Exhibtions: TIE Fighters

Brooklyn

TIE Fighter
TIE Interceptor
Lord Vader's Fighter
TIE Bomber

Bradford

TIE Fighter

Sydney

TIE Interceptor
Lord Vader's Fighter
TIE Bomber

Special thanks are due to, alphabetically:

Peter Briggs for the use of his digital camera, directions to Bradford, accommodation and numerous other forms of support during my stay in the UK.
Elwyn Chow for his extensive photo-survey of the props at the Barbican.
Larry Yee for generous provision of his photographic survey of the exhibition in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn

TIE Fighter

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A model of the most common kind TIE fighter, viewed from the front. Some thin raised ridges onthe radiator surfaces are visible in the glossy reflections. Off the right side of this photograph is the right shoulder of a mannequin in the uniform of a TIE pilot.

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	A model of the most common kind TIE fighter, viewed from the front. Some thin raised ridges onthe radiator surfaces are visible in the glossy reflections. Off the right side of this photograph is the right shoulder of a mannequin in the uniform of a TIE pilot.

TIE Interceptor

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The underside of a TIE interceptor. The circular hole in the cockpit bulb is not realistic, it is an attachment point for a model support rod. The two laser cannons on the chin of the cockpit are clearly visible in this picture, as are two of the four wingtip laser cannons. (Unfortunately, the lower two wingtip weapons have been lost from this particular model.)

Starboard side of a TIE interceptor, showing all the details of the outer surface of the starboard wing: the dark radiator surfaces, weaponry, support structures and surrounding mechanisms. The hexagonal hub in the centre of the wing is aligned with the wing's support pylon, and it is essentially identical to the same part on a common TIE fighter.

A view of the TIE interceptor from above. Very fine details of the dorsal surfaces of the cockpit bulb are visible. The upper circular cap is rotated out of its usual position; normally the window stripes are closest to the stern.

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	The underside of a TIE interceptor. The circular hole in the cockpit bulb is not realistic, it is an attachment point for a model support rod. The two laser cannons on the chin of the cockpit are clearly visible in this picture, as are two of the four wingtip laser cannons. (Unfortunately, the lower two wingtip weapons have been lost from this particular model.)
	Starboard side of a TIE interceptor, showing all the details of the outer surface of the starboard wing: the dark radiator surfaces, weaponry, support structures and surrounding mechanisms. The hexagonal hub in the centre of the wing is aligned with the wing's support pylon, and it is essentially identical to the same part on a common TIE fighter.
	A view of the TIE interceptor from above. Very fine details of the dorsal surfaces of the cockpit bulb are visible. The upper circular cap is rotated out of its usual position; normally the window stripes are closest to the stern.

Lord Vader's Fighter

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A detailed overall view of Lord Vader's long-range starfighter, from the forward starboard side.

Somewhat blurry image of the details at the front of the cockpit. The pylons supporting the radiator wings are significantly thicker than those of a standard TIE fighter, implying greater reactor power and consequently greater needs for disposal of waste heat. Some of the piping between the reactor systems and the radiators appear exposed in angular slits on the front faces of the pylons. Perhaps these holes are meant for additional cooling, or perhaps they facilitate access to maintenance-intensive components of this high-performance starship.

A view of the top of the cockpit bulb and the upper surfaces of the radiator wings, as seen from above and to the port side.

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	A detailed overall view of Lord Vader's long-range starfighter, from the forward starboard side.
	Somewhat blurry image of the details at the front of the cockpit. The pylons supporting the radiator wings are significantly thicker than those of a standard TIE fighter, implying greater reactor power and consequently greater needs for disposal of waste heat. Some of the piping between the reactor systems and the radiators appear exposed in angular slits on the front faces of the pylons. Perhaps these holes are meant for additional cooling, or perhaps they facilitate access to maintenance-intensive components of this high-performance starship.
	A view of the top of the cockpit bulb and the upper surfaces of the radiator wings, as seen from above and to the port side.

TIE Bomber

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Front view of a TIE Bomber. The wings are identical to those of Lord Vader's starfighter. The opaque surface inside the cockpit viewport is difficult to interpret as a realistic feature of the bombers seen in the movie; it is just an internal support for the model. The aperture at the front of the portside pod is supposed to be a forward-facing launcher for missiles.

Rear view of a TIE bomber. Interestingly, there are four red dots, two per hull pod, which may each be engines like the two of a TIE fighter. This contradicts the number of engines stated in the spin-off literature. A bomb launcher arm is visible protruding from the underbelly of the bomber.

The upper surfaces of a TIE bomber, showing detail of the two fuselage pods, and the block that connects them.

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	Front view of a TIE Bomber. The wings are identical to those of Lord Vader's starfighter. The opaque surface inside the cockpit viewport is difficult to interpret as a realistic feature of the bombers seen in the movie; it is just an internal support for the model. The aperture at the front of the portside pod is supposed to be a forward-facing launcher for missiles.
	Rear view of a TIE bomber. Interestingly, there are four red dots, two per hull pod, which may each be engines like the two of a TIE fighter. This contradicts the number of engines stated in the spin-off literature. A bomb launcher arm is visible protruding from the underbelly of the bomber.
	The upper surfaces of a TIE bomber, showing detail of the two fuselage pods, and the block that connects them.

Bradford

TIE Fighter

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Close-up view of the detail at the hub of a TIE fighter's starboard radiator wing. This is the large-size TIE model.

Underside view of one of the smaller TIE models, mounted on a rod from behind.

Close-up view of the front of the cockpit ball of a TIE fighter (the model scaled larger).

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	Close-up view of the detail at the hub of a TIE fighter's starboard radiator wing. This is the large-size TIE model.
	Underside view of one of the smaller TIE models, mounted on a rod from behind.
	Close-up view of the front of the cockpit ball of a TIE fighter (the model scaled larger).

Sydney

TIE interceptor

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frontal views

A direct frontal view of TIE interceptor model. There is a laser cannon on each wingtip, two in the boxy section leading each wing hub, and two on the cockpit chin. Some of this model's guns appear broken. The reflective surface visible through the front window is the rod on which the model is presently mounted (through the tail). [22 Dec]

More distant, slightly blurrier, but less flash-affected front view of the interceptor. [21 Dec]

Front details of the upper cockpit. Note the darker, matte appearance of two transverse, hourglass-shaped areas, on opposite sides of the cockpit window. [Jan]

Closer view of the front of the cockpit. Despite reflected camera-flash, details of the wing pylons are well resolved. [Jan]

dorsal surfaces

Rear dorsal surfaces of the TIE interceptor. Note that the lid-like secant section hasn't been installed properly: the four windows should be aligned longitudinally, at the back end. [21 Dec]

Details of the upper lid, resolving individual sections of plating and their bolts. [22 Dec]

Flash-illuminated dorsal rear view, showing the two rounded thruster nozzles and features of the rear hatch. The effects model's mounting rod pokes into the rear window in the middle of this hatch. The thruster nozzles are set in the dark/matte hourglass-shapes corresponding to those on the front side. It seems likely that these areas are the surfaces of the same underlying, interior structure. [22 Dec]

Frontal dorsal view of TIE interceptor. The upper pylon and cockpit details are well resolved. In addition to the hourglass-shaped areas, two more slendersectors above the front window appear in a dark/matte shade. The fenestrations and interior instruments of the cockpit are even darker. [22 Dec]

radiator wing details

The rear areas of the portside radiator wing of a TIE interceptor. The gadgetry around the wing hub, presumably the main components of the radiator heat exchangers, are larger than those on the wings of a TIE fighter. [22 Dec]

Rear topside views of the starboard radiator wing of a TIE interceptor. Note in this light the matte appearance of another thin sector on the cockpit bulb, just aftwards of the upper lid. [22 Dec]

in situ

TIE interceptor model in its display case, as seen from off the portside wing. The lower portside wingtip canon is missing; the upper portside canon is intact. The pattern of pastel-coloured spots is merely the carpet reflected in the display case; it could potentially provide useful 3D reference. [21 Dec]

More or less direct topside views of TIE interceptor, from a vantage far from the display case. These images may be useful for confirming plan measurements of the vessel. The mis-installation of the upper lid is most obvious from this view. [21 Dec]

TIE interceptor display case, in its situation between the B-wing and TIE bomber models. [21 Dec]

Another view of the situation around the TIE interceptor, bomber and B-wing models. The visible vertices of the rectilinear display cases may be compared with their apparent positions in other photos. Potentially, with further study, this would allow stereoscopic calculation of the 3D structures of the models and their environs. [21 Dec]

Another side view of the TIE interceptor display and surroundings, but at a more oblique orientation. [21 Dec]

Lord Vader's Fighter

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Dorsal surfaces of Lord Vader's personal fighter, seen from above and to the starboard side. Fine details of the tail block and webbing are visible. The nozzles of the two upper ion engines are barely visible on the aft fringe of the hull bulb.

A comparable dorsal view taken from the port side. Fine details appear on the panels around the upper cockpit windows, including what may be a few patches of white text. The laser cannons protrude clearly from the cockpit chin.

Dorsal surfaces of Lord Vader's TIE, seen from the front end. The blocky tail is apparent, comprising most of the X1's extra mass compared to the common short-range TIE. Relatively thin, webbed structure joins this tail with the wings and wing pylons.

The deepest ventral view possible due to self-obstructions in the display of Lord Vader's fighter, with a glimpse of some details under the tail and wing pylons.

An illuminated front/ventral view of the fighter. with a few major outlines visible on the underside of the cockpit and the gadgets behind the front window.

Direct frontal view of Lord Vader's TIE, taken without flash so that the shadows highlight relief within the wing pylons and upper hull.

An approximately coplanar view from the front starboard side. The lid-like upper secant of the cockpit casts a deeper shadow on the starboard side: is this a trick of the light or is it displaced to one side?

Somewhat jittery photo taken off the port side of Lord Vader's fighter.

Lord Vader's TIE in its display surroundings. An Imperial pilot costume appears to the right. In this overview of the TIE, the starboard wing seems to be misaligned with the rest of the fighter.

A more distant view of Lord Vader's TIE on display. Here the tilt of the starboard wing is more obvious. Reflections of the lower parts of the wings and hull bulb appear around the model's base.

TIE Bomber

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Rear dorsal view of TIE bomber model. There appears to be a pair of thrusters on each of the hull pods, making a total of four.

Underside of a TIE bomber. Notice the symmetry between the ventral details of the port side and the dorsal features of the starboard side; the ventral features of the starboard side and the dorsal features of the portside. The aperture of the bomb chute (hanging below the port pod) is also visible.

Inside details at the front of the starboard wing, and the area around the cockpit window.

Outside of the starboard wing and cockpit window area.

Direct frontal view of the TIE bomber, photographed from a distance.

Closer frontal view of TIE bomber (unfortunately suffering camera jitter).

Distant plan view of TIE bomber, plus several reflections and shadows cast in the rectangular display case. The starboard (pilot) pod extends further forward than the payload (portside) pod. Red thrusters protrude visibly at the tail ends of both pods.

Oblique front view of TIE bomber, from above.

Shaded view of the underside of a TIE bomber, seen from below. The claws of the front aperture of the payload pod appear sharply.

A flash-illuminated ventral view of TIE bomber. There's something highly reflective around the model's mounting point. Movie storyboards appear in the far background above the model.

Front ventral view of TIE bomber, with two reflections in the perpendicular side walls of the display case. The reflections could potentially be used for natural stereo-photogrammetry using a single photo.

B-wing, TIE interceptor and TIE bomber together in their display context.

Distant view of the TIE bomber beside TIE interceptor in their museum display. The relation between the vertices of their rectilinear cases may one day be used for stereo-photogrammetry.

⇒ TIE Fighters
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Original content is © copyright Dr Curtis Saxton 2001 – 2005.
Online since 8 April 2001.
Last updated 11 December 2005.

This page was constructed and is maintained by Curtis Saxton.
This page is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd.
Original photographs from the NMPFT exhibition, within and linked from this page, are © copyright Curtis Saxton 2001.
Original photographs from the BMoA exhibition, within and linked from this page, are © copyright Larry Yee 2002.
Original photographs from the Powerhouse exhibition, within and linked from this page, are © copyright Curtis Saxton 2001–2005.
This site is kindly hosted by TheForce.net.

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frontal views
	A direct frontal view of TIE interceptor model. There is a laser cannon on each wingtip, two in the boxy section leading each wing hub, and two on the cockpit chin. Some of this model's guns appear broken. The reflective surface visible through the front window is the rod on which the model is presently mounted (through the tail). [22 Dec]
	More distant, slightly blurrier, but less flash-affected front view of the interceptor. [21 Dec]
	Front details of the upper cockpit. Note the darker, matte appearance of two transverse, hourglass-shaped areas, on opposite sides of the cockpit window. [Jan]
	Closer view of the front of the cockpit. Despite reflected camera-flash, details of the wing pylons are well resolved. [Jan]
dorsal surfaces
	Rear dorsal surfaces of the TIE interceptor. Note that the lid-like secant section hasn't been installed properly: the four windows should be aligned longitudinally, at the back end. [21 Dec]
	Details of the upper lid, resolving individual sections of plating and their bolts. [22 Dec]
	Flash-illuminated dorsal rear view, showing the two rounded thruster nozzles and features of the rear hatch. The effects model's mounting rod pokes into the rear window in the middle of this hatch. The thruster nozzles are set in the dark/matte hourglass-shapes corresponding to those on the front side. It seems likely that these areas are the surfaces of the same underlying, interior structure. [22 Dec]
	Frontal dorsal view of TIE interceptor. The upper pylon and cockpit details are well resolved. In addition to the hourglass-shaped areas, two more slendersectors above the front window appear in a dark/matte shade. The fenestrations and interior instruments of the cockpit are even darker. [22 Dec]
radiator wing details
	The rear areas of the portside radiator wing of a TIE interceptor. The gadgetry around the wing hub, presumably the main components of the radiator heat exchangers, are larger than those on the wings of a TIE fighter. [22 Dec]

	Rear topside views of the starboard radiator wing of a TIE interceptor. Note in this light the matte appearance of another thin sector on the cockpit bulb, just aftwards of the upper lid. [22 Dec]

in situ
	TIE interceptor model in its display case, as seen from off the portside wing. The lower portside wingtip canon is missing; the upper portside canon is intact. The pattern of pastel-coloured spots is merely the carpet reflected in the display case; it could potentially provide useful 3D reference. [21 Dec]

	More or less direct topside views of TIE interceptor, from a vantage far from the display case. These images may be useful for confirming plan measurements of the vessel. The mis-installation of the upper lid is most obvious from this view. [21 Dec]

	TIE interceptor display case, in its situation between the B-wing and TIE bomber models. [21 Dec]
	Another view of the situation around the TIE interceptor, bomber and B-wing models. The visible vertices of the rectilinear display cases may be compared with their apparent positions in other photos. Potentially, with further study, this would allow stereoscopic calculation of the 3D structures of the models and their environs. [21 Dec]
	Another side view of the TIE interceptor display and surroundings, but at a more oblique orientation. [21 Dec]

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	Dorsal surfaces of Lord Vader's personal fighter, seen from above and to the starboard side. Fine details of the tail block and webbing are visible. The nozzles of the two upper ion engines are barely visible on the aft fringe of the hull bulb.
	A comparable dorsal view taken from the port side. Fine details appear on the panels around the upper cockpit windows, including what may be a few patches of white text. The laser cannons protrude clearly from the cockpit chin.
	Dorsal surfaces of Lord Vader's TIE, seen from the front end. The blocky tail is apparent, comprising most of the X1's extra mass compared to the common short-range TIE. Relatively thin, webbed structure joins this tail with the wings and wing pylons.

	The deepest ventral view possible due to self-obstructions in the display of Lord Vader's fighter, with a glimpse of some details under the tail and wing pylons.
	An illuminated front/ventral view of the fighter. with a few major outlines visible on the underside of the cockpit and the gadgets behind the front window.
	Direct frontal view of Lord Vader's TIE, taken without flash so that the shadows highlight relief within the wing pylons and upper hull.
	An approximately coplanar view from the front starboard side. The lid-like upper secant of the cockpit casts a deeper shadow on the starboard side: is this a trick of the light or is it displaced to one side?
	Somewhat jittery photo taken off the port side of Lord Vader's fighter.
	Lord Vader's TIE in its display surroundings. An Imperial pilot costume appears to the right. In this overview of the TIE, the starboard wing seems to be misaligned with the rest of the fighter.
	A more distant view of Lord Vader's TIE on display. Here the tilt of the starboard wing is more obvious. Reflections of the lower parts of the wings and hull bulb appear around the model's base.

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	Rear dorsal view of TIE bomber model. There appears to be a pair of thrusters on each of the hull pods, making a total of four.
	Underside of a TIE bomber. Notice the symmetry between the ventral details of the port side and the dorsal features of the starboard side; the ventral features of the starboard side and the dorsal features of the portside. The aperture of the bomb chute (hanging below the port pod) is also visible.
	Inside details at the front of the starboard wing, and the area around the cockpit window.
	Outside of the starboard wing and cockpit window area.
	Direct frontal view of the TIE bomber, photographed from a distance.
	Closer frontal view of TIE bomber (unfortunately suffering camera jitter).
	Distant plan view of TIE bomber, plus several reflections and shadows cast in the rectangular display case. The starboard (pilot) pod extends further forward than the payload (portside) pod. Red thrusters protrude visibly at the tail ends of both pods.
	Oblique front view of TIE bomber, from above.
	Shaded view of the underside of a TIE bomber, seen from below. The claws of the front aperture of the payload pod appear sharply.
	A flash-illuminated ventral view of TIE bomber. There's something highly reflective around the model's mounting point. Movie storyboards appear in the far background above the model.

	Front ventral view of TIE bomber, with two reflections in the perpendicular side walls of the display case. The reflections could potentially be used for natural stereo-photogrammetry using a single photo.
	B-wing, TIE interceptor and TIE bomber together in their display context.
	Distant view of the TIE bomber beside TIE interceptor in their museum display. The relation between the vertices of their rectilinear cases may one day be used for stereo-photogrammetry.