Here we go with pictures and comments... A lot
What we got.
The solar panels are HUGE ! That's the most part taken in the box.
The pilot is mold in rubber but is fairly painted. The pose is good. THat can be better but since you don't see mutch in the cockpit, I let him this way.
The clear parts are in different bags to avoid any casualties.
Here are the panels. Huge isn't it ? My hand for reference.
THe building notice is precise, with drawing like in the old days.
First thing first. The cockpit. Cut, sand, you put the parts together and you're good.
Still, can't do this part without some glue here and there. Don't want any surprise after the all thing.
Notice that the parts are made to be "unique" and can't be assembled in any other ways than the good one. You really want to check what you do and the snap-fit thing is a good thing here...
The cockpit is clearly the same one than the AMT ERTL model kit. Not a bad thing, simply not accurate with the movie.
Now the "bulb". Notice here that you can't do anything good without tools. Ripping apart the parts with only hands and strength will lead to some horrible fate. Use an X-acto knife or a cutter. You really want to be prudent here.
Here, on the Solar panels, is the rare step when I used a big sand tool to remove some plastic. The other parts are hidden when you assemble the kit. A good point for Revell here.
The weapons are two little parts, pre-painted. That would have been a good thing to do the same for the Ion engines, Revell.
The cockpit is in place, you snap all this together.
Here are the twin Ion engines. A very bad gap here.
The solar panels are not easy to cut. Be extra careful !
The two heavy parts snap together well even though I will use some Tamiya Thin cement in the future to assure the fit even more.
Here it is ! The Tie Fighter is finished.
It was done in less than an hour, 30 minutes if I didn't take the time to take pictures.
I'll see for some updates, with paints and extra parts later. But as is this Tie Fighter is impressive, huge, even though some details are to be improved by a confirmed modeler.
