I've built a lot of Technic sets and MOCs over the years, so it is rare that I see something that really feels new. That's why I was so excited when I saw Drakmin present his Technic X-Wing a few years ago. Star Wars is certainly a common MOC theme, but combining it with Technic is very uncommon. The only official examples are sets 8000-8012 from 2000. These sets were all characters, not ships, and were mostly underwhelming. So the X-Wing was really new and fresh. He followed it up later with a Snowspeeder which he presented and built with input from the community over a considerable period of time. The model has been featured in Hispabricks magazine and instructions have recently become available on MOC Plans (created by me) so I had to build it!

As you can see, this model is created almost entirely from Technic liftarms on the outside, along with plenty of connectors on the canopy. But this is not just a good looking static model like UCS. There's plenty of Technicy functional goodness on the inside. Let's start building and take a look!

Here are the collected parts. You can see the high number of liftarms and the concentration of light gray. Making this in white and orange with Technic parts would be impossible, so this color choice was a reasonable compromise. Total part count is 2191.

     

Here is a view of the internal frame midway through construction. The pilot's seat features a stick with two functions. When moved side to side, it lifts the maneuvering flaps above the engines. When moved front to back, it moves the elevators. The gunner stick controls (surprise) the gun. Side to side rotates the harpoon and front to back control the elevation. All of this is accomplished with mechanical linkages using minimal gearing. There are a lot of ball joints here. This is another way in which the model is refreshing because the mechanisms are different from what we are used to in sets and MOCs.

     

Here are some shots of the completed model. It looks really good and is incredibly sturdy. It is eminently swooshable. The canopy also opens. The rear radiator is built in a fascinating way. The gap between the louvers is not 1 stud but 1/2 stud. The blasters are tipped inward and meet at a point ahead of the model, just like in the movie.

     

 

     

I really enjoy this model. It really stands out in my collection. I liked it so much that I didn't even put it in my LEGO room with my other models, instead it sits in my home theater on top of my Laserdisc player with Barman's Avatar Samson helicopter.

Bigger versions of all pictures at my Bricksafe.

Just wow, for the MOC but more for your MOC collection .

I have half a SW set (not technic) so maybe i should make this to. If it helps get the instructions for his awesome Siege Tank ill buy 50!!! Thanks for the review Blakbird. Might just be me/firefox being difficult but your bricksafe link does not work.

I want your paycheck Blakbird! :P Or just no import tax. That would work to :P

I have half a SW set (not technic) so maybe i should make this to. If it helps get the instructions for his awesome Siege Tank ill buy 50!!! Thanks for the review Blakbird. Might just be me/firefox being difficult but your bricksafe link does not work.

Fixed the link. Thanks for letting me know.

By the way, part of the reason I took so long to post this review is that you can see Jurgen's Kenworth truck in the background and he hadn't announced it yet!

This is a great MOC! A must build for me

Any estimate what this would cost to BL out?

Isn't that red truck in the first picture 2legoornot2legos US truck T7? http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=481221

Does that mean there are going to be instructions for that one too?

Any estimate what this would cost to BL out?

You can download the parts list from MOC Plans or Rebrickable to find out.

Isn't that red truck in the first picture 2legoornot2legos US truck T7? http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=481221

Does that mean there are going to be instructions for that one too?

Yes, that it is one of ingmar's trucks but there are no instructions. You'd have to ask him if he plans to make any.

Any estimate what this would cost to BL out?

http://rebrickable.com/mocs/drakmin/rebel-snowspeeder#parts_list Here is the part list, it seems you can get a bit over 90% of the parts used for around 100 euros.

Blakbird: Thanks a lot for doing this review! Feels strange to see a familiar model on other peoples photos ;D

Hi,

I was looking at the part x1106 (extra large). As it seems the diameter is quite big, I just want to reconfirm this is the actual part being used. Thanks.

I was looking at the part x1106 (extra large). As it seems the diameter is quite big, I just want to reconfirm this is the actual part being used. Thanks.

i cannot measure the rubber bands right now but i would say the ones i used in my model were 3x3 studs. (3 studs in diameter)

I was looking at the part x1106 (extra large). As it seems the diameter is quite big, I just want to reconfirm this is the actual part being used. Thanks.

This size should work, I don't know code for bricklink.

Looks like the parts list uses the wrong size. Sorry about that. For some reason I was thinking the sizes were color coded. I think I used the more common (older) 4x4 blue for mine.

Thanks Drakmin & Blakbird for the confirmation on the rubber band. I have fixed up the Snowspeeder and I will replace the black Technic, Gear 36 Tooth Double Bevel with Light Bluish Gray in the near future.

Looks great! Always nice to see another build of a great model.

Awesome! Thanks for putting the time & effort into the instructions for this, I plan making this my next build.

P.s. Any updates on the X-Wing?

I am building this wonderful model right now and have some problems with controlling the elevation of the gun. I get very small range of motion. Could someone who built this model please take a look at this video and see if it is correct or not? The mechanism kind of hits the ceiling when moving up, maybe I didnt center it correctly. Any input is appreciated :)

I am building this wonderful model right now and have some problems with controlling the elevation of the gun. I get very small range of motion. Could someone who built this model please take a look at this video and see if it is correct or not? The mechanism kind of hits the ceiling when moving up, maybe I didnt center it correctly. Any input is appreciated :)

The range of motion is pretty small on mine as well, but I think moves a little further than yours. Changing the center point might be a good thing to try.

Hi, the rear harpoon should have vertical movement range as shown in this photo. You indeed need to recenter the rear joystick. (disconnect the two 16 teeth gears under the pilots seat and move joystick and harpoon to their middle positions)

Thanks for building this model! X-Wing is on hold atm. due to my work :)

Edited January 9, 201510 yr by drakmin

As much as i don't like Star Wars (I know, blasphemy...blabla..) - this model is very impressive to me, and definitely something i would love to build and display.

The range of motion is pretty small on mine as well, but I think moves a little further than yours. Changing the center point might be a good thing to try.

You indeed need to recenter the rear joystick. (disconnect the two 16 teeth gears under the pilots seat and move joystick and harpoon to their middle

Thanks for the help. I needed to recenter the joystick as you said drakmin. It was not that easy as I had continued to build and things were not that accessible, but now I am very satisfied. I managed to pull out the axle for the second 16 teeth gear and could spin it a few degrees. Still the harpoon shoots better at birds than fish but that is ok :)

And also

Drakmin - thanks so much for this awesome creation

Blakbird -thanks so much for the BI

It's not just a beauty, it is also really fun to build.

Halfway there...

Edited January 10, 201510 yr by Askan

Excellent build.  Highly recommend.

Edited January 30, 20214 yr by NMbricks