REVELL STAR WARS X-WING EASY POCKET

To ensure construction is easier, there’s no need for glue & the models come pre-painted. The Revell range of Star Wars kits build up quickly & easily & we decided to grab their rebel X-Wing fighter (Revell, Ref: 06723).

We’ve always liked the X-Wing & the idea was to use this mini model as an exercise in painting, instead of using the pre-painted scheme. The project would, therefore, be the perfect excuse to test Iwata’s new diminutive M2 single-action airbrush.

To that end, we armed ourselves with the little airbrush & began to spray.

First, we base-coated the model in Tamiya red & yellow shades for the markings. We then carefully cut out Tamiya masking tape to match the size & location of the stripes on the X-Wing fighter.

We sprayed over the whole model with Tamiya grey shades & sealed with Klear. Once dry, we could carefully remove the tape to reveal the coloured stripes.

After a Mig Productions Dark Wash, to bring out the shadows in the recess areas, it was time to start weathering the grey areas a bit more. Using lighter shades of Vallejo grey acrylic, we picked out individual panels in varying incarnations of grey. Next, small chips & areas of wear were added with a fine brush – including grey or off-white chips under the red markings & along the leading edges. Further deeper chips were added using darker acrylics like German Grey & the old favourite, German Camouflage Black Brown. A final drybrushing with grey oil paints highlighted the raised details, like the engine cowlings.

This just left the engines themselves, which received a brush-coated application of Gunze Mr. Metal polishable paints & some black pigment weathering. The final touch was to apply graphite weathering using a burnishing brush. That was it!

So if you fancy a quick & easy hit of mil-sci-fi modelling, without the hassle of a big build, these little kits let you concentrate all your efforts on the painting.