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TIE Fighter, TIE Fighter Advanced X1 & TIE Interceptor Updates (02016, 02116 & 02216) 1:72


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TIE Fighter, TIE Fighter Advanced X1 & TIE Interceptor Updates (02016, 02116 & 02216)

1:72 GreenStrawberry

 

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It's Star Wars – nuff said.  Bandai's new(ish) range of 1:72 kits have been wreaking havoc with the resale value of FineMolds kits for ages now, and despite the fact that we can't officially get them outside of the Far East due to licensing arrangements with the new owners Disney, there seem to be plenty finding their way into the hands of avid Star Wars modellers like myself.  GreenStrawberry are similarly minded, and have made a number of excellent sets to improve on even the high levels of detail that Bandai cram into their snap-together kits.  They also do Star Trek and many other brands too, so even if you're not a Star Wars fan, you're sure to find something they can help you with.

 

The Evil Empire have Seinar Systems creating the iconic TIE Fighter series for them, with more than a few variants hitting our screens over the years.  The original H-shaped TIE and Vader's TIE Advanced from the Titular film, and later in the trilogy the TIE Interceptor for a change of pace.  All of these share a very similar central section, especially in their cockpit area, which is why I'm reviewing them all together.  All three sets arrive in a resealable clear film package, with a central cardboard stiffener protecting the sheet of Photo-Etch, the header card, and the small resin parts at the back, which are bagged separately inside to save losing the parts.  The final layer is a small but concise instruction booklet with sci-fi themed design and simple diagrams showing the way.

 

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All sets have a common core of components that are arranged differently on the sheets, but essentially the same up until step 6 on the instructions, and as you can imagine those parts are the cockpits.  The initial stages have you building up the multi-layer coaming and controls that are seen in the hands of the pilot for the interior shots, with three layers joined to give them a degree of thickness, before they are attached to the back of the coaming.  The kit seat pads are removed and replaced by new parts, and side details are added to the chair before the coaming is fitted into the open front of the floor.  Inside the front of the cockpit a detail skin is added to the lower half, and a pair of faceted panels are glued to the "corners", to which the two resin clusters of round-ended tubes are fitted.  The "visor" at the top front is removed from its mounting lug and given a new more detailed attachment point to the edge of the windscreen.  Underneath the hull is a panel that has a hole in it for the stand, but in this instance if you are planning on using the next set of parts, you'll want to glue in the plug B4 to cover this up.  The inner face of the panel is sanded flat, a skin with Star Wars gylphs etched into it, and a ring with extended legs is added.  This then clipped inside the lip of the aperture so that the "luggage compartment" is depicted dropped to the floor, which although it might not appeal in all cases, it is a useful option to have on hand.  The top hatch receives a partial lip in PE, and the hinge for the hatch is replaced by a new two-part boxed arrangement, with the Ion engine exhaust at the rear being fitted with a hexagonal grille.  From here on in the sets diverge from each other slightly, as described below.

 

 

TIE Fighter (02016-1/72)

This seems to be the base set, so refer to the description above for what's included.

 

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TIE Advanced x1 (02116-1/72)

As well as all the common parts listed in the top section of the review, the x1 also has a set of dual layered skins for the top/bottom of each of the "arms" that connect the ball to the panels.  On the inside of each panel there are two small rectangular panels that are filed off and replaced by new PE parts.  Two small parts are also inserted into the inner edges of the front cut-outs on the arms, and at the rear of the ball there are two small cranked panels which are skinned with a new detail part each.

 

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TIE Interceptor (02216-1/72)

As well as the core components, there are three panels on the wing panels that are filed flat and replaced by new PE parts.

 

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Conclusion

Three super little detail sets that are based around the common core that is the knot of the bow-tie, with subtle variations specific to the sub-type.  If you'd like to see the details in situ, GreenStrawberry have helpfully included pictures of the bare parts built into the Bandai kits to show you how they should look, so have a click on the "available here" buttons to have a mooch.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of

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  • Mike changed the title to TIE Fighter, TIE Fighter Advanced X1 & TIE Interceptor Updates (02016, 02116 & 02216) 1:72

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