Star Trek: Starships Model/Magazine Subscription

[137th Gebirg]

Can't tell because of the lighting, but it looks like a mash-up of the TMP and TWOK paint jobs. There are a lot of weird details on that ship, like all of the bumps on the warp engines, but maybe those are just flaws on the prototypes being highlighted by the contrasty lighting.

I noticed that - the bumps, so far as I can tell, are actually accurate. However, they are extremely over-scaled relative to the model size. That is, their protrusions are highly over-exaggerated and should be a lot more subtle than what's shown. If you look at the PL model, for example, All those same bumps and blocks are there, just not nearly as pronounced. From a distance, they are completely unnoticeable. If you can find close-up's of the original filming miniature from the Christie's auction with the right lighting and at the right angles, you'll see them there too.

Many of these models also have deeply cut gridlines, way too deep compared to what they should be at any given scale. Many of Eaglemoss' models had that issue. Unfortunately, since they were all box scale and many of them were relatively immense, cutting grid lines and other details to scale would make them basically invisible.

 

[137th Gebirg]

View attachment 35354

15 grand???

One word:

 

[Markonian]

Since passing my license I’ve owned three cars.
If I bought all three on the same day, I’d still spend less than for one of these “studio models”.

 

[David cgc]

Trekcore posted an article collating the information from social media (three feet, $15k, kind of a lot of money compared to the QMX and Anovos equivalents), but also posted three 4k videos of close-up pans of each of the three models. There are some interesting parts revealed from the closer look (for instance, the refit seems to have modeled rooms behind all of the windows, or at least some sort of visible detailing, which is probably aimed at me, specifically, but the joke's on them, from the pictures, I thought the model would be 2/3rds the size and a tenth of the cost).

EDIT: I take it back, the engineering section on the Excelsior has visible polygon segmenting, and the spotlights at the bottom of the saucer have 3D-printing striations. I know the weird pre-production bridge on the big EM Eaglemoss Enterprise-A is the go-to "How did this happen?" for the thread, but the one that drives me nuts is their modern Cylon Centurion, which had obvious, visible polygons, like they just printed the model direct from the show and didn't even look at it before making the molds, that's the one I don't get, and here, it happened again.

I get that these are probably prototypes, but I've bought enough model kits and fast-food sandwiches to know the one you take a picture of usually gets a little extra TLC to make sure it photographs well, so I'm a little surprised by these fit-and-finish issues. And that's not even getting into rivet-counting, like the Enterprise-A-style markings on the refit or the mistake in the aztec pattern (the landing feet on the saucer aren't part of it, they have stripes), or the Excelsior being the TUC version but decaled as the TSFS one.

And one final dishonorable mention for the -D's open main shuttlebay, a feature that was also on the QMX version, which actually included some decals and paint so it didn't appear to just be a shallow hole with some tiny shuttle-shaped lumps in it. In general, I think, any of the discerning and suspiciously rich Trekkies who got the QMX versions of these two Enterprises probably aren't kicking themselves for not waiting for these.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Captain B.84]

Fortunate for those who have the money...

I'm just laughing out loud because TOMY has their Star Trek Enterprise crowdfunding (~$600) last year and some people here are laughing it off and fascinated by this "studio-quality" finish while the TOMY is just based on the Smithsonian model, and made in die-cast. SMH

I can't wait for TOMY's next Star Trek crowdfunding...

 

[mindx2]

I hope this is just a rough 1st prototype run. That E-D looks bad especially the open shuttle bay. I also really dislike how the stands for each of these looks. Huge plastic supports and that large plug on the bottom. Just doesn't display well at all. I guess my expectations for a $15,000 model is higher than it should be... ?

So far I'm glad I ordered the TOMY Enterprise (for a heck of a lot less!) but I suppose I should wait to make a final judgement when I eventually receive it.

 

[David cgc]

I haven’t seen a pictorial comparison to confirm it, but I saw a few people on Facebook who strongly suspect the refit model is literally a Polar Lights 1/350 kit based on some tell-tale seams and details.

 

[drt]

I haven’t seen a pictorial comparison to confirm it, but I saw a few people on Facebook who strongly suspect the refit model is literally a Polar Lights 1/350 kit based on some tell-tale seams and details.

I'm not familiar with the fine details of those kits, but a lot of the "through the windows" interior room details were very reminiscent of ones I've seen online.

It seems to me you could probably hire someone to build a Polar Lights kit and get a better final model for a heck of a lot less than $15k.


EDIT:
Snagged a D4 out of today’s drop , it sold out almost immediately so relieved the transaction went through quickly. (Until a little while ago, I hadn’t realized the drop was Thursday this week, so almost f’d that up…)

 

[Paul755]

MR tweeted out they have 1200 each of the Lower Decks stuff. If that’s the case there should be a great chance of getting either the Cerritos or the Yosemite. Maybe both of you’re lucky.

 

[Tomalak]

Pretty astonished at the quality of those models for $15k. The E-D in particular looks desperately poor with that embarrassment of a shuttlebay and a big plastic stick holding it up. Is there any word on if it separates?

I thought the Eaglemoss build-up was overpriced, but you arguably get a superior model of approximately the same size at significantly lower cost.

I presume the target market is rich tech bros with plenty of money and no sense.

 

[Richard Baker]

Just watched the video of the Refit. The hull lettering has obvious decal surrounds, something most Builders can avoid, even the Bandai pre-painted kit didn't have the. For a replica so expensive that was a surprise

 

[Paul755]

just to play devils advocate…they could have just done quick mock-ups for the announcement and if you pay the 15 large you’ll get something way better. Which would be the reverse of what sometimes happens (A+ prototypes, B+ final product.)

Otherwise yeah…just look at the commission work Bill Krause does (for example) and it’s twice what you’ve got there.

 

[drt]

Seems like a poor strategy to sell something high end.

 

[David cgc]

I'm actually really curious about what the details are from the "real" announcement this week, and whether these models are actually as much of a boondoggle as they appear to be, or if there's some other shoe to drop.

 

[Khaaaannn]

A guy on reddit posted the below pick claiming to have been given these prototypes by a friend that worked for eaglemoss. Don't know if they're real.

https://flic.kr/p/2oMjHFD

They are real, that’s my bookcase and my ships. DM me if you want more info

 

[Paul755]

this weeks drop


STAR TREK Books
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D Illustrated Handbook
Mr Spock's Little Book of Mindfulness
STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES A Celebration
STAR TREK Nerd Search: THE NEXT GENERATION
STAR TREK Shipyards: Federation Members

STAR TREK Midsize
Landing Pod (U.S.S. Discovery)
U.S.S. Shran (Magee Class)

STAR TREK Dedication Plaques
Dedication Plaque U.S.S. Shenzhou
Dedication Plaque U.S.S. Discovery

STAR TREK Regular size
Vidiian Warship
Archer's Toy Ship
S.S. Raven
United Earth Starfleet Intrepid
Ferengi Ship (22nd century)
Borg Probe
U.S.S Enterprise NCC-1701 (Constitution Class Refit)

STAR TREK Shuttles
Executive Shuttle NAR-25820
Type-7 Shuttle
Type-15 Shuttle
Type-10 Shuttle (U.S.S. Defiant)
Type-15 Shuttle

STAR TREK Specials
Klingon battle cruiser (KELVIN TIMELINE)
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 (KELVIN TIMELINE)
Kobayashi Maru KELVIN TIMELINE)
Klingon Ty'Gokor Orbital Station

STAR TREK XLs
XL: U.S.S. Equinox (Nova Class)
XL: La Sirena

Gold Ships (Regular size)
GOLD U.S.S. Enterprise NCCC-1701-D

I actually might jump on the Defiant Shuttle. But otherwise it’s gonna be a pass from me.

 

[drt]

Looks like I get the week off.

 

[137th Gebirg]

Any word on the previously un-released Alpha Quadrant Volume 2 (Lysian to Roumlan) book? It's the only one left I need to get.

 

[David cgc]

I actually might jump on the Defiant Shuttle. But otherwise it’s gonna be a pass from me.

These a la carte shuttle releases are pretty great.

 

[Markonian]

Any word on the previously un-released Alpha Quadrant Volume 2 (Lysian to Roumlan) book? It's the only one left I need to get.

It’s still getting advertised on Amazon… I’d love to get it, too.

For years the XL Reliant languished on a bottom display but thanks to bobmat343design I’ve finally fixed the glaring name decal issue. Does it look amateurish? Yes, that’s thanks to my limited modding skills. But I’m satisfied.