X-Wing Starfighter (Signature Series)
Review by AJProDie-Cast
The X-wing has been brought to life by Code 3 Collectibles' sculptors who meticulously recreated every detail of this legendary Star Wars vehicle after the models used in the filming of Episode IV: A New Hope. It comes in the normal black cardboard box with Styrofoam trays, Styrofoam coverings, catalog, instruction sheet, accessory tray, and commemorative certificate with patch.
"The X-Wing Starfighter Signature Series. Includes a special plaque in the left hand corner of the base signed by Mark Hamill, otherwise known as Luke Skywalker (duh!). Limited edition of 1,000 pieces!"
The X-wing comes out of the box with the exposed areas that the accessories will cover up "in flight" or "landed" display modes. The X-wing has a finely crafted paint scheme with battle scarring and the uneven paneled look accurate to a "rebel" starfighter.
The "flight/attack mode" uses the angled black felt covered stand.
You decide which mode you are setting up for, open the accessories case, and with the magnetic wand start assembling... I tried to go in an order... see if you can track the pieces from the tray to the X-Wing starfighter in the first couple of slides...
You will know when you are done, the tray has only "landed" mode (I know grammatically awkward saying but it has landed, not landing) parts left.
The parts are metal and they lock in place with magnets. They normally lock in nice, but on my rendition (maybe only mine) the Hyperdrive and left engine cover fall off easily, luckily unless turned completely upside down, gravity is always your friend on these two and all others, I had no issues.
The X-wing's wing span is over 11 inches and after cradling in the stand the right way (is on an angle and little sticker will show correct placement, mine, the previous owner removed *not recommended*, but I figured out) with opening (doing that will let you know if stand is correct) and closing wings allowing you to display it in attack mode or flight mode.
To switch to "landed" mode, you need to switch the underneath panels for gears and add the laddered side panel.
Take the stand away and it rests directly on the base, also nice touch is to take Artoo out of the ship.
[
G2:591293]
WAIT... something is missing in these extraordinary collectibles... the pilots... well nine bucks and a set of die-cast figures fixed that, relatively... best scale I could find. Voilà! Luke Skywalker ready for action with his buddy Artoo (no, it does not work for flight/attack mode, but hey I like it).
When in "landed" mode you open the cockpit to reveal yet again great detailing.
They came out in 2004 and sold until 2006, they were expensive back then, $295 for the normal version, $350-400 for this version (because of the signed plaque, and it came with the acrylic cover that for the normal version was sold separately).
I have seen this go on eBay for all different amounts with no real rhyme nor reason... go figure.
Only issue I have getting past releases are minor issues from being used. This X-wing's "used issues," the two panels that the magnet seems weak/exhausted, and the ladder needed a pin amount of glue (you can see in picture of tray if you look close, I never noticed until I started review).
Do I recommend it? Heck yeah! It is very expensive, but honestly seems worth it. You won't be disappointed with the detailing and quality, and man is this thing heavy diecast goodness.
Posted 20 July, 2011 - 15:43 by AJProDie-Cast |
Comments
2 comments postedI watched (as always) episode beta, have to disagree. I don't disagree that it is wicked expensive and I am tapped when it comes to die-cast content. But i disagree that the lines of the x-wing are awkward, it looks off, and that I let it being all metal cloud my judgment and praise. I love how the shading and block aspects seem to equal a realistic (if there can be such a thing) starfighter...not all white and smooth like too many toys and the way it sits and clicks together I stand by that it is quality design and product. Thank god we all have different tastes and we don't all love "chocolate" or the world would be a boring place...
I do agree it is as far away from a toy as you can get, and myself, I enjoy things that are made more to pose and display.
:)
It's not something I would buy,but I did think they were a litle hard on it.