WIP: Bandai 1/72 X-wing

To go along with Vader and his wingmen, my client is also having Luke Skywalker's X-wing commissioned as well. The four models will complete the iconic 'trench run' scene from the original Star Wars.

After spraying the interior of the cockpit Tamiya Medium Blue (XF-18), I glued the two parts of the top of the fuselage together. The glue is entirely optional as this is a snap together kit, but it helps close any gaps along the side panels (all of the red parts and some of the white parts are individual pieces). After the glue dries for a couple of hours, I will put the canopy on and then the ship will be ready for primer.

WIP: Darth Vader and Black Squadron TIEs

I'm nearing completion of the first phase of my Star Wars models commission. These three TIE fighters will be displayed chasing down Luke Skywalker in his Red 5 X-wing. I haven't been making a detailed build log of this project, but I have snapped a few pictures here and there to share with my client.

Hobby Talk: TIE fighter coloration

Let's talk about TIE fighter coloration.

Here we have a TIE/ln fighter and Vader's TIE/x1. Both craft were primed with Alclad grey primer and preshaded using Tamiya Rubber Black (XF-85). The TIE/ln was give a base color of Tamiya Sky Grey (XF-19), which is a fairly neutral light grey color. The details were then picked out with Neutral Grey. Vader's TIE was given a base color of a 1:1 mix of Tamiya Ocean Gray 2 (XF-82) and Flat White (XF-2). The result is a cool, blue-grey very similar to the color haze grey used on modern USN ships

By doing this, we're able to stay with the cool grey color palette of Imperial craft, but still make each ship unique.