Do you know what brings model ships to life? Apart from realistic paint and weathering, it’s lights.
Unfortunately, Micro Galaxy ships are too small for lighting kits. You can either use fiber optic cables, or mini LEDs connected to an outside battery pack. It’s inconvenient, eats a lot of time, and requires you to drill holes in your precious ships. In fact, I once spent a whole week holed up like hermit Luke when I lighted up a Zvezda ISD and Revell Venator.
Fortunately, we no longer have to do that. I came across this battery-powered lights that can fit in even the smallest cockpit.
The same MGS X-wing, but with lights
The light is approximately 1.3cm in diameter, and half a centimeter thick (half an inch wide by .02 inches thick for our American readers).
As a self-contained light, it doesn’t require any fiber optic cables or wires — it uses a CR927 battery that slots in the back.
The back side, showing where the CR927 battery slots in.
The light comes in different colors:
- Blue
- Red
- Light blue
- Yellow
- Light yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Purple
- Multicolor
I ordered one version of each color to test it out, and they fit in all of the Micro Galaxy ships I tried, even the Ginivex.
Because of their small size, the lights don’t have an on/off switch. You turn them on and off by using a magnet.
This is very convenient, since it works through thin plastic. You can activate a light wedged in a cockpit just by holding the magnet near it.
A fridge magnet can turn it on and off without having to remove the light from the fighter.
Some ships like the X-wing and Ginivex can’t fit pilots with the light inside. But ships with larger cockpits like the Jedi starfighter and TIEs can hold both the light and the figure.
The MGS X-wing (top) can just barely hold the light inside the cockpit, with no more room for a pilot. The larger Action Fleet X-wing (bottom) can hold both the light and a Micro Galaxy figure.
The Delta Jedi fighter, which is actually oversized in scale, can take the light in Obiwan’s lap. It makes him look even more like Jesus Christ in a starfighter .
The TIE fighter’s roomy cockpit allows more space to position the light. You can have it facing out through the window, or facing the pilot to produce a red silhouette.
However, the thin plastic used by MGS results in light bleeding, where the glow can be seen through the plastic. You can either paint the inside of the ship, mask it with electric tape, or just position the light in a different direction.
The light can also fit in smaller areas like air intakes and exhausts.
The T-71 Blackburn with an engine flameout
But where the light really shines (sorry) is in larger ships. There’s more cockpit space to hold both the light and the figures. And of course, there’s a whole interior to spice up!
Different ways to light up the Scythe. Unfortunately, the light won’t fit in the exhausts. But it does produce a dramatic effect when the Inquisitor comes down the ramp.
For the Falcon, there is plenty of space for lighting the cockpit and gunnery positions.
There are many ways to light up the interior just by positioning the lights strategically.
The same goes for the Arvala. But the best thing is the light fits perfectly in the exhaust!
Why limit yourself to ships? Don’t forget the ground units and dioramas!
Instead of a plain old stand, pair the light with a Gundam hangar to make your display come to life.
As for battery life, I accidentally left the yellow light in the Y-wing on for over 5 hours. It’s still lighting up even now. (Apparently, the magnet in my iPhone 14 activated it).
With these Infinity Stones, I can force Jazwares to make a capital ship! Mwahahaha
Where to Buy
The light is available in Amazon as a 2-pack for $12. The battery is included.
I got mine from Shopee, our version of Amazon in Asia. If you know other sellers, please list them in the comments so we can update the list.
Alternatives
I also considered this lighting solution for Gundam model kits. However, it’s bigger and thicker and won’t fit in most fighter cockpits.
The upside is the LED bulb sticks out from the body. This can make it an ideal light strobe for larger ships. Drill the hull so the bulb sticks out, and hide the rest of the light inside the ship’s body. They also come in multipacks.
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