Shuttle Tyderium

from "Star Wars - Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" (1983)

SCALE: 1/72

INITIAL RELEASE: 1983

MEDIUM: Polystyrene

RARITY: (3)

ABOUT THE DESIGN

ABOUT THE KIT

For this lightly armed Imperial shuttlecraft, the designers at ILM took their cue from the three-winged “Skyhopper” model Luke Skywalker played with early in the original “Star Wars,” slapped a droop-nose on it, added some guns and – voila!  A shuttlecraft was born.

 Apparently a very popular short-range vehicle – a stolen shuttlecraft was used by Han Solo and company while another carried none other than the Emperor himself – the ship was distinguished by its huge folding wings that, while unquestionably stylish, would seem to be of little use in the hard vacuum of space.

The Tyderium was a huge kit with folding wings that allowed the model to be displayed in either its landing or flying configurations.  The kit also featured optional landing gear and a tinted cockpit windshield.

This model was built from an original issue.

Original Box Art