Now includes special Bonus! - a Special Signature Edition Plaque signed by none other than 'Luke Skywalker' himself actor MARK HAMILL!!! The Signature Plaques will be limited to those orders placed during the pre-order window. Please note that the worldwide edition size is only 1000 pieces so availability of Signature Plaques will be limited to the edition size. ; ; When EFX made the decision to make a replica of the iconic Star Wars Starfighter - the Rebel X-wing - they knew they had a real challenge on their hands. ; ; The X-wings of A New Hope existed in several forms which have come to be known over the years as either "hero" or "pyro" models. Hero models as the name implies are carefully constructed intricately detailed models which appear on camera representing the ship. Pyro versions of these craft as the name suggests are less detailed less finished versions required for pyrotechnic explosions or crashes. No one wants to destroy a hero model in case it's needed for further scenes so disposable pyro models are used in their place. ; ; Over the years many versions of X-wings have found their way into the hands of fans. Either castings taken from castings of the "original " or recreated versions of those same castings. None seem to match the hero version in dimension or detail so EFX set out to recreate one particular "hero" miniature that of Luke Skywalker's X-wing Starfighter "Red Five." ; ; ; The detailed cockpit takes a Luke Skywalker model sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios. ; ; Having decided to make the most iconic X-wing of all "Red Five " EFX's work began in earnest. Sadly the hero "Red Five" no longer exists in its entirety in the Lucasfilm archives. Over the years the body has been removed and reused and all that is left are the wings mounted on their motorized mechanism. Interestingly the markings depicting Luke's call sign of "Red Five " have been painted over blocking out the last red stripe turning the craft into "Red Four " a clear example of how these models were often re-used. However the fifth stripe can still clearly be seen beneath the over-sprayed grey panels and the rest of the weathering details on the wings match exactly to the archival photographs of the original "Red Five." So they began with the wings and worked forward extensively photographing every detail. The model looks like it has undergone additional weathering with more rust dirt and streaks added - possibly for the raising of the X-wing from the swamp in The Empire Strikes Back. ; ;