TOMY UPDATE BY GLEN SWANSON !
This is the second of a two-part report that I compiled on the TOMY die cast Enterprise model. In part one I describe the model in general while posting photos of the second prototype. In this second part I address more specific questions about the model while posting photos of the painted first prototype. My apologies for it being so long but I think you will find it informative.
As mentioned in the first part of my report, I had the opportunity to see up close and in person the two prototype models for the new 32-inch die cast replica of the original Enterprise from STAR TREK TOS that TOMY is seeking to crowd source fund. Travis Hoy, Director TOMY International and Chris Huisman, Senior Concept and Design Manager, were present at Fan Expo held at the Rosemont Convention Center in Chicago where I met up with them both at their booth.
I want to repeat again from my first report that meeting both Travis and Chris was an absolute delight. It is important on projects like this to get a good sense of the personalities involved because my experience has shown that if you don’t have genuine passionate people who really believe in what they are doing it won’t get done right. Both of these guys were very warm and receptive if not downright personable. For those that have already seen some their TOMY press conferences, Travis is seen as the chatty outgoing one whereas Chris appears more quiet and reflective. In person, they are complete opposites.
Chris was a fountain of enthusiasm, genuinely passionate about what he is doing and is assuredly very knowledgeable about all the details of the Enterprise. He absorbs everything like a sponge and I could tell that he was quick to pick up and retain everything that Gary Kerr, Matt Cushman and other experts told him about the technical details of our favorite starship. Chemistry is important when working on a project of this scope and I could see right away that Travis and Chris make a great team. Both effectively play off of each other’s talents.
Chris and I spoke for over two hours about the model where he proved to me that his passion is genuine for this project. For me, that is over half the battle in making it happen. What follows are details on the model that I learned from our meeting. Hopefully, this combined with the photos will allow folks to make a more informed decision about committing to buy one.
THE SEAMS – The biggest question and concern that folks have expressed about this model are the seams shown in the prototype photos. It seems that this has been a main reason why most have been hesitant about committing to purchasing one. Chris stated that there will be no seams on the final model. He went on to explain that the seams shown in both prototypes are those of the actual die cast metal pieces. In building the prototype models, the parts are made exactly like they will be made for the final molds to die cast the metal parts. What people are not aware of is that during the assembly of the die cast parts, assemblers need to access the interior of the model to not only install all the electronics like the LEDS, wires, warp engine fan motors, etc, but also they need to secure the metal parts together. After assembly, the various seams and screw caps will be filled and sanded smooth so no seams will be visible. Understandably when folks see the “finished” painted prototype their eyes immediately go to the glaring seam shown around the rim of the saucer section.
WARP ENGINE SAG - One of the continuous problems that has plagued the production of models of the Enterprise since the very first introduction of the original AMT kit in 1967 is sagging warp engine struts. Even the static pre-built 1:350 scale static model that Polar Lights introduced a few years ago has not been immune from this problem. The TOMY model is made of die cast metal and will not suffer from this fate. Chris told me that numerous vendors over the years such as Franklin Mint have produced metal models but most of those use pewter which is a very soft and malleable. Die cast is far more rugged so sag on the TOMY model will not be an issue.
THE HANGAR BAY – The second most common question that TOMY has received about their model are questions concerning the hangar bay. Chris said to me that they are trying to figure out a way to have the hangar bay doors open and close. I suggested that they avoid at all costs any kind of motorized door system as this would be asking for problems. Chris said that they want to have some kind of doors that will seal properly when closed so as to not leak any light from inside. Yes, the hangar bay interior is lit. One possible suggestion is to have some kind of removable hangar bay door units that pop in and out and are held in by magnets. You have one that is a closed hangar bay door that you pop in and another where it is open. Chris also mentioned that even though it is hard to see in photos of the prototypes, the hangar bay interior will be “fully detailed with signs, logos and lettering along with overhead lights.”
THE BASE - I asked Chris about base for the model and why it was shaped in the pattern of the Star Trek the Motion Picture vector emblem and ring. He said that they started with just a base sculpted with the single “swoosh” vector emblem from TOS but found that it did not offer enough support and stability to safely hold the 20-pound model. They also wanted to configure the stand so that it could hold the separated saucer section. As a result, this is how the present design emerged which has a much wider footprint. Nobody wants to have their model tumble off the stand.
THE HULL PORTHOLE LIGHTS - All the porthole lights will be flush with the exterior of the hull in the final model. The prototype shows them as recessed and framed.
THE SAUCER SEPARATES AND YES, IT IS CANON – Another hot topic of discussion among fans has been TOMY’s choice to include a saucer separation feature in their model. Some fans don’t approve of either the feature or the resulting seam it produces in the dorsal. For me personally, this is not a problem. I think it is neat to see this visually happen on a real model and if it is done correctly and in keeping with how it should logically look, it further reinforces another canon feature from the series. Now before you start jumping up and down about canon, let us turn to the original Star Trek Writer’s Guide for the original series written August 30, 1966 by the Great Bird of the Galaxy himself (Gene Roddenberry) where he states: “What about the ship’s main saucer-like section? This is the portion of the ship in which we will be and which we will use most. It contains at the very top the ship’s bridge and general operation facilities. This “saucer” is approximately twenty stories thick at its widest spot, containing also primary ship’s departments, living accommodations, recreational facilities, laboratories, and is in fact a completely self-sustaining unit which can detach itself from the galaxy drive units and operate on atomic impulse power for short-range solar system exploration. We have a model of the vessel and can discuss any specifics about the vessel which are important as story points.” During the original series, Captain Kirk considered a plan to have Mr. Scott discard the nacelles and escape with the main section of the ship (assumed to be the saucer) when the Enterprise was threatened by Vaal at Gamma Trianguli VI in the episode “The Apple.” The separation was never ordered. In addition during the episode “The Savage Curtain” Kirk attempted to order Mr. Scott to disengage the ship’s nacelles and jettison them if possible while the Enterprise was in orbit around Excalbia but the transmission was cut-off before the order was received.
HOW IS THE MODEL POWERED? The model is powered by two 9-volt batteries. One battery is hidden inside the saucer beneath the underside phaser emitter. The second battery is housed in the secondary hull behind the main deflector dish. In a nod to the original lit-up AMT model where you would turn the deflector dish housing to activate the “deep space lights,” in the TOMY model this housing comes off to reveal the battery compartment. I asked Chris if they will include an AC option to power the model and he said they had not but would consider it. I said that the 9-volt batteries will drain rapidly, especially the one in the secondary hull that also powers the fan motors for the warp engines so an AC option would be desirable. I suggested that the plug for that AC adapter could be housed in the base so as to not detract from the model itself. There are two switches on the model to activate the electronics. One switch sits atop the B/C deck behind the bridge to activate the electronics in the saucer section. The second switch is the bottom solar panel on the starboard warp engine strut. You push this once to activate the lights on the secondary hull. You push it again up to three times to activate the various warp engine speeds of the rotating fans in the Bussard domes.
WHAT ABOUT MAINTAINABILITY AND RELIABILITY? As someone that has worked around engineers professionally for many years, I asked Chris about maintainability and reliability of the electronics in the model. Some may recall that years ago Master Replicas issued a 32-inch model of the Enterprise that was fully lit up with motorized warp engine nacelle fan blades that spun. Also Polar Lights issued an optional electronics kit for their 1:350 scale model kit that included the same but in kit form. Both manufacturers ran into problems with motors burning out and other electronic issues. Nobody wants to have one of their TOMY models “burn out” after a year or two of being displayed. I suggested that they use long life automotive grade LEDS. I also suggested that they include a way to access the warp engine motor fan blades because the motors will eventually burn out and need to be serviced/replaced. Hopefully, they will consider these concerns in their final design.
WHY 2500 UNITS NEED TO BE SOLD - The number of units that need to be sold is fixed at 2,500. Both Travis and Chris said that this is the absolute minimum that they need in order for any model to proceed. This is independent of what the model is whether it be a John Deere Tractor or Ford Mustang. If they don’t commit to 2500 units a model will not get made period.
CAN MORE BE MADE LATER OF THIS MODEL? TOMY has a strict policy to destroy the molds after producing these limited edition models. Once they are made, there will be no more. Travis explained that they have a rather detailed and elaborate process that they must follow to assure that the molds are destroyed.
WILL TOMY MAKE OTHER STAR TREK SHIPS? I asked the nagging question if TOMY would do other Star Trek ships based upon the success (or failure) of this first venture. Both Travis and Chris said “yes, that is their goal but only if this one is successful.” Chris was open for suggestions on what ships to do. I cast my early vote for the Refit.
WHAT IF THEY SELL MORE THAN 2500 UNITS? TOMY will produce however many units they sell beyond their targeted goal of 2,500.
WHY TOMY DOES NOT MAKE THIS MODEL AVAILABLE TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS - Chris told me that “It is complicated but in a nutshell, there are import/export issues with different countries. We’re definitely working through that for future releases.”
In closing, now that I have had a chance to talk at length with both Chris and Travis as well as carefully examine the prototype up close, I feel that the TOMY model will be an excellent product that is competitively priced and fills a great niche. For those who have the skills and time to build and light up one of the 1:350 scale Polar Lights model kits, you will always still be able to that. But many folks do not have the talent required to do so but they still want a decent model. The TOMY model is not in competition with the Polar Lights model kit though I would argue that it is a better value for those who either already purchased or are considering (if you can still find one) getting one of the 1:350 scale Polar Lights prebuilt models that came out several years ago. Those unlit models, of which only 500 were made, sold for around $500 plus shipping and are somewhat difficult to find. Master Replicas came out with a fully electronic model Enterprise but that model remains very difficult to find on the open market and when they do appear, they easily sell for over $1k. Of course all of the plastic molded models still suffer from reported cases of warp engine sag. The TOMY Enterprise still may not be perfect when it finally gets into collector’s hands but I am convinced that it will be worth the money paid and, because of the limited number made, will surely increase in value over time.
