The interior is elegantly minimal – a front and rear portion, floor with seat, a control column, and a pilot. The engineering is great – a simple internal “pod” makes up the cockpit, and it fits neatly into the external hull. As with other kits in the line, many of the surface parts, on close examination, are recognizable from the donor model.īecause this is a simple design, the parts count is not high. Gorgeously detailed parts, capturing every line and greebly of the original. And when I opened the kit, I was not let down. Still, I knew because it was Bandai the build would be fun. ( Though she is the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy… □ ) The only reason they can seem to shoot down Alliance fighters is if those fellows are focused a specific target. Swarms of them can’t shoot down a freighter ship. Kids right off of a moisture farm can blow them out of the sky. It’s not even that successful a design in the movies. From a color standpoint, it’s as bland as everything else in the Empire… as gray and black as the emperor’s heart. The giant “solar panels” slung off on each side make any hope of a short range visual engagement virtually impossible. The armament seems to be short and stubby… very unimpressive. The physical layout of the design leaves little room for engines. It’s shape is not pleasing to my eye, and if taken as “real world” it’s ridiculously odd. I’ll admit freely that I picked up this Bandai TIE Fighter not because I like the look of the design, but simply because I wanted to build another Star Wars model from that manufacturer. □ Even if the genre or universe is not necessarily your thing – not building at least a few of Bandai’s models from a galaxy far, far away is a loss for you. (How about one of those Bespin Cloud Cars? That would be cool!)Īnd before you level the “fanboy” charge, stop and think about it… why wouldn’t I be a fan of kits this good? If you build models primarily for the enjoyment of the experience, building the best available yields the most fun. I suppose the only criticism I can level is there aren’t MORE. Yet I simply cannot think of another line of kits that is superior to these. Even kits that aren’t of this quality can be fun to build. I’m sure there are others people would argue for. Tamiya and Eduard always come to mind, of course. Yes, there are other models and other brands that are good, some very good. They are simply the best models I have ever worked with. Wonderful detail, sharp moldings, amazing fit – and they are all snap tight. This is my seventh kit from the line, and every one has been amazing. It gets to the point that finding superlatives for a Bandai Star Wars model is almost ridiculous. The X-Wing was way cooler than the stupid TIE Fighter. Hot in pursuit were Darth Vader and two other of his henchman, their oddly shaped fighters screeching as they followed. I recall being almost in tears… it was just Luke, roaring down the trench. Though in an admittedly cooler design than the stock model, he was evil personified. Even Darth Vader joined the fray in his TIE Fighter. More TIE Fighters rolled in, shooting down the Alliance fighters intent on the Death Star’s destruction. Popcorn long gone, I sat wide eyed as the trench scene unfolded. What’s not to dislike? □ Just Go Away!īy the end, I was in fits… would someone please clear these little tyrannical flies from around the Death Star? They are seriously interfering with the hero getting on with his business. A ping-pong ball with waffle iron plates stuck on either side. Visually there was nothing pleasing to the eye about them. The very audio track indicated evil intent.Īs the movie progressed, and more TIE fighters were on screen, I grew to dislike them intently. No one had to tell you the bad guys were on the screen. It had a sinister, haunting, villainous sound. When the TIE Fighter first appeared, it was that sound which really got to me. Even though I hoped it would all end up good, I sweated every new development, worried that it might not. Throughout the movie, I was completely caught up in the story. I was 10 years old when it came out, and the movie had me in its grips from the first blast of music through the speakers right up to the end. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the first appearance of the TIE Fighter in Star Wars.
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