TIE fighters are one of the more iconic creations in the original Star Wars trilogy. They are easily recognized, and identified to be space ships from Star Wars. Not only is the physical design of the TIE fighters recognized, but the unusual sound that the fighters produce is also iconic.
The sound, which can't even be described accurately, was created by sound designer Ben Burtt. Ben Burtt stated that he was able to come up with such an usual sound by combing an elephant call with the sound of a car driving on wet pavement!
TIE fighters are so iconic, that the model used in the actual filming of Star Wars: A New Hope sold at an auction for $350,000! Fans have even collaborated to build a 1,000 pound, 16 by 20 ft TIE fighter for the Star Wars thirtieth anniversary gala in 2007!