Overview#
Qirex brings a different flavor to the Wipeout universe. Where AG-Systems is clinical precision, Van-Über is industrial function, and Tigron is brutal aggression, Qirex lands somewhere in between - armored and aggressive like Tigron, but with that distinctly Russian aesthetic. Clean lines mixed with angular plating, powerful but refined.
This is the fourth ship in my LEGO Wipeout series, and by this point I was starting to hit my stride with the techniques and workflows. But the Qirex threw me a curveball I wasn't expecting: the color itself.
I use the PS4 version of Wipeout Omega Collection to pull reference renders, and I try to stay as true to those models as possible. Here's the source material I was working from:
The Reverse Livery Challenge#
Here's the problem: Qirex's signature magenta simply doesn't exist in LEGO's catalog for the parts I needed - particularly the tiles and plating pieces that define the ship's surface. I could have gone with purple or blue like some other builders do, and it would've looked cool, but it wouldn't have been accurate to the source material.
I'm a stickler for accuracy. But sometimes reality has other plans.
The solution came from thinking about it differently. Wipeout has always reminded me of Formula 1 - these racing teams with strong brand identities that evolve their liveries over time. The core colors stay the same, but the execution changes. What if Qirex, for a particular season or event in the FX350/400 era, decided to flip their livery? White base with magenta logos and stickers instead of the traditional magenta hull.
Once I committed to that concept, it actually opened up the design. The white base makes those magenta logos and stickers absolutely pop. The comprehensive sticker sheet I developed for this build really shines against the clean white surface. It's not the canonical Qirex, but it's a plausible alternate timeline version - and honestly, I think it works brilliantly.
The Technical Challenges#
By the time I started the Qirex, I had three ships under my belt and was getting significantly faster. The learning curve was paying off. I was more comfortable with BrickLink Studio, I understood which pieces worked and which didn't, and I had a library of techniques to draw from.
The wing pods, for example, came directly from my Van-Über build - that same armored plating feel and structural approach. But of course, the Qirex isn't just a Van-Über clone with different colors. I had to adjust the width, rework how they mounted to the cockpit section, and completely redesign the central areas to capture Qirex's specific geometry.
The side pod shaping was particularly tricky. The Qirex has these aggressive angles leading toward the nose, and making that work while maintaining structural stability - ensuring the whole thing didn't just immediately fall apart when you pick it up - took some serious iteration. There's a balance between achieving the look and making something that actually functions as a physical model.
But the real satisfaction came from the air brakes. In the original game model, the air brakes flip open in reverse and point upward - a really distinctive design element. I was able to recreate that using clip and flag pieces to create a functional air brake that pops out with that characteristic magenta surround detail. Getting that mechanism right felt great.
Build Details & Character#
At 816 pieces across 216 lots and stretching 34cm nose to tail, the Qirex sits right in the middle of my collection in terms of scale and complexity. But what I'm most proud of is how the sticker work came together.
This was the build where I really went to town on the stickers and logos. The comprehensive sticker sheet has an enormous number of decals that bring the whole model to life. Against that white base, every magenta logo and detail stands out. It captures that Russian team aesthetic perfectly - aggressive but refined, powerful but precise.
Looking back at my AG-Systems build now - my first attempt in this series - I can see how much I've evolved as a builder. That first ship was me figuring everything out from scratch. By the time I got to Qirex, I had a workflow, I had techniques, I had confidence. I wasn't starting from zero with each build; I was iterating on a foundation.
That said, every ship still has its unique challenges. The Qirex taught me new things about color constraints and creative problem-solving that I'll carry forward.
The model really captures the essence of Qirex in this alternate livery form - armored, aggressive, unmistakably Russian in aesthetic, but with a fresh take on the traditional colors.
And of course, Google's Nano Banana image model delivered some fantastic racing scene shots. The white and magenta livery looks absolutely striking in context!
Build Stats & Downloads#
The finished model:
- Size: 34cm nose to tail
- Pieces: 816 pieces across 216 lots
- Scale: Minifigure scale
Build it - buy the full kit
The Qirex is now available as a full kit from Build-A-MOC — recommended if you want every piece, the custom sticker sheet, and downloadable instructions all in one place, ready to go. The kit includes:
- All LEGO pieces
- Custom sticker sheet
- Downloadable instructions
Buy the full kit on Build-A-MOC
Build it - Download instructions, source your own Lego
Buy the instant download from my Gumroad page here. The digital download includes:
- Bricklink Studio project file (.io)
- Instructions PDF
- Stickers PDF at print quality
- Bricklink parts list XML
You can also find this model on my Rebrickable profile if you prefer that platform.
I appreciate the small contribution for this project. Designing and building these models is time consuming and not cheap (as any LEGO fan knows!). If you want to see more in the series, a couple of bucks here really helps. Many thanks!
NOTE: Like the Van-Über and Tigron, I have not included a stand in this build, although the model is designed to sit on one. My BrickLink profile has the model of the standard stand I use. Feel free to substitute as you see fit.
New to Building LEGO MOCs?#
If you've never built from custom instructions or used BrickLink before, don't worry - it's more straightforward than you might think. The basic process is:
- Download the parts list XML from the Gumroad purchase
- Upload it to BrickLink to create a "wanted list"
- Use BrickLink's buyer tools to find sellers who have the parts
- Order the pieces
- Follow the instructions PDF to build
For a complete walkthrough of this process, check out this helpful guide:
The BrickLink community is also incredibly helpful if you run into questions. Building MOCs is one of the most rewarding aspects of adult LEGO fandom - you're not just following official sets, you're bringing custom designs to life.
Reflection#
The Qirex build taught me that constraints can be creative opportunities. Not having the right color in the right parts forced me to think differently about the design, and the result - this alternate timeline reverse livery - is something I'm genuinely proud of. It respects the source material while acknowledging the realities of working with physical LEGO parts.
The evolution as a builder is real. Each ship in this series builds on the last - techniques compound, workflows improve, confidence grows. The fourth ship was noticeably smoother than the first, and I can already feel that momentum carrying into future builds.
Speaking of which... there are still plenty of teams in the Wipeout universe to tackle. Next up might just be a team starting with F...
Stay tuned.