A ‘Star Wars’ X-Wing Fighter Model Just Sold For The Price Of A Mansion

You’d be hard-pressed to find more ardent fans than that of the Star Wars franchise, but to think a collector forked out the price of a luxury mansion to acquire a screen-matched miniature model? Astonishing. 

It’s true. Recently, a Red Leader X-Wing Fighter model, which featured in George Lucas’ A New Hope epic, sold for a whopping US$2,375,000 at Prop Store Auction, smashing initial estimates that it would fetch between US$500,000 and US$1,000,000. 

There is, of course, a good reason for the high price tag, as the model—which was created by Industrial Light & Magic—was one of the rare pieces left behind after most of the film’s models were destroyed by pyrotechnics in its famed battle scene.

Speaking to Forbes, Brandon Alinger, Propstore’s COO, said the X-Wing models were a concept created by Lucas himself, and were custom-made from scratch just for the movie. Plus, the particular miniature in question is the “only intact, fully-finished” piece from production that is known to still exist. 

Adding to the sale’s credibility, there’s proof of the model’s cameo in the film, with “every scratch and airbrush mark” matching exactly to the one used in 1976. 

“The model is screen-matched to a memorable shot in the film and photo-matched to multiple behind-the-scenes production shots, providing unquestionable authenticity. The X-Wing Fighter is an integral element of the Star Wars saga and its recognized the world over,” said the lot’s description. 

While there’s little chance we’ll ever get to see this one-of-a-kind relic up close, here’s a video detailing its incredible significance and why it’ll always retain a spot in the franchise’s lore.

[via The Hollywood Reporter and Forbes, images via Propstore Auction]