That's awesome. Thanks for posting Gene!
This is going to be so cool when it finally releases! Oh yea!
Can't wait for this. Thanks for the great update.
John
As always, great stuff from efx, just the release date will be the problem
Some info and pics from Bryan on RS: "... we are trying our best to start shipping the TIE Fighter by the end of September. As you can see, we are in full production!"
They're multiplying -
Bryan brought over the latest factory painted TIE (that he had at Celebration VI) along with the older paint sample (from SDCC '12) for a quick look-see the other night. (The latest sample is the one on the left in the photo above.)
While I really enjoyed seeing the SDCC TIE a couple of months ago, this latest sample, which is a better indicator of the product y'all will be receiving, is over the top!
While it will be hard to see here, there IS a difference in the base color between the two samples. The latest paintjob by the factory nails the color on the hatch piece that I have -
When comparing the two TIE's, the effect is subtle. Yet, when I saw the OLD paint sample, I felt something was 'off' right away, without even dragging the hatch cover out. It was close, but not 'blue' enough. The latest version is a lot closer. Also apparent is a better match to the darker gray panels on the hatch. This effect overall makes the paint scheme more subtle and not as contrasty -
And from the latest paint sample, you can see that the oversized stencil decal has been reduced. (I'll also add that I found a good photo of the underside of the TIE that shows a few more decals that we had previously seen. Jason Eaton was able to crank out some new decal/stamp artwork for eFX and we should see that on the production versions.......)
This version also had functioning lights in the engines -
Just a couple of LED's, but that's what the real things used.
Bryan decided to try something different with the TIE Fighter. Instead of the lights being hard-wired into the mount that goes into the base (like the Falcon and X-wing), the TIE will have a switch/battery arrangement in the cockpit ball so you can still light it up, even if you aren't using the base/mount that it come with. You can switch on the engines by sticking your finger in the rear window pressing a switch -
To change the battery, you can just pop off the rear hatch -
What I find really neat is that the model mount (which will come up through the bottom), will nest in a replica of the original's armature. It won't really be visible, but it is there........
Someone asked about how these were going to be shipped. Bryan tells me that they will basically be disassembled (Cockpit Ball/Arms + Wings) to be shipped. The innermost piece of the wingstar pops off and reveals a huge allen bolt -
EFX will include an allen wrench -
Simple.
Someone else asked for the size. Bryan didn't have a base with him, but he did mention that it will be square, look like the X-wing base in terms of finish, and have a lip for those of you that want to get an acrylic dust cover made for the piece. I don't have the dimensions for the base at this time. If you want to display this off of the base - just sitting on a bookshelf or a table - the footprint of the piece is 15 1/4" wide x 14 5/8" deep x 18 1/16" high. While obviously not as large as the Falcon, it does take up a bit of real estate depth and height-wise. And with the base, it will be a little bigger.
OK, but when will it be ready? Bryan approved the paint match and the reduction of the oversized decal last week so the factory can get started on the final finish/assembly. LFL just approved the liner notes/prop story and photos. That gets printed and shipped to the main factory by another supplier. That may add some time getting them on the boat by the end of the month, but it will be close. Not sure what the transit times are for a freighter coming across the Pacific (or customs for that matter) - at that point, it's as much a waiting game for eFX as it is for you..........
More later.....
Gene
Wow, that is looking pretty good, the paint match looks to be exact.
I also like the fact that it is battery powered and does not have to be mounted on the base to operate the lights.
Having said that, will there be a bottom hatch to cover the mount hole for the base post if we decide to display it without the base?
Also, is this a final production piece? I am noticing some of the small details on the top hatch are a little larger than the original.
And the TIE fighter never trusted another Star Wars fan again...
So how long does it usually take to ship from from china to the US? Are we talking a week or 3 or 4?
Is it me or do the physical details of the EFX look beefier than the original part?
Great update.
I know the change to the on/off switch location is a pro for those that want to display just the TIE, but it's a con for those of us that will have an acrylic cover made. Having to take the cover off to turn on the lights will just mean I will never have the lights on.
Wow - I'm floored.
Seriously beyond impressed with this. The changes that have been made to the last couple of iterations put this one over the top IMO. Can't be sure until I see it and hold it, but this may be the most accurate studio scale miniature collectible ever produced.
Thanks Gene! Thanks Jason!
And thanks Bryan!
Holy mackaroly, removable wings?
Hmmmm, what should I do with all of this vintage KoolShade that's just sitting around...
Yeah, Bryan realized that that was the potential downside to the decision. But given the fact that the TIE can stand on it's own, as well as some of the complaints rec'd about the X-wing's base, he decided to try something different. And with this model in particular - there aren't a lot of lights anyway, and they are in the back.BoboFatt said:
Gene (who realizes he hasn't turned on his Falcon's lights in a good long time.....)
Hey Gene,
How did the Kool Shade look?
Back in 2011 I took the "virtual" Kool shade that I meticulously re-created ( from real 1970s era Kool Shade)
-and made some custom 3D/CAD ( Pro-E format for the Chinese Contractor) files for EFX/Bryan Uno to use on the Studio TIE Project.
As well as providing more accurate patterns for the Wing-Stars ( the early prototypes had "issues")
I provided them with 2 versions of "Virtual" Kool Shade for Chinese Firm; both modified, with no back-fills ... etc.
One that could the Rapid Prototyped with Stereolithography, the other could be created with CNC milling.
The second was more suited for injection molding, manufacture which EFX was considering, at the time, for this project
I am curious which they ended up using.
Great Posts by the way!
Last edited by greeble_gremlin; Sep 5, 2012 at 8:43 PM.
The first Render is of accurately modeled 1970s Kool-Shade with the Braided-Wire and Louvers
These were some "renders of the first version of "Virtual" Kool-Shade ( 3D/Cad Kool-Shade)
It has been "back-filled for casting and has Limited Undercuts that can be pulled for silicone rubber.
The second version ( not shown) intended for injection molding processes- has no undercuts including the Braided Wire
Your pictures look like they may have used the latter.
but it's hard to tell from the pics
Nice Job on those decals Jason!
I'm glad Efx is paying attention to so many details
I'm stoked for this one!
Last edited by greeble_gremlin; Sep 6, 2012 at 1:05 AM.
I saw this and spoke to Brian at C VI and it looked amazing. The only thing he told me that others haven't mentioned so far is that they replaced the pilot figure that Gentle Giant sculpted with the original Harrier pilot that was used on the original SS model from the film.
Personally, I'd like to have both pilot versions available so I can display it either way. As far as the pilot goes, I'm not looking for posterity so I'd prefer the GG sculpt over the Harrier pilot version myself.
There is a photo of the Harrier pilot in an earlier post - http://www.therpf.com/f10/efx-tie-fi...ml#post2402644bighead5 said:
Due to the way the thing is constructed, having optional pilots just wasn't.......an option. The canopy frame is glued in place and the rear hatch, though removable for changing the engine battery, doesn't allow access to the front of the cockpit ball.
Ultimately, Bryan chose to go with injection molding the entire wing structure as a single piece -greeble_gremlin said:
This is a raw part that the factory sent to Bryan about a year ago (I think). They didn't bother to water cool the part as it came out of the mold, so it appears a bit warped. But it's neat to see the raw parts -
The production parts are obviously going to be water cooled and straight, as well painted black.
I have some old Koolshade too, and it's a weird material - especially up close. I think this method captures the look of the material even when you are relatively close to it. (I remember painting my Fine Molds TIE solar panels in alternating stripes of gloss black and semi-gloss black to get that look.)
Gene
Nice Pictures!
Thanks for posting them.
I'm glad they made the changes and improvements to the Wings.
I got to examine the CAD files of the "early" version of the wing design.
This is definitely an improvement.
I agree The Kool-shade is a lot better in this version too... the first approach was too simple and all wrong in the shapes and spacing.
It looks as if EFX took "to heart " -- to all the input from you guys; Gene, Steve, John etc.
Thank goodness for your expertise on this subject
Woo Hoo!
I hope an X-1 TIE is on EFX's "radar screen"
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