News TOMY Star Trek Diecast Ship Replicas

[scotthm]

The campaign seems to have slowed significantly since it reached a little over a 1/3 ($800,000) of its goal.

Maybe that's why the campaign runs for 30 days.

The refit did reach it's target on the first day. That is the problem they are going to have, the only other ship I foresee reaching the refit numbers is the D, however that will also be more complex for them to build with the lighting kit and all.

I think the D will be at least as popular as the Refit, but I expect it to be more expensive and a good bit larger, so we'll see. If it's a similar length, it will be quite wide, and too wide to fit in most displays or on most shelves. And, if people don't like saucer supports on the TOS E and the Refit, I don't know what they'll think about the display stand for a large diecast D.
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[mindx2]

Maybe that's why the campaign runs for 30 days.

I understand that but with most crowdfunding projects succeed if funding goals reach around 50% in the first 24-36 hours. I'm being generous with that 36 hour number as it really is closer to 24. Don't get me wrong, I want it to succeed! I love my TOMY TOS-E and can't wait for my Refit-E. I want as many as TOMY can make but I'm also a realist when it comes to these types of endeavors.

 

[Grayswandir]

I got the TOS Enteprise and waiting on my refit. I was very surprised (but happy) that the D7 was what won the survey, it's what I chose. I backed the D7 but really think that Tomy made some poor decisions this time.

First, they set the project for 3000 ships. That's about 500 more than the final number for the TOS-E. I can't see someone getting a D7 who doesn't already have that Enterprise. Second, the tooling looks very simple, but the shipped U.S. price is $750. That's going to turn off a lot of people who might have purchased it on a whim (I think $500 would be max for this sort of thing). Third, they irked me a bit in the interview where they talked about the remote control sound effect. They know this is a niche project for people who are highly attentive to details. The remote sound effect is that of the Federation communicator. Why would the Klingons use that? There's a Klingon communicator sound in canon - from Star Trek 3. When asked about this they said yeah, we considered that but decided to go with the Federation sound. It's a simple .wav file for product that isn't yet built. Why not go with what's right? But yet they felt that they needed to make up a Klingon shuttle/bay when none was ever seen. It's stuff like this, and the horrible plastic stand for the TOS-E (base stand not the saucer stand) which make me think they don't know, or care much, for their audience.

 

[David cgc]

I gotta say, I am really surprised that their market research was split down the middle between the D7, Reliant, and Enterprise-D. I mean, maybe if people were imagining the K'tinga, or even the DS9 version, but it just doesn't seem that exciting as an object d'art like the TMP Enterprise, or to have the sentimental value of the TOS one (which is also much more straightforward to build a passible version of at the same size using the model kit).

 

[drt]

The refit did reach it's target on the first day.

Sorry, I meant crowdfunding campaigns in general. I don't actually recall how the refit campaign went since it did reach the target early, but I'd expect there was another surge at the end.

I think the D will be at least as popular as the Refit, but I expect it to be more expensive and a good bit larger, so we'll see. If it's a similar length, it will be quite wide, and too wide to fit in most displays or on most shelves.

Yeah, the 1701-D's width is 75% of it's length. I guess they could make it the same dimensions as the 2-foot studio model, which is 1:900ish scale. Price would probably still be north of $1k if they want $700 for the D7.

Second, the tooling looks very simple, but the shipped U.S. price is $750. That's going to turn off a lot of people who might have purchased it on a whim (I think $500 would be max for this sort of thing).

I mentioned upthread that I didn't see demand for the D7 exceeding the TOS 1701, and that a K'tinga seemed like a better choice (more people would have the refit to go with it, plus it's more visually interesting) . $500 seemed like the sweet spot, it's also about 2/3 the size so that number feels right.

Also agreed with the goofy communicator sound decision and other odd choices like the hangar bay/shuttles, I'd also add in the light up nacelles.

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

Spoiler: Tested - Adam Savage's Hands-On w／ Star Trek Klingon BattleCruiser Model!

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TL;DW:

TimeLines are subject to change, but the 'Current Estimate' for the "ReFit Connie" to ship is November.

 

[Tomalak]

Also confirms the Klingon communicator remote will have Klingon sound effects.

That TMP Enterprise model looks absolutely stunning.

 

[mindx2]

Also confirms the Klingon communicator remote will have Klingon sound effects.

That TMP Enterprise model looks absolutely stunning.

The TMP does look absolutely gorgeous! If I think my TOS looks good that one looks 10x better. I liked how they specifically talked about hiding the screw holes on both the TMP and the D-7. They certainly seem to be listening and implementing needed improvements with each ship. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NOV.!!!!!!!

 

[mindx2]

Not sure this will makes its goal. Unless it has a very strong last few days it doesn't look good. Most successful crowdfunded projects make their goal in few hours/days. Those that don't get funded quickly, but still get funded by the end, usually don't need more than a 1/3 of their initial asking amount in the last few days of the campaign*. This still needs almost 50%.

I don't want it to fail but...


* anecdotal evidence on my part from observing many projects over the years.

 

[scotthm]

I don't want it to fail but...

Who would? I don't think even those who would have preferred a different model want it to fail.
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[Tomalak]

The TOS-E struggled to make the goal, so they reduced it. I suspect they will find a way to make the D7 happen, possibly by only offering one of the paint jobs.

 

[scotthm]

I suspect they will find a way to make the D7 happen, possibly by only offering one of the paint jobs.

That will immediately cost them at least 250 orders, because that's how many people have ordered one of each so far.
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[drt]

The TOS-E struggled to make the goal, so they reduced it. I suspect they will find a way to make the D7 happen, possibly by only offering one of the paint jobs.

Both are such simple paint jobs I doubt that having a second paint deco contributes significantly to the expense. They’re painted prior to assembly, so careful design of the components to be painted potentially makes it as simple changing the paint in the sprayer to do the second run.

 

[scotthm]

They've lowered the requirement from 3,000 units to 2,000.
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[David cgc]

The D7 seems a lot more "done" than the TOS, or especially the TMP, models were when they were crowdfunded. Mass-production isn't usually the lion's share of expense on a project like this, so they've probably already invested most of the cost on getting it to this point.

I'm still surprised by the three-way split in their market research, and I'm curious about the implications. Unrepresentative sampling? People don't know what they want? Or is the TMP Enterprise the one Trek ship that hits the bullseye between nostalgia and impressiveness as an objet d'art to make it attractive as a splurge to a large enough audience, and no other possible model could math out for TOMY?

 

[Takeru]

They've lowered the requirement from 3,000 units to 2,000.
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They reached a million dollars 8 days ago and by now they haven't even reached $1.2 million with more than 200.000 to go, they might not even reach the lowered goal.

I have no idea why they picked the D7, it's such a boring ship. I think doing a movie version of what is essentially the same basic ship just with more details and visual interest would have worked better. Or a Miranda class or a Bird of Prey, I think those would have sold really well.

 

[scotthm]

I have no idea why they picked the D7

They said it was because people asked for it. Maybe it was because it makes a good companion ship to the TOS Enterprise. Maybe it was because the recent tariff increases caused them to need to make a less expensive, higher margin model. Maybe because they still plan on getting to those other more "interesting" ships at some point, but didn't have designs nailed down soon enough. Or maybe it's just because it really is what people asked for.
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[drt]

The D7 seems a lot more "done" than the TOS, or especially the TMP, models were when they were crowdfunded. Mass-production isn't usually the lion's share of expense on a project like this, so they've probably already invested most of the cost on getting it to this point.

I'm still surprised by the three-way split in their market research, and I'm curious about the implications. Unrepresentative sampling? People don't know what they want? Or is the TMP Enterprise the one Trek ship that hits the bullseye between nostalgia and impressiveness as an objet d'art to make it attractive as a splurge to a large enough audience, and no other possible model could math out for TOMY?

Lowering it to 2000 units is so close to the current level it makes me think they will move forward with production even if they fall short.

With regard to the success of the refit, I think it was so popular because there had never really been a sizable refit model that wasn't crazy expensive, whereas there had been a couple of TOS versions. People were also gunshy about crowdfunding, thinking Tomy was going to take the money and run (seeming unaware it's a giant Japanese company), which probably also kept numbers lower on the TOS model.

 

[Tomalak]

I have no idea why they picked the D7

They did a poll, and it was split pretty evenly between the D7, the Reliant and the Enterprise-D, with the D7 just ahead.

Obviously that means almost two thirds of people didn't want the D7, so they probably should have done some ranked-choice voting.

Chris from Tomy has basically confirmed the Reliant is next.

 

[Takeru]

Or maybe it's just because it really is what people asked for.
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I can believe people asked for the D7, I also believe many people thought of the K't'inga class when they did. The ships are so similar they blur together in the minds of most people and it is possible when people who asked for the D7 saw the prototype they thought "No, not that one".

They did a poll, and it was split pretty evenly between the D7, the Reliant and the Enterprise-D, with the D7 just ahead.

Obviously that means almost two thirds of people didn't want the D7, so they probably should have done some ranked-choice voting.

Chris from Tomy has basically confirmed the Reliant is next.

With no clear favorite they should have ignored the poll entirely.

And maybe that's just me but why was the D7 even an option? Why did they not pick the K't'inga as the klingon entry? It's the same basic design with more details and lighting which goes a long way justifying the $700 price.