Has there ever been a video showing the manufacturing process? I would find that quite interesting. Even better if they showed the design and end-to-end process.

inb4 Chinese ripoff X-Wings gets announced.

I'd be really interested to see how they're painted in particular.

I imagine it's not too different to this: http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-inside-chinas-toy-factories-2014-2?op=1&IR=T

I imagine it's not too different to this: http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-inside-chinas-toy-factories-2014-2?op=1&IR=T

I'd guess so, sadly. I assume the painting is automated because of how precise it is (look at the pattern of wear on the front of the Jumpmaster in particular) but the assembly and washes are clearly by hand given that the occasional mini comes out with gluey fingerprints on it, and when you pop them open to do re-modelling you see those a lot more.

I imagine it's not too different to this: http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-inside-chinas-toy-factories-2014-2?op=1&IR=T

I'd guess so, sadly. I assume the painting is automated because of how precise it is (look at the pattern of wear on the front of the Jumpmaster in particular) but the assembly and washes are clearly by hand given that the occasional mini comes out with gluey fingerprints on it, and when you pop them open to do re-modelling you see those a lot more.

My wife has visited a lot of Chinese factories that make toys and Halloween/Christmas decorations with her job, and nothing is ever automated. Manual labour is so much cheaper and flexible than investing in machinery.

And, by the way, not all factories are as bad as these, but it does require the customer (in this case FFG) to set high welfare standards for factories and ensure they are maintained.

If you care about these things, here's a statement by FFG from a rather heated thread a few years ago.

I imagine it's not too different to this: http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-inside-chinas-toy-factories-2014-2?op=1&IR=T

I'd guess so, sadly. I assume the painting is automated because of how precise it is (look at the pattern of wear on the front of the Jumpmaster in particular) but the assembly and washes are clearly by hand given that the occasional mini comes out with gluey fingerprints on it, and when you pop them open to do re-modelling you see those a lot more.

Yeah, when I looked closely at the StarViper I was repainting, there is a clear dot pattern on there. It's done with some kind of transfer/printing rather than paint I think.

I imagine it's not too different to this: http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-inside-chinas-toy-factories-2014-2?op=1&IR=T

I'd guess so, sadly. I assume the painting is automated because of how precise it is (look at the pattern of wear on the front of the Jumpmaster in particular) but the assembly and washes are clearly by hand given that the occasional mini comes out with gluey fingerprints on it, and when you pop them open to do re-modelling you see those a lot more.

My wife has visited a lot of Chinese factories that make toys and Halloween/Christmas decorations with her job, and nothing is ever automated. Manual labour is so much cheaper and flexible than investing in machinery.

And, by the way, not all factories are as bad as these, but it does require the customer (in this case FFG) to set high welfare standards for factories and ensure they are maintained.

If you care about these things, here's a statement by FFG from a rather heated thread a few years ago.

Thank you for finding this. There a a few U.S. companies that manufacture in China and require fair treatment, pay, standards and safety for their employees. While I don't deny this still happens in China and elsewhere I also realize that not all companies or manufacturing is done that way. SJ Games is another company that inspects their China factories and monitors the treatment of the employees to ensure that they are not mistreated or taken advantage of.

ive painted 60 Tau Firewarriors and a holy gakton of Orks to be pretty much identical minus modelling differences.

When painting one model at a time with a decent period between the next, yeah its pretty hard to paint the same way. When you bulk paint multiple models at once its a lot easier to do them the same way. I have noticed in my ships theres shadowing differences (i.e. wash) which is the hardest to get consistent between models. That tells me its done by hand and not automated or a transfersheet type thing.

Considering they dont paint on lights, engines, or flare and weathering can be cheated on in so many ways, wouldnt be that difficult to paint multiple ships the same way. Once you start adding special details it gets difficult.

LOL this reminds me of how on some of the early waves you could find fingerprints on the models. Super sad, but also hilarious. Classic.

Best thing I read all day.

Ever watch How It's Made on Discovery Channel? **** I love that show. I could watch automaton's make almost anything for days. Paint brushes, industrial water heaters, guitars, rolls of flooring. Actually it seems like the more mundane the item, the more horrifically engrossing it's creation.

Someone should write How It's Made and ask them to do a thing on X-Wing. Not me though someone else. I'd probably get distracted and ask for a show on plastic bag extruders...