[MOC] Separatist Escort Starfighter

[Brickscape]

I created this earlier this year and it's my favorite Star Wars MOC. I'm a big fan of the Separatists and the Geonosians and wanted to do something that fit in with that design aesthetic and the Separatist Escort Starfighter was born...

Click here for more pics.

Background info on the starfighter:

CIS Vespex-Class Escort Starfighter

Commissioned by Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray shortly after the start of the Clone Wars and designed and built by the Huppla Pasa Tisc Shipwrights Collective, Vespex-class fighters serve primarily as escort vessels for Separatist shuttles and supply ships. While he would never admit it, the cowardly Viceroy wasn't willing to trust his security to droids alone as even the most advanced droids have limitations and are no match for a truly gifted pilot. Vespex fighters are usually piloted by members of an elite group of the Geonosian pilot caste but the control systems can be modified for use by other species. The fighter's weapon systems include two pairs of lasers and a pair of ion cannons. The ion cannons can be used in those instances when salvage of a valuable enemy vessel is desired (Gunray never misses an opportunity for profit). Each fighter is also equipped with an auxiliary astromech droid socket. Although they are not necessary for operation, astromechs are often employed on long duration missions to prevent pilot fatigue.

The model features a hinged canopy, folding wings, a removable and repositionable hatch for the astromech socket and a small storage compartment (accessed by removing the tail piece).

[JackJonespaw]

Looks really nice! Sort of like the Slave I, but with smaller wings.

[purpleparadox]

Sweet! It looks sturdy and compact, but the roundness is what really makes it stand out. The guns look great too. The astromech is a nice touch! It gives an almost Mandalorian feel but maybe that's just me. Either way, fantastic ship!

[DFOL]

While any resemblance to Slave I escapes me, i do really like this little fighter! With its rounded and curvy design it would not look out of place with any of the official Seperatist fighters or starships, so i think you did a superb job at capturing the design aesthetic.

I can't think of any real points of critisism, but i do have some observations/ideas for you to think about:

• The two cockpit parts leave a gap in the middle. You did quite a decent job at covering it up with cheese slopes, but have you considered filling that gap with something else, like an advanced targeting device for instance? That way you can make the gap look like its there for a purpose, instead of something that needs to be covered up.
  
• It doesn't appear to be a very big craft. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but i recommend not going overboard with the features. I think even in the fictional universe of Star Wars there are probably limitations of what a power supply in such a small craft can handle in terms of weapon systems and engines.
  
• Considering the above, i'd say the ion cannons may be a bit much. But they do look like they could be turned into some nice looking missiles, which would suit a fighter/interceptor craft nearly as well without draining the power supply.
  

Again, great job on this great little fighter! And i hope you find the observations i mentioned useful in some way.

[Admiral-Ackbar]

Fantastic job on this lovely looking fighter, Brickscape! You've brilliantly captured the colour scheme of the Seperatists and also the ship has a slim but at the same time imposing look! Again good job and hope to see more soon!

[Mr Man]

I think this looks like a spaceship version of the Separatist Flicknot speeder. Very good job on it, though you may want to replace the astro droid with a Silver or Blue one.

[Hartfan]

Great MOC in my opinion. Not that big but well detailed.

[Brickscape]

Thanks for all the kind words everyone! As I said, this remains the favorite of my Star Wars MOCs (and maybe of all my MOCs) and I really wanted it to look like it belonged within the Separatist family of craft (along side the Geonosian fighter and Flitknot speeder).

• It doesn't appear to be a very big craft. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but i recommend not going overboard with the features. I think even in the fictional universe of Star Wars there are probably limitations of what a power supply in such a small craft can handle in terms of weapon systems and engines.
  
• Considering the above, i'd say the ion cannons may be a bit much. But they do look like they could be turned into some nice looking missiles, which would suit a fighter/interceptor craft nearly as well without draining the power supply.
  

I totally get what you're saying and here's my two cents:

• The ion cannons are a secondary weapon system included purely for salvaging enemy vessels rather than destroying them. Each fighter's ion cannons are not hugely powerful. In the case of a large salvageable ship, the fighters are meant to act in concert to disable it.
  
• Even if one wants to argue that ions cannons would be a drain no matter what (which is fine with me), that simply provides a solid weakness for this class of ship. In my opinion every ship has to have weaknesses and I'm perfectly happy with Gunray's desire for salvage creating a weakness among his escort ships. There's something a bit poetic about that.
  

I think this looks like a spaceship version of the Separatist Flicknot speeder. Very good job on it, though you may want to replace the astro droid with a Silver or Blue one.

I agree that such a droid would look better with the overall color scheme but I actually wanted a droid that looked a bit more "Geonosian" in color (as the ships were designed, built and often piloted by Geonosians).

[DFOL]

Well met! While i thoroughly enjoy the exchange of ideas and (counter)arguments about your creation, it is clear that have put a lot thought into creating a solid background story for this MOC. In a way that makes the model come "alive", and makes me appreciate it all the more for it.

[Hollander]

Looks good indeed. The cockpit section looks really nice. And I'm a fan of those seperatist decals too, they add detail in a subtle way - not to mention the blue looks good at a (dark) grey background.

Edited July 13, 2012 by Hollander

[Daiman]

I absolutely love this MOC, the size of it is right up my alley and the details are at just the right ammount.

I think the canopy idea will be taken away by me and used in something later on.

I would love to see that astromech cover sliding and my mind is churning over as I type...

[Bob De Quatre]

The blue and gray work well together. Love the overall shape of the ship.

I'm imagining a capital ship with lots of this small fighter emerging from the sides...

[ETAV8R]

Well done

What is the upper canopy piece from? I don't recognize it.

[DFOL]

Well done

What is the upper canopy piece from? I don't recognize it.

It is this piece, tilted 90 degrees forward.