Smithsonian returns restored Starship Enterprise model to public display

[feek61]

Yes, the talleywhacker at some point during shooting was either broken off or removed. You can see later in the series that it is clearly not there (as also reflected in the above photos). The color in the saucer rings is not a artifact of the photos and is a result of possibly the clear coat yellowing. Gary Kerr can give more details.

 

[Shat Happens]

So beautiful. Just keep JJ away from it in case he wants to submerge it.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

While we're on the subject of the Golden West exhibit, Starlog Issue 51 has a write-up about it, and the guy says it was 1971. That's a mistake, right?

 

[Forbin]

I saw the high res versions and was surprised to see the bronze shading around the deflector housing and the same color in the lower saucer rings. I've never seen that in any other old color pics.

But this restoration is absolutely beautiful. It's obviously in the right hands now, after being "violated" the last time.

Gary Kerr says their reference pics showed more brown "space dirt" weathering than he ever thought. They reproduced it as exactly as possible.

 

[MarsWeeps]

Gary Kerr says their reference pics showed more brown "space dirt" weathering than he ever thought. They reproduced it as exactly as possible.

I have to wonder if the "space dirt" was intentionally added back in the 60's or if the model just got dirty from sitting around the studio.

 

[Warped9]

I have to wonder if the "space dirt" was intentionally added back in the 60's or if the model just got dirty from sitting around the studio.

I do recall, many many years ago, reading mention of "weathering" having been added to the 11 footer. I don't recall where I read it, but I did.

The funny thing about studio miniatures is they often don't look the same onscreen as they do offscreen under normal light. The TMP refit is another example of this. More colours are visible and more apparent under normal lighting than how the miniature appears onscreen.

 

[Forbin]

I have to wonder if the "space dirt" was intentionally added back in the 60's or if the model just got dirty from sitting around the studio.

Well, the "space dirt" was airbrushed brown paint, so...

 

[spockboy]

I do recall, many many years ago, reading mention of "weathering" having been added to the 11 footer. I don't recall where I read it, but I did.

The funny thing about studio miniatures is they often don't look the same onscreen as they do offscreen under normal light. The TMP refit is another example of this. More colours are visible and more apparent under normal lighting than how the miniature appears onscreen.

Indeed

Spockboy

 

[spockboy]

The inevitable side by side.

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Spockboy

 

[Warped9]

It would be a joy to see some new vfx made with her now restored. Alas I don't see that ever happening.

That said an alternative would be to have another 11 footer (or similarly large) built and use that for new vfx.

*Sigh*

 

[spockboy]

It would be a joy to see some new vfx made with her now restored. Alas I don't see that ever happening.

That said an alternative would be to have another 11 footer (or similarly large) built and use that for new vfx.

*Sigh*

YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spockboy

 

[Green Shirt]

So beautiful. Just keep JJ away from it in case he wants to submerge it.

Isn't that how the three footer met its fate?

 

[feek61]

Indeed

Spockboy

Not sure when the upper photo was taken but keep in mind that after the first movie the entire miniature was repainted various flat whites and greys; not the great looking pearl paint job from TMP. That may be what you are seeing between the photos.

 

[spockboy]

Not sure when the upper photo was taken but keep in mind that after the first movie the entire miniature was repainted various flat whites and greys; not the great looking pearl paint job from TMP. That may be what you are seeing between the photos.

Yes yes I KNEW someone was going to point that out.

Surface color is a factor, but the point here is lousy florescent lighting vs. incredibly detailed studio lighting complete with multiple mirrors reflecting on various areas of the ship.
Believe me, it makes a difference.

Spockboy

 

[feek61]

Yes, I understand studio lighting; just making a point that the subject most likely was not the same which changes the equation

 

[Warped9]

This also happens with cgi models. You colour something and it looks different under different lighting conditions.

 

[uniderth]

Any chance we'll get some killer blueprints out of this project?

You know, 50th and all.

 

[Warped9]

Any chance we'll get some killer blueprints out of this project?

You know, 50th and all.

Man, that would be amazing!

 

[MarsWeeps]

It would be a joy to see some new vfx made with her now restored. Alas I don't see that ever happening.

I think one method would be to light her up and film her with multiple cameras from every angle against a blue screen or green screen and then you could pretty much recreate any of the shots in TOS. Sounds easier than it is I'm sure but maybe they could try it with a few episodes and then see if there's any interest in fans purchasing yet another copy of the series. You can sign me up right now.

 

[RAMA]

Only a few hours away..might need to go back there.