What is the official name of Vader's ship?

It is the TIE Advanced, a variant of the Imperial TIE fighter with bent wings.

How many pieces does set 8017 have?

It has 257 pieces and includes one minifigure.

Which set makes a good companion?

Any X-wing works well alongside it, since the two ships face each other in the Death Star trench run.

Star Wars

Darth Vader's TIE Fighter

Set 8017 from 2009 builds the TIE Advanced, the fighter Darth Vader flies during the Death Star trench run. It consists of 257 pieces and includes one minifigure.

Set number: 8017
Year: 2009
Pieces: 257
Minifigures: 1
Theme: Star Wars
Different parts: 60

What can I build with it?

Parts list 60

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 1

Darth Vader, Light Bluish Gray Skin, Scarred Right Cheek, Eyebrows fig-0005165 pieces × 1

Alternative models

Fan models by Rebrickable users that you can build (mostly) from this set’s parts. Instructions are available from the designers.

All 2 ideas at Rebrickable ↗

What can I build with it?

Description

The trench run

At the climax of A New Hope, Rebel pilots fly down into the trench of the Death Star, and Vader follows them in a fighter of his own. The TIE Advanced is recognisably different from the standard TIE fighters escorting him, with bent wings and a longer body, so viewers always know which ship belongs to the Sith Lord. He almost stops Luke Skywalker before the Millennium Falcon intervenes and sends him spinning away into space, setting up the rest of the trilogy.

Straightforward to build

With 257 pieces and 60 different part designs, this is a compact project. The two wings mirror each other, which gives the build a steady rhythm and makes it approachable for younger builders. The single minifigure keeps the focus on the ship itself. Once complete, it pairs naturally with an X-wing for anyone who wants to recreate the trench chase, and it takes up little space on a shelf or desk.

Imperial greys and trans-red

Light bluish grey, dark bluish grey and black set the cold, austere tone associated with the Empire. Trans-red provides the accent, echoing the laser fire seen in the films. Transparent red parts are handy in your own creations too, whether as tail lights, indicators, control panels or energy blasts. The grey and black base is equally useful, forming the backbone of countless technical, military and science-fiction builds. Dark bluish grey in particular is a colour most builders find they never have quite enough of, so every set that adds to the supply is welcome.

Parts list and next builds

This page lists the complete inventory of set 8017 by colour and quantity, which makes it simple to check a used copy or find a missing element. If you already have the fighter, the What can I build? feature looks at your collection and shows which other sets you could complete. The wing panels and greys of Vader's ship might end up as part of something entirely different. That is especially useful if the model has been in a box for years and you would rather build something new than simply put it back together.

FAQ

What is the official name of Vader's ship?: It is the TIE Advanced, a variant of the Imperial TIE fighter with bent wings.
How many pieces does set 8017 have?: It has 257 pieces and includes one minifigure.
Which set makes a good companion?: Any X-wing works well alongside it, since the two ships face each other in the Death Star trench run.

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