• Welcome! The TrekBBS is the number one place to chat about Star Trek with like-minded fans.
    If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

Smithsonian returns restored Starship Enterprise model to public display

I was involved in all of these. Net-net: the LEDs were close (i can show the test movies...) but not close enough.

The Advisory Committee was "Very" persuasive about getting it right.

I thought I was in the camp that didn't need to see the ship lit (so that she'll last another 50 years). I was wrong. Thank you!
 
To me it seems inspired by a big electrical motor, spinning to represent power being generated or used. The TOS Enterprise is powered by anti-matter/matter reaction. In TOS don't think they ever explain what form that anti-matter is in. The dilithium crystals are necessary to somehow control or channel the reaction, though at times they are described as a power source themselves, probably incorrectly.
 
Gotta say, this makes me smile. It's been too long coming.

6Kd7sCYl.jpg
 
The outline on that black background photo is horrible. The hull looks choppy and irregular. Even the engine dome, which is a hemisphere, looks lumpy. Here is a higher resolution version on the Smithsonian archive site which shows this more clearly. They needed someone with more Photoshop experience to prepare this image. Rest assured this is not how the actual model is.
 
The outline on that black background photo is horrible. The hull looks choppy and irregular. Even the engine dome, which is a hemisphere, looks lumpy. Here is a higher resolution version on the Smithsonian archive site which shows this more clearly. They needed someone with more Photoshop experience to prepare this image. Rest assured this is not how the actual model is.

Wow!

Thanks very much.

:)Spockboy
 
Motors FTW!

As for the bussard debate, count me in as one who does NOT consider them Bussard collectors.

Many people call them Nacelle Domes. I call them Reactor Domes. Some energy reaction (insert technobabble here) is happening in there and that what we're witnessing. They aren't interstellar vacuum cleaners but a visible indication of the raw power needed to run the ship.

Much more awesome than the sucky (pun intended) Bussard Collector retcon.
 
With how good the ship looks now, I wish they could refilm the VFX shots from TOS and re-release the remastered sets, replacing the CG Enterprise with the actual model ala the TNG remastered approach. Never gonna happen though.
 
With how good the ship looks now, I wish they could refilm the VFX shots from TOS and re-release the remastered sets, replacing the CG Enterprise with the actual model ala the TNG remastered approach. Never gonna happen though.

Well we really really tried to do that. Unfortunately Smithsonian doesn't have the facilities for a complete recreation.
 
I gotta admit, I was worried when I read about the "streaks" that were added but I think it turned out well. It adds character to the old gal and looks like a ship that's been out exploring (as it should) and not fresh off the assembly line. Fantastic job!
 
Amazing work! Love the nacelle caps!

Now, I am so not complaining here because I'm overjoyed to see the big E finally get the TLC she's deserved -- just genuinely curious. What photographic evidence from back in the day shows the round light at the front of the saucer lit up like that? I see this all the time on replicas (and that's the only place I've ever seen it), and as I understand it originally was just a plug to allow access to the three window lights on the front of the saucer. It was always hull color in the series -- never lit in this fashion that I can recall -- unless the plug was left out the day they shot "The Trouble with Tribbles" footage and the team consciously went back to that. Otherwise I don't understand.

Trekcore's Bluray screencaps seem to show nothing there, but my avatar photo does show the center bow plug:

11%20footer%20fb00_zpsl5aati7j.jpg


11%20footer%20fb01%20recesshatchinfront_zpsxgd05udr.jpg


The photo was published in a magazine called Model Car & Science, Dec 1967. I think it was a publicity still of the 11-footer. Other thoughts or info welcome.
 
Last edited:
If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

Sign up / Register


Back
Top