Enterprise Cutaway Coming From Dragon Models

Discussion in 'Trek Tech' started by Racer_X, Jan 16, 2013.

  1. Racer_X

    Racer_X Commander Red Shirt

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    The Startrek.com website just announced a few products coming out later this year, including a cutaway model of the original USS Enterprise from Dragon Models. The high-res photo looks like it'll be based off of the Drexler cutaway diagram. It's 18" long, all for the low, low price of $175! With a lot lower price, it might be a cool novelty item to have, but at $175, I dunno....
     
  2. Albertese

    Albertese Commodore Commodore

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    Hmm... Looking at the picture... I'm not too impressed. I think the most I'd pay for that would be about $35 USD. Heck, I could BUILD a better one at twice that size for the money, as that's about what a PL 1:350 TOS-E plus the extra plastic for the cut-a-way details would cost....

    --Alex
     
  3. Mytran

    Mytran Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Interesting idea to use transparent perspex, but not really enough detail for my liking.
     
  4. Robert Comsol

    Robert Comsol Commodore Commodore

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    My thoughts exactly.

    And you could realize a cutaway version that's much more "screen-accurate" :D

    Bob
     
  5. 137th Gebirg

    137th Gebirg Admiral Premium Member

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    Needs a bowling alley.
     
  6. B.J.

    B.J. Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Sounds like it's a new mold, not the same one that was produced a while back (1990s?). But from the pic, it doesn't look like it's that much better. Hrm. I'm with Albertese, it looks like it's worth around $35, not $175.
     
  7. Mytran

    Mytran Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    You mean this one?
    [​IMG]

    This fellow has done a video on his assembly of the kit:

    [​IMG]
    (click for link)
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2013
  8. Robert Comsol

    Robert Comsol Commodore Commodore

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    Hmm...I think I don't know this one, the jetstream emanating from the warp nacelles would have been something I definitely would have remembered. :rolleyes:

    Bob
     
  9. 137th Gebirg

    137th Gebirg Admiral Premium Member

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    ^^^ IIRC, that was SciPubTech's TOS cutaway poster from many many years ago. Around the same time, AMT/ERTL released a slightly larger-than-classic version of the 1701 which included a cutaway component. While still inaccurate in many respects, it was definitely a step up from the the original version that's been around since the 60's. Aside from that, I'm not familiar with any other mass-produced TOS cutaway efforts.
     
  10. Albertese

    Albertese Commodore Commodore

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    ^^^
    Nope. I believe this is art for the Cut-away model kit from AMT that you mention. The Sci-pub-tech poster presents the ship at a totally different angle.

    --Alex
     
  11. 137th Gebirg

    137th Gebirg Admiral Premium Member

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    ^^^ Yes, I stand corrected. :)

    My memory really sucks lately. :(
     
  12. blssdwlf

    blssdwlf Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    I agree with Albertese's assessment. $175 is way too much, IMO.
     
  13. SchwEnt

    SchwEnt Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Which would be better?

    A partial cutaway model, with only certain sections exposed as seen in this model

    -or-

    a full cutaway, right down the middle, see the whole guts of the ship bi-sected?
     
  14. Robert Comsol

    Robert Comsol Commodore Commodore

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    I'm somewhat undecided but if Dragon Models is listening this is what I would like the best:

    A model kit of the original studio set like the one Matt Jefferies did with paper to help the TOS directors plan their camera positions at 1:32 or 1:35 scale !!!

    (the old AMT command bridge and shuttlecraft were one of these scakes, I believe).

    Have this one with movable walls (like the original set) and forget about that LEGO stuff. I'd have a wonderful time with my two boys building new corridors and new sections of the ship on a weekly basis and eventually make a deck by deck Enterprise in 1:35 scale (needless to add it would be more fun for all our deck plan blueprinting projects if you were able to do that in real 3D - especially if you are not a CAD wizard :D).

    Now, that's something I'd be willing to pay 175.00 $ without a moment of hesitation. ;)

    Bob
     
  15. Good

    Good Commander Red Shirt

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    I bought several of the old cutaway when they were on close-out at Big Lots. This was back when there wasn't a good TOS 1701 plastic kit out there. My plan was to combine the two into a non-cutaway full version. I tested it out by using the extra parts to make a Saladin. It turned out pretty well, but right before I finished it, I had to pack it up in my parents basement and move to another state. I recently got it back out. This makes me think I might need to try and finish it.
     
  16. Forbin

    Forbin Admiral Admiral

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    A lot of people made a complete non-cutaway E out of that cutaway model. It's more accurate than the ol' AMT kit, but still has its problems. I never tried it myself, 'cause I have no confidence that I could get rid of that seam when you put the saucer pie slices togather.
     
  17. Racer_X

    Racer_X Commander Red Shirt

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    Some pictures from the New York Toy Fair are showing up, giving us details of the topside of the saucer.

    Image 1

    Image 2
     
  18. Mytran

    Mytran Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    That's the saucer cutaway? It seems to be lacking some...er...details?

    Or are those boxes actually what the common crew have to sleep in? I guess rank does have its privilleges! ;)
     
  19. Albertese

    Albertese Commodore Commodore

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    Yeah... I'm not impressed. The more I see this thing, the more tragic it all seems...

    --Alex
     
  20. 137th Gebirg

    137th Gebirg Admiral Premium Member

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    :sigh: This is a shame. What I suspect will happen is anemic sales due to the lack of detail/quality shown in recent photos. That will likely lead to the bean-counter argument that TOS toys are no longer worth doing if nobody buys them, making it a self-fulfilling prophecy. It is much like putting a niche fan-favorite TV show in a difficult time slot doomed to failure.

    Sad indeed. :(

    The only thing we can hope for, is that this is but a prototype and the production model will have more detail. Unlikely, though.