Pyro X Wing Red Leader

[PB BB1]

I had already began an exacting replica of the X Wing using all the correct source kits. After preparing a Maxi Brute fuselage to Hero configuration, I stopped. Then, there was a brief opportunity to get in on a run for a copy of a real Pyro X Wing. It completely changed my approach to my own project.

TEN YEARS LATER

I just want one nice finished X Wing at home. The Pyro has the pedigree and the work feels important. 

Despite the careful reconstruction of this blowed up bird, it was still missing some things. Some of the chips were changed or removed. A few panel lines drifted mid repair or were completely covered. The engines were broken and reassembled before duplicating and two of the engine cans are by all evidence late additions. Two of the cannons are modified originals, maybe in an effort to make left and right pairs. Two matching wings also appear to have been reassembled slightly crooked.

Time to put it all back the way it was originally. We’ll go through it piece by piece in excruciating detail.

[PB BB1]

One of the great perks of Frank C’s Pyro copies is a duplicate of that classic egghead astromech. Perhaps the first ever miniature R2? 

At the top, the original source and on the bottom, the now heightened copy. 


Unfortunately the circular detail inside the leg/shoulder was nonexistent. I’m almost certain that if this detail wasn’t hand pressed, it is a 1/76 tank wheel. The originals were two part molded front/back so there would have been some flash there to trim.  It was possible to extend the existing geometry of the raised panels and determine the correct shape of the front arm.

[PB BB1]

The engine has immediately recognizable detailing with familiar blobs and bubbles, many of them are native to the original. Even the number 39 is still there from the Sealab on the wing mounting point. The original Pyro engine master would have been made from two identical copies of the hero engine half plus sealab part. Also the tapered piece that meets the back of the engine can and the turkey feather... all cast as one piece. Almost all of it is still here, but unfortunately not all on one side. 


Sadly all four engines are copied from the same damaged source. You can see where the break was on the outer facing side at the exhaust end. The new turkey feathers were previously attached in a way that sort-of compensated for irregular geometry introduced by the repair. There are details from the Phantom donor parts and panel lines gone completely or changed.

[JAWS]

Welcome back.
Looking good mate.

[PB BB1]

My main man, so sorry it has been so long. Even picked up an unbuilt ICONS X Wing along the way. Still no Red 1 hanging on my wall. But this one feels worthy of a true conservation. I hesitate to call it a restoration, I admit it is that, but with as little interpretation as I can possibly contribute.

[PB BB1]

I sliced and diced, putting it back using only itself. 

On the left is an original from production, on the right the restored copy.


I’m not trying to do this seven more times. Some more fine tuning maybe but this is the new pattern for creating hero style engine halves. 

I have found no evidence that the heat sync detail found inside the hero models would have existed on a cast-whole Pyro engine. The images I have indicate a flat surface with only a circular indentation at the center instead. 

My feeling is upgrade to hero engines and add lighting.

[PB BB1]

The included engine cans, simultaneously disappointing and incredible. Among all four, only the two on the left are original. The two Monogram based cans on the right must have hopped on later. 


Red Leader Pyro had two cast-whole cans on its underside. The shallow depth of the intake gives it away. The visible top can appears deeper, with likely the other on top  also being made from the long-rectangle Saturn V half, matching the hero model. This is consistent with the other highly detailed Pyro X Wings. For whatever reason it would seem they only cast the ‘standard’ engine can.  

[PB BB1]

The hollow fuselage is cast in two pieces along a slightly wandering part line. The work goes slow in removing the excess for a good fit. Even slower than that was restoring the chips on this side from leftover lumps. Some had already been replaced entirely. Panel lines were missing too but I put it all back referencing the original pattern. With only the two little chips to go this side is mercifully finally resolved. 

[PB BB1]

Rejoining the two halves of the fuselage has been an exercise in insanity. 

The goopy brushed on material inside is a nightmare to work and if this was anything else but a production casting copy I would have used power tools. There is a remnant of another part line indicating there was a slight shift to a previous generation, that can now be realigned. I wonder if it is a second or third generation copy of the original as it’s still nearly an inch longer than the ICONS fuselage. 

Almost there. 

[Turrican]

Cool, looking forward to see some paint on it.
Do you know what paint you will use?

[PB BB1]

(07-21-2020, 12:44 AM)Turrican Wrote: Cool, looking forward to see some paint on it.
Do you know what paint you will use?

When my local hobby shop closed forever about five years ago I bought their entire remaining Floquil inventory. I don’t have every color but it’s over 200 jars, plus they threw in the rack and color chip cart.

[Turrican]

200 jars of floquil...man that's insane!!