Update: TOS Enterprise Restoration (3/2015)

[Search4]

I had the chance to visit the "old girl" recently ... she is in very good hands. Thought you might enjoy a few pictures.










The model is being very actively investigated, including developing a complete history of every change done over its life. More to come as the Advisory group recommences and discusses decisions...

 

[Search4]

Oh, and she has a pretty important next-door neighbor...




Yes, that's the actual fuselage. Also being restored.

 

[Hatshepsut]

Currently at Smithsonian's Nat'l Air & Space Museum. Thanks Search4 for the update. Adam Schneider states that during the series' filming the model did not have a left side because this was where its suspension was attached. However, the Wikia image showing it at Howard Anderson belies a half-ship; she's at least nearly whole here. The growing uncertainty of historical information as it ages is most fascinating.

 

[GSchnitzer]

Currently at Smithsonian's Nat'l Air & Space Museum. Thanks Search4 for the update. Adam Schneider states that during the series' filming the model did not have a left side because this was where its suspension was attached. However, the Wikia image showing it at Howard Anderson belies a half-ship; she's at least nearly whole here. The growing uncertainty of historical information as it ages is most fascinating.

Port (left) side detailing of the 11-foot shooting model was never done.

FYI: user Search4 is Adam Schneider.

 

[Shaw]

The growing uncertainty of historical information as it ages is most fascinating.

If there is something you are uncertain about, please don't project that into a generalized uncertainty... the volumes of known data about this model is simply staggering. I could write a book with what I have on the model(s) of the original series, and I don't even have special access (imagine what I produce if given direct access).

Too often I see people try to create mystery or point out conflicting information when there isn't any. If you have a direct question, I'd be willing to bet I could give you a direct (and pretty definitive) answer.

 

[Cap'n Caveman]

I really hope they remove that horrid "restoration" they did last time around. I'm really looking forward to that new exhibit next summer, it helps that I live about ten minutes away from the museum .

 

[Forbin]

Currently at Smithsonian's Nat'l Air & Space Museum. Thanks Search4 for the update. Adam Schneider states that during the series' filming the model did not have a left side because this was where its suspension was attached. However, the Wikia image showing it at Howard Anderson belies a half-ship; she's at least nearly whole here. The growing uncertainty of historical information as it ages is most fascinating.

Don't know where you're getting the "half ship" thing. Never heard anyone say that before. It's been known for decades that the left side was not detailed, but not missing. The pole-mount was underneath, not on the side, as the Wiki mage you linked to shows.

 

[scotpens]

From the linked article:

One key decision will be what the model should look like at the end of the restoration, Schneider pointed out. When the series was running, for example, the model did not have a left side – only wires.

Probably just a confusing choice of words. It would be more accurate to say "the model didn't have any detail on its left side." It was always meant to be filmed from the right side only.

 

[Search4]

Sorry about that - the article mis quoted (or i just screwed up the words). There was always a physical model - but port was not detailed. For example, any shot where they showed the ship moving from right to left was actually the starboard side, flipped... and they flipped the decals to match (in most cases).

The wiring was actually quite impressive but to my knowledge Smithsonian does not have that. Any info appreciated.

 

[Forbin]

Oh, and she has a pretty important next-door neighbor...




Yes, that's the actual fuselage. Also being restored.

I the first few photos released, there was a Gemini capsule hatch in the background!

 

[Search4]

Their restoration is a treasure chest.

 

[Hatshepsut]

FYI: user Search4 is Adam Schneider.

Noted, as is my general ignorance on things Star Trek.

Too often I see people try to create mystery or point out conflicting information when there isn't any...

GSchnitzer's photo of the model's left side resolves this particular question, yet serious degradation of cultural information as it is rehearsed over time is a real phenomenon: Space.com, quoting Schneider, states "The model did not have a left side - only wires." In the mind of a reader who relies only on this text, the image of an Enterprise chopped in half longitudinally can arise. GSchnitzer's photo instead shows a left side lacking surface details, through which the wires enter, and more importantly, his accompanying information makes clearer that this represents the artifact's original condition.

At any rate, it's not my intention to create confusion here and I consider the matter settled.

 

[Wingsley]

I have a really silly trivia question:

There's an image floating about the 'net of three men posing on the curb of a city street, presumably Los Angeles, in 1964, one man wearing bib overalls, with a Starship Enterprise miniature that looks like this one, only that miniature was obviously built for "The Cage" pilot. It had the "pregnant anthill" bridge dome and spires on the front nacelle caps.

Is the model in that 1964 photo the same model as we see here? They both look to be the same size. If so, did Paramount "refit" that 1964 model to the appearance we see here in this thread's photos?

Thanks in advance for clearing this up.

 

[GSchnitzer]

I have a really silly trivia question:

There's an image floating about the 'net of three men posing on the curb of a city street, presumably Los Angeles, in 1964, one man wearing bib overalls, with a Starship Enterprise miniature that looks like this one, only that miniature was obviously built for "The Cage" pilot. It had the "pregnant anthill" bridge dome and spires on the front nacelle caps.

Is the model in that 1964 photo the same model as we see here? They both look to be the same size. If so, did Paramount "refit" that 1964 model to the appearance we see here in this thread's photos?

Thanks in advance for clearing this up.

Yes, the model was revised somewhat after "The Cage" in preparation for their second pilot attempt. It was revised yet again slightly when the series was bought and was about to go into regular production. Details here:

http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Constitution_class_model_(original)

 

[Forbin]

Those men in that photo are the nice men who built her for us.

 

[Shaw]

Because there were four men involved (Richard Datin, Mel Keys, Vern Sion and Volmer Jensen), and someone had to hold the camera, there are a few versions of that scene outside Volmer Jensen's Production Models Shop on Providencia Avenue in Burbank, California.

I've forgotten who is who... except Datin, who is the tall guy in all dark clothing (and looks like he could be a member of my family).

 

[Forbin]

Wow, all these years I hadn't even realized there were multiple shots.

 

[feek61]

Vern is in the overalls and Mel Keys is in the mustard striped shirt

 

[Green Shirt]

Wow, all these years I hadn't even realized there were multiple shots.

Does anyone have the photoshopped version that shows all 4 men?

 

[Forbin]

I've seen photoshopped versions where the fan put himself in the picture.