The Perfect X-Wing Model!

Over the past twenty years, veteren modelmaker Jason Eaton has been building studio scale X-Wing models in the quest to create the perfect replica of the filming miniatures used for Star Wars. From community-sourced kits to scratch-built originals, Jason has iterated his X-Wing builds countless times--each build using new measurements and reference. At WonderFest 2023, Jason brings his latest Red 1 X-Wing build: the pinnacle of his modelmaking journey and the one he's finally happy with!
Find more of Jason's model builds at www.jasoneatonstudio.com/ and / roboterkampf
Learn more about WonderFest at www.wonderfest.com/
Shot by Josh Self and edited by Norman Chan
Music by Jinglepunks
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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!
#starwars #modelmaking #miniature

[@tested]

Find more of Jason's model builds at www.jasoneatonstudio.com/ and instagram.com/roboterkampf/

[@IdentifiantE.S]

Thanks !!

[@ChristopherDoll]

Thank you for this wonderful interview with Jason. And thank you for coming out to WONDERFEST!

[@stevemuzak8526]

This is the greatest X-Wing model I've ever seen. It's crazy how accurate it it. Jason Eaton is truly a master modelmaker.

[@MisterSingh.]

the asian guy is the white mans b

[@paspitale]

This guy can spin a yarn. What a fun video. Thanks, Norm and Tested team!

[@PeWeeHermanUK]

It's nice when the modelling community comes together to help each other. Saying that there is a lot of gatekeeping going on

[@JonHuhnMedical]

God bless the makers in this world! Life is better because of you!

[@EriksPlace]

Man, what a great interview/breakdown. Norm's skill as an interviewer have soared since the old days of tested, and Jason is such a good and excited storyteller.

[@IchabodNyx]

Norm: Only says four words during entire interview. Comments: "Norm's interview skills have soared!"

[@drunkmike6364]

Norm keeps his mouth shut! Amazing!

[@EriksPlace]

@@IchabodNyx Fair point, using hyperbole to fight hyperbole. But are you trying to be funny or something? Because honestly an interview where an engaging guest speaks at length and doesn't get interrupted once seems to be the mark of a good host to me. Forgive me if it wasn't obvious that I'm not pointing to this video as the hallmark of that. It just struck me how far he's come.

[@halfvader8015]

@@IchabodNyx Nothing bugs me more when interviewers (see morning shows) think they're the stars not the interviewee and constantly interrupt. Jason is articulate, knowledgable and didn't need prompting, so Norm let him go. Speaks to both confidence and professionalism on Norm's part! I know you're being hyperbolic and looking for reactions (so congrats I guess), but yeah that's ridiculous. Erik's right.

[@TheChipMcDonald]

The proportions between the rear of the canopy, relative to the engine nacelles is right on his model, it jumps out - varying airbrush pressures... no out of scale looking canopy "glass" ... right ratio of chipping on the "race stripe"... he wins. Fantastic. I wish this guy would make a little book visually documenting his build and X-wing knowledge (torpedo tube differences)... Write the book!

[@mattperson7293]

Jason has a KZbin channel where he documented some of the build.

[@RapidActionAnimations]

Always nice to see some content on practical effects/models. Such artistry is required especially when scratch building as opposed to using stock kits.

[@PeWeeHermanUK]

And a lot of help from the modelling community

[@droiddivision-rushmorestudios]

"Aiming above what I should be" What a star. Truly superb work Jason :)

[@markraatsart5049]

After knowing Jason for many years on-line I met him for the first time at the ILM Jedi 40th 2 weeks back and I saw this in person. An astonishingly gifted man and a great guy. Thank you for sharing...

[@petebutler5139]

This is the craziest, most insane build I have ever seen! I would kill to watch the documentary surrounding his research and build process!

[@jeffreypryor4549]

Jason made an absolutely perfect Red 1.

[@90srulz91]

Amazing model, wow. Plus wearing an Omega Speedmaster - respect for completing the space theme.

[@SW0000A]

The B'omarr monk is just as amazing as the X-Wing.

[@mvm3897]

It was awesome seeing Norm there this year. I had a chance to chat with him for a few minutes. Wonderfest is and amazing event. Jason and his crew build the most amazing Star Wars models. Every year their display gets better and better. Just need to get Adam to Wonderfest now.

[@mattscott8961]

That thin is effin perfect! View right down the nose - the windows! What beautiful, subdued detail!

[@michaelminch5490]

Okay, that model of a Martian Fighting Machine from Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds is BADASS!!!

[@aaronrogerson4179]

Yeah, I've been trying to find out who made it but no luck so far.

[@manupkp]

That's a true hobbyist. Great stuff.

[@PhotoFlight]

In the not too distant future (if not right now) there's going to be two types of model builders. Those with 3D printers and those without.

[@86fifty]

Jason is such a good presenter! He kept my attention thru the whole video, told some great stories in a great way, just mad props (hah, pun) to this enthusiastic nerd who's still so pumped to talk to the model maker heroes of his childhood, even all these years later!

[@Dark.Shingo]

When you find someone that really loves his craft and likes to talk about it. Truly a wonderful video.

[@benjaminwigley4132]

Jason, as always... your models are the ones we should have had in the 1980s!!!!

[@BackwardGalaxy]

Been a fan of Jason's for a couple years. This is excellent.

[@williammitchell4417]

I can't say it enough. These folks have done awesome work for their model work.👍

[@Shooter_FPV]

Perfect timing for this video, as I started 3D printing a pretty detailed TIE Fighter last night. This X-Wing is FLAWLESS! Great work Jason!!!

[@-MrFozzy-]

It’s hurts me how good this is, and how much I’ll never be up to this standard

[@gstealer11]

Loved Jason's work way back in the Ma.K days. His blade runner blimp was amazing

[@browncoat516]

Fantastic X-Wing! We need to talk about the pilot helmet.

[@CosminNeagu]

Crazy how on one channel you can see the originals and replicas.

[@GazelleAutomations]

Jason's model is lovely, and his passion is wonderful.

[@user443]

Born on the wrong coast and 10 years too late. Felt that one in my gut.

[@erickvond6825]

I sincerely hope you guys are planning to do a video on the rest of the models. The rebel cruiser behind the two of you is pretty epic. That's not even to mention the imperial shuttle...

[@armandoolivasvideogallery3742]

Awesome episode! More Eaton! 🤘🏽

[@gbresaleking]

What an incredible build

[@brewt1mer]

Jason’s work is awesome

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Possibility the most ' nerdworthy ' comparison of X- wing models of all time ❤

[@kjpphotography4764]

Incredible, love it!

[@marks8ut]

Another great vid. Thanks Norm!

[@BLAZE084]

Awesome stuff!

[@sweetjimmyt]

Jason is a treat.

[@williegoldman]

Astonishing. You crushed it brother. 👍👍👍

[@gomarky]

Stunning stunning stunning work

[@ThatVideoGuyTom]

This looks incredible

[@bernardoguzman1197]

Very nice model, although red leader's X wing (Garven Dreis) had a red astromech (an R5 unit, R5 K6). Nonetheless the level of detail and accuracy is great.

[@jusdrewit]

That is correct, however the ILM studio model had the color astromech as shown here in this video, which is what Jason chose to represent instead.

[@flexygoo1295]

This was all incredibly cool

[@MajorStudioArt]

A true thing of beauty.

[@jayandry3392]

Good job Jason.

[@Andrew-el8xi]

Wish this was held in England... I wish the did a kit this scale

[@portland-182]

Fantastic video

[@gabethomas8123]

There’s something really beautiful about this level of obsession.

[@beachcomberbob3496]

If I had a brain model I'd be tempted to adapt it to make the brain module of Hector from 'Saturn 3'. Hector is really underrepresented in the model making community.

[@Merennulli]

Now I kind of want to 3D print my brain and put in a jar labeled "Abbey Normal".

[@davidjunk6117]

That MRI story is fantastic!

[@RubyMarkLindMilly]

Loved it incredible model's 😊

[@IdentifiantE.S]

Fr

[@troophq]

The B'omarr Monk is epic one of my favourites in the Star Wars universe.

[@stevenjones3822]

Wow awesome

[@privateportall]

Wow! awesome

[@oART1F4CTo]

Cool build Brother. Thanks for sharing... 45K veiws is pretty good for a video you posted yesterday. I do like your idea of giving access to the otherwise-unused-shelf. Like half the things we make, we ain't make'num, for us, but for other people.😉

[@daveford4120]

It's nice to see Wonderfest get its dues.

[@TychoYard]

Truly a perfect replica!

[@jeromethiel4323]

This is a man with a hobby that gives him so much joy and satisfaction. Good to see in this age of people just being miserable bastards.

[@johnmchugh8049]

It’s beautiful

[@jaydonbooth4042]

That intro music you guys have been using is very nostalgic. Takes me back to playing the game Amplitude on the playstation, Cherry Lips, what a banger lol. I'm guessing that tune may have been sampled from a different song though.

[@zimmy1958]

great models

[@garysprandel1817]

Oh geeze and I thought I went obsessive digging out the ROTJ issue large Xwing and detailing the cockpit, accurizing the jet fighter pilot figure to an actual Alliance pilot ( lot of sculpting and filling there) " fixing " the landing gear and adding landing lights and fueling nipples as seen in Rogue One. That Xwing is amazing. I will admit to being a bit distracted by the Imp shuttle and that huge azz Tantive IV behind you..

[@MudSluggerBP]

Love that Fireball XL5 👍🏻

[@Gundumb_guy]

Could we get a walk through of all the models there? It was supposed to be my first year of going but I just couldn’t afford to go! So I would love to see what I missed out on (on top of missing the chance to potentially meet you!!😤).

[@tested]

More videos to come! Stay tuned!

[@ahmadsyazani3315]

please do more segments with Jason. He gives you information as if telling a story. Just like Adam.

[@tested]

We have a few more with Jason coming from WonderFest!

[@nathkrupa3463]

Adam and norm you are fantastic sir

[@davexbit]

Beautiful model. Streamlined like the original from the movies. Now I know why. The X-Wing always felt like the Lotus Esprit (71 Giugiaro theme) as a fighter.

[@molekulaTV]

Good job with close-up camera

[@jeremycatches9766]

Red One, right from the movie! it even has the same blast damage that the frames in the movie had before he crashed into the death star. I saw the other day they still have the model but it was changed to Red 3 (Biggs) but it wasn't actually used after they converted it. But it is amazing they still have it and it can be identified by frames in the movie. You guys sure did a good job. hope someday we can buy the files :)

[@seasonofbrad9403]

Dang I live in Lexington and had no idea this was going on!

[@nothin2960]

that intro music is just two wuv by tally hall and I feel like I’m going insane

[@s_blank_]

Cool

[@KnapfordMaster98]

Red 5 is now my favorite because of 10:57. That's a steam locomotive boiler backhead on the rear or the ship! I always knew one of the X-wings had that but I never knew which one. I love it lol.

[@andrecanis4894]

The video description says Red 5, but this is actually Red Leader (says so on the plaque too)

[@KnapfordMaster98]

@@andrecanis4894 Gahhh that's what I initially wrote based on what he said, but the description threw me off.

[@solarismoon3046]

They all have that detail. It's from that Harrow train kit. I have an original ILM casting from this part. It's one of the Scott Alexander resin kits. But he worked for ILM through the nineteen nineties. Most of the detail is from battleships, motorcycles, trains, cars, trucks, tanks, and whatever looked cool as far as model parts. This is known as scratch building or kit bashing with other models. The Red 2 model had slightly different parts for the F-4 Phantom engines details. Otherwise these are mostly identical.

[@blee5268]

Happy Father's Day to all the dads at Adam Savage's Tested!

[@Three003]

After seeing Star wars at the theater I made a cardboard, tape, foil, and fishing line x Wing. Wings even folded together. 😂

[@kapernakis1511]

Those are M2 50 cal's by the engines at 9:41. Awesome model.

[@mysticstarhf9265]

Nice Omega Speedmaster Professional that Jason Eaton is wearing. We both wear 'Speedys'.

[@jasoneaton2662]

It was my grandfather's watch! He bought it in 1969 and wore it every day, even when working on cars and yardwork, It has crazy patina!

[@mysticstarhf9265]

@@jasoneaton2662 Cool story!! Similar, mine is from 1976, my Dad bought it new when he was in the U.S. Air Force. It flew with him on B-52 missions until he retired in 1992. I later inherited it. Prized heirloom now to me.

[@RobbBoswell]

Excellent 😊🤘🏼🇺🇲

[@jmacd8817]

Could you guys PLEASE align your B roll with the discussion?!?! Every time you do some model/prop review, the discussion covers some awesome details, that we'd love to learn more about and see the detail they are discussing, but (like the discussing the heat sinks here) the b roll is either skipped, or showing something else entirely. And, sadly, this is the rule w tested, not the exception. Please please PLEASE can you fix these?

[@Smackeytime]

Neat

[@murder.simulator]

Ugh I remember trying to build the Estes SR-71 Blackbird model. I was too young to be messing around with a paper fuselage. It felt like origami to me and I never finished it

[@DrewCommins]

Anyone else remember the Bowmar Brain calculator when they see the B'Omarr Monk?

[@arthurlyons335]

Obviously an exquisite piece. Educate me on why a close faced helmet on the pilot? Was it simply how the ILM gang built the originals? In Light and Magic, Lorne mentioned that the originals were made from wood. Was he referencing master forms that were used to make molds?

[@solarismoon3046]

Those are Hawker Harrier model pilots in 1/32 scale. I too am a member of the modeling forums. We go WAAAYYY back with all the ID process of parts. These were just ICONS models that were recast when I was a member there. Some guy claimed that he had an actual pyro casting but it was never confirmed. The ICONS models were recast from a form that was made based on a scan of the original ILM pyro models. This was slightly widened to make the fuselage the same width as the hero models. But the secret is that there is no secret. The pilots were filled in as the Ralph McQuarrie concept pilots had a face shield. This was in keeping with that concept.

[@Games_and_Music]

Not to be "that guy", but i've always been a TIE Fighter kinda guy, especially the mass produced version of them, not the special class ones, they're cool, but i prefer the giant straight hexagonal wing panels and single eye fuselage. The First Order TIEs are pretty cool as well, i like that they made them black. But i have to say, that B'omarr Monk is pretty awesome, never noticed those before in movies, and it's great to have something of yourself inside one of your figures, nice Easter egg. It would be cool to know what your brain looks like exactly (or not), and i do like me some brains in jars, i also liked the City of Lost Children's designs for that reason, or even the movie "The Man with Two Brains".

[@thedarkknight803able]

Know that is Awesome.

[@briannicklas109]

Damn all the people I met at Wonderfest and I missed Norm!

[@james_tiberius_kirk73]

So when will you release the 3D Data for the scan? I'm sure people will happily pay for it.

[@ernestgalvan9037]

I’m sure that 3D Data is proprietary closed-source confidential intellectual-property NDA Patent-Pending Trademark top-secret eyes-only so-sorry-but-you-cannot-have-it sshh-it’s-a-secret please-leave. 😢

[@skyrider4789]

Every detail in a Star Wars model, 👍 Every detail in every story...😭

[@a.j.e4349]

PERFECTIONIST!

[@KevinBingham]

Love Jason Eaton's shirt. Anybody know where I can find it?

[@jasoneaton2662]

Creepyco (they have the Beistle licence)... funny enough I was wearing "nice shirts" all weekend, and then for Tested I wore a tee. It was early Sunday morning before the room opened and we all were VERY tired, lol. Casual wear ;)

[@jasoneaton2662]

(It may be sold out, they release in waves usually around Halloween)

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

Just a tiny little bit obsessional. But deary me, this thing looks good.

[@craighofmann638]

Cool, now I need files for a 1/18 build, to replace my Hasbro pretender...

[@mudpuddle8805]

I want a full scale, 100% operational X-wing fighter. Oh, I want a forest planet to land on too please.

[@tompicker8284]

Where does this guy get all the Star Wars stuff from?

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

How far is our technology now to build a real one - I mean functioning one - 50% there? I know the aero is off etc. but how amazing that would be (and very dangerous).

[@LayneBenofsky]

Good grief. That's a pretty model!

[@Deidryy]

Is this a 1:57 scale?