[MOC] Rebel Z-95 Headhunter Starfighter - Alternate Build of 75399 Rebel U-Wing

[Wurger49]

The Z-95 has a long history of seeing active service from before the Clone Wars to the New Republic, as a part of my Blue Squadron Rebel Ships from 75399, I decided to design a Z-95 Headhunter based on Bode Akuna's ride from Jedi Survivor. It makes total sense for an upgraded Z-95 to be a part of Rebel fleet as a light-weight counterpart to the legendary T-65 X-Wing, just like the F-16 and F-15 in the USAF.

My Z-95 would share many common components with the X-Wing, like the windscreen, engines and laser cannons, its wings has non-swept leading edge and swept trailing edge like the X-Wing, without the complications that comes with the movable S-foils making it cheaper to build and simpler to maintain.

The wingtip laser cannons so iconic for the X-Wing and Z-95, I started with just using the U-Wing 's design, but they are too short, I tried to explore other options before settling on that. Luckily there are two 12 stud long axles remaining after two were used on the engines, I connected them on pin hole pieces and my Z-95 now has two imposing cannons!

I managed to create a taper on the Z-95 nose using hinge plates, going from 2 studs to 4 studs wide. Brackets with tiles and curved slopes formed the fuselage sides along the cockpit, leading up to the back hump where the hyperdrive and power generator are housed. I am getting pretty good at using various slopes and bricks in building up fuselages.

The engine pods are an evolution of the U-Wing design, the technic pins connect the wings through the engines. Due to the brick built engines I can place a 2x4 plate to connect each engine to the fuselage, this removed the wing sag issue that comes with only connecting via technic pins. This also helps to make the overall model even more sturdy, pick up from the core and swoosh it around like you are an ace!

I used the Blue Leader's X-Wing from Rogue One has the inspiration for the colour scheme, Its distinctive and battle-worn blend of white, grey, blue, and yellow gave the design a grounded, authentic feel appropriate for the Rebels. A little stand was built from round bricks to display the model.

I really love how this model turned out, the windscreen, cannons and choice of colours just works so well. This could be the first Z-95 I keep in my collection instead of disassemble it for a another model.

Instructions are on Rebrickable: https://reb.li/m/220440