Why do TIE fighters have no shields?

The Empire builds them light and in large numbers, trading protection for speed and manoeuvrability.

How many minifigures come with set 7263?

Two minifigures are included with the 161 pieces.

Which colours appear most often?

Blue, black, dark bluish grey and light bluish grey make up most of the model.

Star Wars

TIE Fighter

A ball cockpit between two flat wings is one of the most recognisable shapes in Star Wars. Set 7263, released in 2005, builds the Imperial TIE fighter from 161 pieces and includes two minifigures.

Set number: 7263
Year: 2005
Pieces: 161
Minifigures: 2
Theme: Star Wars
Different parts: 44

What can I build with it?

Parts list 44

As BrickLink list (XML)

Import on BrickLink: Wanted → Upload, upload the file (or paste its content), pick a Wanted List and add the parts.

Spare parts (3)

These extra parts come with the set in case one gets lost.

Minifigures 2

TIE Pilot, Plain Legs, Plain Reddish Brown Head fig-0007934 pieces × 1
Darth Vader, Light-Up Lightsaber fig-0036603 pieces × 1

Description

Built in numbers, flown without shields

The TIE fighter is the Empire's workhorse. Swarms of them launch from Star Destroyers and the Death Star, relying on speed and numbers rather than protection, since they carry neither shields nor a hyperdrive. In A New Hope they chase the Millennium Falcon away from the Death Star and later defend the battle station against the Rebel attack at Yavin. For any collection built around the original trilogy, at least one TIE is close to essential.

Two figures, one fighter

At 161 pieces with two minifigures, 7263 sits in the small-to-medium range. The model is light enough to swoosh around, and compact enough to share a shelf with other ships. Pair it with an X-wing from your own collection and you have the basis of a dogfight straight out of the films. The figures give the fighter a crew and a bit of story, which makes it more than just a vehicle on display.

A simple, symmetrical build

The 161 pieces come from only 44 unique elements, and much of the construction repeats because the two wings mirror each other. Blue, black, dark bluish grey and light bluish grey are the main colours. The result is an approachable build that younger fans can manage with little help. If you are restoring a used copy, the parts list on this page shows each element with its colour and quantity, so gaps are easy to spot.

Where the parts go next

Symmetrical sets tend to supply parts in pairs, which is handy when you design ships or stations of your own. Greys and black suit almost any sci-fi project. To see which other models your current pieces could already produce, use What can I build? on this page. It also lists sets that are only a few elements short, so you can plan purchases instead of guessing what might fit together. Older bricks get a second life that way.

FAQ

Why do TIE fighters have no shields?: The Empire builds them light and in large numbers, trading protection for speed and manoeuvrability.
How many minifigures come with set 7263?: Two minifigures are included with the 161 pieces.
Which colours appear most often?: Blue, black, dark bluish grey and light bluish grey make up most of the model.

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