Don't mess up that ARwing! Scratch built N64 StarFox arwing project

zanderwitaz

Well-Known Member

• May 21, 2018

• #1

I've wanted one of these since 1997. Well, I found the time to make one!

I aimed for an 18" wingspan. I was house sitting for about a month, and needed a project that could be done without a shop. This was done completely on a kitchen table, up to the molding process.

I used a combination of pepakura files, in game screenshots, promo art, and retail box images to get the look I wanted. I also aimed to make the lower wing pylons (twin laser upgrade) able to be built in the up or down position. The wings so far are in all range mode only, but swept back may be an option in the future.









Updates soon!

 

Last edited: May 21, 2018

JediMichael

Master Member

• May 22, 2018

• #2

Great idea. Hope this turns out really good.

 

zanderwitaz

Well-Known Member

• May 22, 2018

• #3

Thanks JM.

Onward! The fuselage was done first. Mostly in game, with the starfox logo as a recessed detail. I also flipped the vents around, it just didn't make sense on the in game version to have them facing forward.





The G-diffusers were made, and the paneling was estimated. I hated the look so I scrapped it and made another, using more precise measurements.
The canopy is fairly straight forward, but needed to be very smooth. I'll be casting it in clear later on.

The thruster area is next!

 

zanderwitaz

Well-Known Member

• May 23, 2018

• #4

I cut up an amiibo figure for the cockpit. I also started the wings, but I wasn't completely happy with them.
There are a lot of 2D details (Especially in the back) that have to be interpreted. We'll see how they come out!



Most of the ridges were done with styrene rod and half rounds.



This part here was probably the hardest to figure out on the whole fighter. The intersection where the wings meet the body. The Arwing has sweep wings like an F-14, but when they are closed or open, the proportions of the wing change, not just the positioning. I did my best, and made a triangular plate where the bizarre clipping of the model occurs.

 

JediMichael

Master Member

• May 23, 2018

• #5

This looks pretty good. Didn't know you were this far along already.

 

zanderwitaz

Well-Known Member

• May 25, 2018

• #6

Yep, I did a lot of this work over the course of the last month or two, just never got around to making a thread on it.

I completed the wings. I didn't take pictures during the process, but I had to re-make the wing tips twice to get it just right.



Did some paneling on the lower pylons, as well as the fine detailing on the areas that are exposed with the twin laser upgrade.





On to the bottom, and interior!

 

JediMichael

Master Member

• May 25, 2018

• #7

Looking really good. I've always wanted to make one from the original game, although I'd have to change a few things to make it better.

 

Helix6187

Well-Known Member

• May 27, 2018

• #8

Pretty cool ! I really like where this is going.

 

zanderwitaz

Well-Known Member

• Jun 1, 2018

• #9

Helix6187 said:

Pretty cool ! I really like where this is going.

Click to expand...

Thanks!

The wings were very tricky. Even a degree off on any of the many angles and it would look off, and asymmetrical.



I started the tedious journey of building out the interior. I cut up an amiibo Falco figure to fit in the cockpit as well. Just barely fits!!



I didn't take pictures, but after I hacked off the Falco torso, I hacked open the base he was standing on. I pulled out the circular tag in there, and made a recess in the bottom of the arwing hull to fit it. Then I sculpted a square plate to cover it all. Now the arwing will work as an amiibo. You can see the underside detailing, and the plate below.



Who's excited for molds?

 

JediMichael

Master Member

• Jun 2, 2018

• #10

This is looking really good. Can't wait to see it painted.
I've actually been listening to video game remixes online, and downloading a bunch.
I found this really cool video from the first Starfox. Brings back good memories.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Nov 8, 2018

zanderwitaz

Well-Known Member

• Jun 4, 2018

• #11

Thanks again JM. Still working on this thing. I'm trying to figure out the best way to do the starfiox insignia on both sides of the nose.

I never had an Snes, I started off on the N64. I really like the assault soundtrack personally.

Mold progress!



Here's the styrene prototype with some cast G-diffusers.

 

zanderwitaz

Well-Known Member

• Jun 14, 2018

• #12

Raw cast Arwing. No paint or clean up outside of sprue areas.







Pew pew!

First teaser below.

 

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incomt65xwing

New Member

• Dec 20, 2020

• #13

Very cool build. Do you happen to have plans/measurements you could share? Also, what did you sculpt it out of? Styrene? I'm still pretty new to scratch building and am really impressed by the level of detail you were able to carve in, so any tips or advice would be fantastic.

 

SwedishChef

New Member

• Dec 26, 2020

• #14

R2-wing lol