Bret Build: Bandai 1/72 TIE Fighter

Modeling Subjects Science Fiction
1

I finished my 1/72 TIE Fighter build today. This was my second build since a 30+ year hiatus and my first using what I’m calling “advanced techniques”. Although they’re pretty common to those on the RPF I had never used them before and share my experience.

The kit itself was great! I can’t say anything that others haven’t said already about the Bandai kits. Exceptional detail. In a way of unlearning what I’ve learned, as a kid I just read the instructions and glued and painted in sequence. The most challenging part for me on this build was in away working backwards. Building sub-assemblies, then painting, then assembling sub-assemblies, then weathering. I will say this, I can’t believe my 48-year old, Diet Coke jangled nerves were able to put on all those tiny decals. Oh, and Micro Sol and Micro Set are amazing!

I found myself getting heavy handed which lead to me snapping off both laser cannons and different times. Lose a turn. All in all it was a great learning experience and I’m looking forward to applying the experience from this great kit to my next build.

For those interested here is a material list from this build:

PREP

Dawn Dish Soap
Tamiya Super Fine Primer

ASSEMBLY/PAINT

Insta-Cure+ Medium CA Glue
Tamiya Haze Grey (Spray)
Vallejo Model Color: German Grey, Medium Sea Grey (I found myself having to mix the two to come up with a shade I liked.)

WEATHERING/FINISH

Pledge Floor Care Finish
Micro Sol
Micro Set
Paynes Gray and Burnt Umber oil paint mixed to create “Starship Filth” color.
Odorless Mineral Spirits
Tester’s Dullcoat (Thanks to everyone that recommended it. You were right; it’s awesome!)

2

Okay, just do a mic drop and exit the stage that is a nice model. Two questions, did you use the canopy glass (why or why not?) and why didn’t you use the Death Star tile stand?

-Stephen

3

Thanks, NucMedTech, I appreciate it! I didn’t use the canopy glass keeping in tradition of the studio scale models ILM built for the original movies. They left them out because these would reflect the bluescreen used filming the effect scenes.

As for the base I used an aluminum tube and a 5x5x.5 scrap of unpainted wood to give it a straight out of the model shop look.

4

She looks fantastic to me! Just love how the solar panels came out, they look just like the real thing. And she’s gotta be small in 1/72nd, even more great work on something that small.

5

Thanks, Gamera. I liked the natural sheen of the plastic the solar panels were molded in so much I left them unpainted. This however meant the tedious task of masking of the individual panels prior to giving it a final dull coat.