I see quite a number of Star Trek kits available. One TOS Enterprise from AMT looks to be about the right size at 18”. Is it a good kit? Does it have issues? Is something better available?
Paul
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Main issue with AMT is the smaller kits will need putty along seams and the decals can be a PITA.
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If its the 60 issue kit, there are some shape issues. Particularly the bridge dome which is too flat in profile. I think the fit of the engineering hull can also be problematic. But, with work can turn out well. Great if you want to go for a real retro build.
Their cutaway Enterprise is much better in shape, you can just leave out the internal parts and assemble as a regular full hull ship.
Revells 1/600 TOS has a few shape issues too, especially around the deflector dish. And the engraved saucer grid is a little overdone. If you want screen accurate, it needs filling and sanding. It has a couple of advantages though. Modern tooling with a good fit, a decent manageable size and all the windows, nacelle domes etc are in clear so it can be lit easily with no drilling or cutting.
By far and away the best TOS Enterprises, are by Polar Lights. Both the 1/1000 and 1/350 are accurate in shape and decals. They can be brittle and tricky to work with however. The 1/1000 even has optional parts and decals for the original pilot, 2nd pilot, Mirror Universe and other Connie class ships. I have a real soft spot for that kit because of those options. It’s a good one for kitbashes and spares.
Hope this helps in making a decision.
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I’ll be doing the Polar Lights 1/1000 Enterprise refit. Without doubt my favourite design of the Enterprise and probably of all sci-fi ships. It just looks good from every angle. The new Strange New Worlds reimagining is a very close second.
Annoyingly, this boxing doesn’t have the hull aztec decals. The first couple of boxings when it was first released did (I have one somewhere, it was boxed up when I moved and now I can’t find it!), but somebody decided they could make more money by releasing them separately. I suspect Round 2 have a Ferengi in charge of this sort of thing. I don’t think the decals even made it over to my side of the pond. Polar Lights kits were always expensive and have become rare as hens teeth in the last couple of years. I still have yet to come across the new 1/1000 Reliant they issued. It’s very annoying when I see posts on other forums of people buying them for less than 10 dollars in their local Wal-Mart. Hey ho.
Another annoying thing Polar Lights have done is put the painting and decalling instructions on the sides of the box. Which can be quite awkward. But, they do give extra decals for the A if you want to build it as the ST V and VI ship.
Still it should be an enjoyable build.
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Now you have me looking at my 1/350 refit Enterprise. Making and using the masks would be a very heavy lift.
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I’m not building my TOS 350 until all my 1000’s and 1400’s are built.
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Oooh that would be good to see.
I managed to pick one of those up second hand a few years ago for a price I could not refuse. I think they just wanted it gone because of the size. One day, I’ll do it.
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Looks like Aztek decals for the 1/350 refit Enterprise will cost about $80 US. That solves one problem. The bigger problem (har har) is storing the thing.
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could not find a reasonably priced lighting kit soooo im going to do the build and experiment with lighting at a later date.
TinyDog01
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Excellent choice. It’s quite a big model too.
I’ve got an original boxing with JTGraphics decals to replace the old ones. I’m on the hunt for another, as somehow a few years back I acquired the Warp Models 3-nacelle future Enterprise conversion kit. I think I picked it up from a bargain bin at a model show.
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Anyone else play the original?
Star Trek (1971 video game) - Wikipedia
We had an Altair 8800 when I was growing up. I think I first played it in '75.
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All of the parts for the “Production Series” Enterprise have been separated. The majority of the remaining parts are going in the spares-box ‘cause ya never know.
For the longest, I thought the Enterprise was white. Little did I know.
I’ll clean up the last few parts on the sprue (bottom right) and then mask the clear parts and prime everything with Tamiya White Surface Primer. I need to wait for the Tamiya Light Ghost Grey spray and Vallejo Dark Ghost Grey bottle to arrive. Surprised I didn’t have either color…
As a Snap-Tite type kit, there’s a bit of clean-up and adjustments to the attachment points to make it a glue together type kit.
Mike
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Looking forward to seeing this. Be careful with the fit of the warp nacelle pylons to the hull. That can be a problem area. It’s a tight and has some gaps. When I first built it, I didn’t push it down far enough resulting in a little ‘hump’ between the pylons.
The colour has been a bit of a mystery for a long time, white, light blue, light grey-green have all been put about. It’s never been helped by how grainy the original filming footage is. I like the idea of light ghost or gull grey myself.
You might find this article of some use:
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That paint scheme is pretty nice, Stephen. Though I’ll not be getting as detailed as some of the “How To’s” detail has been completely left off the Polar Lights kit. There are definitely some areas I can paint as shown. Overall color of my build will be light ghost gray with some of the detail-type areas in dark ghost gray. Many thanks for that link!
Mike
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This might be of use:
Revealing the Colors of the Star Trek Enterprise | National Air and Space Museum
Cheers,
M
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Thanks, that’s useful.
They did a wonderful job of restoring the old girl. One day, I’ll pay a visit. I believe they also have the Mothership from Close Encounters on display.
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Yes, unless they moved it the mothership is near the space shuttle exhibit in the Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles airport, not the Smithsonian itself which is where the Enterprise is.
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