Smithsonian returns restored Starship Enterprise model to public display

I thought I was in the camp that didn't need to see the ship lit (so that she'll last another 50 years). I was wrong. Thank you!

 

And in-universe, what was their purpose? And why didn't movie-era ships have them?

FWIW, Robert Bussard proposed the interstellar ramjet concept in 1960. It would have been nifty if the idea had been incorporated into TOS. http://www.askmar.com/Robert Bussard/Galactic Matter and Interstellar Flight.pdf

Kor

 

To me it seems inspired by a big electrical motor, spinning to represent power being generated or used. The TOS Enterprise is powered by anti-matter/matter reaction. In TOS don't think they ever explain what form that anti-matter is in. The dilithium crystals are necessary to somehow control or channel the reaction, though at times they are described as a power source themselves, probably incorrectly.

 

Gotta say, this makes me smile. It's been too long coming.

 

Beautiful!
Is there a higher rez version?

Thanks!
Spockboy

 

The image is from the Popular Mechanics article.

Article here
Image here

 

The outline on that black background photo is horrible. The hull looks choppy and irregular. Even the engine dome, which is a hemisphere, looks lumpy. Here is a higher resolution version on the Smithsonian archive site which shows this more clearly. They needed someone with more Photoshop experience to prepare this image. Rest assured this is not how the actual model is.

 

Thanks!

Spockboy

 

Wow!

Thanks very much.

Spockboy

 

Motors FTW!

As for the bussard debate, count me in as one who does NOT consider them Bussard collectors.

Many people call them Nacelle Domes. I call them Reactor Domes. Some energy reaction (insert technobabble here) is happening in there and that what we're witnessing. They aren't interstellar vacuum cleaners but a visible indication of the raw power needed to run the ship.

Much more awesome than the sucky (pun intended) Bussard Collector retcon.

 

With how good the ship looks now, I wish they could refilm the VFX shots from TOS and re-release the remastered sets, replacing the CG Enterprise with the actual model ala the TNG remastered approach. Never gonna happen though.

 

Yes - all original.

 

Well we really really tried to do that. Unfortunately Smithsonian doesn't have the facilities for a complete recreation.

 

I gotta admit, I was worried when I read about the "streaks" that were added but I think it turned out well. It adds character to the old gal and looks like a ship that's been out exploring (as it should) and not fresh off the assembly line. Fantastic job!

 

Still needs some photoshop work done, especially on the secondary hull where it's sitting on the stand.

 

Increment the numbers and you'll find more shots. Very nice!

 

Trekcore's Bluray screencaps seem to show nothing there, but my avatar photo does show the center bow plug:





The photo was published in a magazine called Model Car & Science, Dec 1967. I think it was a publicity still of the 11-footer. Other thoughts or info welcome.

 

ABC posted a good video with some new photos and videos from the restoration and completed model:

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/re...terprise-model-arrives-home/story?id=40194004