Minifig Collector Series - Build Notes
X-Wing - Ensignia "Red 2"
Battle of Yavin/Endor

Incom T-65 X-Wing
12.5 meters long (42 studs)

I purchased the 7140 set from ebay one xmas for my son he was more than happy to play with it, 
though I kept looking at it and thinking that there was a better way to build it.  This was 
probably the point at which I rediscovered my modeling/legoing desire that I had as a kid.  
After seeing some inspirational designs on Brickshelf, I started to tinker.

I looked at the X-Wing UCS and on closer inspection I didn't like some of the design, and it was 
too big to play with anyway.  So I started to redesign using some of the ideas from Bruce Lowell 
(amongst others) and letting my tinkering develop the design further.

First model was in gray, and while the ships look gray in the movies, they do appear to be based 
on them being white when new, so the final model I started in all white, which also allowed me to 
reference v1.0 gray model and enhance.

I always wanted to have minifig scale, but with all the main working components that would 
make a UCS proud.  I like to think of these as MCS - Minifig Collector Series, which are good 
enough to display, though can still be played with - very swooshable...

My overall goal was to keep the sleek lines of the X-Wing, so go as studless as possible and 
minimise block/plate steps on the front fuselage.  I am happy with this design and I think the 
couple of 1x8 tan tiles, angled on the top of the fuselage help this look.

Proton torpedo tubes are present though not real fancy as you don't much room to play with in 
minifig scale.  I also tried to give the front fuselage the illusion of having angled sides by 
using the plates with rails to stick it out a bit.  It kinda works at the right angle and I will 
no doubt continue to tinker in this space.

The droid slots on the X-Wing and Y-Wing are a little difficult as the droids are not really 
minifig scale.  Compared to a minifig they are too big which is not so bad for the X-Wing as 
there is a lot of space behind the cockpit, but a different story on the Y (see build notes).

I put in the storage compartment under the cockpit that Luke was loading before he left Dagobah 
in TESB, though it is a bit small.

The first thing on the 7140 set I tried to add was retractable landing gear so this was always 
a must have on this beast.  The front gear is pretty good, and deliberately designed to not quite 
fit right at the front, as it makes it easier to bring down for a landing.  The rear gear is onto 
its 3rd variation and although I like the look of the current set when down, they don't retract 
as well as I would like.  Bring on the next gen...

Any questions/comments then please email me at:
dateman@optusnet.com.au

bricks away,
David