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Real-Life 'Star Wars' X-Wing To Launch Next Week

by Tim Stevens on October 3, 2007 at 04:26 PM

Team Builds 21-Foot Flying X-Wing Model

In the world of sci-fi geekery, there are few things more recognizable than the skin-tight suits Jeri Ryan wore as Seven of Nine in the series 'Star Trek: Voyager'. One of those other icons is the X-Wing fighter from 'Star Wars', with its distinctive crossed S-Foils. Many fans have wanted one of their own, coming no closer than some toy or model, but Andy Worner and a team of friends from Polecat Aerospace have come about as close to real-life as you can expect: They built a 21-foot rocket-powered model of the ship.

And it really flies.

Well, they think it'll really fly, at least. Its maiden voyage is set for next week, October 10.

The craft is powered by four solid-fuel rocket engines that, the team hopes, will propel the ship high enough to enable it to switch those fabled S-Foils into attack "X" position mid-flight. Given that the process takes 35 seconds to complete, that may be asking a bit much for the first flight. And, since this X-Wing model is made out of lightweight wood, there may only be a first flight. They plan (hope?) to use three parachutes to bring the thing back to earth safely.

We can't wait to see this thing take to the sky, and we hope that the entire team from Polecat use the force, stay on target, and rely on any other applicable 'Star Wars' cliches.

From Gearlog

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Tags: breaking+news, hobbies, Rocket, Star Wars, StarWars, top, X-Wing

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