Bandai 1/72 TIE striker

Courtesy Starwars.fandom.com

The TIE/sk x1 experimental air superiority fighter featured flat, pointed wings specially designed for in-atmosphere combat. Thus, it was faster than the standard TIE/ln space superiority starfighter. The TIE striker was able to gain additional speed by curling down its wings, engaging from flight mode to attack mode.

The atmospheric fighter was heavily armed, sporting four pairs of laser barrels and proton bombs that were particularly effective against vehicle units, dealing heavy damage over a large area. The TIE variant was equipped with ArmaTek's VL-61/79 proton bombs, which were deployed from a proton bomb chute fitted upon the armored hull of the craft's underside.

Although its intended role was as an atmospheric fighter, it could also be used as a starfighter to some extent, and accompany standard TIE fighters. However, the attributes that made the striker a useful atmospheric fighter made it less than ideal in space.

The TIE striker could be further modified with lightweight frames, thus allowing for an increased speed. The craft was also useful for shifting supplies and personnel from orbit to the planet surface, thanks to a larger central pod.

The TIE striker's wings were unusually shaped for a TIE fighter; their shape helped increase the fighter's VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) capacity.

The top opening box contains four sprues in three bags of five sprues. Two sprues are multi-colored! Detail is very crisp and many of the parts have oversized pins and deep sockets that don’t require glue, making for easier assembly by novice builders. The wing panels are trapped inside outer frame pieces. 61 parts go into the model and six parts make the stand.

Instructions are on a three-fold sheet 10” by 24” and consist of four steps, including the stand. Each step has several sub-steps. The paint and marking scheme gives another nod to novices in the form of markings available--either peel and stick, or water slide decals. Specific brands of paint are not called out, but acrylics are recommended and mixing formulas given.

Much attention has been paid to making assembly as easy as possible, but it is not a quick build. I looks like no filler or filing will be necessary. I also think the cockpit stickers are very useful and make short work of that area. This should be a worthwhile project.

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