A Little Something Very Different: Bandai 1/72 Tie Interceptor

[Dennis7423]

All-

 

After finishing the 1/32 ICM I-16, I elected for a "fun" build to keep the creative juices flowing. The HK Lancaster has stalled as I got burned out a little bit on scratch building, and with our regional model contest being cancelled due to COVID (It was supposed to be on the 28th), there are no more deadlines to get some kits across the finish line. So, in steps this little guy!

 

This is Bandai's 1/72 Tie Interceptor. I'm a self-proclaimed Star Wars junky, and when I was younger I got into all the cool technology that was part of the Star Wars universe. My palms got sweaty when Bandai started releasing their line of Star Wars kits, and if you haven't picked one up, do so immediately. They are absolutely fantastic kits. Very detailed, build quickly, and the fit is outstanding. In just two days, I have the complete airframe (spaceframe?) built, and the wings (solar arrays?) are painted up. Paint is Tamiya matte black for a primer/solar panels, and Vallejo medium grey for everything else, with a few small details picked out with black and silver brush paints.

 

90022983_200104431270009_977149169154129920_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr

 

Now, just about every single one of these guys were painted the exact same. If you dive into the fan art side of Star Wars (there's a plethora on the interwebs), you'll find mention, and see examples, of "Aces" within the Empire, with a little splash of color on their craft. You don't see too much of this in the movies, but I wanted to capture some of it with this build. So out came the masking tape, and some bright yellow:

 

90029122_814068275740169_755471063600594944_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr

 

89993508_633767597459454_8811457739428462592_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr

 

90080315_1439146432925159_6971207460187013120_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr

 

I'll end up doing a little bit more to the cockpit pod once I get the basic painting done, while will hopefully happen in the next few days! Then it's a gloss coat, some decals, a basic wash to make the details pop, a little weathering, and it'll be done. No reason this little fella won't be complete by the end of the weekend.

 

These kits sure are fun to put together. I built there 1/48 AT-ST a while back, but haven't gotten around to painting the exterior of that one yet. Trying to decided, too, what sort of base I will put it on, and what sort of additional cammo I will apply to it. I'm thinking a winter scheme, with a white-wash to the walker. But the I thought about adding some glass to the open windows, and maybe a heater unit attached to the back, and then some gear hanging from the sides... and, well, its easy to get carried away.

 

Comments and critiques, like always, are most welcome.

 

- Dennis S.

  Thornton, CO USA

[Shawn M]

nice!

[chrish]

What Shawn said!

agreed

[Gazzas]

Nice!  I always liked the tie fighters.