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Wolfgang Bittermann's
Darth Vader TIE Fighter

Once I was asked if I cant translate the describtion I wrote for my Darth Vader`s Tie Fighter Model. But my english is too poor ! My friends Robin and Alexandra  made this translation. The pictures of the model were made with a friends new digital camera. ( Thank you Bernd! ). These Pictures were exclusivly shot for the great "culttvman`s modeling site" and cant be seen  anywhere else. I hope you like the pics and dont miss to visit my own  homepage with more than 150 SF models built by german modelers www.phoxim.de

I  already built another of those classic AMT/ertl model kits back in 1979. This time I have taken more care to assemble it. Its perfectly die-casted  parts fit together very well but nevertheless I made some adjustments to  the model.

For  a start you should look for some good pictures taken of the actual ILM  Studio Model. The book "Star Wars Chronicles" will suit this purpose  well. Unfortunately it was only published in a limited edition which makes  it quite expensive and hard to find. Alternatively the CD-ROM "Behind the Magic" is very recommendable.

On the CD-ROM you will find brilliant pictures of most Star Wars props and  vehicles. A small selection of pictures can be found on www.phoxim.de in the category "Studio Modelle". Originally I planned to construct a  highly detailed cockpit interior. Shortly before I read an article in a  model magazine about a model constructor who did this work before and who failed utterly.

When his model was finished one could hardly see the additional panels and  lightwaveconductors that this guy glued in. As a result of that I skipped  that part completely. The same applies to the Darth Vader miniature  because it is nearly impossible to see aswell.

Concerning the colors I used different shades of grey. The solarpanels on the wings are matt black. I parted with the idea of ageing the model because  obviously this fighter is a prototype and did not see action too often.

 A further characteristic of this model is the damage to the left wing. This was caused by a collision with a Tie-Fighter in the tunnel of the  Death Star. In the book "The Star Wars Archives" you will find a good  picture of the damaged wing, I used this picture as an example for my model. In the movie the damaged model was used for those scenes only, in which Darth Vader's fighter spinned through space after the collision.

I  decorated the access hatch with a few additional panels and drillings and replaced some panels with new ones. (You will have noticed the typical T-shaped panels at the model's front!) . Some minor detailing was done on the left and right side next to the window as well.

More Pics of that model can be seen at www.phoxim.de.  I started that homepage back in 1999 inspired by sites like "culttvman"  and "starship modeler". Meanwhile there are more than 150 cool  SF / Fantasy / Figure models built by german modelers. you will not understand anything cause the site is in german only but I am sure you  will love the content and the pics. The site is easy to navigate.

Discuss these and other models in the CultTVman Fantastic Modeling Forum

©1997-2006 Stephen J. Iverson. Other material copyright of original owner. No material (images or text) may be reproduced without permission of Stephen Iverson and original copyright owner. Additional copyright and legal information

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