PoweredbyNorth Posted July 9, 2012 USC X-Wing 2nd edition USC XWing 2nd edition by PoweredbyNorth, on Flickr For some reason the X-wing with it’s characteristic shape has always been one of my favorite models in the Star Wars galaxy. It is fast and agile, it looks aggressive and strong and yet it is elegant and balanced. With the wings in attack position it must have been truly fearsome for all those imperial tie fighter pilots! Being the weapon of the saga’s great hero and a symbol for the Rebellion it is truly an icon for the Star Wars universe. Early 2012 I recovered from my Lego dark ages after 25 years or so. First of all I was really overwhelmed and impressed by all the new models, themes, bricks, colors, building techniques etc. I didn’t have an clue of things like LDD, Bricklink, the numerous moc pages, fan pages, Cuusoo, internet fora, etc. To make a long story short: an old hobby had been revived and right now I’m fully up and building again! After buying and building some of the existing USC models I decided the original USC X-wing earned a well-deserved remake after 12 years! I’m pleased and proud to show you the USC X-wing 2nd edition! Some facts: Dimensions (metric) Length: 64cm Width: 63cm Height (on stand): 46 cm Height (on feet): 16cm Dimensions (studs) Length: 79 studs Width: 76 studs Scale: 1:20 Weight: 3.9 kg # parts: probably around 3500-4000 Features: 100% made of Lego bricks (no cheats!) Fully functional wing folding mechanism (to be operated at the back of the ship) Detailed cockpit with cockpit stairs Replaceable R2-D2 (should any damage be done to the droid) 2 maintenance hatches Cargo room with details Cargo/people transporter Detachable landing gear (2 rear, 1 front) Front gear hatch can be closed Some of the challenges I faced when building the model - Because the model is quite large the wings turned out to be pretty heavy. It took me 6 or 7 versions (lost count) to get the mechanism strong enough, not only to open the wings, but also to open them far enough and to keep them horizontal when closed. The final version consists of 28 gears and fills almost the entire hull. - The wing engines turned out to be a real challenge. I need a round shape to match the scale of the spacecraft. Standard cylinder-like bricks are either 4x4 of 8x8 studs and I wanted 6x6. Then I bumped into a part that allowed me to create the round form built around a technic disc. The engine exhausts were a challenge on its own, but together with my son, LDD and a great deal of creativity I think I've managed to get quite a nice result. - The nose section required some iterations as well. I tried to capture the pointy shape and the roundish nose that completes it. It sort of felt like sculpturing... Well, that’s it! If you want to know more, have some comments or questions, please drop me a line. More pictures can be found on my Flickr page here: I hope you like it! USC XWing 2nd edition by PoweredbyNorth, on Flickr USC XWing 2nd edition by PoweredbyNorth, on Flickr USC XWing 2nd edition by PoweredbyNorth, on Flickr USC XWing 2nd edition by PoweredbyNorth, on Flickr USC XWing 2nd edition by PoweredbyNorth, on Flickr USC XWing 2nd edition by PoweredbyNorth, on Flickr USC XWing 2nd edition by PoweredbyNorth, on Flickr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drakmin Posted July 9, 2012 Great: sleek and clean. Nice size also! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samiam391 Posted July 9, 2012 Gor-ge-ous. That awkward looking fighter LEGO gave us 12 years ago needed a re-make, and this is the perfect one. Sleek, clean... I'm even fan of the stand it sits upon. Beautiful work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brinstar Posted July 9, 2012 This is a fantastic MOC! There are surely people better qualified than me to comment on the accuracy to the source material but from what I can see your model is very faithful to the X-wing. Its certainly a substantial improvement over Lego's version which while still a fantastic model is perhaps looking a little dated compared to some of their more recent UCS models. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightshroud99 Posted July 9, 2012 I want it Outstanding job, wish I had the parts and skill to build something so good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cavegod Posted July 9, 2012 While it is indeed a very nice moc for me the dimensions are slightly out a bit, fix those and it is perfect! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PoweredbyNorth Posted July 9, 2012 While it is indeed a very nice moc for me the dimensions are slightly out a bit, fix those and it is perfect! Hi there! Can you be more specific? Which dimensions you think are wrong? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Man Posted July 9, 2012 Absolutely fantastic . A bit short, but all I can think of. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dapper-D2 Posted July 9, 2012 (edited) I want one! This looks really great and the smaller color palette you used gives it a nice clean feel! I also really like the landing gear and ladder you added. It's a nice display alternative to the stand. Did you use the directions for the Lego UCS as a reference? Edited July 9, 2012 by Dapper-D2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrickPicker Posted July 9, 2012 I like your version better than the original. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cavegod Posted July 9, 2012 it's a bit wide in between the s-foils, the nose is a bit short and the engine could be larger, but narrowing the body would probably correct the other two things. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skayen Posted July 9, 2012 Hello, your MOC is fantastic. Nice work! cheers John Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
will Posted July 9, 2012 I really like it, but the main body looks a bit "fat". I'm no expert on scale, so ignore me, but that's my opinion. Still way better than I could ever do though! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mortesv Posted July 9, 2012 Very nice work here I like your detailing and the clean look -the original X-wing is a it messy. But perhaps you model is a bit too clean - X-wing are supposed to be dirty Other than that, I agree with Cave regarding the proportion tweaks, but this has the potential to be one of the very best X-wing MOCs out there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparhawke Posted July 9, 2012 This looks amazing mate, well dont and I wouldnt change a thing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wokajablocka Posted July 10, 2012 it's a bit wide in between the s-foils, the nose is a bit short and the engine could be larger, but narrowing the body would probably correct the other two things. Start out by saying most impressive!. It look really great but I will have to agree with Cavegod on the dimensions, something just looks a little off. The nose needs lengthening to stop it looking too bulky at the back. The colours look spot on and I love the technique used for the rear of the engines. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clone OPatra Posted July 10, 2012 Trust Star Wars fans to dish out the criticism. Not that I think criticism is bad, mind you; it's a great thing, but as it applied to this model I personally it should be phrased more like 'this is already a fantastic model, and here's a few areas you could make it even better.' I think this model is wonderful already, PoweredbyNorth, and I hope you don't take people's abundant criticism the wrong way. Your photography is also fantastic! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gotoAndLego Posted July 10, 2012 Trust Star Wars fans to dish out the criticism. Not that I think criticism is bad, mind you; it's a great thing, but as it applied to this model I personally it should be phrased more like 'this is already a fantastic model, and here's a few areas you could make it even better.' I think this model is wonderful already, PoweredbyNorth, and I hope you don't take people's abundant criticism the wrong way. Your photography is also fantastic! He started out by saying, "While it is indeed a very nice moc". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clone OPatra Posted July 10, 2012 He started out by saying, "While it is indeed a very nice moc". As I didn't reply to any particular comment, I was not addressing my sentiments towards anybody in particular. I was just commenting generally. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gotoAndLego Posted July 10, 2012 As I didn't reply to any particular comment, I was not addressing my sentiments towards anybody in particular. I was just commenting generally. Considering his really was the only post that wasn't overly complimentary I tought you were referring to him. If not then I'm not sure where all of those criticisms you mentioned were since everyone else was very complimentary. Regardless, sorry for the misunderstanding. Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clone OPatra Posted July 10, 2012 Considering his really was the only post that wasn't overly complimentary I tought you were referring to him. If not then I'm not sure where all of those criticisms you mentioned were since everyone else was very complimentary. It looks like you're right. I'm accidentally a nutter sometimes. Sorry. I'll stop spamming this topic now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DFOL Posted July 10, 2012 Impressive job on this much needed upgrade of the UCS X-Wing! One cannot see this MOC and not appreciate the time and effort that went into creating this! I do agree with some of the comments above that the shaping of the main hull is not yet perfect. Like someone said, it looks a bit "fat", and i really miss the hexagonal shape that is so characteristic of the "real" X-Wing. Still, i think it's leagues ahead of the original UCS model, so thumbs up for a job well done! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PoweredbyNorth Posted July 10, 2012 (edited) it's a bit wide in between the s-foils, the nose is a bit short and the engine could be larger, but narrowing the body would probably correct the other two things. @Cavegod: I've made some extra pictures from the same angle and merged them: Red five comparison by PoweredbyNorth, on Flickr You might be right about the nose being a bit short, but it's not much, maybe add two studs and it's done. I think the angle I choose on some of the other pictures introduce some sort of perspective distortion, don't how to put it. An other thing I spot is the engines that could be a little higher, so that the model get more shoulder. Also the cockpit is really different. I wanted to use a glass cockpit and the only alternative then is the original 7191 screen (which cost me 37 euro on bricklink, but that's another matter...). Perhaps I can find a way to tilt the entire screen slight backwards, or otherwise create something without glass. Another difference I spot is the fuselage. The top on the original seems flatter. I think the width is ok. And lastly, the nose in the original is hexagonal, mine is not. Reason for that is mostly the sturdiness I wanted. I feel that a construction with angled plates will not be that stable. But let me think on that. Btw: thank you all for all the compliments! And of course for your - I presume - well meant criticism. For the moment, I will keep the model as it is (mainly because I'm now in a new project with a modular house). When I find the time, I will probably start the USC Xwing 2nd edition v2 PS: Clone O Patra commented on the photography job. Credits for that go to my friend Marc (loosfotografie.nl), to be seen in action here Untitled by PoweredbyNorth, on Flickr Edited July 11, 2012 by PoweredbyNorth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cavegod Posted July 10, 2012 Yes that angle is better but it does show the problem, R2 is too small and the greebs behind him should be wider. Maybe widen them 2 studs and instead of the 33 slopes use cheeses and tiles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gotoAndLego Posted July 10, 2012 I think the parts of the wing that angle up to the engines need to be taller. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
