(8087) TIE/d Defender - Modded

[H_Solo]

I wanted to mod the 8087 Defender for quite a long time now! The ship is one of my favorite imperial ships (besides the glorious Tie-Bomber).

So I went ahead and build on the base LEGO set for this model... I didn't want to open up my 75082, I had in stock for modding a TIE (perhaps I can tackle that Vaders TIE Advanced project now...) but use most of the parts from the original set just modding it in every direction possible...

First I took the wings and made them longer and sturdier, no more flick-fire missiles, but different kinds of cannons all over the place. I lost the turning-action and beefed up the engine-section and pylons to get more stability, finally I went over the cockpit making it sleeker and more like an "attached bubble" to the engine section.

I think it didn't went all bad there... what do you think?

Edited February 7, 2016 by H_Solo

[Reputator]

Beefy is right! That ship looks like it has some serious muscle behind it. I like that you extended the wings back a little bit to improve the accuracy. It certainly makes my small modifications look lazy in comparison!

Did you add any controls for the pilot? What did you do to strengthen the cockpit hinge, if anything? The original was notoriously fragile.

[bootz]

I'd like to eventually rebuild mine with the cockpit from 75082, the new pieces would help to give it more of a rounded look.

[Vectormatic]

That looks pretty damn good, much much much improved from the rather lackluster stock set.

[BigEl]

The front and back view looks so weird, but all other angles make this design impressive in terms of bulk and agressive appearance, especially from the angled front/side view!

Great work and always nice to see that less prominent designs get attention from Modders and Mocers as well

[ikba]

I love the MOC! The original looked like it was going to fall appart at any moment, this looks wonderfully robust. Good job!

[ChiefPie]

Very cool! It makes me want to fix my defender.

[momoe]

Your MOC looks great. Any possibility of beefing-up (doubling the tri-spoke Technic prop perhaps?) the spin action?

[Sucram]

bootz is right! You should bricklink the 75082 windshield and canopy and maybe potentionally completely redesign the cockpit. It may be a bit of work, but those pieces are LEAGUES better than the original TIE cockpit piece. i still think you did a marvellous job with what you had.

[H_Solo]

Thank you all very much for your feedback.

I have some parts comig in via Bricklink and I'll address some of the issues ASAP... I'll keep you posted...

[Ellisss_]

Nice mods. I agree with BigEl it looks strange from the front and back. Great added details!

[H_Solo]

After receiving the first new parts from Bricklink I started again on friday. Soon realizing, that some proportions didn't really add up - so I redid the whole thing at saturday, really starting from scratch... I expanded the outer wings by one stud each, slimmed down the pylons as much as possible and added other details around the ship (but doing so even lowering the total piece count, which is always a good thing!)

Here it is again... the TIE/d Defender:

Here you can see the modular built of the ship... it can be easily pulled apart for transport or storage.

Some details of the different parts:

Edited February 14, 2016 by H_Solo

[Forresto]

Woah this looks so much better then TLG's version! Ive never been a big fan of the Defender's design in general, just feel ambivalent about it, but yours is rather impressive. With your latest change I feel like my tie intercepteor is woefully inadequate :D

[appiah4]

Absolutely perfect.

[Kylo Ren]

Nice model, even though I'm not a fan of the design of that TIE.

[appiah4]

Instructions or at least a parts list for those of us who would like to bricklink that beauty would be great..