Star Wars 1/72

Tie Fighter

Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Seals

1/72 Tie Fighter - Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

1/72 Tie Fighter (1/6) 1/72 Tie Fighter (2/6) 1/72 Tie Fighter (3/6) 1/72 Tie Fighter (4/6) 1/72 Tie Fighter (5/6) 1/72 Tie Fighter (6/6)

1/72 Tie Fighter - Top, bottom, front, and rear details of the cockpit section. (1/4) 1/72 Tie Fighter - Top, bottom, front, and rear details of the cockpit section. (2/4) 1/72 Tie Fighter - Top, bottom, front, and rear details of the cockpit section. (3/4) 1/72 Tie Fighter - Top, bottom, front, and rear details of the cockpit section. (4/4)

Top, bottom, front, and rear details of the cockpit section.

1/72 Tie Fighter - Detail of the solar panel center section. The panel lining is a bit messy, but it looks great from a 1/72 Tie Fighter - Detail of the solar panel center section. The panel lining is a bit messy, but it looks great from a

Detail of the solar panel center section.
The panel lining is a bit messy, but it looks great from a distance, so it's fine. ^^;

1/72 Tie Fighter - Close-up shot of the solar panels. The molding is super dense~.

Close-up shot of the solar panels.
The molding is super dense~.

1/72 Tie Fighter - Just like the Tie Advanced X1, removing the bottom cover reveals the internal gimmick.

Just like the Tie Advanced X1, removing the bottom cover reveals the internal gimmick.

1/72 Tie Fighter - The seals and layout inside the cockpit are the same as the Tie Advanced X1. (1/2) 1/72 Tie Fighter - The seals and layout inside the cockpit are the same as the Tie Advanced X1. (2/2)

The seals and layout inside the cockpit are the same as the Tie Advanced X1.

1/72 Tie Fighter - The top/front covers also give you the same choice as the Tie Advanced X1 — clear parts with seals, o 1/72 Tie Fighter - The top/front covers also give you the same choice as the Tie Advanced X1 — clear parts with seals, o

The top/front covers also give you the same choice as the Tie Advanced X1 —
you can choose between clear parts with seals, or perforated plastic parts.
And just like before, the clear parts with seals slapped on look pretty rough.. You'd honestly be better off just painting them.

1/72 Tie Fighter - Yet another new style of Death Star base stand is included.

Yet another new style of Death Star base stand is included.

1/72 Tie Fighter - Pilot figure.

Pilot figure.

1/72 Tie Fighter - Posed with the laser cannon effect parts. (1/3) 1/72 Tie Fighter - Posed with the laser cannon effect parts. (2/3) 1/72 Tie Fighter - Posed with the laser cannon effect parts. (3/3)

Posed with the laser cannon effect parts.

1/72 Tie Fighter - Together with the Tie Advanced X1.

Together with the Tie Advanced X1.

1/72 Tie Fighter - Together with the X-Wing.

Together with the X-Wing.

1/72 Tie Fighter - Together with the Stormtrooper.

Together with the Stormtrooper.

1/72 Tie Fighter - Straight build (1/2) 1/72 Tie Fighter - Straight build (2/2)

Straight build

Following the Tie Advanced X1, the Tie Fighter has now joined Bandai's Star Wars lineup. The Tie Advanced X1 was Darth Vader's personal fighter, while this Tie Fighter is the standard craft flown by regular troops.

Aside from the solar panels, the main body is similar to the Tie Advanced X1, so the cockpit section shares the same parts. Look closely though, and while the interiors are similar, the exteriors have different designs. Either way, the solar panels look so different that it still feels like a completely distinct kit with its own personality.

The large solar panel section has excellent color separation, so even a straight build looks fantastic. That said, just like the previous kits, you'll really want to at least do some panel lining to bring out the detail. On top of that, effect parts to recreate the laser cannon firing scene and a new-style Death Star stand are included, making this a package that stays true to the established formula.

One thing that bugs me — just like with the Tie Advanced X1 — is the front cockpit window and top cover setup. You get to choose between perforated plastic parts or clear parts with seals applied on top, but getting the seals to sit neatly on the clear parts is a real pain, and the result looks pretty rough.. Honestly, just going with the plain perforated plastic looks way better. Unless you're planning to paint it yourself, it's a bit of an awkward solution. It would've been so much nicer if they'd gone with a more premium approach — combining clear parts with a plastic frame — but yeah, it's a bit of a letdown.

That said, this is a high-quality Bandai kit that any Star Wars fan will be more than happy with, so don't hesitate to grab one. :-)

1/72 Tie Fighter | 2015. 2 | ¥2,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.