First, I must sorry, that I’ve prolonged this so much.
Ok, let’s start the revision.
1. The bridge shield
It took first my attention so let’s start with it.
In case of HW1 model this shield was protecting the bridge from attack from above and sides. It was modelled this way that it showed that it is the shield, also textures on it were describing that it’s quite markable part of the defender.
Lh6.googleusercontent.com
In your case, this practical thing dissappeared at all and became very strange thing without sence.
Lh4.googleusercontent.com
It even looks unconvinient for the pilot to get in....
2. The belly
All the fighters except for the bomber have markable belly form.
Lh4.googleusercontent.com
Even the Defence Fighter - just his belly goes straight into the bridge so it’s not very understandable:
Lh3.googleusercontent.com
Also, if we look to it we see that it make one beautiful line:
Lh3.googleusercontent.com
But you have made him sepukku:
Lh5.googleusercontent.com
Lh4.googleusercontent.com
3. The pyramid
The third thing that you have changed is pyramid, making it very little. It is not very according to the all pyramid taiidans:
Lh6.googleusercontent.com
Especially according to the Kudaark High profile:
Media.moddb.com
Your’s so small, why didn’t you cut it off? ):
Lh6.googleusercontent.com
4.Sides
Side “balls”:
Lh3.googleusercontent.com
First, follow the Trinity:
Lh5.googleusercontent.com
Yes, there are old marks, showing us the first position of guns - kushan defender alike, but now it’s really changed, so you can change this texture with pure heart:
Lh4.googleusercontent.com
But no ugly hanging up for the fast repair:
Lh3.googleusercontent.com
Lh3.googleusercontent.com
5. Guns
First, guns were more concentrated together, now it’s looks like defender’s going for the macedonian shooting (triple handed):
Lh5.googleusercontent.com
Second, I don’t understand if your guns are going to go back in burst shooting:
Lh6.googleusercontent.com
And also turn while doing this:
Lh4.googleusercontent.com
And why the black line, looking like AR shutter, is moved down?
Lh6.googleusercontent.com
Conclusions
You may consider some of this remarks very untrue. BUT.
Remaking this models you should remember one basic rule: respect the original.
Just know that you’re not the author of the original that you want to improve. So no "I would change it because I think it would be better" - no your like, just reasonable changes like "I've overlooked all the concepts and ships, and this looks more one-way with other race ships if it's done this way" or "I can't do it purely of technical reasons, so I did it this way" or "the concept shows this thing can be like this".
One little thing won't change a shape of a ship, but when these are a lot...
So your defender is denied and is needed to be remade.
P.S.: Some pix for investigating:
1. Taiidani design: Picasaweb.google.com
2. Taiidani Olds: Picasaweb.google.com
3. Taiidani Concepts: Picasaweb.google.com
And of course the textures and shapes of the models.
I'm really wondering what Jkberna's reply is going to be, if he'll reply. I have some prediction, but I'm not gonna comment more umtil I'll hear from him.