Hey Star Wars fans! Can you believe it? It really has been 25 years since “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” hit cinemas and cast its spell over all of us. To celebrate this anniversary, we’d like to introduce you to two very special model kits today that will make every Star Wars modeller’s heart beat faster: Darth Maul’s Sith Infiltrator (Revell Shoplink) and Anakin Skywalker’s Podracer (Revell Shoplink).
Darth Maul’s Infiltrator
Let’s take a look at Darth Maul’s sinister craft first. The Sith Infiltrator, also known as the Scimitar, is a true gem of the dark side. With its distinctive triangular shape and its folding wings, it’s not just a visual eye-catcher but technically impressive as well. In the film, Darth Maul uses this ship to reach Tatooine undetected and to track down the Jedi Knights.
Although the Infiltrator gets very little screen time, it has become an iconic symbol of the Sith threat for many fans. And rumour has it that Darth Sidious helped himself to the thing after the Battle of Naboo.
For modellers, the Sith Infiltrator is a real challenge. Its complex geometry and its many details make the build an exciting project.
By the way, did you know that the design of the roughly 26.5-metre-long Sith Infiltrator was originally intended for a completely different purpose? The designers had initially created the shape for a new Jedi starfighter model. George Lucas liked the design so much that he simply turned it into the villain’s ship. That’s how things go in the world of filmmaking!
Highlights of the Darth Maul’s Infiltrator kit
Thanks to skill level 3, even beginners can build an impressive model measuring 22.1 cm from 35 individual parts – including cloaking device and ion drive 🙂 Here’s the Infiltrator in the Revell Shoplink
- Movable wings for dynamic poses
- Darth Maul pilot figure
- Optional, extendable landing legs
- Realistic reproduction of the cloaking device
- Highly detailed parts for an authentic look
- Star Wars Episode I movie poster
- Glue, brush and basic paints included
Anakin Skywalker’s Podracer
Now for our second star of the day: Anakin’s Podracer. This blisteringly fast vehicle is definitely one of the coolest craft in the entire prequel trilogy. With its two enormous engines, connected to the cockpit only by energy binders, the Podracer simply looks breathtaking. In the film we get one of the most thrilling sequences of all, as young Anakin fights for his freedom in this home-built racer.
And the racing scenes on Tatooine are prophetic in more ways than one:
For one thing, the Podracers are meant to be an analogy to the Roman chariots from Ben Hur. George Lucas chose them not only because he’s a fan of antiquity, but also to draw parallels between the fall of the Roman Empire and the High Republic.
Another interesting detail is the colour yellow. Ani’s Podracer is predominantly yellow. And two later starships from his time as a Padawan also carry the colour yellow, which at first is meant to symbolise Anakin’s impetuous childishness and later to show that he never really grew up.
Speaking of growing up: young Jake Lloyd, who played Anakin, was so taken with the Podracer models that he wanted to play with them all the time. The crew had to make sure he didn’t break anything in his enthusiasm! And that with the props for the most important and most elaborate scenes in “The Phantom Menace”. Did you know that Formula 1 engine sounds were actually used for the Podracer noises? The sound engineers then edited and mixed these recordings to create the unique sound that had us all on the edge of our cinema seats. Ah, I can even hear that sound in my head while I’m writing these lines. Goosebumps!
For modellers, Anakin’s Podracer is an absolute dream. The delicate structures and the option of mounting the engines in various positions make the build a creative challenge.
The highlights of the Anakin’s Podracer kit (Revell Shoplink)
- Movable scoops for dynamic display options
- Detailed Anakin Skywalker pilot figure
- Display stand for an attractive presentation of the finished model
- Basic paints, glue and brush included – everything you need to get started
- Authentic Star Wars movie poster
- Special edition marking the 25th anniversary of Episode I
So what makes these two models so special for Star Wars fans and modellers? For one, there’s the nostalgia factor, of course. “The Phantom Menace” may not be everyone’s favourite film, but it undeniably produced some of the coolest designs in the entire saga. With these models you can bring a piece of that magic home.
For another, both vehicles offer unique challenges and possibilities for modellers. The Sith Infiltrator, with its sweeping lines and hidden details, is perfect for anyone who enjoys tinkering with complex structures. The Podracer, on the other hand, is ideal for fans of engineering and moving parts. Here you can give your creativity free rein and maybe even set the model into a dynamic racing scene.
So, dear Star Wars fans and modelling enthusiasts, grab your lightsabers (or better: your hobby knives) and throw yourselves into new galactic adventures! May the Force be with you – and be careful you don’t accidentally switch to the dark side just because Darth Maul’s Infiltrator looks so damn cool 🙂
By the way, we’re also presenting both kits to you together with our colleague Luke in the first episode of our new Revell Model Kit News on YouTube: