+++ DISCLAIMER +++
Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based on canonical facts. BEWARE!
KX-series droids, also referred to as "enforcer droids", were a model of security droid manufactured by Arakyd Industries on Vulpter that was in service to the Galactic Empire during the Galactic Civil War.
While the Imperial Senate had prohibited the creation of dedicated Class 4 battle droids, Arakyd was able to use a loophole in the law by marketing the KX-series as "security droids." The KX series was very versatile and could handle a wide range of tasks, including escorting dignitaries, protecting important people and defending Imperial installations. The droids were also programmed to recognize and defer to Imperial Military officers ranked Lieutenant or higher.
The enforcer droids were designed with exaggerated human proportions but with the mobility of a human athlete. The thigh braces were shock absorbing and the five-limbed hands allowed the KX series droids to handle a variety of tools and equipment. They came equipped with a built-in comm package, recharge port, and a computer interface arm that allowed them to connect with standard communication frequencies for areas they were assigned to.
The Imperial crest was typically imprinted on the side of each shoulder, one of which could be emblazoned in gold if the droid had received an enhanced status.
The cognitive module of the KX series carried the specifications of more than 40 Imperial transport vehicles, allowing them to act as a pilot. In addition, each model incorporated communications amplifiers that enabled scanning and listening to standard imperial communication frequencies. The KX-series droids were programmed to speak and interact with people, but were not as proficient at it as protocol droids were. In fact, while most KX-series droids were effectively emotionless drones.
The KX series was not trouble-free, though, and did not see widespread use. Minor errors and glitches in KX-series droids programming led to the development of a fully self-aware personality, which made them more independent but also hard to control. Less than 0.02% of the KX-series droids were affected, though, but these few specimen caused considerable trouble. While this programming disturbance was frequently overwritten when it was detected (in fact, some KX droids that became sentient also became clever enough to hide their new capabilities from their Imperial masters), some single specimen were "allowed" to develop a personality, as long as they fitted into the Imperial command structure.
However, due to the quirkiness of the programming glitch, the droid’s personality could develop into any direction, which included almost uncontrollable homicidal tendencies – a side effect from the fact that the KX series droids’ programming did not include the standard restriction against harming organic sentient lifeforms. However, some KX droids in Imperial service with such traits were separated, conditioned and effectively used in "advanced interrogation programs".
Some further self-sentient KX droids escaped the Imperial realm and successfully led rogue careers, e. g. among smugglers, in neutral systems and even as bounty hunters.
The kit and its assembly:
In a wake of Star Wars nostalgia I got myself a Bandai K-2SO kit from the Rogue One movie – one of those purchases you make with no real plan, rather with the motivation to “build something different” from it. Somehow I was apparently lucky to get hold of one of these as a direct import, since these Bandai kits are only sold in Japan due to copyright issues. It was, however, clear from the start that I would not build the K-2SO movie character from it, and I wanted to get away from the OOB kit and its dull grey livery. I rather planned a fictional alternative.
As such, I did not want to change too much. The KX series droid was to be easily recognized, and I did not have too many appropriate spare parts at hand to make major changes like a totally different head. Nevertheless, I delved through the mecha donor box and found a few suitable pieces – but at the core it’s still a regular KX series droid.
Mods include:
- Mirror foil reflectors in the eyes instead of the OOB decals
- A set of “headphones” with antennae (actually parts from an 1:100 VF-1S head unit)
- Some hydraulic actuators around the waist and under the chin that add more depth
Besides, the Bandai kit was a mostly pleasant build: it's technically a snap-fit kit, and you can put the character figure together quite quickly. I just did some PSR on the major hull joints, but that was no issue since I wanted to paint the figure, anyway. The kit even comes with stickers as an alternative to a sheet with water slide decals. And when you pay attention to cleaning the parts, and stick strictly(!) to the instructions, the whole thing goes together very well.
The only drawback is a somewhat soft styrene material (after all, this is a poseable action figure) that is not as durable as it should be - I had issues in two arm joints where the parts disintegrated upon the attempt to put them together. As a consequence, I had to repair the joints with super glue and fix the position.
Painting and markings:
Here’s the more obvious part – somehow I had the idea of giving this droid a red livery. I wanted an Imperial flavor, but something different from K-2SO’s cold black/metallic grey look. Maybe I was inspired by the Imperial Guards from TESB (Ep. 5)? However, I found a wine red droid interesting and suitable, and it certainly sets it apart from its standard black/grey brethren. Its actual role is left to the beholder, though, but with this subtle but striking paint scheme, it’s probably something special. ;-)
The model was fully (re-)painted – you can actually build this it as a simple snap-fit kit without need for painting at all. But since I did some light PSR work on some seams, painting had become a necessity.
The two basic colors are Humbrol 20 (Crimson Gloss enamel) and Revell 9 (Tar Black acrylic). Due to the figure’s large scale and a clean/clinical look (the Empire is certainly not untidy!) I did not add any paint effect to the glossy red areas.
The matt black sections, which more or less cover the structural parts under the red hull , received a light dry-brushing with Revell 77 (Staubgrau), so that the many surface details became more obvious. This effect was also added as a stylistic complement to the light reflexes on the glossy areas.
Due to the good finish of the paint I did not apply a final coat of varnish, just the decals on the grey "shoulder rings" were treated with matt acrylic varnish.
Well, not a truly simple project, but I like the outcome. The red livery changes the droid's look considerably, not certain if it looks better than the dark grey movie livery?
