UCS TIE Torpedo Bomber

[Walter Kovacs]

This is certainly the most obscure TIE variant I've modeled thus far. Here's a Link giving basic specs. And a few pics that I used as source material: 1 2 3 4 From what I've read, I'm pretty sure it is a fan creation, and is in no way canon. That can be a good thing, as I have the freedom to interpret the design any way I want. The lack of source material is anohter story.

I'm not sure why I chose this model. I was all set to design a TIE Oppressor model, and I was flipping through some pics I had downloaded, when I saw the Torpedo Bomber pics. All of a sudden I could visualize how I would do certain details: the large wing, the strut connecting the cockpit to the wing, the "intakes" above and below the cockpit. Those flashes of inspiration were enough to get me started. So without further ado, I gaive you the TIE Torpedo Bomber:

The one thing that really jumps out at you is that huge, single wing. Here's a Top View. Despite it's large size, there's very little greebling shown in the source pictures. I tried to stay consistant with that, adding some pieces for a little color contrast, and some shapes, but leaving both the top and bottom relatively greeb free. At least the front half. Towards the back I added some greebs just to break up the monotony.

The Side View shows one of the other major components that sets this TIE off from the others. Those huge weapon banks behind the cockpit. The moment I saw those, I knew some Bionicle-type ball joint pieces would work well. Getting that little shield piece attached (I used a 4 x 6 Tile) was tricky, but I liked the final result.

The cockpit itself was a nightmare to design. The front looks like a normal cockpit ball, but then there were those two structures that look like intakes aboce and below it, and they fall off towards the strut at a nice flat slope. So I decided to make the intakes as the main structure, and curve the cockpit ball around them. The end effect is that the sides of the cockpit are built separately, and added to the cockpit framework last. It also means that the interior walls of the cockpit are the underside of the plates, not the stud side. This made for some interesting greebling. I'm sorry I have no pics of this yet. Trust me, it's a bit different. Oh, before I forget I should mention this. The shield generators on the side of the cockpit ball may look a little funny in their connection point. I intend to use a 4 x 4 Round Plate, but no one has authored that part for MLCad yet, and it is WAY beyond my feeble skills to author a part like that. So I am using a 2 x 2 Round Plate as a placeholder. If you ever get a hold of the Parts list, it will be correct. Just wanted to make sure noone jumped all over that detail.

Here is a shot of the Back. The Ion engines came out in the right place, but it gets a bit "gappy" where the strut, engines and intake slope meet. I tried to greeb the strut a little to fill the gaps, but I don't know if it will ever look solid.

Finally I included a pic from down low on the Back Side. This will get you a good look at the greebling on the rear half of the underside of the wing, as well as a different perspective of the cockpit back.

Overall Gallery can be found here.

The design is not complete yet. I still have to run interference checks, organize the model into constructable steps to generate instructions, and add a LOT of structural elements so that the entire thing will hold together. Oh, and construct a completely custom stand for displaying the beast. The facade is finished, so none of what I have left will affect the look of the model, but I probably have 300-400 more piece to add. Lots of 1/2 pins.

As always, Questions, Compliments and Criticisms are more than welcome.

[The Nightwing Reborn]

Now i know why you want some new UCS TIEs. This one is really good but i looked through all your TIEs and that predator is my favorite. We could use some new UCS TIEs if they looked like this!

Keep up the good work!

)Nightwing(

[Dovchenko]

Perfect! I really like your design here! Weird as the ship is I'd certainly fly it. That's because you've made a highly convincing MOC with perfect detail. The only thing that I don't like is that link you sent with the loud loud music! Keep making more... 37's a lot, but I'm definite you can do it. Making UCS ships is your strength obviously. My favourite part of your MOC is the cockpit... like you said, one of the hardest parts. There's just so much detail here, from the side guns to the greebles in the back. Amazing job!

[Walter Kovacs]

Yeah, sorry about the music. To be honest, I forgot it's there, since I almost always have my volume muted. As obscure as this variant is, I wanted to make sure everyone could find some hard data on this ship.

Thanks for your feedback. I'm organizing the MLCad file into steps so that I can generate instructions right now. I'll do a quick render of the cockpit interior when I'm done. Not the best cockpit I've done, but certainly not the worst. And I'll certainly upload the instructions into the gallery when I'm done. Look for them in about a week or two.

Nightwing: You finally recognize the depths of my madness. Mwa-ha-ha-ha. At least there's some madness to my method.

Even though I like the way the Predator came out, I still feel it's only fourth best out of my designs. I think my Scimitar, Defender and Avenger designs are better. I am my own worst critic though, so I could easily be wrong.

[Snake...SNAKE...SNAAAAKE?!]

oi!

try the hammer next!

Well done though!

[Walter Kovacs]

I've added some new images to the gallery. Included in these images is an overall shot with Updated Colors. Most noticable are the Shield generators on the sides of the cockpit, which are only available in Dark Bley.

I've also included an image of the Model on it's Stand. This model is so different from the others I've done in that the Cockpit actually hangs from the Wing above, as opposed to supporting the wings. The Stand reflects this, and was interesting enough to show to everyone.

There are also a few images of the Cockpit Interior. It's always interesting to see the greebs inside the cockpit.

In the Gallery, I've also uploaded the Instructions, should anyone care to take a gander. It's in two files this time, due to the amount of steps needed.

@ Snake: The Hammer is certainly an interesting variant, but will have to wait. I've already started a TIE Clutch/ Shadow / Phantom design. All three follow the same basic wing design, so I should be able to make all three with the same core. The Clutch is about 60% finished right now. Expect their debut in 2-3 weeks.

Edited August 4, 2008 by Walter Kovacs