Yet Another SS TIE Fighter Build

Well, I just barely managed to get this one finished for Wonderfest. I thought I'd share my build.



This is pretty much a straight kit build from Nice-N models with one of his machined armatures.



The wings were built using 'The Eaton Technique' documented extensively on Jason's Facebook page. Plastruct was mitre cut to the proper angles. I had problems doing this so I designed some 'TIE Mitres' in solid works that would hold my razor saw at the proper angles and hit the proper depths.




The TIE ball was a pain in the ass. I didn't sand enough clearance for the armature. Expoy'd it down and has a huge gap. A bunch of aves, a bunch of sanding, and a bunch of rescribing I managed to fix it.



I also replaced the engine tubes with brass tube to avoid light leaks.



Then on to painting. I was aiming for on screen colors. I ended up using an even mix of three citadel air paints.



And I cut myself on a bunch of vintage koolshade.



And mangled to finish the whole thing for WF





Questions and comments are welcome.


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Very cool mare. Cant wait to start on mine but not looking forward to fitting tbe coolshade

I'm not going to lie, the koolshade is a bit nervewracking. Not because its difficult but its got a high 'OMG what if I screw it up' factor.

Best advice for the koolshade is trace out your paper templates. Cut them out. Fit them in the wing stars. Make sure they fit.

Then take your templates and extend them by 1/4" on each side....

Cut them carefully (I had a tip I just put into another thread on the subject). They will be bigger than they need to be.

Then just trim them one side at a time. I actually trimmed one louver on the top or bottom at a time and shifted it (instead of trimming the sides). That way I knew I wasn't trimming too fast.

The best quote of my build was my wife called down to the basement while I was epoxying the wing stars together (sealing in the koolshade).

She said, "Are you busy?"

I said, "I'm gluing my $600 material to my $600 model. Is it important?"

She said, "Never mind...."

Turned out great!

Looks the business, great work, what's it's wing span in inches please.

I will measure when I get it back. Its at a friend's house (who brought it back from WF for me...)

Looks great. Colour looks fine too, warmish grey to cool grey depending on the light. :thumbsup :thumbsup
Wish I had some Koolshade for mine...

Please can you tell me the armature thickness and the ball size, thanks.