Should I Build This Model?

[tranya]

So, a few years ago when emptying out my parents' basement before a big move, I found this:

[That's not actually a picture of the box I own, just a picture I found of the same era model box]

I believe it's circa 1970s sometime. My father apparently bought it for me when I was a little kid, but forgot to give it to me. It's not in shrinkwrap anymore and the box is a little water damaged from a flood. But, all the components are still in there, in fine shape, never having been assembled.

What do I do with it? It's sat on a shelf, in its box, for years. Do I keep it like it is (it's displayable as is, IMHO), do I try to sell it on ebay (it looks like this model gets $50ish minimum maybe?), or do I assemble the model inside it? I can't decide what would be the best thing to do with something like this.

 

[Cary L. Brown]

So, a few years ago when emptying out my parents' basement before a big move, I found this:

[That's not actually a picture of the box I own, just a picture I found of the same era model box]

I believe it's circa 1970s sometime. My father apparently bought it for me when I was a little kid, but forgot to give it to me. It's not in shrinkwrap anymore and the box is a little water damaged from a flood. But, all the components are still in there, in fine shape, never having been assembled.

What do I do with it? It's sat on a shelf, in its box, for years. Do I keep it like it is (it's displayable as is, IMHO), do I try to sell it on ebay (it looks like this model gets $50ish minimum maybe?), or do I assemble the model inside it? I can't decide what would be the best thing to do with something like this.

Are the parts still on the trees, or have they been broken off?

If they're off... then you have a great, rare model to build. If they're on, you have a rare collector's item and it's probably worth more (to people who really care about that sort of thing) in as close to "pristine" condition as possible.

Me, I don't care about the vintage of a box, or special packaging, or the color of plastic used... I only want an accurate model. Which means, I'm anxiously awaiting the new Lunar Models/Racing Champions/whoever-it-is-now 30" classic 1701 kit.

(On the other hand, I have no plans to ever buy or build anything relating to the "new version 1701" we get in the new movie.)

 

[Bamasi]

Me, I don't care about the vintage of a box, or special packaging, or the color of plastic used... I only want an accurate model. Which means, I'm anxiously awaiting the new Lunar Models/Racing Champions/whoever-it-is-now 30" classic 1701 kit.

(On the other hand, I have no plans to ever buy or build anything relating to the "new version 1701" we get in the new movie.)

Are you implying someone is building a 30" model of the original 1701? Could you please post a link? This is amazing news to me. I guess I missed the announcement. Again, any kind of link would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[tranya]

Are the parts still on the trees, or have they been broken off?

If they're off... then you have a great, rare model to build. If they're on, you have a rare collector's item and it's probably worth more (to people who really care about that sort of thing) in as close to "pristine" condition as possible.

Yeah, I think they're still on the trees. I haven't opened it in a while, but my last recollection was that everything was in there (including decals, still on sheets).

By the way, is this the same model that the show used to make the Constellation in "Doomsday Machine"? I seem to recall reading somewhere that they just used an AMT model for that.

 

[Meredith]

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[Forbin]

Before you do anything, that model is being reissued very soon by the new owner of AMT/Ertl/polar Lights. Word is the models are on their way from China as we speak, and will be in the stores, I guess, around christmas. So you can go buy a brand new one to build, and save your valuable classic kit.

 

[Cary L. Brown]

Me, I don't care about the vintage of a box, or special packaging, or the color of plastic used... I only want an accurate model. Which means, I'm anxiously awaiting the new Lunar Models/Racing Champions/whoever-it-is-now 30" classic 1701 kit.

(On the other hand, I have no plans to ever buy or build anything relating to the "new version 1701" we get in the new movie.)

Are you implying someone is building a 30" model of the original 1701? Could you please post a link? This is amazing news to me. I guess I missed the announcement. Again, any kind of link would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Not so much of an "implication" as a "repetition."

More re-issues and new models on the way
2009 re-releases will include the AMT versions of Enterprise E and the Polar Lights 1/350 scale Enterprise A. Round 2 has the license for all versions of Trek except the animated show and the 2009 movie (although they are hoping to secure those rights). The first new kit for 2009 will be a 1/1000 scale kit of the Akira class U.S.S. Thunderchild (from Star Trek First Contact). There are also plans in 2010 for a 1/350 scale kit of the TOS Enterprise (which will be an amazing 30" long when assembled and incredibly detailed).

See this page for more... though the same info can be found in many different places.
http://trekmovie.com/2008/08/02/the-collective-the-return-of-star-trek-model-kits/

 

[CaptainHawk1]

Before you do anything, that model is being reissued very soon by the new owner of AMT/Ertl/polar Lights. Word is the models are on their way from China as we speak, and will be in the stores, I guess, around christmas. So you can go buy a brand new one to build, and save your valuable classic kit.

John is absolutely correct... But I say sell that kit on the bay and wait for the re-issue as I believe they are making some corrections to it and accurate decals.

I don't particularly like the old kit but it is a collector's edition and you could get a few bucks for it not to mention I don't particualrly trust told styrene. I found it to be brittle the older it gets.

-Shawn

 

[roguephoenix]

i say don't touch that. keep it as is and wait for the reissue coming as was announced.