LEGO X-Jet: Build the Ultimate Mutant Jet (MOCs, Tips & Ideas)

From hangar to hero: LEGO X-Jet inspiration, techniques, and hand-picked instructions

If you love LEGO jet fighters, the X-Men Jet (often called the X-Jet or “Blackbird”) is one of the most satisfying subjects to build. Sleek lines, oversized jet engines, a forward-swept nose and those dramatic tailplanes give you tons of opportunities for SNOT work, paneling, and hidden play features. The best part? Whether you want a minifig-ready transport, a swooshable LEGO jet airplane, or a display-scale star for your shelf, there are excellent fan-made instructions (free and premium) to get you flying.

This guide walks you through how to design and refine your own LEGO X-Jet MOC, which parts and techniques make that classic silhouette pop, and smart ways to stage it so the model tells a story. Along the way, you’ll find a curated list of X-Jet builds with LEGO airplane instructions you can follow today—ranging from quick micro builds to big, showpiece models. We’ll touch on nose shaping with curved slopes, how to fake stealthy panel lines, landing gear that won’t collapse during a hard “runway” landing on your desk, and how to light the engines for extra drama.

If you’re chasing screen-accurate vibes (cartoons, movies, or the 97 era), think in layers: a clean, tiled top skin over a rigid Technic or bracket frame; a canopy that blends into the fuselage using wedges and transparent slopes; and nacelles that feel powerful without turning into fragile cylinders. For color, dark blue and black are both canon-friendly. Dark blue reads “animated X-Jet,” while black channels the cinematic SR-71 aesthetic—both look fantastic in bricks. For decals, you can keep it purist or print small stickers for wing markings; plenty of builders design their models so tiles are already placed where stickers would go.

Finally, consider your goal. Want minifigure capacity and a cargo bay? You’ll need thicker walls and stronger hinges, maybe even internal Technic beams across the wing root. Prefer a display model? Go lighter, emphasize smooth paneling, and use a stand to nail that in-flight attitude. Either way, the models below will jump-start your build and give you a clear path with LEGO jet instructions you can trust.

Tips: How to build a great LEGO X-Jet (MOC)

• Start with the fuselage spine. Build a rigid Technic or bracket “backbone” from nose to tail; hang SNOT panels off it to keep the outer skin sleek.

• Shape the nose in three axes. Mix curved slopes (2×2/2×3/3×3), wedges, and Hinge/Clip plates to taper top, sides, and underside smoothly.

• Engine nacelles = simple cylinders + greebles. Use 4–6-wide drums or stacked round plates for the core, then add grille tiles, macaroni bricks, and cones for exhausts.

• Reinforce the wing root. Hide Technic liftarms that bridge the fuselage and wings; it prevents sag on larger models.

• Landing gear that survives play. Use click hinges for struts and a 2-stud-wide wheel fork; if it’s display-only, skip retractables and use a stand.

• Color blocking matters. Dark blue body + trans-red canopy evokes animated X-Jet; all-black with a stand screams SR-71.

• Swoosh test early. Pick up the model by the spine and shake—fix weak spots before you tile everything smooth.

• Light it up. Transparent neon cones or a tiny LED (if you mod) sell the “afterburner” effect.

Ideas: Scenes & variations to build with your X-Jet

• Hangar diorama: Maintenance stands, fuel hoses, and a rolling toolbox—perfect next to an X-Mansion display.

• In-flight stand: A clean black or trans-clear pedestal at a 10–15° climb angle.

• Micro-scale escort: Pair a large X-Jet with micro jets for a forced-perspective chase.

• Mission loadouts: Swap tiles for “stealth mode” vs. “rescue gear” (stretcher pod, cargo crates).

• Interior play: Rows of seats, a cockpit with HUD, and a rear ramp—great for roleplay with minifigs.

• Color variants: Dark blue (animated), black (cinematic), or a two-tone prototype with light bluish gray accents.

• Jet engines showcase: Build removable nacelles as mini models to show the intake, fan, and afterburner stages.

Hand-picked LEGO X-Jet MOCs & Instructions

Model: X-JET / BLACKBIRD / X-MEN 97 MOC

Designer: DETAIL BRICKS. 
Get the instructions: X-JET / BLACKBIRD / X-MEN 97 MOC — DETAIL BRICKS . 

Model: SR-71 Blackbird X-Jet

Designer: brixcelsior. 
Get the instructions: SR-71 Blackbird X-Jet — brixcelsior . 

Model: X-Jet (Blackbird) Modified

Designer: P Squiddy. 
Get the instructions: X-Jet (Blackbird) Modified — P Squiddy . 

Model: X-Men Blackbird (X-Jet)

Designer: leeman1919. 
Get the instructions: X-Men Blackbird (X-Jet) — leeman1919 . 

Model: X-Men X-Jet for X-Mansion

Designer: valeriusOnline. 
Get the instructions: X-Men X-Jet for X-Mansion — valeriusOnline . 

Model: X-Men Jet

Designer: Avocados. 
Get the instructions: X-Men Jet — Avocados .

Model: X-JET / BLACKBIRD / X-MEN 97 MOC (BLACK)

Designer: DETAIL BRICKS. 
Get the instructions: X-JET / BLACKBIRD / X-MEN 97 MOC (BLACK) — DETAIL BRICKS .