Attention: BANDAI will stop selling kits outside Japan

[modelguts]

Product detail pages are up for the First Order TIE and R2/BB-8. Google translate implies the new R2 is molded differently: "In addition, R2-D2 by gross injection, reproduce the glossy body."

 

[Jaitea]

Product detail pages are up for the First Order TIE and R2/BB-8. Google translate implies the new R2 is molded differently: "In addition, R2-D2 by gross injection, reproduce the glossy body."

Hopefully a 1 piece dome with a better metallic??

EDIT:,,,,,no you can still see the join

J

 

[modelguts]

Hopefully a 1 piece dome with a better metallic?? EDIT:,,,,,no you can still see the join

Bandai's first R2 release really should have included optional chrome-plated dome parts.

 

[astroboy]

Seriously? I just ordered the old r2 two days ago!!!

 

[Jaitea]

Bandai's first R2 release really should have included optional chrome-plated dome parts.

....it's a pity they didn't improve on that main gripe,...the big join of the two halves on the main focal point of the figure......

J

 

[Hunk a Junk]

It looks like JJ's designers decided the twin ion engines on the TIE are no longer necessary. I guess the hexagon-shaped port on the back is the engine.

http://bandai-hobby.net/sw/products/ep07_force/mc/mc03.html

 

[DanielB]

It looks like JJ's designers decided the twin ion engines on the TIE are no longer necessary. I guess the hexagon-shaped port on the back is the engine.

http://bandai-hobby.net/sw/products/ep07_force/mc/mc03.html

Nah, they're just top and bottom now.

 

[robn1]

There are a number of red light sources on the rear of the TIE, but apparently no detail for them on the Bandai kit.

These two are from a Disney attraction preview, but I'm sure they're based on the film version.

 

[Hunk a Junk]

Nah, they're just top and bottom now.

http://i.imgur.com/R4efOum.jpg

Ah. On the kit it's hard to tell those are "engines." If the other red light sources are also "engines" and not just running lights of some kind, would that make these H.I.E. (Hex Ion Engine) fighters? :wacko

I like TIE fighters as much as the next nerd, but I really wish JJ would've done something different and new. X-Wings, the Falcon, TIEs, Death Star superweapon -- it's looking like this movie is just going to be a "greatest hits of the OT" reboot.

 

[modelguts]

I like TIE fighters as much as the next nerd, but I really wish JJ would've done something different and new. X-Wings, the Falcon, TIEs, Death Star superweapon -- it's looking like this movie is just going to be a "greatest hits of the OT" reboot.

The SW OT went from TIE fighter to the bomber to the interceptor, so the new sequels' designs should have evolved from the interceptor, really. Disney/JJ probably didn't consider them an audience draw like the classic TIE design (instead, adding WTF gears to the wings of the 'special forces' fighter).

 

[Jaitea]

It is a bit of a mystery although in the Bandai pic of the rear of the TIE.....it could be just the lighting,....but where an OT TIE had its engines,...are there slots/openings?

J

 

[modelguts]

It is a bit of a mystery although in the Bandai pic of the rear of the TIE.....it could be just the lighting,....but where an OT TIE had its engines,...are there slots/openings?

Looking at a photo of the Disney die cast toy, and the frame grabs posted above, it seems the slots are maneuvering or booster thrusters, with the standard ion engines arranged vertically. Which means the slots are a lighting nightmare...perhaps impossibility...at 1/72.

 

[Galactican]

I agree. It looks as if the lights are emitted through the slots upwards and downwards.

 

[Robiwon]

Hmm, the new TIE is black in the movie and the model is black. The model is not represented in a flying mode so on the model the engines are not lit.

(Sits back to drink morning coffee...)

 

[astroboy]

Thrusters always felt like an afterthought on the tie

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

 

[modelguts]

Thrusters always felt like an afterthought on the tie

Whatever gives Abrams more lens flare opportunities.

 

[E Williams]

Ordered the new X-wing and Falcon on the 4th from an Amazon seller... they arrived today (standard shipping). Less than 3 weeks from Japan is not bad at all!

 

[Jun Austria]

Ordered the new X-wing and Falcon on the 4th from an Amazon seller... they arrived today (standard shipping). Less than 3 weeks from Japan is not bad at all!

Yep. Even with the restrictions. We still able to collect this beauties. Mine arrived in 6 days from Japan to Brunei.

 

[dbarnblatt]

Bandai's first R2 release really should have included optional chrome-plated dome parts.

R2 has more of a luster steel or aluminum type of look. Tamiya does this sort of paint finish for the wheels on their car kits. An Alclad lacquer would be perfect for this.

If you've had a close look at the kit, it really is an ingenious design in the way the dome parts go together. I don't think it could have been designed as whole piece and still have the space to fit all of the parts, as they are fit from the inside of the dome.

 

[E Williams]

R2 has more of a luster steel or aluminum type of look. Tamiya does this sort of paint finish for the wheels on their car kits. An Alclad lacquer would be perfect for this.

If you've had a close look at the kit, it really is an ingenious design in the way the dome parts go together. I don't think it could have been designed as whole piece and still have the space to fit all of the parts, as they are fit from the inside of the dome.

Yeah, the dome is designed really well. Also, if you want to sand the seam and paint it, you don't even have to mask anything -- just modify a few tabs on the inside and on the blue inserts so that they can be added after the dome halves are glued together.