Hi folks, I'm usually quite active over in the Imperial Assault subforum, showcasing my painted figures as I finish painting them. Star Wars is a part of my life since I watched it at the movies in my early childhood in the early eighties, and I also like new stuff with cool characters and ideas, like Clone Wars and REBELS quite a lot.

With 2.0, I finally decided to also get into X-wing. I'm a sucker for iconic ships, and I'm glad FFG made the move to 2.0 to bring those back into a place in the game where they belong.

That being said, the Rebel Alliance is my favorite faction, so naturally I start with a rebel squadron which consists exclusively of ships we actually see in the movies. What's more, I have started the process of re-painting (and modifying, where required) all those ships as accurately as possible to match their real-life ILM studio model counterparts that where used during filming. I've researched the X-wing and Y-wing studio models before, and these days, we have good reference images for all of them.

So, here we go, Red 2 (Wedge Antilles) is my first replica of the studio model paint job on an X-wing Miniatures X-wing:

I recreated not only the appropriate colours and markings, but made sure to also replicate all the original weathering and combat scars as accurately as possible. For comparison, here are some of the best images of the original Red 2 studio model:

http://www.modelermagic.com/?p=2199

Next, I will replicate Gold Leader, and then some more of the original X-wings. Eventually, I want to replicate all X-wings and Y-wings from A New Hope. And after that - well, there's a lot of ships to collect!

That's an absolutely beautiful repaint.

I really want to paint up a couple of Red Squadron X-Wings myself ( especially Wedge as he's my favourite pilot), but I've never done any model painting before and I'm seriously stuck on where to start.

How difficult was it to get the colours you want? Do you mind if I ask what paints you used, and if you had to mix them? Did you redo the base coat or just add detail to the existing paint job? The gradient you've got on the yellow under the canopy is fantastic, btw, and I love the way you've done the red bands on the engines.

The big problem I have is that I think the core set Red 5 is really good for the size of the minis, and I don't see any reason to try and recreate that with my beginner level ability, so I kind of want to match the colours with those FFG used, if possible. I prefer the colours they chose for the sand markings as well. You've done an incredible job matching the yellow to the filming model there, but with the movement, film quality and colour grading the yellow is always way less obvious in the films themselves, and I like how the FFG paint makes the markings a bit more subtle. But I have absolutely no idea how to go about matching their red to do the markings, and their tan to fill in the extra detail on Red 2

Lastly, are those reference photos definitely the original model and not a replica? Couple of reasons I ask. One is that I've researched this a lot myself, and ModelerMagic often uses replicas as references. I also believe that the original Red 2, 3, 4 and 5 studio models were either lost, disassembled or kept locked up for a long time - I'm sure I remember reading they've barely been seen. And finally, Wedge's astromech is actually a red dome with white trim , where this has the silver dome and red trim that I believe came about from an older action figure. Could be that the studio model genuinely got it the wrong way round and was the source for the old action figure, or it was made before the set version and they just reused another astro dome instead of recreate the one from the model, but I don't know. Not trying to throw doubt on you or anything, just genuinely curious on the back of my own research.

Really looking forward to seeing the rest of Red Squadron, especially your take on Red 6, if that's something you're planning.

First of all - thanks, GuacCousteau.

42 minutes ago, GuacCousteau said:

How difficult was it to get the colours you want? Do you mind if I ask what paints you used, and if you had to mix them? Did you redo the base coat or just add detail to the existing paint job? The gradient you've got on the yellow under the canopy is fantastic, btw, and I love the way you've done the red bands on the engines.

I base-coloured the model with a darker off-white I mixed on my own. It consists of Citadel White scar, a bit of black, and some tiny amounts of dark brown, fiery orange and bright yellow. The panel-lines and the inverted edges around raised detail were then painted in with a medium grey, using the fine tip of a good brush.

The rest of the whole paint job was achieved by applying thin transparent layers of thinned paint. That way you have the most control even when creating Tiny details and it is the best way to create gradients on such tiny models.

49 minutes ago, GuacCousteau said:

Lastly, are those reference photos definitely the original model and not a replica? Couple of reasons I ask. One is that I've researched this a lot myself, and ModelerMagic often uses replicas as references. I also believe that the original Red 2, 3, 4 and 5 studio models were either lost, disassembled or kept locked up for a long time - I'm sure I remember reading they've barely been seen.

You are right that they often display replicas on ModelerMagic, but they also label them as replicas, then. The Red 2 you see in the photos and scans in the link I posted actually is the studio model. The sorry state of the model is an indicator, as is the apparent spot in the back of the ship where you can see the circular detailing which was removed when the model was put on the armature for blue screen-shots. Of Red 5, only the wings of the original studio model remain existing today, but there are older photos of the model still circulating, as are of the other birds. As far as I know, only Red 3 exists as a whole today, albeit with the internal mechanism holding the s-foils defunct, which makes the model look rather sad, even though it's otherwise in pretty good condition.

58 minutes ago, GuacCousteau said:

And finally, Wedge's astromech is actually a red dome with white trim , where this has the silver dome and red trim that I believe came about from an older action figure. Could be that the studio model genuinely got it the wrong way round and was the source for the old action figure, or it was made before the set version and they just reused another astro dome instead of recreate the one from the model, but I don't know.

You're right about that - I simply replicated the look of the studio model astromech for Red 2. Also, I don't use metallic paints on such tiny models and use Greys for metals with some rust-colours where appropriate.

Today I started painting Gold 1 (Gold Leader). Interstingly enough, this Y-wing seemed to be the only one with the turret removed:

Before I finished my replica of the studio model paintjob on my Gold 1 Y-wing, I had the sense to check with the ultimate reference: The movie! And look - the Gold 1 model has an ion turret, so we're dealing with a damaged studio model in the scans I used for reference. Okay, since the ion turret on the new, otherwise excellent Y-wing sculpt is way too bulky, I scratch-built one using parts of an anti-aircraft gun from a warship model kit. I also glued new, far thinner laserguns to the front of the Y-wing.

Here's the finished model:

And here's Gold 1 and Red 2 flying in formation:

Now I'm preparing for painting Red 3 (Biggs Darklighter).

Excellent work! Glad to see you over here in X-Wing.

I like the first edition Y personally, the chubby Y doesn't quite look right to my eye. Your mods make it a lot better by miles; bravo.

33 minutes ago, Force Majeure said:

Excellent work! Glad to see you over here in X-Wing.

I like the first edition Y personally, the chubby Y doesn't quite look right to my eye. Your mods make it a lot better by miles; bravo.

Thanks, Force Majeure. Interesting - I don't perceive it as being chubby, but then, I know the original studio models well and I'm also very familiar with how the Y-wing looks in the movies, and I 100% prefer this new sculpt over the old one since it's very very close to the proportions and detail of the studio models. Good thing is we now have two versions - one inaccurate leaner one for those who prefer that, and one accurate one for those who want what they see in the movies and shows.

Anyways, on to the next X-wing. Red 3 seems to be the only original studio model X-wing still intakt, and we have some very good, very detailed reference images.

http://www.modelermagic.com/?p=61088

14 hours ago, Fourtytwo said:

Before I finished my replica of the studio model paintjob on my Gold 1 Y-wing, I had the sense to check with the ultimate reference: The movie! And look - the Gold 1 model has an ion turret, so we're dealing with a damaged studio model in the scans I used for reference. Okay, since the ion turret on the new, otherwise excellent Y-wing sculpt is way too bulky, I scratch-built one using parts of an anti-aircraft gun from a warship model kit. I also glued new, far thinner laserguns to the front of the Y-wing.

Here's the finished model:

And here's Gold 1 and Red 2 flying in formation:

Now I'm preparing for painting Red 3 (Biggs Darklighter).

Great work. Mind if I ask what battleship gun you used for the turret, and how you removed the turret? I thought to attempt to remove mine but didn't want to end up damaging the cabin.

1 minute ago, Animewarsdude said:

Great work. Mind if I ask what battleship gun you used for the turret, and how you removed the turret? I thought to attempt to remove mine but didn't want to end up damaging the cabin.

Thanks. I cannot tell you which warship model kit it was, because I got the part from a sprue in my spare sprues-collection, but any double-barreled gun small enough will do the trick. I used a sharp hobby knife to cut off the original ion turret right above its round base. Use only a little pressure when cutting - that way you have the most control over what you do with the hobby knife.

18 hours ago, Fourtytwo said:

Wow. Fantastic work.

I love how you've been able to replicate the exact weathering pattern on the front of the engines. It's really impressive detail on such a small model. That turret looks soo much better as well. I'm really hoping someone eventually starts offering 3D printed replacement turrets that are more accurate to the studio model at some point, much like the engine kits for the Kihraxz that eventually did the rounds. It's the one big flaw in an otherwise much improved model.

Have you gone over the pipes on the main hull? They look really good. I thought the FFG paint job had the exposed parts painted pretty much spot on, but yours looks so much crisper.

6 hours ago, Force Majeure said:

Excellent work! Glad to see you over here in X-Wing.

I like the first edition Y personally, the chubby Y doesn't quite look right to my eye. Your mods make it a lot better by miles; bravo.

That's probably just because you've got used to the old one.

The new Y-Wing model is more accurate and better detailed in just about every aspect. Dig up some photos of the ILM studio model and take a look at both minis, and you'll see what I mean.

In particular, the rear of the main hull is a much more accurate shape on the rear model (the sort of half square based flattened pyramid shape). The protrusions either side of the hull forward of the wings and aft of the astro are also more accurate on the new model, as is the length of the 'neck'. The astro is better positioned, and the shape of the cockpit section is more accurate (specifically, the new model has a flat part at the back, before the tapered section starts).

The oversized, unpainted and incorrectly shaped ion turret is extremely goofy, though. I prefer it to the 'flat' turrets on the old model, but only by a tiny bit and only because the old Y-Wing's silhouette always looked wrong to me with nothing raised above the canopy.

@Fourtytwo 's modifications make it look so much better, though, no doubt. I don't know why FFG couldn't have done something similar - they managed it with the Gunboat, after all.

5 hours ago, Fourtytwo said:

Anyways, on to the next X-wing. Red 3 seems to be the only original studio model X-wing still intakt, and we have some very good, very detailed reference images.

Can't wait to see this. Red 3 is possibly my favourite scheme out of all the X-Wings.

You might have some better references than me, but one thing I've always found odd is that Red 3 doesn't seem to actually be visible anywhere in the final film. Even in the original '77 cut, most of the exterior shots of Red 3 are very fleeting and from obscure angles. The only time we get an angle that should give a really good view of the model, it seems they composited in two shots of the Red 5 model with Red 2, rather than use Red 3.

Which astromech are you going to give Biggs? The silver and black R2-Q2/F2 from the film set? Or the R2-D2 style one from those model reference photos?

3 hours ago, GuacCousteau said:

Have you gone over the pipes on the main hull? They look really good. I thought the FFG paint job had the exposed parts painted pretty much spot on, but yours looks so much crisper.

Yes, I always repaint the whole model, and I also pick out every Detail like each pipe individually.

3 hours ago, GuacCousteau said:

The only time we get an angle that should give a really good view of the model, it seems they composited in two shots of the Red 5 model with Red 2, rather than use Red 3.

Yes, they did that a lot. There are also many cuts from a pilot to his X-wing, only that in many shots it's not the correct X-wing. I guess they got a list with effects shots of X-wings, did all those shots, and then during editing (where the movie was basically created from the shots produced) the relevant scenes got moved around and the editors had to improvise - they certainly didn't have time and money to go back and do new effect shots to match the changes made in editing, given how chaotic the production of the first ever Star Wars was.

3 hours ago, GuacCousteau said:

Which astromech are you going to give Biggs? The silver and black R2-Q2/F2 from the film set? Or the R2-D2 style one from those model reference photos?

I've not decided, yet, but given that the silver and blue astromech is iconically R2D2, I'd propably go with the silver and black one.

I started working on Red 3 today - here's my progress so far:

Can't wait to see these in a phalanx when they are all done

Waitaminute are you and GunnarL competing?

9 hours ago, Ghosthacked said:

Waitaminute are you and GunnarL competing?

I'd guess we are not the first who had the idea to replicate the movie/studio model-look.

Those are some real nice repaints.

On 2/18/2019 at 7:44 AM, GuacCousteau said:

I love how you've been able to replicate the exact weathering pattern on the front of the engines.

I have to say, this is a level of detail I would not have even noticed on my own, but now that GuacCousteau pointed it out, I am all the more impressed. I will keep it in mind for when I do my own repaints. Someday...

I will soon continue painting my tiny-scale birds for X-wing miniatures. In the past two weeks, I've assembled, modified and painted the excellent 1/72-scale X-wing model kit from Bandai as Red 2, and although it's slightly off-topic, I'd like to share the finished model with you since we all love Star Wars ships here:

3 hours ago, Fourtytwo said:

I will soon continue painting my tiny-scale birds for X-wing miniatures. In the past two weeks, I've assembled, modified and painted the excellent 1/72-scale X-wing model kit from Bandai as Red 2, and although it's slightly off-topic, I'd like to share the finished model with you since we all love Star Wars ships here:

Wow. That's absolutely incredible.

I love that kit, I have one myself. I can't really paint, though (yet), so I just gave mine a better coloured base coat and used the included decals for Red 5.

This absolutely blows that out the water, of course. I love how much detail is in the model. I wanted a really accurate X-Wing model for a long, long time and the Bandai kit is easily the best I've seen, especially given how easy it is to put together. And this paint work really brings out all those details.

I really want a Red 2 X-Wing, as well.

I guess I'll just have to learn how to paint.

Thank you, GuacCousteau!

Just now, GuacCousteau said:

I guess I'll just have to learn how to paint. 

If you take your time and paint the model in sub-assemblies, it's not that hard to do. There are a lot of different techniques out there to achieve similar results, and it's more about finding out which painting techniques suit your painting style best and are most enjoyable for you. For beginners, I recommend the YouTuber Andy's Hobby Headquarters - he explains the basic techniques very well and makes them look easy - which they are, once you made your first steps.

And yes - the Star Wars kits from Bandai are excellent and by far the best out there. I've already ordered the 1/72 scale Y-wing from Japan, ad I'm Looking forward to their 32cm Star Destroyer with lighting kit which will be available this summer.

WOW.

Thanks for sharing, that model looks worthy of being used as a studio prop!