So I've been working on and off on my Tie Fighter for about 6 years now. Most of that time has been research and kit collecting. Last year I finally started work on construction of the master patterns. I plan to mold the whole thing so that down the road I can make an Interceptor and a X-1 to go along with my standard TIE. Also, this will be a New Hope Version. At least that's the idea, there seems to be a lot more reference for the later TIEs, so if you see anything wrong let me know.
The first thing I started was the wing pylons. I started with the smaller ones, closest to the wings. it wasn't until I finished the patterns that I realized the smaller ones were probably a cut down version of the larger ones (the ones touching the hull).
I started with a block of Renshape. Renshape, for those who don't know, is a super dense foam. It is or was a standard building material in the F/X business.
After I finished the master pattern I molded the master and cast up my first real part of my TIE Fighter. The two halves are the master and the one assembled piece is the cast parts glued together.
My next part to tackle was the larger wing pylons. I basically used the same technique on the larger pylons.
I didn't really plan out my construction, so I kind of jumped around from section to section. Next on the list was the tail end/ rear pylon cover. I started with a big block of urethane resin, chucked it up in the lathe and started shaping it down. My first pass was to get the outside diameter correct.
Next was to get the inside diameter correct.
After I was happy with the ID and the OD I shaped the outer and inner walls.
After I had the part separated from the block and the laser cut assembly of parts fit for the inner piece I started detailing the cover. It was at this point that I realized I had gotten some numbers wrong and the inner disk (the grey part) was too deep and the inner walls were too steep. Welp... back to the drawing board.
Next on my list was to start the armature. I started with the central aluminum piece. I had a piece of 1 1/4" stock that I turned down to fit inside my 1 1/4" OD pipe.
Here's the central piece finished.
And here it is attached to the outer pipes.
And as with the rest of this build, It took me three tries to get this part right. Gahh!
I'm now starting on machining the balls that make up the main hull. Man acrylic is brittle!
So that's where I'm at now. I took a break over the holidays but I plan on getting back to the construction soon. I'm a bit stuck on some parts though and was hoping some people who are better at the I.D.s than I am can help me out. For now I'm concentrating on the main hull and the wing stars, there's other areas I'll need help with, like the inner dash, Ceiling and wing arms. The color highlighted parts are the ones I can't seam to find. The green part I know, the red part looks right to me but I'm not sure and the blue and orange parts I have no idea. except that the orange parts look like part of a gun. I thought they might be ships guns but I've poured over my kits and any kit scans I can find with no luck.
I'm also stuck on these parts on the wing. They are highlighted in red with a number next to the parts I don't know. I've included a non highlighted picture for clarification. I'd really appreciate any help that anyone can offer. I'm open to hints and educated guesses. If anyone has claim on the photos I've borrowed and wants me to take them down just IM me. Thanks
The first thing I started was the wing pylons. I started with the smaller ones, closest to the wings. it wasn't until I finished the patterns that I realized the smaller ones were probably a cut down version of the larger ones (the ones touching the hull).
I started with a block of Renshape. Renshape, for those who don't know, is a super dense foam. It is or was a standard building material in the F/X business.
After I finished the master pattern I molded the master and cast up my first real part of my TIE Fighter. The two halves are the master and the one assembled piece is the cast parts glued together.
My next part to tackle was the larger wing pylons. I basically used the same technique on the larger pylons.
I didn't really plan out my construction, so I kind of jumped around from section to section. Next on the list was the tail end/ rear pylon cover. I started with a big block of urethane resin, chucked it up in the lathe and started shaping it down. My first pass was to get the outside diameter correct.
Next was to get the inside diameter correct.
After I was happy with the ID and the OD I shaped the outer and inner walls.
After I had the part separated from the block and the laser cut assembly of parts fit for the inner piece I started detailing the cover. It was at this point that I realized I had gotten some numbers wrong and the inner disk (the grey part) was too deep and the inner walls were too steep. Welp... back to the drawing board.
Next on my list was to start the armature. I started with the central aluminum piece. I had a piece of 1 1/4" stock that I turned down to fit inside my 1 1/4" OD pipe.
Here's the central piece finished.
And here it is attached to the outer pipes.
And as with the rest of this build, It took me three tries to get this part right. Gahh!
I'm now starting on machining the balls that make up the main hull. Man acrylic is brittle!
So that's where I'm at now. I took a break over the holidays but I plan on getting back to the construction soon. I'm a bit stuck on some parts though and was hoping some people who are better at the I.D.s than I am can help me out. For now I'm concentrating on the main hull and the wing stars, there's other areas I'll need help with, like the inner dash, Ceiling and wing arms. The color highlighted parts are the ones I can't seam to find. The green part I know, the red part looks right to me but I'm not sure and the blue and orange parts I have no idea. except that the orange parts look like part of a gun. I thought they might be ships guns but I've poured over my kits and any kit scans I can find with no luck.
I'm also stuck on these parts on the wing. They are highlighted in red with a number next to the parts I don't know. I've included a non highlighted picture for clarification. I'd really appreciate any help that anyone can offer. I'm open to hints and educated guesses. If anyone has claim on the photos I've borrowed and wants me to take them down just IM me. Thanks
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