Fine Molds Advanced/Darth Vader T.I.E.

[PetarB]

We know the difference, we know the main protagonists from ANH - the XWF, YWF, TIE ships and Falcon - had been built in 1/24 scale.

That's a very interesting statement. Can you tell me where you got this information from? I'd like to take a look myself.

 

[robn1]

Every period interview I've read says that the models were built in 1/16. Having seen some on display I'd say the Falcon and TIEs are 1/16, though the TIEs and other fighters have 1/24 pilots. The Xs and Ys seem too small for 1/16, I've always felt 1/24 made more sense. If you look at the X-Wing model and it's pilot, and compare to the full size version with people next to it, the proportions seem to match up.

As for scales of the pilots, I've seen many kits labeled as 1/24 but the figures varied in size. Some seem to be 1/25 or so, just a bit smaller than 1/24. Of course those could be 1/24 representations of shorter people (Luke and Wedge?)

 

[Darth Humorous]

I do not care what the ILM model builders say in interviews, the original Falcon is neither 1/16 nor 1/24. It is closer to 1/22, regardless what they THOUGHT they were building it to.

Mark

 

[JMChladek]

In conclusion, the studio models weren't really built to a pinned down scale. As such, the LFL sizes work about as well as any other logic in determining what "scale" the models were. And as such, they work well enough for use to determine the scale listings on Fine Molds kits.

Your own mileage may vary of course. Built I'll just go by those sizes of the kits for the most part and not worry too much otherwise. Naturally if one is doing a studio model replica, then the scale is not really a factor as the sizes of the sub assemblies and greeblies used will drive the ultimate size and measurements of the replica.

 

[danikin72]

Either way at the end of the day...finemolds 1/72 sw kits are too small for me.

All good arguments aside.
I still say 1/48 or 1/35 are the way to go, both with detail and presentation.
The only thing 1/72 is good for is dioramas. IMHO of coarse.

 

[Jeeves]

I'd say that in general 1/72 is smaller than I'd like, but the crispness, detail, and engineering on these kits make them display much bigger. The finemolds TIE is really a fantastic looking kit, and a nice buildup makes you forget the scale.

Would I like one in 1/35? HECK YEAH! but still, as it stands, I would not discount the kits due to their scale - IMHO.

-Raj

 

[JMChladek]

BTW, the original MPC Vader's TIE kit is about 1/36 scale (using the LFL size references). So, at least there is one TIE kit out there in something close to 1/35 scale. It makes sense actually since most model kit parts of the period were tooled from 2X sized patterns and pantagraphed down. So, if the original TIE studio models were done to about 1/16 size, scale that down by half and you get 1/32 scale (or slightly smaller).

I concur about the FineMolds details. Look at them up close and they are so crisp, almost like a Faberge Egg. They literally are works of art when finished properly with a mild wash to pop out all that detail.