work in progress renders...

Comparison

Adding a little texture now...

Episode VII X-WIng "Lock S-Foils in Attack Position"

Episode VII X-Wing

Well, I wasn't going to tackle this, and then I did. 

This new X-Wing is a bit odd, and it's taking some getting used to. On the whole though, it's a good ship. The right size and proportions to recall its predecessor, and enough Ralph McQuarrie details thrown in to make it feel right. But there's been much debate about how the s-foils actually open up.

So, as usual, I did some photogrammetry and ended up with this basic model.

A rough fit, but close enough for my purposes. I filled in the blanks from the numerous photos that have been circulating of the full sized prop, and from the promo video featuring the blue version.

And here's the ship in its closed position.

a user on the OriginalTrilogy.com made this handy diagram, showing how the wings appear to open,

 So here's what that would look like...

a little weird, but not bad, right? And of course, reminds us of this great painting

but just for the sake of argument, here's an alternate version that's been proposed, where the engine doesn't slpit.

hmm, I think the split engines are the way to go, much more dramatic, and goes back to McQuarrie's first paintings of the x-wing.

time will tell...



and just for fun, her she is in action!