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

I've decided cancel. I have the PL model and am going to make it sometime next year. It's going to be my non-canon version and the TOMY would have been the canon version, but the stand and then Treadwell's comments about the practical impossibility of filling in the seams and screw holes have made me rethink that plan. I don't think it's worth it for me with that many compromises.
 
Here's what I just sent to TOMY:

Hello,

I regret to say that I have decided to cancel my order for the TOMY Enterprise. The size of the stand, the visible saucer seam and screw holes, have tipped my decision to cancel. I understand there will always be compromises with these types of products but this is vastly different than what was promised during the campaign. And no, I don’t believe there was any intent to deceive on TOMY’s part. I think the enthusiasm for a really accurate collector’s item was genuine, but there was apparently a huge disconnect between what was wanted by the design team and the realities of being able to mass produce something like this. I think the decision to make this die cast and to have the saucer separate from the engineering hull were, in hindsight, not the best decisions for this model.
 
Phoenixblazes said:
The irony being, that we're both keeping ours.
Click to expand...
TheRPF forum caters to people who are extremely detail oriented, specific in what they like and often skilled enough to create their own incredible versions of props. It's a sub-set of fans. The backers who are cancelling really wouldn't have been happy with the model for fair reasons. TOMY certainly didn't handle this well!

But don't let other people's point of view spoil your enjoyment of what you have. The pictures and videos you two shared are why I am keeping my order, now understanding the shortcomings. I think it is sort of charming and it made me feel like a kid again, which is what the best Star Trek does for me and what seeing the real filming miniature in person does for me.

If you looked at it and were happy, fantastic. You're not wrong, but that won't be everyone's experience.
 
The real point here, in my opinion, is we aren't getting what we were promised. I didn't want a toy, I wanted a replica of the Enterprise. We were promised with Gary Kerr's name as consultant, that this would replicate the Smithsonian model. Even the least discerning can tell that it clearly does NOT!
 
Ant1988 said:
Wonder how much Gary Kerr got for being a consultant. Because as far as I'm concerned he is responsible for the missteps as well. He's not much of an expert imo.
Click to expand...
And you know for a fact that Gary Kerr did NOT consult TOMY on the placement of the screws and the finish? You realize any consultant can point out inaccuracies and suggest improvements but has NO production decision making authority? To publicly slander Gary Kerr is irresponsible.
 
Last edited:
Before coming to this particular forum/sub thread/s, I wasn’t aware how strict many were with regards to what constitutes a toy. But then again, ask anyone outside this space/hobby, and seams or no seams we all know they would still call it a toy.

With the amount of cancelations, I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up being worse than 50/50. It definitely implies that no matter what changes are made for future products, they’ll never attempt a similar project again.

If only the $17,000 Factory Entertainment piece were a bit more attainable; because at that price I would have to forgo a bit more than the total of my last four silicone busts from Queen & Infinity Studios.
 
Last edited:
Ant1988 said:
Wonder how much Gary Kerr got for being a consultant. Because as far as I'm concerned he is responsible for the missteps as well. He's not much of an expert imo.
Click to expand...

I don't think this is a fair assessment. The consulting Gary performed wasn't Product Engineer, instead, work related to decorations/ratios and accuracy against the studio filming element.

Somewhere in this thread, treadwell succinctly relates all the production issues we see in the final product to the engineering part of the process. Again, not what Gary was tasked with.
 
ShadoControl said:
I don't think this is a fair assessment. The consulting Gary performed wasn't Product Engineer, instead, work related to decorations/ratios and accuracy against the studio filming element.

Somewhere in this thread, treadwell succinctly relates all the production issues we see in the final product to the engineering part of the process. Again, not what Gary was tasked with.
Click to expand...
I get that. But still would he not have seen those big holes on the beauty side of the pro-types they were showing him??? Or the weathering (which is decoration) I keep hearing people complain about??? Two big things on the actual model. Maybe I'm reaching here...but dang. Smh
You get a bunch of people involved with a project like this. EVERYONE should try to make it the best it could be....
 
Ant1988 said:
I get that. But still would he not have seen those big holes on the beauty side of the pro-types they were showing him??? Or the weathering (which is decoration) I keep hearing people complain about?
Click to expand...

I'd bet, as the Product Engineers advised us, he was advised that the seams and screw holes would not show in the final product.

I do concur wrt checkerboard weathering having been his domain.
 
I’m keeping my two orders. A toy company made a higher end toy. That’s my mindset. Too hard to rescue this to pro miniature status. That project sits in my closet and awaits my retirement. LOL. I will afix that saucer
at all costs and play whoosh opening credits with this toy. 2nd one will stay unopened for a few years and I’ll see what things are like then.
 
In regard to filling the holes and seams with Bondo wouldn't something like JB Weld be a better alternative. It can be sanded. Not sure if down the road it would have issues though.
 
xlowes said:
In regard to filling the holes and seams with Bondo wouldn't something like JB Weld be a better alternative. It can be sanded. Not sure if down the road it would have issues though.
Click to expand...


My concern is expansion contraction vs whatever metal this is. That it would look nice for a while and then cracks start to appear again.
 
CessnaDriver said:
My concern is expansion contraction vs whatever metal this is. That it would look nice for a while and then cracks start to appear again.
Click to expand...
I thought with the holding strength of JB Weld it wouldn't crack. I used it to coat holes in an Aluminum thermostat housing on an older sports car I had. Never separated or cracked even thru the heat from the engine.
 
It's all toys, guys! All our props, original, reproductions, filming models, our cars, I knew a guy who had an real airplane that was a toy.

Don't try to elevate one toy over another, just pick the toys you like! The person who is happiest with whatever toy they have wins!
 
Received another email stating my refund order has been processed and it may take ten days for a credit to be returned to my account. Well I no longer have a dog in this fight. To those that whose to remain..... go boldly
 
Treadwell said:
Email reply from my Contact Us request:

"Your order has been cancelled"

Terse, but I'll take it. No mention of refund, though. I'll be checking my CC status frequently....
Click to expand...
I got
"Hi Miles, Thanks for your email! We've cancelled your order and processed your refund.
Best regards, Jennifer"

Jennifer was the CSR I initially talked to about delaying shipment, and who followed up on it for me, without my prompting.

I feel bad for everybody all around- even the project team for whom I believe this was a passion project that they'd hoped would follow through for many years with many other ships. I'm sure they didn't intend to deceive, but they were clearly not brought up to speed on the limitations of die-cast, or the project vetted early on or supervised by experienced engineers at TOMY, apparently. Otherwise a lot of this would have been avoided up front.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Gimpdiggity
Preparing to Build 1/350th USS Enterprise, I Have Some Questions...
Replies
9
Views
2,608
Splat
S
Back
Top