Crazy Rocketeers Build 21 Foot Long Star Wars X-Wing… That Flies
I need a hobby like this, something that in the end people can look at and go, that's freaking cool. Polecat Aerospace, a group of (as they say) slightly insane rocketeers got together and decided to make a flying scale model of an X-Wing fighter in honor of the 30th Anniversary of the movie Star Wars. Talk about crazy, the rocket which will actually fly is over 21 feet long and is powered by solid-fuel rockets and contains 3 man rated parachutes for recovery, but the coolest part of the thing is the X-Wings, they actually move in flight.
The wings, including the root sections and the outer panels are about 8' long and weigh 60 pounds a piece, including the motors. The motion mechanism had to be able to move all 4 of these simultaneously, while keeping them in position relative to each other. Additionally, the motion hardware had to be strong enough to keep the wings in position once they were at the extents of their travel.
The launch date is set for next week, hopefully there will be video of the maiden voyage. I didn't see anything on how long it took these guys to build this thing but they do have a website with pictures documenting the process. Here's a few of the finished photos, check their site for a complete gallery of the building process.
Comment by Tobsy on 3 October 2007:
Okay, now this is a childhood dream come true.
Hmm, my action figure x-wing came with laser-hole stickers. Maybe I should send them some :-).
Comment by Jerad Kaliher on 4 October 2007:
If I only had the time that some of these fanatical groups have. I think my first project would need to be really out there. Maybe we could make the world’s largest popcorn, like in the 80’s movie Real Genius.
Good times.
Comment by suv and truck accessories on 5 October 2007:
Star wars vehicle? very cool!
Comment by Hoto on 6 October 2007:
wow this is nice. i love star wars and this really looks like a x wing i want to have one too. lego just got a lot of starwars stuff but it is so expensiv.