I want to add a few touches to my TIE Defenders, and I need some help figuring out what to do.

1.) At the very least, I figure engine glow and highlighted laser cannons would be good. Are there any other features that look especially nice picked out in detail on TIE family ships in general?

2.) I'm considering a total re-paint, but I still want them to look like line standard Imperials (no red for Royal Guard or anything). Are there any color combinations that work for this? At the very least, I might highlight details a little more and put some washes on them to enhance the contrast. Has anyone done something like this for TIEs, and do you have any suggestions?

3.) I'd like to add a few personal touches, like kill markings or nose art, but I know the options are pretty limited. The models are too small for markings of individual kills as in the Soontir Fel alternate art card, but "kill stripes" of some kind are an option. Furthermore, I'd like to add some little flourishes, like "nose art" or the ship name on one of the panels, but I'm afraid it would not look very cannonically Imperial. I figure TIE Defender pilots probably have a little more leeway in that sort of thing than your stock TIE/ln pilot, but I'm interested in opinions.

Thanks for any suggestions.

In terms of engine glow you've got a decision to make as to where/how you want to represent it. I Googled it when I was doing mine and couldn't find anything concrete. Some of the artwork shows a blue glow coming from the rear hatch type thing. Some photo's (models as they never appeared in the movies) show three Ion engines mounted inside the 'hatch' recess, some show three Ion engines mounted around the hatch.

... I've yet to decide! :/

These are the best examples I could find Bio...

This, much like the artwork for the Rexlar Brath card shows blue engine glow coming from the rear 'hatch' which would tie (excuse the pun!) in with this version...

This version I think is more in-line with the other TIE ships...

Personally, I'm still undecided as to which way to go. I don't have any pictures of what I eventually came up with (I painted red glow onto a spot on the wing struts but I've never really been happy with it!) but I'd be interested on your thoughts, or anyone else who knows more about Defenders.

Yeah, that's tough. I don't think the FFG model has the triple outlets in back, although they would be easy enough to add, and I like the look.

The FFG model lacks the outlets, but also anything that looks like it could be an Ion Engine! This was my original attempt, but to be honest I'm not happy with it. To the point where I've never flown either of my Defenders!

In terms of your other points, I've washed all my TIE's with a Nuln Oil wash (think it used to be called Badab Black). I've also re-painted all the lasers green. I never really liked that orange colour.

Do you apply any extra paint for highlighting after the wash? Thanks for the help, by the way.

Depends. If it's just a case of painting the lasers and giving it a quick wash, then no. If I've re-painted the ship then I'll go over the wash with a highlight then wash again with a really watered down wash. The Defender above is straight out of the box... The only thing I've done is pain the red engines. Like I said I'm so 'meh' with the whole engine thing I've never flown them so I've never painted 'em up properly. Even the laser guns are still orange!

I always thought the Defender would look good in white.

The FFG model lacks the outlets, but also anything that looks like it could be an Ion Engine! This was my original attempt, but to be honest I'm not happy with it. To the point where I've never flown either of my Defenders!

In terms of your other points, I've washed all my TIE's with a Nuln Oil wash (think it used to be called Badab Black). I've also re-painted all the lasers green. I never really liked that orange colour.

Thats almost correct

The FFG Defender is modeled after the original Defender in TIE Fighter. And in the game, these riffled parts are the engines.

I played TIE fighter ages ago, so the details elude me. What do you mean by the riffled parts?

Oooh. white defenders. I like that idea.

Green or light blue lasers.

I've added a very very very light and thin orange coat to the solar panels that are on the top side. They look incredibly sun dappled.

Sadly, the defender is such a robust model that it looks silly with only slight touches. It kind of begs for a full repaint, but most end up looking silly or over-colored.

The defender might honestly be better off with just accenting and washing with no real repaint. Just same original colors but enhanced. They are intimidating it stature, not because of color.

The defender might honestly be better off with just accenting and washing with no real repaint. Just same original colors but enhanced. They are intimidating it stature, not because of color.

Agreed, which is why I want them to look pretty close to "Imperial Stock", just with a few nice flourishes.