Wolfgang Bittermann’s Darth Vader TIE Fighter
From 2001
Once I was asked if I cant translate the description I wrote for my Darth Vader`s Tie Fighter Model. But my English is too poor ! My friends Robin and Alexandra made this translation. The pictures of the model were made with a friends new digital camera. ( Thank you Bernd! ). These Pictures were exclusively shot for the great “CultTVman`s modeling site” and cant be seen anywhere else. I hope you like the pics and dont miss to visit my own homepage with more than 150 SF models built by German modelers www.phoxim.de
I already built another of those classic AMT/ertl model kits back in 1979. This time I have taken more care to assemble it. Its perfectly die-casted parts fit together very well but nevertheless I made some adjustments to the model.
For a start you should look for some good pictures taken of the actual ILM Studio Model. The book “Star Wars Chronicles” will suit this purpose well. Unfortunately it was only published in a limited edition which makes it quite expensive and hard to find. Alternatively the CD-ROM “Behind the Magic” is very recommendable.
On the CD-ROM you will find brilliant pictures of most Star Wars props and vehicles. A small selection of pictures can be found on www.phoxim.de in the category “Studio Modelle”. Originally I planned to construct a highly detailed cockpit interior. Shortly before I read an article in a model magazine about a model constructor who did this work before and who failed utterly.
When his model was finished one could hardly see the additional panels and lightwave conductors that this guy glued in. As a result of that I skipped that part completely. The same applies to the Darth Vader miniature because it is nearly impossible to see aswell.
Concerning the colors I used different shades of grey. The solar panels on the wings are matte black. I parted with the idea of aging the model because obviously this fighter is a prototype and did not see action too often.
A further characteristic of this model is the damage to the left wing. This was caused by a collision with a Tie-Fighter in the tunnel of the Death Star. In the book “The Star Wars Archives” you will find a good picture of the damaged wing, I used this picture as an example for my model. In the movie the damaged model was used for those scenes only, in which Darth Vader’s fighter spinned through space after the collision.
I decorated the access hatch with a few additional panels and drillings and replaced some panels with new ones. (You will have noticed the typical T-shaped panels at the model’s front!) . Some minor detailing was done on the left and right side next to the window as well.
More Pics of that model can be seen at www.phoxim.de. I started that homepage back in 1999 inspired by sites like “CultTVman.” Meanwhile there are more than 150 cool SF / Fantasy / Figure models built by german modelers. you will not understand anything cause the site is in German only but I am sure you will love the content and the pics. The site is easy to navigate.
