Andy Woerner and his crazy rocketeer friends have built a 21-foot long X-Wing model that can actually fly. Yes, this is a real X-Wing powered by four solid-fuel rocket engines complete with radio-controlled moving wings. It blasts off in California next week, and we talked with Andy about the project, and how they expect it will do. All the details and a full construction gallery after the jump.

The X-Wing model is huge. At 21 feet long and with a wingspan of over 19 feet it is, in fact, big enough to fly a kid in. However, knowing that it will be powered by solid-fuel rockets, they wouldn't put a kid, dog, monkey or Gizmodo editor inside, even if it uses three full parachutes to land.

After drawing the plans using CAD software, Andy's team and his friends at Polecat Aerospace (with the help of RMS Laser and Aerotech Consumer Aerospace) used laser cutting to make the pieces out of Baltic Birch wood. They also used solid aluminum for some parts, like the rods which are the pivot point for the wings.

Why solid aluminum rods? For the most impressive part of the project to work, not only does the axis have to be strong enough to support the stress of the launch but also it has to allow the wings to change position from folded to open while in flight—or, in the words of Red Leader, putting them in attack position, the X that gives the Rebel aircraft its name.

They used an electric motor from a RC helicopter, reducing its 40,000 revolutions per minute to generate enough torque to move those massive wings. Still, the wings will take 35 seconds to travel from open to closed. Hopefully, they will be able to change before the flight ends, so they can get the full effect in the air.

The wings also hold the engines. Andy told us they are using "four solid rocket motors which are Class M, the kind that produce a red flame"—which as you probably know, it's also the same color of the X-Wing engines' glow.

Even with the aluminum rods, however, there's the possibility of structural damage. We asked Andy about how he expected the flight to go: "it's likely we will have a structural failure in the wings, but we are hoping it will hold."

If it holds, the X-Wing will be fully recoverable. It won't land on its own, but Andy pointed out that they "will use parachute recovery, with three man-rated chutes which will have radio control deployment," like the wings position control.

When I first learnt about the project there was one thing that didn't click for me: why the X-Wing? It doesn't seem to have the right shape to be a rocket. Maybe a better option would have been an Y-Wing or A-Wing. But an X-Wing? Well, according to Andy, "it was the one design from Star Wars that made the most sense to try to scale for rocket power." And on top of that, it just looks cool. I completely agree.

The X-Wing will launch next week, on October 10, and we can only wish the project the best of luck. Godspeed Andy and friends, godspeed.

Copyright © 2007, Gizmodo.

10-02-2007 10:20 PM  #1
harsas New Member   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 2	Cool! So, when will the kit be out? Harold

10-03-2007 12:29 AM  #2
Rocket Flier Certified Level Three   Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 165	Quote: So, when will the kit be out? Harold About 5 seconds after launch. But if it makes it, Andy isn't known for storing large projects.

10-03-2007 04:42 AM  #3
Juerg Certified Level Three   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 236	Cooool! Let's hope that all 4 motors perform as planned! That will be an incredible show! I am keeping my fingers crossed for the team!

10-03-2007 07:15 AM  #4
DumasBro2 I Felta Thi Frat Boy   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 263	Quote: That will be an incredible show! One way or another.

10-03-2007 01:45 PM  #5
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3244	Quote: About 5 seconds after launch. But if it makes it, Andy isn't known for storing large projects. This one should be sold on Ebay to a Star Wars guru.

10-03-2007 01:53 PM  #6
DbarrM Level 2   Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 7	I would love to see this. Dan

10-07-2007 12:13 PM  #7
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3549	YouTube Video

10-07-2007 04:16 PM  #8
Chuck_Rudy Banned   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 226	Bugger......but if you ain't pushin' you ain't tryin'. Great attempt there guys! Chuck

10-07-2007 08:15 PM  #9
Brad New Member   Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 1	Another video: http://eyespot.com/share?c...CzIG2UEj9lgbiEJW0nIWgEkz More photos of Plaster Blaster 2007: http://www.flickr.com/phot.../sets/72157602300347053/ http://flickr.com/photos/kevlar/sets/72157602300705549/

10-08-2007 01:10 PM  #10
sandmantoy Certified Level 2   Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 21	That was an awesome attempt and a great looking project.

10-08-2007 01:29 PM  #11
realswifty Tripoli North Texas/L3   Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 2	The motors?? Where those research motors???

10-08-2007 02:50 PM  #12
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3549	Those were AeroTech L motors... Another video, a little longer...

10-09-2007 12:35 AM  #13
WolfStar Nite Launcher   Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 11	Quote: So, when will the kit be out? Harold sure hope it's not that one, but I'll bet it's cheaper now Poor Andy, sure looked great, try , try again!!

10-09-2007 08:31 PM  #14
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3549	A segment on Plaster Wars will air tomorrow on the G4 network (cable) during the show "Attack of the Show". Air time is 7:00 PM Eastern, but check local listings. They are doing about 3 minutes on the event.

10-11-2007 03:46 PM  #15
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3244	Quote: A segment on Plaster Wars will air tomorrow on the G4 network (cable) during the show "Attack of the Show". Air time is 7:00 PM Eastern, but check local listings. They are doing about 3 minutes on the event. Anyone catch this? Anyone post it to anywhere? Is it likely to be on again?

10-12-2007 10:21 AM  #16
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3549	Quote: Anyone catch this? Anyone post it to anywhere? Is it likely to be on again? http://www.g4tv.com/attack...Flight_Of_The_XWing.html

10-12-2007 10:33 AM  #17
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3549	The real story behind the X-Wing's demise:

10-12-2007 05:56 PM  #18
mrbusdriver Certified Level One   Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 28	That was awesome, Darrell. Knew it had to be something sinister!

10-12-2007 06:25 PM  #19
Steve_Shannon Growing more clueless...   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 2065	A spool rocket took it out?

10-12-2007 06:37 PM  #20
Cas2047 Certified Level Two   Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 69	Re: The real story behind the X-Wing's demise Darrell that was awsome! Too funny!

10-12-2007 06:39 PM  #21
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3549	Quote: A spool rocket took it out? Tie Fighter: The Original Spool Rocket. Wait! Are we giving them ideas for an encore?

10-14-2007 01:20 AM  #22
realswifty Tripoli North Texas/L3   Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 2	Quote: Those were AeroTech L motors... There are actually 3 different AT L Redline motors. Any idea which one was use for this project? Pretty dramatic difference in total impulse when you multiply times 4. Pelham

10-14-2007 10:36 AM  #23
SpartaChris Certified Certifiable   Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 127	They were not L motors. They were M1600's.

10-14-2007 01:51 PM  #24
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3549	Quote: They were not L motors. They were M1600's. It's amazing how many different answers have been weighed in on this project. Paul Holmes said they were L's, now they are claimed to be M's. Oh well...

10-15-2007 02:48 PM  #25
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3244	Are you sure? Quote: They were not L motors. They were M1600's. ...I was wrong... I checked and Mark's info was second hand as well. I have nothing to add.