The TOS Galileo wins...

[Warped9]

The Galileo wins!

At the 2012 Wonderfest (see video via the above link) we're given added details of the progress of R2's 1/350 scale TOS Enterprise.

Additionally R2 announces what new kits are planned for late 2012 and into 2013. For me the win is a 1/144 scale C57D from Forbidden Planet. I've long been interested in this kit, but the current 1/72 scale model is just too big for me (I have room for only one monster size kit and thats the forthcoming big E). For Forbidden Planet fans there will also be a new Robbie the Robot kit.

At Wonderfest R2 began a poll to gauge interest on the most likely new Trek kit for 2013. A lot of suggestions were thrown out including a few non Trek ideas. Although it didn't win I have to say I would have liked an Iron Giant kit since I love the movie and I missed on the very nice toy that was once released.

I was surprised the TOS Romulan BoP suggested didn't do better in the polling since it is one of those "holy grail" kits that has never been done well previously. But a number of other Trek kits were suggested.

But after all the suggestions and polling the final winner was the TOS shuttlecraft Galileo in 1/32 scale. That means the final kit will be at least 9in. long and maybe a bit bigger. The determining factor will be determining the size the actual "real" shuttlecraft was supposed to be.

The full-size exterior mockup was only 22ft. and far to small to accommodate the interior set we saw onscreen. Even a 24ft. vehicle (referenced in "The Galileo Seven") would also be to small. OTH an exterior of about 31-32ft. would hold the full-size interior set seen onscreen, but then the exterior would be far too large to be credibly accommodated within the Enterprise's hangar facilities.

The most reasonable conclusion is that the "real" shuttlecraft is somewhere in between 24ft. and 32ft. R2's approach will be the same as the one used when developing the 1/350 scale TOS E---they wanted to replicate the starship Enterprise the 11ft. filming miniature was meant to represent rather than just replicating a studio prop. In like manner R2 will likely go for what the shuttlecraft was supposed to be rather than just replicating the exterior mockup.

R2 will have quite a challenge. The shuttlecraft was represented by three different versions---the full-size exterior mockup, the small filming miniature and the full-size interior set---and they were all production compromises inconsistent with each other. The full-size exterior and the small model differ in detail and overall shape. The full-size exterior and full-size interior are greatly at odds with each other in terms of size and scale.

It's not an insolvable problem, but it will demand compromises that will challenge some fans expectations. Many people (including me) have wrestled with this thing and have come up with differing solutions.


But the bottom line is that one of Trek's holy grails, an accurate model of the TOS shuttlecraft, will finally see the light of day.

Awesome!

 

[Forbin]

Dioramas I want to do with the Galileo kit:

Build the hangar deck, viewing aft, to scale. Might fit in one of my entertainment unit cubbies.

The above, with Sarek and Amanda arriving with honor guard.

Galileo Seven scene with giant hairy indigine pounding hull with rock.

Shuttle landed on Eden-like lawn surrounded by space hippies hopping on burned feet.

If this goes over, I'm hoping for series of a few more shuttle kits, with at LEAST the TNG soapbar, later TNG shuttle, and the Voyager Speedboat. All in scale, of course.

 

[Warped9]

As an affordable kit you could also recreate or simulate one of those many scenes in the old Gold Key comics where the shuttlecraft was a wreck after crash landing on an alien world.


An interior would be nice. A couple of figures would be nice, too, but figures could also be done aftermarket. Certainly some alternate decals to make at least the Galileo, the Columbus and the Copernicus.

You know, for the interior I just had a thought. Rather than making a removable upper hull (which could certainly be done) why not something of a cutaway effect with the upper hull? An alternate piece or pieces of the upper port or starboard side, and perhaps part of the roof, could be moulded in clear allowing you to see right into the craft? Mind you it would expose the double hull structure which a modeller could fill with "guts" as to their liking, or perhaps a few 'tween hulls parts could be included. Depends on how realistic R2 would like to be. It might also allow a modeller to add interior lights if wanted.

If R2 wants to offer the option of having the access hatch open or closed then that raises another issue that I had to be mindful of. Onscreen they show the access hatch as something of one assembly where the sliding panels and the swinging panel/gangway are the only thing separating the ship's interior from the outside. Firstly, in a "real" spacecraft that would be bad design---God forbid something managed to open that door when least desired...like when in flight. Secondly, if you have a double hull structure, even a tightly spaced one, then there's no way that door could work as seen onscreen, at least not the inner door. That's why I chose to leave the exterior hatch as seen, but the interior door is simply two sliding panels with no swing-down lower panel/gangway, and there's simply a mini airlock or mini tunnel between the inner and external hulls. Hmm, that also kinda explains why those two small rectanglular viewports or windows seen on the exterior hatch are shown dark---when all the doors are closed and sealed there'd be no light from the inside shining out through those windows...unless, of course, they're one-way viewports. Cute.


A suggestion for alternate decals.

Speaking of figures...how big would a 1/32 scale TOS bridge be? You know that's a kit that could have some appeal down the road along with the 1/1000 Romulan BoP.

 

[Redfern]

The overall reaction (so far) in the starShip Modeler's forum (Trek section) has been a bit "whiny" with several people stating they wanted the Reliant. But someone more recently pointed out that the Galileo achieved its victory with 37 precent of the votes. The rest of the ballots were spread among 3 or 4 other potential kits. That's a pretty solid margin if you ask me, almost a landslide.

And I'm glad! I couldn't vote, but I hoped the G-7 would take the lead. As much fun as the old AMT kit was, that aft section was...well, those who owned the kit know the situation. So I'm thrilled we're finally getting a more accurate representation, even if Round2 will have to "fudge the difference" with the conflicting scales.

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Warped9]

The Reliant was a close second I believe. Someone did suggest an accurizing kit for the current AMT model, but the response was an accurizing kit would be too much hassle and still insufficient to get a really good result. So better to create new tooling for a proper first-rate kit. I'm glad.

 

[Redfern]

I remember when the original shuttle kit was released. My friend (who introduced me to Trek in the first place, 1972) called from the other end of the apartment complex where we both lived to announce he had bought the kit. (I can't remember if we had any forewarning.) So I bolted towards his place, losing my footing upon a grassy hill and almost tumbled head over heel (but not quite) along the way. When I reached the apartment, he let me in and then said, "Nah, just kidding!" I was so ready to punch him because I turned my foot when I almost fell, so it was rather sore. Realizing I was about to pounce him, he opened antique writing desk and revealed a hastily glued together kit, the fumes still wafting into the air.

As sloppy has his assembly was, it was the coolest thing I saw until the bridge kit was released. (Or did the bridge predate the shuttle? I'm getting to senile to remember.)

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Warped9]

I'm finding myself liking the idea of a bridge kit done in the Pike era style, gooseneck viewers and all.

 

[Redfern]

Not to mention the more subdued color scheme. (Of course, one can do that with the existing kit.)

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[NebulaClassGuy]

I'm finding myself liking the idea of a bridge kit done in the Pike era style, gooseneck viewers and all.

THAT would be awesome.

 

[Warped9]

This subject has launched into quite a deep conversation here on Hobbytalk.

 

[NebulaClassGuy]

^

Awesome... thanks for that link! I would love to do a diorama with a large-scale hangar deck and shuttle.

 

[TowerPower]

Thanks for posting the video and forum link. The video was excellent and answered some questions I had about the 1:350 TOS Enterprise.

 

[Warped9]

Interesting discussion regarding R2's TOS Shuttlecraft kit.

 

[NebulaClassGuy]

Sweet... I'd love to see a 1/24 scale shuttle kit.

 

[scotpens]

. . . Additionally R2 announces what new kits are planned for late 2012 and into 2013. For me the win is a 1/144 scale C57D from Forbidden Planet. I've long been interested in this kit, but the current 1/72 scale model is just too big for me.

All I have to say is: Hip-hip-hoorah and tallyho! The big Polar Lights C57D was ambitious, but ultimately disappointing. It's just too damn big, and the twelve pie slices comprising the disc portion need too much reinforcement, filling and smoothing. A model half that size can still have a workable interior and be much less of a PITA to build. And let's hope they get the shape of the upper dome right this time!

 

[Warped9]

There's preference and there's acceptance. I can easily accept a 1/32 scale kit primarily because it will be an awesome kit unlike what we've ever had. I know Gary and R2 will do an awesome job and that more than makes up for any small disappointment I might have in terms of scale.

I just watched the R2 Wonderfest 2012 presentation video again and one thing jumped out at me at the end: Jamie's remark that he had Gary already working on plans. That still might not cement what the eventual scale could be, but it does mean they're already moving forward on this project.

That's awesome news and I can easily live with a 1/32 scale Shuttlecraft.

 

[137th Gebirg]

Damn. I would have wanted the Reliant, with Akira in close second, followed by the K'tinga. Oh, well... Maybe 2014...

 

[NebulaClassGuy]

I want a Nebula-Class, but sadly, I don't think that will ever become a real kit on its own, aside from the resin conversions that are already out there.