EFX X Wing Arrival, Thoughts & Pictures

[voice in the crowd]

My EFX arrived yesterday and the first thing that struck me about it was how big it was compared to my Salzo Red 5. The EFX looks much bigger in all aspects and the hull is massive compared to the Salzo. The paint job is ok but for a mass produced piece it is good. I am considering getting it repainted though.

In hand it is a really nice piece and I don't have any complaints with the purchase at all.

I honestly have to put my hand on heart and say I much prefer the Salzo kit painted by our very own Ralphee but comparing a hand build hand painted kit to a mass produced item just isn't a fair comparison.

Cheers Chris

 

[Pauleysolo]

The cockpit is really nice on the eFX--when lit up is it pretty magical. It doesn't get enough credit on that front I think.

 

[voice in the crowd]

The cockpit is really nice on the eFX--when lit up is it pretty magical. It doesn't get enough credit on that front I think.

I still have to test mine. I don't have an adapter for the US style plug yet. The photos I have seen look good though

I wish they hadn't put the hinged cockpit canopy on though mine is a poor fit and it it definitely the only real low on the model.

Chris

 

[Jedi Dade]

What I want to know is when will I get my plaques... Other then that I'm VERY happy with my eFX X-Wings :thumbsup

Jedi Dade

 

[voice in the crowd]

What I want to know is when will I get my plaques... Other then that I'm VERY happy with my eFX X-Wings :thumbsup

Jedi Dade

The plaque was in a thick card envelope stuck to the side of the box when mine arrived. It wasn't something that was obvious with all the other packaging.

Chris

 

[Pauleysolo]

Yes all the plaques should be sent out by now.

 

[BrundelFly]

I got mine today. LOVE IT.

My Plaque was taped to outside of the box. Amazingly, it was unharmed.

I have one of the Artist Proof plaques. which means nothing, Just that is says Artist Proof.

I dont think my XWING is any nicer than anyone elses.
Some things I noticed, it is lighter than I thought it would be.
Especially considering how huge it is..and It IS HUGE.
Cockpit fit was better than I expected, you have to push the forward lip down and you get an impressive SNAP.
R2 Needed some Tinfoil inserted into his head to make his lights a bit brighter. TRY IT! it works GREAT!
Thats pretty much it. I plan to touch up some items. Maybe make the electrical connections (Brass series of circles) gold colored. Weather R2 a bit, after he accidently falls into Rubber (want to customize one). Maybe build the rest of him.

Perhaps run some pencil lines and weather here and there.
I bought the ICONS base someone was selling, and plan to incorporate that somehow. Til then.....I will display it in my office!

 

[Kuhn Global]

Wow Frank!

Yours looks a bit better than the piece Barry sent me to review!

http://www.modelermagic.com/?p=3128

Is this what all the final released pieces look like?

 

[vaderdarth]

I agree Kurt, I'd be more than happy with that one!

 

[eFX]

I got mine today. LOVE IT.

My Plaque was taped to outside of the box. Amazingly, it was unharmed.

I have one of the Artist Proof plaques. which means nothing, Just that is says Artist Proof.

I dont think my XWING is any nicer than anyone elses.
Some things I noticed, it is lighter than I thought it would be.
Especially considering how huge it is..and It IS HUGE.
Cockpit fit was better than I expected, you have to push the forward lip down and you get an impressive SNAP.
R2 Needed some Tinfoil inserted into his head to make his lights a bit brighter. TRY IT! it works GREAT!
Thats pretty much it. I plan to touch up some items. Maybe make the electrical connections (Brass series of circles) gold colored. Weather R2 a bit, after he accidently falls into Rubber (want to customize one). Maybe build the rest of him.

Perhaps run some pencil lines and weather here and there.
I bought the ICONS base someone was selling, and plan to incorporate that somehow. Til then.....I will display it in my office!

Hi Kurt!

Remember, you reviewed a pre-production piece. We tried to take into account and address many of your issues and concerns (along with other people's). Frank got a production version.

Thanks!

Bryan

 

[vaderdarth]

Got mine yesterday, absolutely phenomenal! I'm also adding foil tape to brighten R2's lights. Aside from that, the cockpit hinge looks way better than I expected. It certainly ain't no Hasbro toy!!!! Paintjob is extremely clean and well executed compared to Icons etc in the past. I'm very pleased.

 

[voice in the crowd]

Anybody going for a repaint? Not knocking the factory paint job just curious.

Chris

 

[Scott Graham]

Overall I don't want a repaint, but I'm repainting portions myself. Used denatured alcohol to remove some of the paint, but it tends to go down to the bare surface when you use it. I got rid of some of the overdone or inaccurate areas with the alcohol.

Just a warning: never use windex to clean it! The alcohol in it will ruin the paint job. I didn't do it, but I can just imagine the tragic consequences.

Used some tamiya deck tan mixed with white to repaint. Also, I took some pastels to it, and I repainted some of the chipping/blast areas with a dark gray.

Anybody going for a repaint? Not knocking the factory paint job just curious.

Chris

 

[BrundelFly]

No way.

Touch up? WHy not?
Could you weather it a bit? Sure. Everyone "sees" things differently.
Personally, I think the engines arent dirty enough.

However, STRIP and repaint?
WHY go to the trouble.

If you are familiar with the "law of diminishing returns", then why is obvious.

 

[vaderdarth]

I might in the future, but at the moment I'm satisfied with the factory paint on mine.

 

[Pauleysolo]

I am pretty satisfied with mine- the only exception would be some of the dark grey panels are a little stark...i might lighten them a bit with some light gray pastel powder--also the foil trick works nicely to brighten up R2's lights- thanks for the hint VaderDarth!

 

[Montagar]

I am pretty satisfied with mine- the only exception would be some of the dark grey panels are a little stark...i might lighten them a bit with some light gray pastel powder--also the foil trick works nicely to brighten up R2's lights- thanks for the hint VaderDarth!

Sorry for the silly question, but can you explain the R2 "foil trick"?

Thanks

 

[vaderdarth]

snipped a piece of tinfoil, about 1/4" long and the same height as the LED wrap the piece around the back of the LED leaving the front of it exposed. I also stuck a piece up in the dome to reflect the top light of the LED back down..............this brightens the lights in R2 nicely.

Dave

 

[Montagar]

I'll give it a try, thanks! :thumbsup

 

[Scott Graham]

The R2 LED on mine was sitting a bit high. The result was the light wasn't as bright as it could be. I fixed it by shortening the leads on the LED and plugging it back in. That helped to brighten it up.

I'd like to try your method too vaderdarth, to see if it can be even brighter.