[M4-23-Imperial Ship] - TIE Reconnoiter

[Mandalorianknight]

My second entry for the M4-23 contest, an imperial ship. I want to do a non-tie ship as well to see if I can stick the aesthetic of the empire without relying on the TIE concept, but we'll see if I have time.

The TIE Reconnoiter was an imperial ship designed by Grand Admiral Thrawn himself, and used in his imperial remnant after the battle of endor. An answer to the superior shielding of rebel ships, the TIE Reconnoiter was designed with a stronger hull and boasted not only shielding but a short-range hyperdrive. As the name suggests, the TIE Reconnoiter was used as a scout ship, and was able to deploy a spacetrooper from the cockpit rear. (I wanted to do something different than just "TIE but the wings are a different shape", so I bulked up the cockpit, struts, and wings. About halfway through, I decided to add the spacetrooper functionality, the function for which will be shown in a later image.)

The TIE Reconnoiter was housed in hanger bays in the bases or warships of Thrawn's imperial remnant. Alongside the docking structure for the ship itself, the bays also featured charging pods for the spacetrooper armor. (I thought I'd make a hanger bay for the model to help flesh it out.)

Due to it's shields and hyperdrive, the TIE Reconnoiter was unable to generate sufficient energy from it's solar panels, and relied upon fuel as rebel starfighters did. The ship was entered not via the top hatches common in TIE models, but by a rear hatch. (I like my ladder design. Not much else to say here.)

The spacetrooper housed within the TIE was able to be ejected during flight to assault enemy craft, though this would momentarily open the cockpit to space whilst the spacetrooper was ejected. As a result, TIE Reconnoiter pilots were required to keep their helmet seals intact during flight. (Pulling the level below the cockpit down launches the spacetrooper out. I thought it would be fun to build a function in that wasn't just spring shooters or something)

Additional images (cockpit interior, landing without a docking rig.)

Spoiler

(The wider wings allow for a better landing. The pilot re-enters through the rear hatch after it is lowered.)

This was definately a fun challenge, and I tried to use a variety of different techniques while keeping the TIE aesthetic. Let me know what you think!

[n8walker]

Nice design and cool idea to have an ejector seat. Though I personally wouldn't like to be ejected (and probably lost) during spaceflight...

[Mandalorianknight]

35 minutes ago, n8walker said:

Nice design and cool idea to have an ejector seat. Though I personally wouldn't like to be ejected (and probably lost) during spaceflight...

Thank you! I should clarify, the ejection feature is to launch a spacetrooper. They're a legends stormtrooper suit meant for zero-g combat- essentially, they're built for fighting in space.

[Wurger49]

wow, such a nice model, everything is so smooth!

[MKJoshA]

Those wings are amazing. Love the design.

[Mandalorianknight]

On 5/29/2023 at 12:54 AM, Wurger49 said:

wow, such a nice model, everything is so smooth!

Thank you! Most of my MOCs are meant to emulate lego's official sets, so it was fun to do a more studless design here.

On 5/29/2023 at 5:56 AM, MKJoshA said:

Those wings are amazing. Love the design.

Thank you!