Space Cadet #20 - Bandai X-Wing

[alextheblue]

Now, at first appearances, it may appear that I'm a tad late starting this SiG, but please don't be fooled. After all, this is a sci-fi group build. You see, as we now know through the beauty of mathematics, it is possible to travel backwards and forwards through time as long as there is no effect to the causality of events. So, in reality, I have actually joined just in time!

You may think i'm mad, but you wait until the end of the SiG looms large. I bet there'll be a few people that will see the benefit of using the time-travel explanation to try and buy a couple of extra days'

As this is my first time building anything scI-fi related, I decided to opt for something pretty straightforward. And Bandai's X-Wing Starfighter seemed like a good place to start.



A relatively small box, but its stuffed with plastic.



Colour instructions, even if they are a fold-out sheet. Very nice none the less.





And the instructions seem quite clear and straightforward.



Individual spruces. I have to say, I've heard tales about how well engineered the newer Bandai stuff is and I wasn't disappointed. Very crisply mounded with some very nice details.





And some coloured plastic as well.



Some great detail



And you even get a nice base to display it on.





Bearing in mind how small the figure is, it is extremely well mounded.



Finally, the decals. There's two sheets. The usual water slide decals, as well a sheet of stickers. I guess this is in keeping with being able to build this kit without the use of glue, or paint etc.



I was amazed at just how well engineered this kit is. The fit is extremely good and there really is no need for any glue. I did use a few dabs of Extra Thin here and there though, just to make it a little more stable.

In virtually no time, I had one of these.





And no sooner had I blinked and there was another one!



Got to say, I'm really enjoying building this kit. No flash, very little clean up and everything falls together. If I had to be super critical, I would say that because of the snap-fit, there are a couple of minor gaps and "seam lines". Yes they can be filled of course, but you risk losing all that lovely detail, especially when you try to sand it back. I think when it's all assembled though, these gaps are going to be hardly noticeable. Well, that's me for now. I'd better stop and assess what will need painting before further assembled.

Oh, and by the way. The great thing about the time-travel explanation, if you make a mistake, you just go back and do it again!

Thanks for taking a look!

[Tomcat64]

This is a great kit - you can practically leave it to R2 to put it together

Looking forward to seeing how you finish it up

[bfrd]

I can never say enough good things about these Bandai kits. One word of caution, the plastic in a Bandai kit doesn't like enamel thinner very much. Be careful about using too much panel liner, especially if putting it on the raw plastic. I am quite sure you will come up with something stunning.

[DBMiller]

Really can't go wrong with a classic ship!

[jmurphy18]

Cool looking build and I like Mathews tip! I will have to take that in mind and try something different as I am sure I would sod that up..

Good luck and enjoy you build.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Those build up into a lovely model, excellent choice
Looking forward, or backward , to your progress

[alextheblue]

Thanks fellas for all the comments, always very much appreciated!

And apologies for being more than a tad lax in getting on with this one! Shame on me!!

I have actually managed to get a bit done. I've put some paint down and I wanted to go more for a light grey colour than an off white. These things look so many different colours, depending on which photo your looking at, so I thought, what the hell! In the words of the Mac that is Fleetwood, I'll go my own way!!

Wings put together.



Decided to piece it all together. Well, the bits that I had assembled.







And with paint on and masked ready for detail spraying.



Got bored and ended up playing around with the base. Still a LOT to do.



And that's where I'm at.

There's some great builds on this SiG and not being a Sci-fi builder, I'm definitely feeling out of my comfort zone. But, I kinda like it!!

Thanks for taking a look!

[digger303]

I'm looking and it looks good

[Twokidsnosleep]

Excellent
That’s the right way to handle paint and weathering...go for it!!!
These things were all over the map
Bon Chance

[jmurphy18]

really cool! Nicely done on the details and weathering on the base!!

[alextheblue]

Thanks fellas, appreciate all the comments and kind words!

Well, I started masking the wings up ready to start spraying in some variation on the colour.



But the more I looked at reference pictures, the less inspired I became. There's some great models out there, all very nicely weathered and all of them look fantastic, but I just wasn't feeling it.

An then it dawned on me!!!

I'll paint this one in rebel alliance colours of a slightly different flavour!



No!!! He's not!! He can't. it's just not right!!!

Oh, I did!!





Engines painted and with the fist pass of weathering.





Cockpit's done and to prove that I'm not a total philistine, I at least tried to paint the flight suit the right colour!



Just need to find some decals now, but I'm sure I've got something lurking.

Thanks for taking a look!

[alextheblue]

Well, I'm about done with this one. Few little bits of touch up to do and a couple of things to finish and I'm outta here!

First time with a Bandai kit and what can you say. The engineering is nothing short of spectacular. You can snap it together straight out of the box, whack the stickers on and call it done. No need for glue, paint or weathering. Great for getting kids started in the Hobby. Alternatively, you can treat it as a "normal" kit and go to town.

Down sides - virtually none. The plastic is quite tough (thanks to everyone for their tips on being careful with mineral based products), but it's no big deal. As the kit is a snap-fit, it's hard to test fit anything as it's tough to prise the bits apart again. But that said, there's no real need to test fit anything.

All this being said though and I didn't really feel it. It all felt a bit too like Lego for my liking and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was "playing" with a toy. Hence the unusual paint scheme. This was purely for my own entertainment.

Quick pick of the final thing and once I've properly finished it, I'll try and take some better pics for the reveal. I really need to treat myself to a new cutting mat!



Thanks for taking a look!

[Kingdan]

Loving the camo work nice job

[jmurphy18]

Ditto Dan. Nicely done on the camo job!

[digger303]

[Nev]

Love it looking really good

[bfrd]

Awesome!

[Johno]

Awesome, i love off topic paint schemes, turned out great

[gaz45]

Nice work there mate