For nearly a half-century, the shriek of X-wing fighters soaring into battle has echoed across galaxies far, far away.
From their first dogfights above the Death Star in 1977's "Star Wars" to their iconic return in "The Empire Strikes Back," these miniature starfighters have transcended visual storytelling and practical effects.
Meticulously crafted by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and screen-matched to some of most unforgettable moments from "Star Wars," the surviving models are among the most coveted artifacts in film collecting.
The X-wing, like much of the "Star Wars" saga, was born from the imagination of George Lucas. He envisioned it as a futuristic dragster: long-bodied, with the pilot seated toward the rear.
Concept designer Colin Cantwell helped bring that vision to life by adding the signature X-shaped wings and constructing the prototype. From there, visual effects art director Joe Johnston refined the ship into the legendary starfighter we saw on-screen.
Lucas also shaped the broader visual language of space combat in the saga. He wanted audiences to instantly distinguish the “good guys” from the “bad guys,” even amid the chaos of fast-paced dogfights.
The X-wing’s slender fuselage and splayed wings stood in sharp contrast to the TIE Fighter’s spherical cockpit and towering vertical panels. From any angle, the silhouettes were unmistakable, allowing viewers to follow the action instinctively and emotionally.
In the past five years, four miniatures have surfaced at auction, and collectors have another shot at one coming back out of hyperspace: Luke Skywalker’s Red Five X-wing Starfighter filming miniature from "The Empire Strikes Back," which is set to hit the block in Heritage Auctions’ July Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction.
Before examining the fleet, we need to differentiate the types of models and their respective filming purposes. ILM constructed multiple scale miniatures of the X-wing, Y-wing, and TIE Fighters, which fell into three main categories: hero models, crafted to be used for close-up and motion-control shots; high-quality pyro models, designed to explode convincingly on camera while closely mirroring the hero models in form and detail; and lower-grade pyro models, assembled quickly to capture additional explosion takes when needed.
To save time during production, ILM employed a technique known as kitbashing, which involves repurposing pieces from off-the-shelf model kits to add surface complexity and realism. While hero and pyro models shared a similar overall build and size, they were constructed differently based on their purpose in the movie.
Hero models were built with greater attention to detail and often featured internal metal armatures, multiple mounting points, and in some cases, servo-controlled articulating wings that could open and close.
These elements allowed them to be filmed from multiple angles and manipulated precisely during motion-control photography.
In contrast, pyro models — especially the lower-grade versions — were typically made from solid resin or lightweight foam and lacked internal structure, making them ideal for wire suspension and controlled explosions.
Both types of models were painted to a high standard, but hero models typically received more intricate weathering and individualized panel detailing. One subtle difference collectors often point to today is the additional vertical panel line on the nose cone of some hero X-wings, a feature not found on their pyro counterparts.
Let’s take a closer look at the “Luke Skywalker” Red Five X-wing model miniature, slated to be one of the headline pieces in Heritage’s July Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction, before diving into the previous models that have sold.
Luke Skywalker's Red Five X-wing Starfighter model miniature
- Type: Hero model (although not explicitly stated)
- Film: "Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back" (1980)
- Auction house: Heritage Auctions (July 2025 Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction)
- Starting bid: $175,000
This model was previously sold in The Azarian Collection Signature Auction at Heritage in July 2023 for $328,125 (including buyer’s premium), and it is now being re-offered with a starting bid of $175,000.
According to the auction listing, this 1:24 scale miniature, built by ILM, is screen-matched to Luke’s X-wing seen in "The Empire Strikes Back" and is seen on-screen during key moments in the film, such as the icy surfaces of Hoth, Luke’s arrival on Dagobah, and later to Cloud City on Bespin.
Like many ILM miniatures of the era, it was constructed using a mix of custom fabrication and kitbashed components, which are repurposed parts from off-the-shelf model kits that added texture and realism to the surface detail.
The model is accompanied by a letter of authenticity (LOA) from Brian Johnson, who was the visual effects supervisor on the film, and confirms its filming use and ILM origin.
The collector in me is satisfied the piece comes with additional provenance from a key member of production, but the online catalog listing is absent of any confirmed screen-matched film stills, despite being noted in the description, which is interesting.
However, I do believe Heritage would not indicate this in the description if the auction house was not fully confident in the item it was bringing to auction (although, at least one screen cap would be nice to see, given the claims being made).
Light-up ILM X-wing filming miniature
- Type: Hero model (although not explicitly stated)
- Film: "Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi" (1983)
- Auction house: Propstore, London 2021
- Sold: $323,9068 (£237,500) (including buyer’s premium)
Like the model in Heritage’s current auction, this model is also 1:24 in scale and built using a mix of custom fabrication and heavily modified off-the-shelf kits.
However, this model is a little more unique as it has light-up engine thrusters, and it is believed to be the only one to have surfaced in a public sale.
Additionally, this model features wing marking of “Red 4” and “Red 5,” suggesting use for long shots of Luke’s starfighter.
According to Propstore’s listing description, this model also has a strong provenance as it originated from an “ILM model maker who worked on both "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi.”
For collectors, knowing this is crucial as this solidifies the authenticity and backstory of the piece, which puts minds at ease when bidding.
Despite featuring light-up engine thrusters, I believe the starfighter in Heritage’s July sale is more desirable — if the screen match holds up like the auction listing description says.
With that said, I predict the July model will surpass the price of this model sold four years ago.
Screen-Matched ILM Red Leader (Red One) X-wing model miniature
- Type: High-Quality Pyro Model (later modified to Red Three)
- Film: "Star Wars: A New Hope" (1977)
- Auction house: Propstore, Los Angeles (2022)
- Sale price: $2,375,000 (Including Buyer’s Premium)
When it fetched $2.375 million at Propstore’s 2022 auction, this starfighter became the most expensive "Star Wars" model ever sold.
I was in the room while the phone bidders went back and forth. It was an electric atmosphere, and those who were there knew they were witnessing history in the making.
Originally built by ILM as a high-quality pyro model, it was used for Red Leader’s brief but memorable engine-hit shot during the Death Star battle before being repainted during production for possible use as Red Three.
As noted before, pyro models were destined for destruction due to their intended use, but this one survived and was later confirmed via photo-matching.
The model features the classic ILM kitbashing along with detailed weathered paintwork, and the red stripe confirms its unique conversion history to Red Three.
I have handled this model in person, and the detail on it is impeccable. The level of preservation is truly remarkable, making it one of the most historically important "Star Wars" artifacts to have ever come to market.
Biases aside, this model surpasses the one in Heritage’s July sale, despite it being attributed to Luke’s starfighter, as it’s perfectly preserved and comes with distinct screen-matching and behind-the-scenes photos directly in the auction listing.
Additionally, the mere size of this piece commands a stronger presence and appears to be more structurally sound compared to the smaller-scale miniatures. As a collector, these characteristics alone sway me to prefer this type of model for my collection.
Through the lens of a collector, this model has all the “green flags” we look for: You can see the artifact being handled in the ILM workshop alongside other models featured in the film, and you get clear-cut screen-matching documentation from Propstore.
The supporting evidence is there for buyers and collectors to thoroughly examine the piece, explore its history, and identify its use in the film. It doesn’t get much better than that … or so we thought.
Screen-matched Hero "Red Leader" (Red One) X-wing Starfighter filming miniature with articulating servo-controlled wings
- Type: Hero Model (Servo-Controlled)
- Film: "Star Wars: A New Hope" (1977)
- Auction house: Heritage Auctions (From the Collection of Greg Jein)
- Sale price: $3,135,000 (including buyer’s premium)
Before it shattered records with its $3.135 million sale, the screen-matched Red Leader X-wing was part of one of the most revered private collections in the world: Greg Jein’s. Widely regarded as a titan in the world of visual effects, Jein was a master model-maker whose artistry shaped some of the most iconic moments in movie history.
His career spanned decades and genres from early cult classics such as "Flash Gordon" to high-concept blockbusters such as "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "The Hunt for Red October," and "The Dark Knight Rises."
He was nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and was a fixture in the "Star Trek" universe, contributing to eight different series and films. But beyond his résumé, Jein was a passionate collector with a deep reverence for the craft of filmmaking. His archive reflected that love, filled not only with pieces he helped create but also with rare and significant artifacts spanning decades of pop-culture history.
Built by ILM, this hero X-wing was one of only four created for "A New Hope." The craftsmanship on this model is extremely intricate, featuring articulating wings that open and close, fiber-optic laser cannons, halogen-illuminated engine nozzles, torpedo tubes, and an internal cooling system to manage heat from practical lighting.
I want to emphasize how ingenious the cooling system technology was that ILM created for this model in 1977. ILM was and will forever be at the forefront of visual effects for as long as movies are being made.
This model can be seen in multiple scenes as Red Leader (Wedge) and even Red Five (Luke), thanks to clever reuse via motion control photography. Additionally, this model was likely the X-wing featured in the memorable S-foils (strike foils) sequence, and in several trench run shots, including continuity errors that have since become Easter eggs for fans.
In this listing, Heritage did a solid job of including screen grabs from the movie and behind-the-scenes images in which they identified characteristics of the models that supported their claims.
It’s clear why this model set the record for the most expensive "Star Wars" item ever sold at auction, and it will probably keep that record for some time, as other artifacts of its significance reside in the Lucasfilm archive and private collections.
As a collector, this is the ultimate piece to own if you’re looking to definitively “check the box” for a collection: It’s superiorly built, is matched, and has extensive supporting photo evidence. Honestly, I’m surprised The Academy Museum in Los Angeles didn’t swoop in on this as it’s a piece worthy of their collection.
Nearly five decades after their debut, X-wings have soared across screens and through the minds of collectors and fans alike. Each surviving model is a handcrafted piece of cinematic history and speaks to the practical artistry that helped define modern visual effects.
Whether it’s Luke Skywalker’s Red Five or an unattributed filming miniature, these models have transcended generations of fans and have cemented themselves as cultural artifacts.
With the July auction underway, one thing is certain: The legacy of the X-wing is not slowing down.
Dan Gastin is a seasoned expert in the entertainment memorabilia industry with over five years of experience and an active passion for collecting movie props and costumes. He previously worked at Propstore.