AeroplaneDriver Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 I'm glad I stumbles across this GB! I got back into the hobby a little over a year ago after a break of about 7 years. Previously I was almost exclusively building What If? models, and I still enjoy them with 6 of the 18 builds I've completed since getting back into modeling being speculative. My last What If is a Tamiya Meteor F.3 built as a 1946 USAAF P-74. That one was a two-week build that I finished on March2nd, so it's not eligible here, but I did immediately begin a nice easy build of a Bandai 1/72 TIE Interceptor. I guess this one counts as both Sci-Fi and a What If? since it's in a paint scheme not seen in the movies. I can't say enough good about this kit. It took about 27 elapsed hours from start to finish, most of that spent painting. Assembly is all press fit and the engineering is remarkable. Starting out... Naturally the Royal Guard Pilots wear red instead of black... Not much visible when complete to I didn't spend much time on the cockpit. decals are provided for the black triangular screens around the pod. Not many other interesting build pics since it was quickie...so on to the finished article.... 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 (edited) Very cool! The Ace Tie Interceptor is one of my go-to's in the X-Wing tabletop game... Great build! Well done! Regards, Don Edited March 7, 2019 by Don Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Cute little guys, sure didn't take long to get that guy done! Nice job!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 Nice job on the build. Those Tie Interceptors look good in red. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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