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The Incom T-65 X-Wing Fighter

Star Wars model kits were not available in Finland back when they first came out in 1977 or 1978. It was just devastating because I knew quite well that they existed. I was dying to have at least one of them, any one would have been great. Somehow, to my own surprise, using all my negotiating skills, I managed to persuade my parents to buy a kit for me all the way from Sweden.

 

This is the one, the crown jewel, the MPC model kit I got after a looooong wait in 1980. I assembled it, painted it white, added the decals and carefully, carefully weathered it with matchsticks. Yes, matchsticks! I reasoned that since the fighters in the movie were charred by enemy fire, atmospheric friction and whatnot, I could achieve similar effect by actually burning the model with fire.

 

I was thirteen.

 

Miraculously, I did not melt the plastic, just stained it with soot as planned. Boy, did this thing look good!

 

The model has spent two decades in a box, I dug it out a couple of years ago with plans to rebuild it. That's not going to happen, however, the X-Wing is perfect as it is.

 

(Explored! Peaked #51)

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Uploaded on August 9, 2010
Taken on August 9, 2010