I read someone gave them feedback on having warm LEDs to emulate the incandescents used. And they listened. So they have time to do things right.
Die Cast Lighted 1/350th TOS Enterprise (TOMY crowd funded)
- Thread starter CessnaDriver
- Start date
Well, on mine (and I suspect everyone else) I also received some ID info before the "Commander" listing.
I'm guessing you didn't read my followup post where I was asking about the warmth of the light. I'm perfectly fine with studio lighting as long as it doesn't come off drab and boring. Serene and majestic is perfectly acceptable. Does not need to be blinding to be impressive. But I do want lights aplenty. And fingers crossed for blue nacelles. HD should be the way to go.
JiminSTLouis
Sr Member
Correct, I blanked out my ID info on my previous post.
xlowes
Sr Member
Same on my info. They had an ID number !
So with the apparent more fragile nature of the MR, are we thinking it's more that aspect along with the signatures driving the price as high as it is now? And that a mostly diecast version being much more durable plus the lack of signature could mean the Tomy may not attain the same investment? The look of display is paramount of course, but it's always nice to know when putting out a significant chunk (especially in the current economy) your money is wisely spent on something this size. I'm not expecting the Tomy to match the MR because it was the 1st and has the head start, plus it started out costing twice the price. But depending on the quality might it be reasonable to expect a return of maybe half that in a few years if you did decide to part with it for whatever reason?
Curious what is everyone's thoughts on this?
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1138sw
Sr Member
IMO, depending on the quality of course this replica, could exceed in value quite easily.
Being all metal, the size, the electronics which will be all modern, the details…could add up to an extremely attractive piece at half the price of the Master Replicas.
Nothing has come on the market since to compete with the MRE in terms of size, electronics, and accuracy until now.
Of course you have your Polar Light kits and QMX producing their artisan line. But PL kits require building which in turn requires talent to match the quality of an MRE, or hiring a Master Modeler to build which wil set you back some major coin. The QMX Artisan line of ships cost thousands of dollars and are for really high end RICH collectors. So basically putting them out of reach for most/majority of collectors.
While I think the MRE will always be attractive to buyers because it’s Master Replicas, a highly sought after historic maker of Sci Fi replicas, TOMY should have on its hands a Replica that should easily retain and exceed its value. But of course there are a lot of variables involved in that determination.
Let’s hope TOMY knocks this out of the park. I pray they do!
It's not more fragile but its unforgiving if mishandled etc. it's constructed of resin and an internal metal structure armature. It is a model notorious for the nacelle motors seizing unless they are exercised once in a while and it is noisy when the motors are running. While the metal Tomy enterprise would be more hardy it will be more susceptible to chips as every Diecast model before it. Due to the published weight of this model it will need to be handled with extreme care. Also die cast tend to show flaws and runs so we will just need to see what the quality control will be on the Tomy model. The Tomy model will indeed increase in value but not to the point of a 7 signature complete MR example. When I state complete I mean, inner boxes and outer shipping boxes, COAs and of course the signature plate and a mint example of the enterprise. If they do (Tomy) a refit model in the same scale the sky is the limit as the only refit models out there in that scale are the few QMX examples out there. IMHO the Tomy model is at a fair price point considering the size and the features. Time will tell on the quality.
JiminSTLouis
Sr Member
Are there any QMx Artisan Enterprise replicas out there? I know in 2015 they displayed one at SDCC, but did they ever produce them? I saw their JJ Enterprise at Dragon Con in person years ago and it was incredible. But again I’m not sure they ever went to market.
I have their Serenity: Big Damn Replica, Serenity Flying Mule, Starbuck Viper, and various other lower priced replicas. They’re all amazing.
I have their Serenity: Big Damn Replica, Serenity Flying Mule, Starbuck Viper, and various other lower priced replicas. They’re all amazing.
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VitalNonsense
Well-Known Member
I was interested in that same thing recently and couldn't find anything. Poking around the only evidence of it I can find is this convention appearance. I don't think they ever actually sold it, though I can't say that with absolute certainty.
I think it looked really nice. Obviously it's got different goals in mind than the Tomy, rather than studio authenticity it's going for augmented detail. Remaining broadly authentic in form while increasing the intricacy of the lighting and paint. Sort of like if the original studio model, still based on the same design, had been assembled/painted in the modern day instead of the 60s. Authentic vs idealized reinterpretations both have their own appeals.
I certainly wouldn't complain about having that on my shelf, but at the prices QMx charged for their artisan replicas (in the several thousands) it would never have happened for me. I'm quite content with the prospect of my $600 studio authentic model (of course allowing for the port side to actually be finished, an actual shuttle bay, and the canon separation gimmick). Very exciting that one of the experts involved with the most recent smithsonian restoration consulted on it.
Yes they produced them to include the 1701 refit and the Enterprise D model but they were at the 8k and up price point. Agree on the QMx quality as well as I have the Starbucks viper SE, Blackbird SE and the Cylon Raider SE. QMX makes some great models
JiminSTLouis
Sr Member
I have the QMx Blackbird in kit form from the original modeler of the ship. One day I’ll assemble it.
SORRY for going off topic.
Now you have me a little worried. This is on the upper end of what I'm willing to spend at one time, and truthfully had it not been such a nice looking replica at an appealing price, with the prospect of being supervised by a master craftsman, and the potential investment based on previous versions (whether they were actually made or not)...I wouldn't have even tried. But if it's likely to be a pain to maintain, to avoid damage -- even just moving it around in the box? -- and not likely to be comparatively desirable to the Master Replicas, maybe the better catch would in fact be the refit. But then again, that's not absolutely guaranteed until the TOS is produced.
That Viper made it into production? How does it compare to the Eaglemoss? I know it sounds dumb considering the price point. But the EM Viper's pretty damn nice. Is Qmx just a lot bigger?
Yeah I can see advantages of the idealized modern look. Basically the difference between 66 and the HD upgrade. I've never seen the point of solid yet clear nacelles, knowing the advancements that have come since. Honor the past of course; but there's nothing wrong with embracing the future, being as it's likely only because of limitations of technology at the time they weren't noticeably lit in the first place.
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Blue nacelles? Big downvote on that one here.
I'm already considering painting over the red impulse lights.
What's all this about MR nacelle droop stories? The first I ever heard of that happening is in their podcast interview. The loud/inoperable/oil-splotched domes I know about (mine fortunately was spared), but not droop.
I'm already considering painting over the red impulse lights.
What's all this about MR nacelle droop stories? The first I ever heard of that happening is in their podcast interview. The loud/inoperable/oil-splotched domes I know about (mine fortunately was spared), but not droop.
JiminSTLouis
Sr Member
Yes, the QMx Viper made it into production. I never saw an Eaglemoss viper, but this is 18” long and a 10” wingspan. This is my Starbuck Edition. I asked QMx NOT to weather it and they granted my request. I asked TOMY the same about the Enterprise and they told me to contact customer service. And just for fun… here’s my QMx Serenity.
JiminSTLouis
Sr Member
If I recall, the Viper was about $1,500 and Serenity $2,500. I made the BSG flight deck columns myself. The BSG emblem is a QMx coaster.
1138sw
Sr Member
Wow 1500 for the viper isn’t bad considering the quality!! Great piece!!!
They are not $1500 any moreWow 1500 for the viper isn’t bad considering the quality!! Great piece!!!
