New TOS Enterprise 1/350 model?

[JBElliott]

It looks as though Thomas Sasser may be putting together a 1/350th kit of something like TOS Enterprise:

http://thomasmodels.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=690&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start =0

 

[Waugh]

Too bad he doesn't have it accurate. I can already see mistakes on just the one photo posted.

 

[Captain Robert April]

It's early. Give him some time.

 

[Q2UnME]

Let's not jump the gun here folks. Way too early to know it that indeed is the direction this is heading. It could be a "one off" for a paying customer. There's been a lot of questions (including some by yours truly) trying to find out if a kit might be in the works, but nothing firm yet. I'd image there might be reluctance to put out a garage kit; especially someone at TS's exposure level. He's done work for license holders, a garage kit from TS might show on some-one's radar.

That being said, I hope that a kit does come out of this. Given the level of detail and work on the 1/350th Refit, I'd be in line for two kits my self. That's assuming I'd not have to wipe out my kids college fund to buy two kits...

Best bet would probably be to sit back and see how this develops/progresses....

Q2UnME

PS: Anyone else sporting wood over this potential development?

 

[Griffworks]

Waugh said:
Too bad he doesn't have it accurate. I can already see mistakes on just the one photo posted.

And those mistakes would be...?

C'mon, don't be shy.

 

[Captain Robert April]

Keep in mind that Mr. Sasser had access to the Holy of Holies, the Gary Kerr blueprints, for development of the 1/1000 PL kit.

Before declaring something inaccurate, it might be prudent to check your own references first.

 

[Cary L. Brown]

Captain Robert April said:
Keep in mind that Mr. Sasser had access to the Holy of Holies, the Gery Kerr blueprints, for development of the 1/1000 PL kit.

Before declaring something inaccurate, it might be prudent to check your own references first.

Agreed. I don't see any issues. I get the impression that this was a criticism made by someone who really doesn't know who he's talking about. I'd especially find it interesting if the criticism was based upon an in-depth study of the 1/1000 Polar Lights kit.

 

[Captain Robert April]

I think most inaccuracies in the 1/1000 kit can be chalked up to the fact that you can only be so accurate on a model that small, at least if you're gonna keep it affordable.

With a model almost three feet long, that'd be less of an issue.

 

[Cary L. Brown]

Captain Robert April said:
I think most inaccuracies in the 1/1000 kit can be chalked up to the fact that you can only be so accurate on a model that small, at least if you're gonna keep it affordable.

With a model almost three feet long, that'd be less of an issue.

Sorry, I musta been too subtle. Let me restate...

I was saying how funny I'd find it if someone chose to use a study of the P.L. 1701 kit as their main reference and resource as they critiqued this big model Thomas is working on.

Get it now?

 

[David cgc]

The only thing I can see that could be wrong is the windows on the rim of the saucer haven't had the lower level added. That could be because they haven't been cut yet, or the model could be representing the pilot version of the ship.

 

[Waugh]

Captain Robert April said:
Keep in mind that Mr. Sasser had access to the Holy of Holies, the Gary Kerr blueprints, for development of the 1/1000 PL kit.

Before declaring something inaccurate, it might be prudent to check your own references first.

My only reference is and ever will be the original studio model and stills of it as it was being filmed, used to create our studio model replica.

But, perhaps he was not finished yet.

 

[Rattrap]

I've followed Thomas' work on constructing the masters for the various Polar Lights kits, and I can tell you that other than discrepancies caused by manufacturing shortcuts (and there were a good many of those) used by the factories in China, they were as accurately as he was humanly able to make them.

Trust me, if Thomas does the design work, it may not be perfect to your vision, but it will be the best he can possibly make it.

 

[Griffworks]

Waugh said:
My only reference is and ever will be the original studio model and stills of it as it was being filmed, used to create our studio model replica.

But, perhaps he was not finished yet.

Gonna tell us what mistakes you allegedly see that have been made on the TM buildup to this point...?

 

[Captain Robert April]

Waugh said:

Captain Robert April said:
Keep in mind that Mr. Sasser had access to the Holy of Holies, the Gary Kerr blueprints, for development of the 1/1000 PL kit.

Before declaring something inaccurate, it might be prudent to check your own references first.

My only reference is and ever will be the original studio model and stills of it as it was being filmed, used to create our studio model replica.

But, perhaps he was not finished yet.

Kerr had direct access to the filming miniature when he did his blueprints. That's what makes those plans so significant, and why some folks here would be willing to sacrifice certain body parts to get a copy of those plans.

Sasser had direct access to those plans. I won't go so far as to say he's got a copy, because I don't want to make any insinuations that might get him in trouble with Paraborg, but suffice it to say that he knows what he's doing when it comes to that ship.

 

[Forbin]

^He developed the PL model with full licenseing and cooperation from Paraborg, so it's highly unlikely he had to do anything shadey to get references.

 

[Captain Robert April]

There may be stipulationas regarding use of those references for something other than the given project.

Use the references for the Polar Lights model, fine.

Use those same references for an unlicensed garage kit, not so much. "Unauthorized usage" and so forth.

 

[Forbin]

Maybe. But once the knowledge is in his head, it's in his head. Although I can imagine someone slyly altering a key detail to "prove" they're not using a certain source.

 

[uss_griffin]

I think if he's selling an unlicensed kit, whether he also used CBS-owned information would be of little concern to CBS.

(However, if they wanted to shut him down, they'd likely use every petty reason at their disposal, not just the primary one. This is if it went beyond a C&D, though, which it likely would not.)

 

[Warped9]

Captain Robert April said:
Keep in mind that Mr. Sasser had access to the Holy of Holies, the Gary Kerr blueprints, for development of the 1/1000 PL kit.

Forgive me for asking what may be a silly question, but can these drawings be viewed anywhere or are they locked in a high security place somewhere with armed guards?

 

[Shaw]

Warped9 said:
Forgive me for asking what may be a silly question, but can these drawings be viewed anywhere or are they locked in a high security place somewhere with armed guards?

I don't think you realize just what you are asking.

I looked into seeing the plans and ended up on an NSA watch list. I've had to resort to changing my name on a daily basis (tomorrow I'll be answering to the name "Fred"). My phones are bugged and my family members are also being watched.

The security on these plans is unreal...

The plans are surrounded by guards (with guns) and video monitors, they are kept beneath an inch of bullet proof glass, there are heat, motion and biometric sensors, they are stored in a vault with four foot thick concrete, steal plated walls and an electric combination lock.

... now, none of this has deterred me from my quest. I'm waiting for the right Gala event (and my suit to come back from the cleaners) to make my move and see the plans in person.

Of course I'll most likely end up in Guantanamo Bay, but it is a small price to pay for seeing the Holy Grail of Star Trek tech!