[MOC] Alpha-3 Nimbus V-Wing Starfighter - Alternate Build of 75402 ARC-170

[Wurger49]

The Alpha-3 Nimbus-Class V-Wing was a stubby, wedge-shaped starfighter. The wedge shaped fuselage is similar to the Delta-7 that was manufactured by the same company Kuat Systems Engineering. This design feature was later carried to the Rebel A-wing.

The V-Wing featured radiator wings similar to those fitted on Eta-2 interceptors, when landing, the wings rotate downward to form as landing gear. The radiator wings are rotated vertically while flying, giving its distinguishing look like the future Tie-fighter.  The wings are connected to the technic cylinders which allow for their rotation, the cylinders do come loose with play as there is no friction from the axle inside and the pieces are tightened to position via a technic bush and a round axle hole plate on each end. You just need to push the pieces back to tighten them again.
 
The twin laser cannons are nestled between the wings and hull, connected to another technic cylinder, they are designed to rest on the fuselage to reduce unwanted movement as the cylinders rotate independently from the ones that connect the radiator wings. A small wedge is connected onto the back of the cylinder like source material.

There is a white central spine for the wedge-shaped hull. From the wedge sloped nose, I used a variety of tiles and slopes leading up to the single seat cockpit. Inverted pieces are used to complete the sloped underside of the ship. The dark red curved bricks are placed below the windscreen like the source material. I only used an astromech head sitting behind the cockpit. Flanking the astromech are two deflector shield heat sinks, they can open up from the 2 pin hole plates. At the tail of the fighter, there are two vertically stacked ion engines.

The technic stand can display the model in 2 different angles, I would recommend to swoosh the V-Wing around on the stand. While the body of the V-Wing is rock solid, the technic cylinder will come loose with play, but it’s very easy to push them against the fuselage to tighten.
 
My son was immediately drawn to this version of the V-Wing like the Jedi Bob’s version, unfortunately as I expected, as the cylinders rotate independently it was hard for him to get them in the right position in relation to each other. He didn’t mind as he was swooshing it around but I would categorise this one as a more of a display model, another fine additional to any LEGO Star Wars Collection.

Instructions are on Rebrickable: https://reb.li/m/211412