Diamond Select Art Asylum ships

[Richard Baker]

I think it might be a while before any new ships (not repaints) are issued from Diamond Select.
My friend who mastered the product line, Tom Sasser, died last year. He was not only an expert in the details and accuracy of the subjects, but had dealt with insane Chinese factories long enough to be able to avoid the 'communication errors'. The Diamond Select corporate office sent representatives to his home to buy up all the materials in progress from his widow and needs to find someone else to take over the creation of these masters.

Tom left some pretty big shoes to fill...

 

[saddestmoon]

^^^ that is very sad to hear!

 

[publiusr]

He lived not far from Richard and I. I got to meet him.
A real loss.

 

[saddestmoon]

So, regarding my earlier posting about attempting to custom-paint/fix my Ent-A, I purchased a Model Master Light Grey enamel paint, and painted all the unpainted plastic sections of the Enterprise 1701-A:

https://eugenetoyandhobby.com/shop/testors-2038-model-master-light-gray-fs36492-12-oz/

Overall - the match was extremely close (as close as can be, IMO) - and overall it's worked out well, and to my satisfaction.

Didn't airbrush either - just a good ole' fashioned brush!

The saucer was definately been the most problematic section of the starship to paint (IMO), and was the section that I needed to fix, due to my earlier painting 'fumblings'. I painted the entire saucer top, cutting in around the registry details, and then I used a small pin-point to etch through the paint into the framework / structural recesses of the saucer. Once dry, I then painted back into the framework / structural lines again with the light grey paint, outlining around each panel - and much to my joy, the reapplication of the grey paint allowed for a very subtle change in tone (coupled with the slightly raised aztecing on the saucer itself). Once completely dry, the saucer now exhibits a overall uniform grey paintdrab, with suitible aztecing/detailing coming through nicely.

When I get some time, I should upload a photo for reference.

Granted - my attempts are definitely not the most exact (and others on these boards possess paint-application skills far beyond that of mine!) - but luckily for me, the Model Master enamel is quite forgiving, and coupled with the amazing suface detailing of the Enterprise 1701-A (to Art Asylum's credit!), the overall paintjob has worked well - and has saved the day!

I have my AA 1701-A back from the brink of custom-painting disaster (with I'm ecstatic about, as it's probably my favourite AA / DST starship to date)! Happy Days!

 

[Saga]

i have the NX-01 (first release) and TWOK Enterprise. i've been thinking about getting the Enterprise B. not sure if i want battle damaged or regular.

 

[Richard Baker]

I don't remember- are the 'battle damaged' ships just the stock molds with some burn marks added to the paint job?
If they had real molded in damage I would be very tempted...

 

[drt]

I don't remember- are the 'battle damaged' ships just the stock molds with some burn marks added to the paint job?
If they had real molded in damage I would be very tempted...

Just a burn mark paint job.

 

[Richard Baker]

Thanks!
My wallet is grateful they took the cheaper route.

 

[CommanderTrip]

I don't remember- are the 'battle damaged' ships just the stock molds with some burn marks added to the paint job?
If they had real molded in damage I would be very tempted...

AFAIK, The TWOK Enterprise released about 15 or so years ago had extensive battle damage decals to the saucer, as well as screen-accurate scorch marks. They also released a battle damaged NX-01 from "shockwave". Then there's the Enterprise B Battle damaged version....

The Enterprise B however does in-fact have molded damage near the deflector that is screen accurate. This is the most prominent detail I can think of without looking at the pictures/videos posted online. I have seen several pictures on-line because I was tempted to make the purchase as well, but ultimately went with the pristine version Enterprise B. Still tempted to get the BD one though....

I remember back when Art Asylum first got the license for Trek swag. They released the Enterprise line first: The NX-01(which was missing have the decals, including the two yellow markings for the cargo bays on the saucer. looking forward to buying the 2016 reissue), a "Trek Tek" Phase Pistol and Communicator two-pack(A phase pistol which had a god awful orange pistol tip....which I quickly spraypainted.), an away team eva-suit figure line, and a regular figure line to start, as well as the deluxe bridge playset with figures, which I'm still angry they never finished.

Then they released ,a four figure line for Nemesis, as well as the glorious Enterprise - E, and they began the great onslaught of TOS merch: the TMP/TWOK Enterprise refit, a TOS phaser, TOS figures, etc.. Gave me great hope to one day get the Defiant (DS9) and Voyager.... but still, no luck.... Still, compared to playmates, aside from the occasional QA issues, the AA/DST models are awesome.

 

[TheSubCommander]

I think it might be a while before any new ships (not repaints) are issued from Diamond Select.
My friend who mastered the product line, Tom Sasser, died last year. He was not only an expert in the details and accuracy of the subjects, but had dealt with insane Chinese factories long enough to be able to avoid the 'communication errors'. The Diamond Select corporate office sent representatives to his home to buy up all the materials in progress from his widow and needs to find someone else to take over the creation of these masters.

Tom left some pretty big shoes to fill...

That is very sad to hear of Tom Sasser's passing. Sounds like the guy did a lot for fans of the Diamond Select lines.

However, it is possible that with Diamond Select corporate buying the materials, it could mean they could actually increase output, but then again, that could affect quality, too. Hopefully, with Mr. Sasser's passing, quality doesn't suffer.

 

[Richard Baker]

I think they got current works in progress and things he had built for others. The sad part is that they lost his encyclopedic knowledge and experience in dealing with translating ship designs into production replicas. The great thing is that while his illness and death left his family destitute their purchase helped considerably

 

[TheSubCommander]

Good point! I didn't mean to imply the passing of Mr. Sasser isn't a great loss, especially for the reasons you list.

 

[CommanderTrip]

Well, I went to the mall today and bought the NX-01 DST re-release as a birthday present to myself..... and I bought all four seasons of Enterprise..... as a birthday present....to myself lol.

Overall impressions, I love it. It's such an improvement over the 2000/2001 AA release. All of the details and decals are there and true to what is seen on screen. This was such a huge selling point in getting me to buy this one again (I sold my first issue NX-01 years ago while I was in college to help pay for textbooks) I remember ordering the first issue NX-01 online from New Force Comics way back when. After getting it shipped to my house I excitedly opened the package, and the first thing I noticed was the incomplete paint job. To be more specific, the cargo bay doors on the saucer were missing the yellow decals, as well as other missing aztec patterns and details. Also, the nacelles were loose fitting and would often...um..... disengage?.... from the ship and they would fall off easily. The new re-release has LED's and I believe more SFX/Voice FX from all four season of Enterprise, whereas the first issue only had audio clips from season one.

QA wise, the first thing I noticed in the box were one of the nacelles was not attached properly and hide two wires sticking through the gap. When I got home, I carefully took it out of the box and, knowing how the nacelles came off in the first release, gently pulled up on the nacelle to push the wiring back in and snap it back into place. (NOTE: In the re-release, the nacelles are supposed to be permanently attached to the ship and not removable. I think I just got lucky in my quick repair job, but be mindful if yours is in a similar shape and you want to attempt the repair.

Overall (and aside from the flimsy stand), very happy with it and I hope they eventually give us what we all want: Defiant and Voyager! Some alien ships would be nice..... Although as mentioned previously new ships are delayed due to the passing of someone who sounded like a true fan.... You know what, now I might have to get the klingon BOP next..... just not sure if I want the HMS bounty version or TUC version....

 

[publiusr]

They do good work.

 

[DertyNerdy]

My Bandai models...

Enterprise NX-01
USS Voyager
USS Enteprise A
USS Enterprise E

My Diamond Select models...

USS Enterprise NCC-1701
USS Enterprise B
USS Enterprise B
USS Excelisor

I have the Star Trek Starships Collection plagues behind them

 

[Hey Missy]

What's the newest release of the Enterprise-A like compared to the 2003 one and the 2007 TWOK "sans-A" variant? I know both of those were terribly flimsy and made of a cheaper plastic (almost like styrofoam in a way)

 

[publiusr]

I don't have that one yet.