A long-lost X-wing fighter model, famously used in the original 1977 Star Wars film, found itself the center of attention at an auction, ultimately selling for an astonishing sum of over $3.13 million.
The bidding for the 1:24 scale model commenced at $400,000 and concluded on a remarkable note last Sunday, with a final bid exceeding $3.13 million.
Heritage Auctions revealed that the model had previously been known as "the missing X-wing" until it resurfaced in the collection of Greg Jein. Jein, who had a distinguished career in creating miniatures, earning award nominations for his contributions to projects like Star Trek and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, unfortunately passed away last year.
This particular miniature was one of four "hero" models, carefully crafted for capturing close-ups during crucial moments in the renowned third-act battle in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Notably, it features distinct red stripes on the top two wings, designating it as the "Red Leader" of the Rebel Alliance squadron.
The X-wing model also served as a stand-in for some shots of Red Five, the ship piloted by Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), and Red Two, piloted by Wedge Antilles (Denis Lawson).
Described by Heritage Auctions as "the pinnacle of Star Wars artifacts to ever reach the market," the model was believed to be lost for decades until it was identified by visual effects experts who were assisting Jein's family in cataloging his extensive collection of cinematic memorabilia.
