← Star Wars
Adam Savage’s Tested
Why is this Star Wars spaceship so beloved?
⏱ 10 min video · 2 min read26 Jun 2026Worth watching
TL;DR
At Wonderfest 2026, Norm from Tested interviews model builder Scott Sut about his scratch-built, studio-scale B-wing replica from Return of the Jedi. The build uses no 3D-printed parts, relying on vacuum-formed styrene over hand-carved wooden bucks, and was validated by the original ILM builder Bill George.
Key points
1
Scott built a 1:32 scale replica of the 'meatball' B-wing filming miniature (the orange-deco promotional version) from Return of the Jedi, with zero 3D-printed parts
2
All major shapes were vacuum-formed over 17 hand-carved wooden bucks, scaled up using the Bandai kit (1:72-1:80 scale) as a reference — a highly labor-intensive process
3
Most kit-bashing parts (greblies) from F1 and Tamiya kits are now identified by the community, but the pieces inside the gun barrel contact points remain unidentified — even Bill George does not know what they are
4
Bill George, the original ILM builder who designed the B-wing, was present at Wonderfest and shared previously unknown build details with Scott, including unreported mounting points on the original model
5
The cockpit rotates and the S-foils articulate fully, replicating the ship's real-world movement; panels are magnetically attached for display convenience
Key takeaways
→
Use an accurate commercial kit (e.g., Bandai) as a scaling reference when building up to studio scale, rather than working purely from measurements or blueprints
→
Vacuum-forming over hand-carved wooden bucks is a viable no-3D-print method for complex curved shapes, but mirroring symmetrical parts is the hardest challenge and requires careful sanding and patience
→
Connect with original creators early in a replica project — Bill George provided mounting point details and prototype photos that Scott could not have sourced from public reference alone
Notable quotes
“Bill doesn't know what they are. So that's still like we're on the hunt for what the magic piece is for that.”
“I enjoyed almost every aspect of it — research, the figuring out the scale, working on the bucks, identifying kit parts.”
“To meet Bill and share it with him was a dream come true.”
Worth watching?
✅
Worth watching the full video?
Watch if you are into studio-scale model building or Star Wars prop history — seeing the physical model up close with Bill George present is a rare treat, though the key techniques and insights are all captured here.
Saved you some time? The creator still deserves a like.
Want this for your own channels?
Add the channels you follow. Every new video summarised and in your inbox the moment it drops. From £4/month.
Try it free