FAQ

What is an XML parts list?

A BrickLink XML file is a specially formatted text file containing the BrickLink part numbers, colors, quantities, and other information needed to create a model’s parts list.

Instead of searching for every piece individually, you can import the XML into your BrickLink account and add all required parts to a BrickLink Wanted List at once.

The XML file does not contain building instructions or physical parts. It is only a digital inventory list used to help you locate and purchase compatible parts through BrickLink.

What is BrickLink?

BrickLink is an independent online marketplace where individual stores sell LEGO® elements, sets, minifigures, instructions, and related products.

Owen Aviation does not own, operate, or control BrickLink and is not responsible for BrickLink sellers, prices, inventory, shipping, taxes, or marketplace policies.

You will need a free BrickLink account to import a Wanted List and purchase parts.

What is included with my Owen Aviation purchase?

Depending on the product purchased, your download may include:

A PDF instruction manual
A BrickLink XML parts list
A printable or spreadsheet-based parts inventory
Decal or sticker template
Additional reference documents

The XML file contains the parts inventory required for the model. It does not automatically purchase the parts and does not guarantee that every part will be available from one seller.

How do I download the XML file?

After purchasing an eligible Owen Aviation digital product, download the files using the link provided after checkout or by email.

Save the XML file somewhere easy to locate, such as:

Your Downloads folder
Your desktop
A dedicated Owen Aviation project folder
A cloud-storage folder

Do not rename the file extension. The filename should continue to end in:

.xml

If your device adds .txt to the filename, rename it so the final filename ends only in .xml.

Example:

Owen Aviation-X15-Parts.xml

How do I import the XML file into BrickLink?

Sign in to your BrickLink account.
Open the Want menu.
Select Upload or go to the Wanted List upload page.
Choose the option labeled Upload BrickLink XML Format.
Open the downloaded XML file using a plain-text editor.
Select all of the XML text.
Copy the complete contents of the file.
Paste the XML into the BrickLink XML upload field.
Choose an existing Wanted List or select Create New Wanted List.
Give the new list a recognizable name, such as:

Owen Aviation X-15

Select Proceed to Verify.
Review the imported items, colors, quantities, and any messages shown by BrickLink.
Select Add to Wanted List to complete the import.

Your parts will now appear in the selected BrickLink Wanted List.

Can I upload the XML file directly instead of copying the text?

BrickLink’s available upload options may vary by device, account, or interface version.

When a direct file-upload option is available, select the downloaded XML file and follow BrickLink’s verification process.

If direct upload is not available, open the XML file in a plain-text editor, copy all of its contents, and paste the text into the Upload BrickLink XML Format field.

How do I open an XML file?

An XML file is a text-based file. You can open it with a plain-text editor.

Windows

Use one of the following:

Notepad
Notepad++
Visual Studio Code

Right-click the file, select Open with, and choose the text editor.

Mac

Use:

TextEdit
Visual Studio Code

When using TextEdit, make sure the document is displayed as plain text rather than rich text.

iPhone or iPad

Save the XML file to the Files app and open it using a text-editor app that preserves plain text.

Android

Use a plain-text or code-editor app capable of opening XML files.

Do not open and resave the XML using Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or another rich-text word processor. Those programs may add formatting characters that prevent BrickLink from reading the file correctly.

What should the XML text look like?

A BrickLink Wanted List XML file normally begins with:

It ends with:

</INVENTORY>

Each part is contained inside an <ITEM> section.

A simplified example looks like this:

<ITEM>

</ITEM>

</INVENTORY>

Do not edit the tags unless you understand BrickLink’s XML format. Changing part numbers, color codes, quantities, or formatting may cause errors or result in the wrong parts being ordered.

What is a BrickLink Wanted List?

A Wanted List is a saved list of parts or products you want to purchase.

After importing the Owen Aviation XML file, BrickLink creates or updates a Wanted List containing the model’s parts.

The Wanted List allows you to:

Review the required parts
Check part colors and quantities
Mark parts you already own
Change desired quantities
Search stores that carry the parts
Track which parts have already been purchased

Importing a Wanted List does not place an order or charge your account.

How do I purchase the parts after importing the XML?

Open Want and select My Wanted List.
Open the list created for your Owen Aviation model.
Review the inventory carefully.
Remove or reduce the quantity of any parts you already own.
Select Buy All.
Choose your preferred shipping country or region.
Review the stores and purchasing options BrickLink displays.
Use BrickLink’s store-selection tools to find a combination of sellers.
Review each shopping cart before submitting payment.
Confirm the following for every store:

Part quantities
Part colors
New or used condition
Seller location
Minimum purchase requirements
Shipping charges
Handling fees
Seller terms
Estimated delivery time

Complete checkout separately with each selected BrickLink store.

BrickLink may divide the parts among multiple sellers because no single store is guaranteed to stock every required element.

What does “Buy All” do?

The Buy All feature searches BrickLink stores for items contained in one or more Wanted Lists.

It may suggest store combinations intended to cover as many required parts as possible. The suggested result is not necessarily the least expensive overall option once shipping, store minimums, handling fees, and international charges are included.

Always review the proposed stores and carts before purchasing.

Why is BrickLink selecting several different stores?

A model may require parts that are unavailable from one seller.

BrickLink may divide your Wanted List among multiple stores based on:

Current inventory
Part color
Requested condition
Required quantity
Seller location
Store minimums
Your selected purchasing preferences

Buying from fewer stores may reduce shipping costs, but a store with more of the required parts may charge higher prices.

Compare the total cost of the parts and shipping before placing your orders.

Does the XML file automatically find the cheapest parts?

No.

The XML establishes the required inventory. It does not set final prices or guarantee the least expensive seller combination.

BrickLink prices are established by independent sellers and may change at any time.

Your final cost can be affected by:

Part condition
Part rarity
Color availability
Seller location
Shipping charges
Store minimum purchases
Handling fees
Currency conversion
Taxes
Customs duties

Are the part prices included in my Owen Aviation purchase?

No.

Unless the product listing specifically states that physical parts are included, the purchase price covers only the identified Owen Aviation product, such as the digital instructions and associated files.

LEGO® elements and other physical parts must be purchased separately.

The total cost of obtaining the parts varies according to marketplace availability and seller pricing.

Are all parts available directly from Owen Aviation?

Not necessarily.

Some Owen Aviation products may include printed parts, stickers, decals, or selected specialty components. The applicable product page will identify exactly what is included.

Standard building elements listed in the XML normally must be purchased separately through BrickLink or another compatible parts supplier.

Should I choose new or used parts?

Either may work, depending on your preferences and the condition requirements of the model.

New parts

New parts generally offer:

More consistent appearance
Fewer scratches
Better clutch consistency
More uniform color

Used parts

Used parts may:

Cost less
Be easier to find
Show scratches, discoloration, fading, or wear
Have weaker or tighter connections

For display models, visible exterior pieces may look best in new condition. Used parts may be suitable for internal structural areas.

Review each seller’s condition descriptions before purchasing.

Does the XML specify whether parts must be new or used?

The XML may include a condition preference, but availability can vary.

Before ordering, review the Wanted List and each seller’s cart to confirm whether the selected parts are listed as:

New
Used
Any condition

You may change the condition preference in BrickLink before using Buy All.

Can I remove parts I already own?

Yes.

After importing the XML, open the Wanted List and adjust the quantity for any parts already in your collection.

For example, if the model requires six of a part and you already own two, change the wanted quantity from six to four.

Make these changes before selecting Buy All.

Can I change the colors in the XML or Wanted List?

You may change colors at your own discretion, but doing so can alter the finished appearance of the model.

Certain colors may have been selected for:

Historical accuracy
Exterior appearance
Structural visibility
Matching adjacent pieces
Decal placement
Printed-part compatibility

Internal parts may sometimes be substituted with another color when they are completely hidden in the finished model.

Owen Aviation cannot guarantee fit, appearance, or accuracy when the specified parts or colors are changed.

Can I substitute similar parts?

Some substitutions may work, but similar-looking elements are not always structurally or dimensionally identical.

A substitute may affect:

Connection strength
Clearance
Alignment
Moving functions
Exterior shape
Decal placement
Build sequence

Compare the BrickLink part number carefully. Owen Aviation recommends using the exact part listed unless the instructions identify an approved substitute.

Why does BrickLink show an error when I upload the XML?

Common causes include:

The complete XML was not copied
The opening <INVENTORY> tag is missing
The closing </INVENTORY> tag is missing
Text was copied from a formatted document instead of the original XML
The file was altered by a word-processing application
A part number or color code is invalid
Duplicate item and color combinations appear in the file
Extra characters were added before or after the XML
The download was incomplete

Try the following:

Download the original XML again.
Open it in a plain-text editor.
Copy everything from <INVENTORY> through </INVENTORY>.
Paste it into a new BrickLink XML upload form.
Select Proceed to Verify again.

Do not copy the XML from a PDF instruction manual unless the product specifically instructs you to do so.

BrickLink says there are duplicate items. What should I do?

BrickLink may reject an XML upload when the same part-and-color combination appears more than once.

First, confirm that you are using the original XML supplied by Owen Aviation and that it has not been combined with another file.

If you intentionally combined multiple XML lists, identical items may need to be merged into one entry with the quantities added together.

For example, these two entries:

<ITEM>

</ITEM>

<ITEM>

</ITEM>

would normally need to be combined as:

<ITEM>

</ITEM>

Contact Owen Aviation if an unmodified XML file supplied with your purchase produces a duplicate-item error.

Why does BrickLink show a part in a different color than expected?

BrickLink uses numeric color IDs inside XML files. The XML may therefore show a number rather than a written color name when viewed as raw text.

After verification, BrickLink should translate the color ID into the corresponding catalog color.

Always review the imported Wanted List before purchasing. Contact Owen Aviation if the displayed color appears inconsistent with the instructions or product images.

Why are some parts difficult or expensive to find?

Certain parts may be:

Discontinued
Produced in limited colors
Available only in older sets
Sold by relatively few stores
Temporarily unavailable
More expensive in new condition

You can try:

Searching again later
Allowing used parts
Purchasing from international sellers
Checking whether an approved substitute is listed
Using a hidden internal color substitution where appropriate
Contacting Owen Aviation for guidance

Do not substitute visible or structural parts without checking how the change may affect the model.

Can I use the XML with BrickLink Studio?

BrickLink Studio can work with BrickLink Wanted List XML files.

Studio allows users to import a Wanted List as a custom parts palette. Studio can also upload a design directly to a BrickLink Wanted List when the user is signed in to a BrickLink account.

This can be useful for reviewing the listed pieces digitally, but it does not replace the official Owen Aviation building instructions.

Can I upload the same XML more than once?

Yes, but importing it more than once may duplicate or increase the quantities in your Wanted List, depending on the choices made during upload.

Before uploading the file again:

Check whether the Wanted List already exists
Review the quantities already present
Consider creating a separate new list
Delete the previous list if it was created incorrectly

Avoid purchasing from multiple copies of the same Wanted List unless you intend to build multiple models.

Can I combine several Owen Aviation XML files?

Yes, but it is usually easier to keep each model in its own Wanted List.

Separate lists make it easier to:

Track each project
Identify missing parts
Avoid duplicate purchasing
Review the cost of each model
Update quantities independently

BrickLink can search more than one Wanted List during the purchasing process when desired.

Will buying the entire Wanted List guarantee I can complete the model?

The XML is designed to identify the required standard parts, but you should verify that your purchase also includes or separately accounts for any:

Custom-printed parts
Stickers or decals
Flexible elements
Cut-to-length materials
Tools
Display stands
Optional accessories
Electronics
Non-LEGO® components

Read the product description and the opening pages of the instruction manual before ordering.

Owen Aviation recommends comparing your purchased parts against the final Wanted List before beginning the build.

What should I do when the parts arrive?

When each BrickLink order arrives:

Compare the contents with the seller’s invoice.
Check that the part numbers, colors, and quantities are correct.
Mark received items as completed in your Wanted List.
Keep parts organized by type, color, or instruction stage.
Contact the applicable BrickLink seller promptly if an order is incomplete or incorrect.

Owen Aviation cannot resolve fulfillment issues involving independent BrickLink stores, but we can help clarify which part the instructions require.

What if a BrickLink seller sends the wrong part?

Contact the seller through BrickLink and follow the seller’s terms and BrickLink’s applicable marketplace procedures.

Provide:

The BrickLink order number
The affected part number
The color
The expected quantity
The quantity received
Clear photographs when helpful

Because each BrickLink store is independently operated, Owen Aviation cannot issue refunds, replacements, or credits for purchases made from a BrickLink seller.

Can Owen Aviation order the parts for me?

Only when the applicable product page expressly offers a complete kit, parts-sourcing service, or other physical fulfillment option.

Purchasing digital instructions or an XML file by itself does not include parts sourcing, seller selection, checkout, or order management.

Is BrickLink affiliated with Owen Aviation?

No.

Owen Aviation is an independent business and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or operated by BrickLink or the LEGO Group.

BrickLink, LEGO®, and associated names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.

References to BrickLink and LEGO® are used only to explain compatibility and the process for sourcing parts required to build an independent Owen Aviation model.

Where can I get help?

For questions about:

The model, instructions, or supplied XML

Contact Owen Aviation through the support information provided on the website.

Please include:

Your Owen Aviation order number
The model name
The filename
A screenshot of the error
The BrickLink error message
A description of the step where the problem occurred

A BrickLink purchase or seller

Contact the applicable BrickLink seller or BrickLink support.

A missing Owen Aviation download

Check your spam or junk folder first, then contact Owen Aviation with your order number and purchasing email address.

Country/region

FAQ