Star Wars: X Wing - B-Wing modifications

As I mentioned in my review of the B-Wing, I was dis-satisfied with the orientation of the ship on the flight stand. The beautifully asymmetrical B-Wing is stuck straight up on it in, what I consider, the least flattering pose you can find.

Stock pose

Out of the box there is not an option to mount the B-Wing any other way. However with about an hour's work, or less, you can modify the B-Wing to allow for more dynamic posing.













Issue 1: The rotating Cockpit.

A big part of the B-Wing's unique-ness is the rotating cockpit. The FFG model does not rotate and is modeled to fit with the static vertical pose.








Using a model saw, I cut the cockpit off at the rotating ring, I drilled a hole in the back of the cockpit and glued a length of Paperclip into the hole. Once dried, I used this as a guide to drill a hole in the aft part of the cockpit.







Once drilled I slid the cockpit into place and did NOT glue the pin into the second hole. This lets the cockpit spin freely. Be sure to use a long enough length of pin so that the cockpit doesn't slide out! On my example, the pin was very snug with no danger of sliding out.










Magnets, always with the magnets!

Next up I magnetized the stand. I had to use a larger rare earth magnet then I had originally wanted to use (5mm). I cut and filed the mounting U connector so that I had a big enough surface to glue the magnet.

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Magnetizing the ship isn't hard, just be sure to file a good flat surface for that magnet.
 The magnet covers up some of the engine detail but honestly, I don't mind. You can't really tell once it's mounted.

Tools used:  saw, knife, file, pin vice, rare earth magnets, and a paperclip.














Once dry, the model is held firmly in position, yet can be easy spun to any angle you want!

See, isn't that better?