TIE Fighter Colors

I've known people to use the light blue that was used by the Luftewaffen in Wolrd War II. That seemed pretty close to the special effects models used in the filming.

They are not blue!!!!!!.. If you are going for an on screen appearance.. They are light grey!

Chris in Japan

Medium Gray in the Model Master enamel paints has a bluish look to it. That's flat paint though. You might want to get some semi gloss clear if you use flat paint for the tie bodies. I did mine with Gunze acrylic though... light gray with drops of blue added until that blue barely started to show. But, everyone says just painting them gray is good enough, and I think so too.

From one ex-Georgian (Vinings) to another.. Atleast you have a nice compromise!.. I am actually an Australian, but I lived in Atlanta for a while.. To be honest, if the US government would let me, I would like to move back for good!. I love Atlanta, and I definately love my Braves!.. If you know of anyone looking for an Australian to join their ranks. Let me know!.. Sorry. Back to the subject!

Chris in Japan

Yeah Georgia has got its positive points. I've been here since I was born in 1973, yet I'm impressed with both Australia and Japan. My cousin is in the USAF in Japan. He's been there for a few years.

I`ve done quite a few T.I.Es in my time and found that the light aircraft grey from modelmaster looks pretty close and you can add a little azure blue to tint it and you`ll be fine!

QUOTE: Originally posted by AusLexusJapan They are not blue!!!!!!.. If you are going for an on screen appearance.. They are light grey! Chris in Japan

If they're not blue (which I really don't care for actually) why did all these light blue TIEs start popping up?

QUOTE: Originally posted by EasternTiger If they're not blue (which I really don't care for actually) why did all these light blue TIEs start popping up?

Because that's what color the studio models are, and it does show up on the screen. It's only obvious when there's a large gray ship or death star in the background. But, even though the blue is visible, it's too subtle to consider it a requirement for doing an accurate screen-representing tie fighter. There are too many scenes where there is no gray to contrast the tie bodies' blue, and they just look gray.

I'll say that I have seen tie fighters that are way too blue. It's either gray or bluish gray not grayish blue.

Well said!

Chris in Japan

Sounds like a plan.Thanks guys.My personal favorite base color for SW vehicles is flat gull gray.

My interpretation exactly, 'Tiger!

Use the force. The studio models aren't the color they were any more either. Decide what you want the model to look like and make it look that way. Star with pink and weather accordingly until you reach the desired look.
Just kidding of course.but the idea is start with what you feel is close and go from there. If you worry about matching the colors exactly ..good luck to you.
I personally use either light or dark ghost gray depending on which ship i'm working on.

Like most of us modellers,we will never take our own advice.
Have fun.....
As long as it looks good to you.......
It doesn't have to be perfect.......
Blah,blah,blah.....
This pertains to all kits except the one we're doing!
Is that TIE too blue?
Where would I find the jack on a Panther G?
Did a '65 Mustang come stock with Goodyear or Firestone?
I'm quite sure everyone here has had a kiniption fit over some obscure detail.
Or maybe you just stared at a particular model because something didn't look right.Just part of the fun I guess.
What do you guys think?Do we take our own advice?

Later

EasternTiger

Thought we had this conversation before and I posted pics of several different models.
Aha, found it.
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=38021

Here are 2 pics of mine.. I never use the studio models as a guide.. I like mine to represent what we see on screen..

AMT Darth Vader Tie Advanced



Fine Molds 1/72 Tie Fighter


I have also built 2 AMT Tie Interceptors, and I did them the exact same shade.. I do believe that the Interceptors are meant to be a little darker in color. But I wanted all mine to be the same colour. I just changed the windscreen colour to black on the Interceptor, and did the windscreen on the Darth Tie, and normal Tie chrome silver

Chris in Japan

Very nice builds.Thanks for the info and pics.