Ban Dai Imperial Royal Guard TIE Interceptor-COMPLETED

[AeroplaneDriver]

And now for something completely different....



Pretty much all of my builds for the past year have been 1/48 aircraft.  Time for a little change of pace....

I've had this kit for a while, and the engineering looks superb, even though it is a 'snap together', it's certainly not your father's snap together kit. 

For a long time (oh....since before you were born...?) I have had an idea for a TIE Interceptor build with a little bit of a color variation....

The pilot's flight suit may give a hint as to this TIE's very special role in the Imperial fleet...

[PR19_Kit]

For a long time (oh....since before you were born...?)

I don't think so..................... 

[AeroplaneDriver]

That was just me sneaking in a reference to an Obi Wan quote. 

[AeroplaneDriver]

This little kit is going together nicely.  Everything just snaps into place with no cement (though I am using some in areas).   Cockpit pod is done...not much visible when it's assembled so not going overboard.  Overall gray Tamiya primer with some details picked out in black, red, and metallic.  Kit comes with decals for the triangular panels with some red displays. 

The pilot is wearing the scarlet flight suit of Palpatine's elite "Redbird" squadron, the squadron of hand-picked pilots who fly the modified TIE Interceptors that serve as Palpatines personal escort squadron. 

[Mossie]

Royal Guard TIE Interceptor, nice.

[AeroplaneDriver]

At the height of the Empire Palpatine allowed himself to believe that the people of the galaxy adored him and were grateful for the peace and order he had brought to them with his empire. 

But a leader, no matter how beloved must be careful, so he always travelled with a fighter escort.  The Emperor took great pride in looking out the viewports of his personal shuttle to see his "Redbird" squadron escorting him.  Officially known as the 66th Royal Escort Squadron, Redbird pilots were hand selected by the Palpatine and trained personally by Darth Vader.

The "Redbird" nickname came from the Royal Scarlet color of the squadron's TIE Interceptors.  The TIEs used by the 66th Sqn were heavily upgraded compared to normal fleet fighters.  These upgrades included advanced sensors and targeting systems, activation of the two hull-mounted cannon, for a total of six, a hyperdrive unit, and advanced shield generators. 

Needless to say, the cockpit of a Redbird TIE was the ultimate goal of virtually every fighter pilot in the Imperial Navy.

As the Rebellion grew in strength and reach Palpatine reluctantly, and unusually, yielded to advisors who, concerned about signaling the Emperors location, asked that he sacrifice the distinctive Royal Guard red for normal fleet markings for his escorts.  Even so a small number were retained for ceremonial duties in the tightly controlled and protected space close to the Coruscant system. 






It's hard to describe how much I enjoyed this kit.  27 hours start to finish.  Engineering is really top notch.  The only glue on it is for on one of the solar 'wings' that didn't want to stay together quite tight enough.  I'll definitely be getting some more of these BanDai Star Wars kits!! 

Better pics tomorrow.  I preshaded with Gunship Gray and I'm really happy with the effect, but it isn't showing up in these two pics. 

[AeroplaneDriver]

As promised here are a couple of better pics...

[NARSES2]

Come out well Nick 

Always had a soft spot for Bandai back in the day, but don't think I've built anything since I did some armour in the 70's

[Mossie]

Looks good, nice to add a splash of colour to Imperial kit.

I need to break out my Bandai astromech set.

[PR19_Kit]

Just a slight change in the shade of red and you've got a Red Arrows TIE fighter.......... 

[nighthunter]

I need to break out my Bandai astromech set.

I need to get a set, eventually, my wife and I have our own astromechs, mine: R3-DU "Deuce", and hers is: R5-C4 "Boomer"

[su27rules]