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Bandai X-Wings in 1/72 and 1/144 re-build progress

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  • Member since
    February 2020
Bandai X-Wings in 1/72 and 1/144 re-build progress
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Monday, February 24, 2020 2:01 PM

I had built the 1/72 Bandai X-Wing a while back. It was basically a snap-together kit. Recently I've gotten back into modeling, so I decided I'd re-do it as practice (and build the 1/144 version also included in the kit). Thought some of y'all might like to see my progress.

The fit and finish of the parts is really crisp. Most of the seam lines are so good they just look like panel lines.

So, here's where I started. No paint other than the pilot and gold on R2, and I got so frustrated with the water slide decals that I used the self-adhesive ones (thoughtfully!) also included in the kit.

I'll make a few replies to keep the picture count down...

  • Member since
    February 2020
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Monday, February 24, 2020 2:04 PM

First order of business was a little paint, including R2. I also raised R2 up from the kit's position so you could see him a little better (and be more like the movie prop).

 

  • Member since
    February 2020
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Monday, February 24, 2020 2:07 PM

A little dry brushing on the interior (which I only got slightly overzealous with):

And then I got started on decals. Here's a before and after using MicroScale's Set and Sol:

  • Member since
    February 2020
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Monday, February 24, 2020 2:11 PM

And finally, here's where we're at right now. Masked and painted canopy frames. The kit came with a decal for the canopy frames, but what a nightmare that was. It's also dithered gray (you can see the color in the wing closeup), and I didn't love it.

Oh, and I was curious if Set/Sol would work on the much thicker, self-adhesive decals (I left the ones on the bottom, since I destroyed the waterslide ones when I first built the model). Here's the result after one application:

  • Member since
    February 2020
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 2:13 PM

Pretty sure I'm going to be applying decals for the rest of my natural life. Really putting my new glasses to work. Got the top sides done, though. The decals really make a big difference.

 

  • Member since
    February 2020
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 9:28 PM

Slow, grudging progress.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 7:30 AM

Those are cool! Really like the modifications to R2! 

Nice work!!! Yes

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    February 2020
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Thursday, February 27, 2020 11:28 AM

Gamera
Those are cool! Really like the modifications to R2! 

Nice work!!! Yes

Thank you! It's coming along. Just finished the decals and applied another coat of gloss topcoat (Future bought from Sprue Bros). Next will be my first real attempt at panels lines and weathering!

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, February 27, 2020 11:38 AM

Yeah, they're a little clean for Rebel starfighters! Looking forward to the washes and weathering. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    February 2020
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Sunday, March 1, 2020 9:24 PM

First attempt at a wash.

  • Member since
    February 2020
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Monday, March 2, 2020 4:48 PM

Not bad at all! I might do just a little more cleanup, but I'm going for a kind of grimy look, so I'm pretty pleased. Next is dullcoat.

And yes, I did break off one of the blasters. Glued it back in the last shot.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 11:53 AM

Oh, that turned out very well! She looks just right!!! 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    February 2020
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 7:29 PM

Well hey, thanks! :)

I think for the larger one I may do more of a very dark gray wash instead of solid black. I think it may be a little too stark.

 

  • Member since
    February 2020
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Thursday, March 5, 2020 11:09 AM

Here it is washed up with a little dark gray. I took a little video for a friend and thought y'all might be amused. Edit: that's if I can get it to work. https://i.imgur.com/KK2SwHR.mp4https://imgur.com/KK2SwHR

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, March 6, 2020 8:54 AM

The wash you used before looks good, curious how the dark grey will turn out.

Will have to watch the video when I get home though.  

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    February 2020
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Friday, March 6, 2020 10:40 AM

I figure I can always make it darker!

  • Member since
    February 2020
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Friday, March 6, 2020 11:15 AM

I have to say,  I'm pleased with it. It's got the proper grungy look without feeling overdone.

 

And for comparison:

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, March 6, 2020 11:28 AM

Both of those came out really well! Nice work!!! Yes

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    February 2020
Posted by ManSkirtBrew on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 10:07 PM

Thank you! A little matte finish (Future polish + Tamiya flat base about 10:1) really finishes them off nicely. I'll take some better pictures soon.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 11:42 AM

They look really good to me! The weathering and grime give them that Star Wars' lived-in' look!  

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Saturday, March 21, 2020 1:05 PM

I really really like how they turned out. Very worthy of display. Again, nice job.

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