Adorable X-Wing Pilot Costume Comes Complete with Real Wings

Costumes, Cosplay, and Props Craft & Design
Adorable X-Wing Pilot Costume Comes Complete with Real Wings

I grew up in the 70’s. I lived my childhood waiting for every episode of Star Wars to come out in the theaters. What kid didn’t want to be Luke Skywalker, flying his X-Wing through the trench of the Death Star, trying to blow it up? So when I saw the look in my son’s eyes the first time he saw Episode 4, I knew how he was feeling. When he asked to be an X-Wing pilot for Halloween, my answer was yes, but what good is an X-wing pilot without an X-Wing? “Red leader, this is Red five. I am starting my attack run!”

X Wing 1

X Wing 3

The costume was completely my idea, with homage to George Lucas for the original X-Wing design.

The entire project took about 6-8 hours, including glue and paint drying. So really, a small time investment that paid off big time in joy and smiles.

YouTube player

A few things I learned after making this:

  • Use a mix of materials, from many different places to not only give the right visual look but also to make the air frame ridged enough to stand up to a 6 year old.
  • Coraplast is stronger in one direction than the other. I added stiffening braces or gussets to keep the plastic from bowing.
  • If I could change or add anything it would be adding blaster sound effects and maybe some blue LED lights inside the engines.
  • And one final piece of advice to anyone trying this project: “There is no try. Do or do not!”

May the force be with you.

X Wing 4

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged
Jim Bollinger

Jim Bollinger is a fabricator, welder, machinist, carpenter, builder, firefighter/paramedic, husband and father of three boys. Friends and colleagues describe him as MacGyver meets Larry the Cable Guy.

View more articles by Jim Bollinger

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK