The big, arrowhead shape of the Imperial Star Destroyer is the second ship that a fan sees in the opening sequence of the 1977 release of “Star Wars”, now known as “Episode IV: A New Hope”. Princess Leia’s blockade runner is chased down over the barren planet of Tatooine, and her ship is captured by the massive Imperial warship.

This kit has been reissued several times over the years. The initial production run was in 1980 with the release of “The Empire Strikes Back”. The ESB kit was released again in the United States in 1989, 1995, and most recently in 2005. It was released in the United Kingdom in 1983 to coincide with the release of “Return of the Jedi”. A fiber optic version was released in 1995.

The kit is molded in light gray and is free from flash. The overall detail of the kit is very simplistic, and a builder wishing to add details has lots of leeway in terms of adding scratchbuilt items. Several aftermarket detail sets are available, mostly from Arvey Model Products, and marketed through Starship Modeler. The items include replacement turbolaser mounts, hangar bays, and bridge details.

The review sample is the 1989 reissue of the “Empire Strikes Back” version of the kit.

A completed model measures 15 inches long and 8.25 inches wide.

Review by: Rich "Lonewolf" Dula

Entry created: 05/25/09