Star Wars Original Light-up ILM X-wing Filming Miniature

A light-up Industrial Light and Magic X-wing filming miniature from the production of Richard Marquand’s Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Rebel fighters flew X-wings – among the most iconic spacecraft in sci-fi cinema – during the climactic destruction of the new Death Star. To save money and time during the productions of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, ILM bought in a handful of off-the-shelf model kits, which were heavily adapted and modified for filming. This miniature has been extensively modified to include: a weighted body; a full internal steel motion-control armature, with a motion-control mounting point running through the body; a rear main engine plate (concealing a removable plug); and light-up thrusters. It is finished with beautiful ILM paintwork and intentional distressing. The light-up engine thrusters are built with an aluminium shroud housing each light, and are illuminated by connecting the power leads in the nose of the miniature to a power supply. Interestingly