Kotobukiya Ace Combat

X-49

Kit Review

Straight build

Ace Combat X-49 - Size comparison with a cigarette pack.

Size comparison with a cigarette pack.

Ace Combat X-49 - Various angles (1/6) Ace Combat X-49 - Various angles (2/6) Ace Combat X-49 - Various angles (3/6) Ace Combat X-49 - Various angles (4/6) Ace Combat X-49 - Various angles (5/6) Ace Combat X-49 - Various angles (6/6)

Various angles

Ace Combat X-49 - Side view

Side view

Ace Combat X-49 - Underside

Underside

Ace Combat X-49 - Rear verniers and various details

Rear verniers and various details

Ace Combat X-49 - An extra clear canopy is included, so you can choose which one to use. (1/2) Ace Combat X-49 - An extra clear canopy is included, so you can choose which one to use. (2/2)

An extra clear canopy is included, so you can choose which one to use.

Ace Combat X-49 - The underside features landing gear and weapon bay open/close gimmicks, all reproduced as swappable parts.

The underside features landing gear and weapon bay open/close gimmicks, all reproduced as swappable parts.

Ace Combat X-49 - Interior detail of the missile bay

Interior detail of the missile bay

Ace Combat X-49 - With missiles attached

With missiles attached

Ace Combat X-49 - With landing gear attached

With landing gear attached

Ace Combat X-49 - Landing configuration (1/2) Ace Combat X-49 - Landing configuration (2/2)

Landing configuration

Ace Combat X-49

Comes with a small stand, plus joint parts for a separately sold Kotobukiya dedicated stand.

Ace Combat X-49 - Flight scene display using the stand's adjustable angle (1/2) Ace Combat X-49 - Flight scene display using the stand's adjustable angle (2/2)

Flight scene display using the stand's adjustable angle

Ace Combat X-49 - Leftover parts

Leftover parts

Ace Combat X-49 - Together with the XFA-27. It's noticeably larger than a standard fighter kit.

Together with the XFA-27.
It's noticeably larger than a standard fighter kit.

This is the 1/144 X-49 released as part of the Ace Combat series. As you can see, it's the aircraft famously known as the "Night Raven," featuring a futuristic design with its distinctive double-wing layout. It's 1/144 scale, but it came out considerably larger than the other kits in the series.

First off, the signature double-wing structure is pulled off quite elegantly, and the molding and details give it a great sense of depth. The underside features landing gear and missiles that detach neatly along with their covers, and a clear canopy part is included as a bonus. The stand is the same small one from previous releases, but if you bend it into position properly, it holds up the large body just fine.

There aren't really many moving parts or options to speak of, so you'll mostly want to enjoy the look and style through the photos — though the real issue is probably the ¥6,000 price tag for what you get. It's essentially a kit made as a treat for Ace Combat fans, so if you've been waiting for the X-49 to get a plastic model release, it should make a great gift. :-)

Ace Combat X-49 | 2021.10 | ¥6,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.