'STAR WARS' AT 45: DARTH VADER's DEATH FLIGHT!

In his advanced prototype TIE fighter and with loyal wingmen nearly an equal to his considerable piloting skills, the Lord Darth Vader has successfully destroyed two prior bombing flights of Rebel fighters that had penetrated a potential weak spot in the Death Star's defences. But with this final flight trio of X-wing fighters to whom he's now pursuant, Vader senses something unusual about the lead Rebel pilot and his latent skills in the Force. The Dark Lord's near successful attempts to shoot down Luke Skywalker soon come to no avail, however, thanks to the last minute arrival of a certain Corellian smuggling vessel...

Originally, it was planned that Darth Vader would be housed within a standard TIE fighter during the fast paced trench run chase/battles, but Lucas decides in post production that his craft should ultimately stand out to viewing audiences in the sequence alongside his wingmen, with money being made in the ILM model budget to see-in the necessary change requirements.

Various storyboards.

Revised storyboard to incorporate Vader's new TIE design.

Side angle design by Joe Johnston.

Middle section final construction.

Gorgeous final detailing.

Two storyboard art pieces by Joe Johnston.

One of Vader's wingmen is suddenly taken out by the arriving Han Solo.

Early prototype for revised Vader TIE design.

Steve Gawley working on the model in varying stages.

In the model shop...

Ready for filming.

Various angles of the finished model.

Joe Johnston checks one of the model's fin's prior to filming.

Lorne Peterson and Grant McCune during filming on the ILM blue screen stage.

Classic BTS image of Dennis Muren with the models.

Filming the trio's departure from the Death Star hangar.

More filming images.

David Jones making some attachment checks to the model.