Bandai release schedule

I usually get my Bandai stuff in 2-3 weeks from Japan via Amazon

Check all the sellers for a kit on Amazon. Some of them are eligible for Prime, "Fulfillment by Amazon", so you can get them in 2 days if you're in a hurry. They're usually a little higher than the straight from Japan "free shipping" kits, but there's no wait and you can complain straight to Amazon if there's a problem.

I've had good luck from hobby_japan on eBay as well. I usually get kits from them in about 10 days or so, and they combine shipping.
 
I just flipped through the screen caps at https://starwarsscreencaps.com/star-wars-episode-iv-a-new-hope-1977/ (Vader's TIE fighter squadron appears from page 72 onwards), and it's difficult to make out clearly, but there's a blemish that consistently shows up in exactly the same place as one of the "defects" on the TIE panel.

Because this kit is specifically depicting Vader and his wingmen, I think Bandai is actually being hyper-accurate to the screen used studio model here. I have mixed feelings about that, but it's not going to put me off the kit.
Interesting!
 
I can see the 3-5 o'clock segment appears to have some damage in the screenshots, but this doesn't really match the kit flaws. Some of the defect is microscopic. Literally. I've just taken some magnified shots of one more noticeable areas.

DSC_9590.jpg
DSC_9586.jpg
You can see a change in depth of both the horizontals and the verticals in different areas - the verticals become thinner than normal and the horizontals become thicker.
 
Looking at that pic, I still think it is just a flaw in the molds though.

After all, if they did meticulously try to copy damaged koolshade, then why didn't they copy it for the 1/72 Tie Fighter?
 
They didn't copy any of the Millennium Falcon's signature battle damage.
I wish they had done so- of course it does give every builder something to do I suppose.

I can see Bandai adding screen accurate flaws to the 1:144 TIE since it is being sold as a dual kit as Vader's wing man. The instructions probably uses the same data set for rendering the TIE rather than 'recreating the wheel'.
I think sometime later they will release a 'perfect' TIE and TIE/Interceptor dual kit in 1:144.
 
I wish they had done so- of course it does give every builder something to do I suppose.

I can see Bandai adding screen accurate flaws to the 1:144 TIE since it is being sold as a dual kit as Vader's wing man. The instructions probably uses the same data set for rendering the TIE rather than 'recreating the wheel'.
I think sometime later they will release a 'perfect' TIE and TIE/Interceptor dual kit in 1:144.

No where on the box says it has any screen accurate details or battle damage. It makes no sense at all thinking that. Its a blemish, any manufacturer can make a mistake. Now its ironic that Bandai, which I love BTW, comes with some "melted cheese", of the true kind of their own. Irony is a wonderful thing.....
 
I did not say the box described it as screen accurate, it is just rather interesting that the flaw in the TIE wing is an almost perfect match for the flaw on the TIE wing man in the trench scene the kit is supposed to recreate (still missing the third craft though).
Bandai has exceptional product quality control, this is the first flaw in a mold which has been mentioned- that and the fact the instructions show the same flaw makes me think the flaw was intentional since it does reflect the model as filmed.
 
I did not say the box described it as screen accurate, it is just rather interesting that the flaw in the TIE wing is an almost perfect match for the flaw on the TIE wing man in the trench scene the kit is supposed to recreate (still missing the third craft though).
Bandai has exceptional product quality control, this is the first flaw in a mold which has been mentioned- that and the fact the instructions show the same flaw makes me think the flaw was intentional since it does reflect the model as filmed.
I do understand your argument. That said, any company who cares about their reputation should than advertise it as screen accurate/battle damaged/ prop replica.

Than again, this is Japanese culture we are talking about... tenticle porn and all that...
 
Nice collection! Did you paint the wall to look like a bluescreen or is it just a coincidence? Because it totally looks like it.
 
@LYNN:

Nice TIE-shelf. Have something similar in mind, when I am finished with getting them ALL. Currently building Vaders, still waiting for a standart for a custom work. Still looking for Striker and FOSpecial Opps :)
 
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Nice collection! Did you paint the wall to look like a bluescreen or is it just a coincidence? Because it totally looks like it.

Thanks! It was on purpose when I used to have my Studio Scale model and movie prop museum in my basement. I sold almost everything to help finance my mid life crisis purchase for a '99 Mustang GT 10 years ago.
Lynn

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@LYNN:

Nice TIE-shelf. Have something similar in mind, when I am finished with getting them ALL. Currently building Vaders, still waiting for a standart for a custom work. Still looking for Striker and FOSpecial Opps :)

Thanks! I just finished up the TFA TIE's during the big snowstorm we had last week.
Lynn
 
The amount of detail is mesmerizing more so considering that scale.I will be buying a few and me consider using them as a guide to pass those details unto a big scale kit like Revell or MPC.

IMHO I wouldn't even waste my time with MPC or Revell any more. I was hesitant about the size of the 1:72 scaled models and them being too small, but now that I have them, I wouldn't have them any way else. They are perfect for an amazing display and they don't take up a lot of room. The 1:144 AT-AT is a perfect scale for a diorama that won't take up a lot of room.
Lynn
 
IMHO I wouldn't even waste my time with MPC or Revell any more. I was hesitant about the size of the 1:72 scaled models and them being too small, but now that I have them, I wouldn't have them any way else. They are perfect for an amazing display and they don't take up a lot of room. The 1:144 AT-AT is a perfect scale for a diorama that won't take up a lot of room.
Lynn
Totally agree. Completely won over by Bandai's 1/72 fighters and 1/144 mid-sized ships. I'll gladly welcome some larger offerings of hero ships like the 1/48 X-Wing.
 

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