Die Cast Lighted 1/350th TOS Enterprise (TOMY crowd funded)

Fizzbin said:
We need to convince this guy to remove the screw plugs, take it apart, and wire it for AC power, since he damaged it in his unboxing. After all, what's he got to lose at this point?

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Haha. He was hilarious. Not only did he break the sensor Canon off. I asked why he didn't put something underneath when he had the primary hull upside down on a wood work bench. Left himself open to all kinds of marks. It was a great video though. He was honest and didn't seem too bothered by his damage ...lol
 
datbrad said:
The Tomy CSR said in an email that they are harvesting parts from extra ships that they ordered for this purpose. I am hopeful they will at least inspect the replacement hull for visible cosmetic flaws before shipping it to me.

Over the weekend I may still try to pull out the top plug from the back of the strut to tighten that screw. Thinking about trying one of those cuticle tools that looks like a tiny shovel, and to address the risk of chipping paint around the plug, I would get the type made of plastic/vinyl.

I'll post an update in a day or two and if I do attempt a fix, I'll review how it went.

Thanks guys!
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An option I’ve used on other stubborn painted plastic parts (my HT Delorean front grille comes to mind) is to grab a hot glue stick, heat up the end with a heat gun, and stick it to the part and hold a few seconds until it cures - then pull. It grips really well and can be wiggled off when done without leaving residue. It would be the perfect size for the plugs. But yes - would have to mind the gap to make sure no paint is pulled off from the surrounding metal.
 
Well, I made my attempt to pull one of the plugs on the strut, and I see no possible way it can be done without destroying the plug and gouging the paint on the die cast surface surrounding the plug. I stopped immediately since I cannot verify that tightening the screws will fix the loose nacelles.
I'll be shipping the engineering section to Tomy on Monday for exchange.
 
datbrad said:
Well, I made my attempt to pull one of the plugs on the strut, and I see no possible way it can be done without destroying the plug and gouging the paint on the die cast surface surrounding the plug. I stopped immediately since I cannot verify that tightening the screws will fix the loose nacelles.
I'll be shipping the engineering section to Tomy on Monday for exchange.
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Good luck I hope everything goes smoothly! I am sure it will! Please fills us in when all is said and done! : )
 
datbrad said:
Well, I made my attempt to pull one of the plugs on the strut, and I see no possible way it can be done without destroying the plug and gouging the paint on the die cast surface surrounding the plug. I stopped immediately since I cannot verify that tightening the screws will fix the loose nacelles.
I'll be shipping the engineering section to Tomy on Monday for exchange.
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How did you attempt to pull them? I think that glue stick thing or a strong vacuum would be the only way. They definitely snap into place, but the one I put in had a definitive orientation and it didn't seat till that was just right ( which is probably why it was loose in my box) I suspect a slight torque would pop those loose. Not sure about he flatter ones.
 
I'm surprised that these are being purchased for $1300-$1600 on ebay pretty regularly. I thought in a couple of years they might get to $1000 or $1200, but people really do seem to want TOMY's Enterprise already.

I do love mine and would have been happy even if the initial price had been $1200, but I didn't expect others to feel that way considering all the complaints right before US release. I sort of expected to price to fall.

I've ordered 2 and had planned to sell one eventually, but I like it too much.
 
1138sw said:
OK this is just ridiculous:

www.ebay.com

Tomy Prestige Star Trek Enterprise 1/350 Scale Diecast Replica Excellent Box | eBay

Tomy Prestige Select. Star Trek Enterprise 1/350 Scale Diecast Replica. Artisan box is in excellent condition. box and another outer box.
www.ebay.com

If this person gets this price or even close to what this person is asking for then I'll really start believing in Miracles.
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It's bad enough that they're asking 5X what TOMY charged, but then to add on $60 for shipping... o_O
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datbrad said:
Hello, I'm a new member but I've been a long time lurker on this forum and really enjoy learning from all the great posts. I started building models as a teen in the '70s and I still have what was the crown jewel of my collection back in the day, the original (inaccurate) MPC release of the Millennium Falcon.

So, I was a backer for the Tomy Enterprise and was disappointed with the news about the seams and plugs, as were other folks. When I got it, those issues were not as glaring, but I found a different problem.

There is slight play where the nacelle struts join the underside of the nacelles. It's worse on the port side that I've attached stills of, but the video clip of the starboard nacelle shows the issue best.

It seemed to me the issue is related to the panel on the outside face of the strut that is visibly seated flush at the bottom, yet not at the top.

I sent this info to Tomy and requested a set of 6 screw hole plugs so I could pry them out to access the screws and tighten them. Without engaging me on that idea, the CSR simply offered a replacement hull assembly (last photo from them).

I pushed back, offering to fix the one I have if they send me the plugs to save them from having to replace the entire assembly and save it for somebody with a more serious issue like lights being out, but they insisted replacing the whole hull section was their only solution. I asked if they could send it now, but they said they have to receive mine back first. I'm hesitant because other than the nacelle issue, the plugs are all reasonably flush, and the seams are as tight as I've seen looking at photos of ships others have posted.
I agreed to their offer and plan to box up mine and ship it, but I'm worried I might exchange could have different issues such as plugs pushed in too far or not fully inserted, larger gaps in the seams that split the pennant stripe on the sides of the nacelles.

I could still try to fix the problem and try not to damage them or chip the paint around them, and I don't know for certain if my idea will work, but it could be less trouble than the whole exchange process.

Thoughts?

Thanks for reading my ridiculously long first post, btw.
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I have a slight amount of play on one of mine as well. Not enough that I feel the need to risk a replacement that has other issues though. I think a little play is fine as long as the nacelles stay aligned.

I suspect a lot of people have a similar play on their models as well, but since most people aren't moving their nacelles around they wouldn't even notice.
 
For anyone interested these work as an AC power adapter for the AA and AAA batteries used in the Enterprise. I saw someone had posted this on the facebook star trek page that these worked. He posted a review on Amazon as well and gave them high marks. I might get the AA version since it's easier to hide the cable. The saucer might look weird with the wire coming out.


 
1138sw said:
For anyone interested these work as an AC power adapter for the AA and AAA batteries used in the Enterprise. I saw someone had posted this on the facebook star trek page that these worked. He posted a review on Amazon as well and gave them high marks. I might get the AA version since it's easier to hide the cable. The saucer might look weird with the wire coming out.


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Now we really need a way to get those darn plugs out and crack these open (y) :D
 
aroney said:
I have a slight amount of play on one of mine as well. Not enough that I feel the need to risk a replacement that has other issues though. I think a little play is fine as long as the nacelles stay aligned.

I suspect a lot of people have a similar play on their models as well, but since most people aren't moving their nacelles around they wouldn't even notice.
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Tomy customer service responded to my initial request for a set of plugs by asking me for video of the issue. Their reply instructed me to ship the hull section back for exchange. I was told their "team" had reviewed the video and advised I needed to have the hull section replaced. Considering the likelyhood they only have a limited number of extra ships to pull parts from, I would not wait too long to contact Tomy about your ship. Sounds like they consider any amount of play at the strut connections to be a manufacturing defect.
 
1138sw said:
For anyone interested these work as an AC power adapter for the AA and AAA batteries. I saw some posted on the facebook star trek page that worked for his. He posted a review on Amazon too that they worked. I might get the AA version since it's easier to hide the cable. The saucer might look weird with the wire coming out.


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datbrad said:
Tomy customer service responded to my initial request for a set of plugs by asking me for video of the issue. Their reply instructed me to ship the hull section back for exchange. I was told their "team" had reviewed the video and advised I needed to have the hull section replaced. Considering the likelyhood they only have a limited number of extra ships to pull parts from, I would not wait too long to contact Tomy about your ship. Sounds like they consider any amount of play at the strut connections to be a manufacturing defect.
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Good news. Glad they are addressing the issue. Let when everything is officially resolved!

oh FYI not sure you know but we were informed not to ship any parts back in the original graphic box, because they will not ship your replacement part back in your original box. They will ship it in a nondescript box and you will lose the graphic box you originally received. Best to ship your damage part with your own packaging.
 
1138sw said:
Good news. Glad they are addressing the issue. Let when everything is officially resolved!

oh FYI not sure you know but we were informed not to ship any parts back in the original graphic box, because they will not ship your replacement part back in your original box. They will ship it in a nondescript box and you will lose the graphic box you originally received. Best to ship your damage part with your own packaging.
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Thanks, I already planned on using a generic box to ship return. I asked what kind of box will be used to ship the replacement and was told that since I was getting the engineering hull section, it will be shipped in the factory styrofoam. I don't know if that means the graphic box will be used, but if every other component except the hull section could be shipped in smaller size boxes. Hopefully they won't take a saw to the styrofoam for the replaced hull section and cut it in half to fit a smaller box, but they might.........
 
1138sw said:
For anyone interested these work as an AC power adapter for the AA and AAA batteries used in the Enterprise. I saw someone had posted this on the facebook star trek page that these worked. He posted a review on Amazon as well and gave them high marks. I might get the AA version since it's easier to hide the cable. The saucer might look weird with the wire coming out.


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I thought about these, but there's only 3 batteries. We need 4.
 
I'm a little surprised to see so many of you express bewilderment at the Ebay prices.

Prices for sold out, limited edition items have always fetched a premium, but they've gone through the roof in the last several years. Movies, books, albums, figurines, shoes, jewellery, the list goes on and on. Scalpers have taken over all of it, and it's the norm now for prices to skyrocket the moment an initial inventory is exhausted. I fully expected to see the prices we're seeing now. I am a little surprised they've gone up so quickly, but then this item is somewhat unique and a one-off, plus there aren't many of them.
 
Fizzbin said:
I thought about these, but there's only 3 batteries. We need 4.
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If you’re going to go the dummy batt route, you may want to see if Fusion Reactors will make a custom kit with AA and AAA dummy batts for our Enterprise.

I have several of his custom kits for 1/6 figures (button battery replacements for light sabers and the like) and the advantage is you will get super light gauge wiring (not much thicker than hair) that will look 1000% better than the wiring of the batt replacement kits on Amazon.

He offers wireless app control as well but until somebody opens up the ship that is useless.

Not cheap (my 1/6 Iron Man was $140) but you barely see the wiring and there are 8 separate connections.

 
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