This is the shortest and quickest instructable I've ever written - just to share this quick freehand X-Wing model I made my son this morning.

We just went to a Star Wars exhibition a couple of days ago, and he's been obsessed with all the different starships in the catalog ever since.

Supplies

A fine tip marker, razor blade/Xacto knife, Rigid white cardboard.

I used 2mm PVC foam board, which is a common model making material I had lying around. It cuts super cleanly, doesn't dull blades. It also has a super smooth surface, which takes permanent markers well.And finally, it's more durable than cardboard or matte board, and is waterproof so it'll hold up to spills.

Step 1: Design and Template for the Wings

Referring to a photo of the X-Wing Starfighter, I realised that it could easily be simplified into 3 flat planes: two sets of wings in an X, and an upright piece for the cockpit/fuselage.

I sketched one wing with the wingtip guns and jets directly onto the PVC sheet, and cut it out.

I then traced around the first wing to make a second identical wing, and cut that out too.

Then both wings need a slit cut so that they can slot into each other in an X shape. (see photo) This slit should be wider than the thickness of the material, to allow the pieces to flex into a roughly 120 degree angle.

I then drew details freehand on the tops and bottoms of each wing. I was just going for a loose scribbled style, as opposed to my usual CAD and CNC design flow.

If you'd like to copy my design, just print out the image attached as a template and cut the pieces out. The grid shown was 1cm X 1cm.

Step 2: Design and Template of the Fuselage

I then drew up the fuselage to fit around the wings. See photo attached. You can use this as a template too.

The X-Wing pair slots into the fuselage from the back, between the two rear jets. I eventually glued this slit together for better strength, but it works fine without any glue.

Step 3: That's All!

That was just my quick and simple process for making a toy freehand, through simple sketching and cutting. No rulers, no measurements. It's freeing to do that as a change from precision of CAD and CNC processes sometimes. No need a laser cutter or 3D printer. Just use your hands once in a while!

Enjoy.