Smithsonian and the Enterprise

[balls]

I was in DC last week for a conference and was able to spend some time at the Air & Space museum. I was there 30 years ago and tremble the Enterprise was hanging above the gift shop. It was such a treat to she her beautifully restored. It was nice to be really close to it as well. Just a question for anyone else that has seen it since it's return: was there anything in the gift shop that commemorated the enterprise's return? I didn't go in and wonder if there was any Trek merch that was specific to the Smithsonian.

 

[The Old Mixer]

Discussion of the restored 11-footer has been focused in the Original Series forum, so I'm moving this there.

 

[alensatemybuick1]

I just found this poster that I think dates to the 70s (maybe early 80s?). I had the much more common postcard from the same era, and had been looking for this for some time. Sure, she looks better now, but when I was 10 years old, and then again when I was in my late teens, I had a chance to see her in this "configuration" and recall being very happy and not at all disappointed both times. I guess we're all more "demanding: these days.

 

[publiusr]

I need to make a visit sometime.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

when I was 10 years old, and then again when I was in my late teens, I had a chance to see her in this "configuration" and recall being very happy and not at all disappointed both times. I guess we're all more "demanding: these days.

In the 70s, I think many young fans did not have a problem with this stage of the restoration--the blood red nacelles and white tone to the hull was similar to photos of the AMT kit--

...and for a kid, that would have been a perfect connection from real model to the kit at home.

 

[scotpens]

^^ For a few years, the AMT kit included a decal sheet with names and numbers for 14 starships. That compressed, too-bold font looked godawful.

 

[Forbin]

^^ For a few years, the AMT kit included a decal sheet with names and numbers for 14 starships. That compressed, too-bold font looked godawful.

"Machine" was the font. SO totally wrong.

 

[publiusr]

Use that font for a base for the model.

 

[urbandefault]

In the 70s my friends and I built several of those AMT kits and painted them to look like the box art. It was years before I saw TOS on anything but a 19" black & white TV and realized that we'd been doing it wrong.

It worked at the time.

 

[publiusr]

The 11 footer
http://up-ship.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ncc1701color.png

The AMT as compared with Casimiro:
http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/6046553-post51.html
http://www.shawcomputing.net/racerx..._1966_project/1966_amt_enterprise-preview.jpg

The droop:
http://www.shawcomputing.net/racerx/trek_stuff/models/AMT_1966_project/1966_test_assembly_007a.jpg

My Dad fixed the droop by rotating the saucer backwards, so that the top of the secondary hull, the top of the nacelles and the saucer lined up.

Now the front of the secondary hull--where the deflector/sensor dish goes? He filed that down at an angle so the dish pointed more forward.

The sec-hull centerline had to be re-drawn and the windows aligned differently.

 

[alensatemybuick1]

The Air and Space Museum has a built AMT kit in its collection; the page for this item can be found at the hyperlink below. It was donated circa early 70s by RIchard Van Treuren, who built it while serving on an aircraft carrier. A few years later (1976) he wrote some very good articles in Trek Magazine on how to build an even more convincing replica (he was not afraid to modify the kit); by then he figured out how to properly install the reactor cooling loops.

https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/model-star-trek-starship-enterprise

Also, for possible interest:

 

[alensatemybuick1]

Just a question for anyone else that has seen it since it's return: was there anything in the gift shop that commemorated the enterprise's return? I didn't go in and wonder if there was any Trek merch that was specific to the Smithsonian.

Am here in DC area this week on business; took the opportunity to visit some of my fav. museums, including Air and Space. Checked out the gift shop thoroughly and did not really see any Smithsonian-specific trek items on all three levels.

I have to mention as well, the Enterprise did not appear to light up...was there for a while, kept checking back and never saw it "come to life". It also had barriers around two sides, and a black cloth draped over the top. Was not a particularly bright day, so I wondered how long those were in place. Just seemed a bit...sad. Hopefully I just caught it on an "off" day.

 

[feek61]

The lights come on 3 times a day at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM

 

[alensatemybuick1]

Yes, and I was by it from 2:45PM through 3:30PM at least. I guess it's possible I missed it, but unlikely. The photo I posted was taken at 3:19 PM, after I'd milled around it since the top of the hour.

 

[publiusr]

Kerr just needs to release his drawings as a blueprint set for Pocket

 

[Search4]

Love the sign.

In the winter sun can shine on that spot from the rear windows. They will be building a permanent solar shield (and yes calling it a shield against harmful radiation - that was my contribution) but in the meantime have to put up the block.

Will is right the lights should be on three times a day for about 10 mins.

 

[alensatemybuick1]

Back in DC this weekend for a scientific conference, and of course had to pay another visit. Now I see there's a sign indicating when it lights up so everyone will know and not just us nerds.

It lit up on schedule at 11am today. Also those ugly stanchions I saw nearly a year ago are gone.

https://postimg.org/image/11l8jev0vf/

https://postimg.org/image/6iobevjnd7/

 

[UnknownSample]

I saw a small Enterprise hanging at the top of a very ordinary doorway between exhibit rooms, and was VERY disappointed. I later learned that there was a big one that apparently wasn't being shown at the time.

 

[Keith1701]

Would love to visit this someday for sure.

 

[Kor]

Back in DC this weekend for a scientific conference, and of course had to pay another visit. Now I see there's a sign indicating when it lights up so everyone will know and not just us nerds.

It lit up on schedule at 11am today. Also those ugly stanchions I saw nearly a year ago are gone.

https://postimg.org/image/11l8jev0vf/

https://postimg.org/image/6iobevjnd7/

My impossible dream is to see that fly in a feature film.

Kor