Smithsonian Magazine recently reported that a life-size model of the X-Wing used in filming The Rise of Skywalker, the 2019 film (and of which you can buy the Lego model at this link), is currently under construction to be shown to the public in a hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Lucasfilm (via ILM) has in fact granted the Smithsonian the rebel fighter model as part of a long-term loan deal, so that the X-Wing can make a good impression hanging from the ceiling of the National Air and Space Museum.
Credit: Lucasfilm
Fans, who have always wanted to see the true proportions of an X-Wing fighter up close, will not be disappointed when the ship is on display. Smithsonian reports that the model has a wingspan of about 11 meters, but it is a T-70 series X-Wing, the latest generation of these fighters produced by the Rebel Alliance, equipped with an engine on each of the surfaces. andirons, destined to "split" into two components when the ship assumes the characteristic attack formation. So slightly different from the one piloted by Luke Skywalker during the assault on the Death Star, which was instead an "antiquated" model T-65B.
The model that will be exhibited at the Smithsonian will faithfully report all the dents and various damages that it theoretically suffered during the battles, which will be carefully preserved by a staff of technicians, completely eliminating the "blows" suffered during transport and assembly. Thus, fans will be able to enjoy the 100% perfect view of the spaceship used during filming.
Credit: Lucasfilm / Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum - photo by Jim Preston
With this model a Life-sized X-Wing, the Star Wars franchise at the Smithsonian joins its "rival" Star Trek, its classic antagonist in sci-fi pop culture, as an original studio model of the Starship Enterprise has long been on display in theaters of the museum, although it is currently undergoing a cycle of restoration.