Gauging Interest: Saving The Enterprise-A Filming Model

[Riley]

As some of you know, most of the iconic filming models from Star Trek film and TV history were sold during the "40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection" auction way back in 2006.

Most of these models, which can be said to belong to us as Star Trek fans, ended up in private collections where they are not available for public viewing.

In my opinion, the one model that most deserves to be restored and placed in a museum for public viewing is that of the refit U.S.S. Enterprise from Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It was sold while still labeled and modified as the Enterprise-A and its fate was uncertain after the sale for several years.

By 2016, it was confirmed that Jeff Bezos purchased the model. It has been on display in the offices of Blue Origin, his aerospace company, since then.

I would like to draft a petition to Bezos that the Enterprise be donated to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The filming model of the TOS Enterprise resides there in all of its fully restored glory. The refit Enterprise is just as important, as it represents the rebirth of Star Trek in the late 70s and an era of films that laid the groundwork for the success of the series that followed.

I'm posting here to gauge interest first in case I'm just one old Trek fan who cares about this. I admit that it sickens me that a piece of Star Trek history is now just a trophy for a billionaire, but I believe that most fans would also agree that the model deserves far more than to be the property of any one person. She belongs to those who love her the most, and no one loves an Enterprise more than Trek fans.

 

[BillJ]

Most of these models, which can be said to belong to us as Star Trek fans, ended up in private collections where they are not available for public viewing.

They never belonged to us. They were corporate property that was sold. End of.

 

[Mudd]

They never belonged to us. They were corporate property that was sold. End of.

Exactly so.

 

[HotRod]

As beautiful as the refit is, its cultural significance is minor compared to that of the original.

Let Bezos have it. He’s a fan, and he bought it fair and square. God knows, if I had that kind of money, I’d buy as many old props and ships from the franchise as I possibly could. I can hardly fault him for doing exactly what I would do.

 

[The Wormhole]

Allow me to summarize my feelings on this matter with a music video:

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[fireproof78]

They never belonged to us. They were corporate property that was sold. End of.

Indeed.

The prop themselves are not as important as what they inspire within fans. I don't hold a prop; I watch show and enjoy the setting there. I have replicas of various Starships and that is sufficient.

 

[Dar70]

I would like to see the model at the very least displayed in a case. ...the guy is worth 100's of billions and just has the model put out in the open.

But I do get where you are coming from Riley. I also would like to see it at the Smithsonian as well with the 32". Sure we all have little models of these ships but I think the filming ones are pretty special.

 

[Lord Garth]

I'd like to see it in the Smithsonian, but it's Jeff Bezos'. After he dies, who knows? It would be nice if an inheritor donated it to the Smithsonian.

But, for now, at least we know where it is. It's better than being in the trash.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

You might have more success suggesting he loan it to them for the 60th anniversary.

 

[Christopher]

As beautiful as the refit is, its cultural significance is minor compared to that of the original.

I can't agree with that. For fans in 1979, it was very significant to get to see the ship reimagined and depicted in more detail than ever before. The design elements introduced in the movies (and many of the actual sets) were carried forward into later Trek productions and have had a continuing influence ever since.

As for influence beyond the franchise and its fandom, I'd say that no other movie series revival of a TV series has been as successful and long-running as the Trek movies. They played a role in building the popularity of science fiction movies in the 1980s-90s, if probably a lesser role than Star Wars did. Also, the builders of the movie Enterprise also created other iconic ships such as the Close Encounters mothership. It's an example of the work of prominent 20th-century artists.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

As for influence beyond the franchise and its fandom, I'd say that no other movie series revival of a TV series has been as successful and long-running as the Trek movies. They played a role in building the popularity of science fiction movies in the 1980s-90s, if probably a lesser role than Star Wars did.

...Probably? Try "Definitely."

Considering that TMP likely wouldn't have even been made if Star Wars hadn't been such a smash hit, I think it's safe to say that SW played more of a role in science fiction becoming more popular to mass audiences in the late 70s.

 

[HotRod]

I can't agree with that. For fans in 1979, it was very significant to get to see the ship reimagined and depicted in more detail than ever before. The design elements introduced in the movies (and many of the actual sets) were carried forward into later Trek productions and have had a continuing influence ever since.

As for influence beyond the franchise and its fandom, I'd say that no other movie series revival of a TV series has been as successful and long-running as the Trek movies. They played a role in building the popularity of science fiction movies in the 1980s-90s, if probably a lesser role than Star Wars did. Also, the builders of the movie Enterprise also created other iconic ships such as the Close Encounters mothership. It's an example of the work of prominent 20th-century artists.

The refit Enterprise is a beautiful design and hugely influential within the franchise, but it’s nowhere near as culturally significant as the original. The original series Enterprise is the symbol of Star Trek and one of the most iconic images in all of science fiction.

It represents a key moment in cultural history. This was the ship that first carried Gene's Vision of the future into millions of homes during the turbulent 1960s. Its design became instantly recognizable, even to people who never watched the show. Show a picture of the Enterprise to almost anyone, and they’ll likely know what it is, even if they call it the "Star Trek Enterprise" like my grandmother.

The refit was a modernization of something already iconic. It exists because the original came first and waa already a cultural icon. While it’s beloved among Trekkies, the general public doesn’t identify with it in the same way.

The Smithsonian chose to preserve the original because of what it represents historically, not just because it’s a beautiful model. The refit may be more detailed and elegant, but the original is Star Trek. Its cultural significance isn’t just about looks, it’s about being a lasting symbol of optimism, diversity, and a franchise that’s thrived for nearly 60 years!

 

[Tomalak]

Fuck Bezos, it belongs in a museum!

But he owns it and he'll do what he likes with it. An internet petition by a few thousand Star Trek fans won't move the dial for a sociopathic zillionaire.

I'd probably sign it anyway.

 

[Lord Garth]

Fuck Bezos, it belongs in a museum!

But he owns it and he'll do what he likes with it. An internet petition by a few thousand Star Trek fans won't move the dial for a sociopathic zillionaire.

I'd probably sign it anyway.

This. I'd sign the petition too, even knowing full well it wouldn't do anything. In the remote chance it did anything at all, it would push him in the other direction. Knowing how much other people want it would make him want to keep it even more. People like that like having things they think are in high-demand. It feeds their egos even more.

Really, at this stage, someone would have to buy it off of him and then donate it. Which isn't realistic.

 

[Riley]

They never belonged to us. They were corporate property that was sold. End of.

I agree that this is true of the model's material significance. That, however, is not what I'm interested in.

As beautiful as the refit is, its cultural significance is minor compared to that of the original.

Let Bezos have it. He’s a fan, and he bought it fair and square. God knows, if I had that kind of money, I’d buy as many old props and ships from the franchise as I possibly could. I can hardly fault him for doing exactly what I would do.

There's no denying that the TOS Enterprise has the greater cultural significance; that is why I mentioned it in my original post. That said, it held tremendous significance to the fans who fought and hoped and longed for Trek to return in some form. The refit is the ultimate version of that hope.

Indeed.

The prop themselves are not as important as what they inspire within fans. I don't hold a prop; I watch show and enjoy the setting there. I have replicas of various Starships and that is sufficient.

That's fine for you. What about those who come after you? The refit model was THE Enterprise of Kirk and his crew longer than the TOS ship was, and the latter is preserved in the Smithsonian. The refit deserves no less.

I would like to see the model at the very least displayed in a case. ...the guy is worth 100's of billions and just has the model put out in the open.

But I do get where you are coming from Riley. I also would like to see it at the Smithsonian as well with the 32". Sure we all have little models of these ships but I think the filming ones are pretty special.

I'd argue that they're even more special now that SFX have all but eliminated physical models. That model (like her predecessor) is not just an icon of Star Trek, it's also an icon of a now-lost art in filmmaking.

I'd like to see it in the Smithsonian, but it's Jeff Bezos'. After he dies, who knows? It would be nice if an inheritor donated it to the Smithsonian.

But, for now, at least we know where it is. It's better than being in the trash.

I'm not so sure it's much better than being in the trash. Bezos doesn't even if have it in a case. It's exposed to variations in temperature and humidity as well as dust and who knows what else. I'd be happier knowing it was in a case, at least.

You might have more success suggesting he loan it to them for the 60th anniversary.

Indeed, but to quote the ship in question's former captain, himself quoting her then-current captain, "I'd like think there always are--possibilities."

I can't agree with that. For fans in 1979, it was very significant to get to see the ship reimagined and depicted in more detail than ever before. The design elements introduced in the movies (and many of the actual sets) were carried forward into later Trek productions and have had a continuing influence ever since.

As for influence beyond the franchise and its fandom, I'd say that no other movie series revival of a TV series has been as successful and long-running as the Trek movies. They played a role in building the popularity of science fiction movies in the 1980s-90s, if probably a lesser role than Star Wars did. Also, the builders of the movie Enterprise also created other iconic ships such as the Close Encounters mothership. It's an example of the work of prominent 20th-century artists.

Excellent points. The refit has far greater significance than its given credit for, both as the second iteration of the Starship Enterprise and as a testament to the lost art of film production model making.

...Probably? Try "Definitely."

Considering that TMP likely wouldn't have even been made if Star Wars hadn't been such a smash hit, I think it's safe to say that SW played more of a role in science fiction becoming more popular to mass audiences in the late 70s.

I fail to see your point. It doesn't matter how or why the refit Enterprise came into being; what matters is her significance to Star Trek, science fiction, pop culture, and the art of filmmaking.

The refit Enterprise is a beautiful design and hugely influential within the franchise, but it’s nowhere near as culturally significant as the original. The original series Enterprise is the symbol of Star Trek and one of the most iconic images in all of science fiction.

It represents a key moment in cultural history. This was the ship that first carried Gene's Vision of the future into millions of homes during the turbulent 1960s. Its design became instantly recognizable, even to people who never watched the show. Show a picture of the Enterprise to almost anyone, and they’ll likely know what it is, even if they call it the "Star Trek Enterprise" like my grandmother.

The refit was a modernization of something already iconic. It exists because the original came first and waa already a cultural icon. While it’s beloved among Trekkies, the general public doesn’t identify with it in the same way.

The Smithsonian chose to preserve the original because of what it represents historically, not just because it’s a beautiful model. The refit may be more detailed and elegant, but the original is Star Trek. Its cultural significance isn’t just about looks, it’s about being a lasting symbol of optimism, diversity, and a franchise that’s thrived for nearly 60 years!

To millions of fans, the TOS films were their introduction to Star Trek and the refit Enterprise their introduction to NCC-1701. In fact, the refit was around longer in terms of production than the TOS Enterprise was. I'm not saying it's more significant, only that it is more significant than you give it credit for and that it deserves to be restored and preserved.

Fuck Bezos, it belongs in a museum!

But he owns it and he'll do what he likes with it. An internet petition by a few thousand Star Trek fans won't move the dial for a sociopathic zillionaire.

I'd probably sign it anyway.

This is my feeling as well! I don't know if he will even see it, but I don't see the harm in at least trying. I'm glad to know there would be at least one supporter!

 

[NCC-73515]

All the big models should be on public protected display. Some dentist in Canada has a few of them in his clinic

 

[M'Sharak]

Most of these models, which can be said to belong to us as Star Trek fans...

Which can be said... by whom, exactly?

"I'm a fan of that, so I declare that those things associated with it now belong to me."

I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure that's not the way property ownership works.

 

[fireproof78]

That's fine for you. What about those who come after you? The refit model was THE Enterprise of Kirk and his crew longer than the TOS ship was, and the latter is preserved in the Smithsonian. The refit deserves no less.

They can't watch the films?

Which can be said... by whom, exactly?

"I'm a fan of that, so I declare that those things associated with it now belong to me."

I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure that's not the way property ownership works.

A fair question. Perhaps I'm a poor person to grasp this but the ownership of this item rests with the person who possess it. There's no obligation just because of fan status.

 

[XCV330]

 

[James Cole]

"It belongs in a museum!"