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

[RevelationSpace]

Isn't comparing the Megablok to the Tomy like comparing apples to oranges ?

It is in a way, which is why I said it was the only model of that ship at that scale I've owned, but Enterprise models with sagging nacelles (and, less often, the saucer) has been a problem for decades, which is why I was very conscious of it when I got the Megabloks ship. However, that model felt incredibly sturdy to me, which made me think it would be fine, but then it happened anyway.

I'm not saying nobody has ever made an Enterprise that doesn't sag, nor am I saying that this Tomy one will sag, just that I personally am wary of sagging and will not be displaying it without the saucer stand for anything but short bursts until we're a year or two down the line with no reports of sagging from anyone else. You can't undo it, that's all.

 

[publiusr]

It’s always such a weird “mandala effect” feeling when you realize that I’ve been absolutely wrong for YEARS about something basic that you thought you knew like the back of your hand.

I thought the aft nacelle caps were lighter.

 

[Paulhuk]

It is in a way, which is why I said it was the only model of that ship at that scale I've owned, but Enterprise models with sagging nacelles (and, less often, the saucer) has been a problem for decades, which is why I was very conscious of it when I got the Megabloks ship. However, that model felt incredibly sturdy to me, which made me think it would be fine, but then it happened anyway.

I'm not saying nobody has ever made an Enterprise that doesn't sag, nor am I saying that this Tomy one will sag, just that I personally am wary of sagging and will not be displaying it without the saucer stand for anything but short bursts until we're a year or two down the line with no reports of sagging from anyone else. You can't undo it, that's all.

I’m with you on this. Also from the UK (and battered by shipping and import costs) I have my enterprise on a high shelf and I noticed the saucer was slightly out of alignment with the nacelles. When I restored the saucer support it corrected the misalignment. So 90% saucer support for me also. In addition I have a polar lights enterprise which looks very different to the Tomy vesrsion. The Tomy is more accurate. Here they are,

 

[Ant1988]

Wonder if I should do that with mine?View attachment 1755426

Well the thing is I don't know how to send it back. I emailed back to ask. But don't know if I should mail it in the original container without the rest of the parts. Will I get the container back??? I hate mailing big items out also. It's always a pita...

 

[xlowes]

Wonder if I should do that with mine?View attachment 1755426

Go for it while you can !

 

[xlowes]

I’m with you on this. Also from the UK (and battered by shipping and import costs) I have my enterprise on a high shelf and I noticed the saucer was slightly out of alignment with the nacelles. When I restored the saucer support it corrected the misalignment. So 90% saucer support for me also. In addition I have a polar lights enterprise which looks very different to the Tomy vesrsion. The Tomy is more accurate. Here they are,

Which direction was it out of alignment ? Front to back, or left to right ?

 

[xlowes]

Well the thing is I don't know how to send it back. I emailed back to ask. But don't know if I should mail it in the original container without the rest of the parts. Will I get the container back??? I hate mailing big items out also. It's always a pita...

I believe that they send a return sticker in order to send it back !

 

[Paulhuk]

Which direction was it out of alignment ? Front to back, or left to right ?

Standing in front of the ship, the saucer was very slightly down on the left side. I think I’ve found the answer. I put a spirit level on the stand and found the shelf was tipping down on the left quite a bit. Can’t do much to level out the shelf but I’ve got a few ideas for levelling the stand. Otherwise it’s looking fantastic.

 

[xlowes]

Standing in front of the ship, the saucer was very slightly down on the left side. I think I’ve found the answer. I put a spirit level on the stand and found the shelf was tipping down on the left quite a bit. Can’t do much to level out the shelf but I’ve got a few ideas for levelling the stand. Otherwise it’s looking fantastic.

Good to know it was the shelf and not the saucer then !

 

[Paulhuk]

Good to know it was the shelf and not the saucer then !

Exactly. That’s the trouble with owning such a specialist model, it makes me hyper worried

 

[Ant1988]

I believe that they send a return sticker in order to send it back !

Yeah they do.

 

[Ant1988]

Go for it while you can !

The only thing I'm worried about is what if the next one has worse issues then a little paint chip.. ..????lol

 

[weisshaupt]

It is in a way, which is why I said it was the only model of that ship at that scale I've owned, but Enterprise models with sagging nacelles (and, less often, the saucer) has been a problem for decades, which is why I was very conscious of it when I got the Megabloks ship. However, that model felt incredibly sturdy to me, which made me think it would be fine, but then it happened anyway.

I'm not saying nobody has ever made an Enterprise that doesn't sag, nor am I saying that this Tomy one will sag, just that I personally am wary of sagging and will not be displaying it without the saucer stand for anything but short bursts until we're a year or two down the line with no reports of sagging from anyone else. You can't undo it, that's all.

Yep.. I'll let the brave sould displaying standless prove the durability first

 

[finalfrontier]

 

[Fizzbin]

Well the thing is I don't know how to send it back. I emailed back to ask. But don't know if I should mail it in the original container without the rest of the parts. Will I get the container back??? I hate mailing big items out also. It's always a pita...

I'll probably just keep mine as is. It's not terribly noticeable anyway.

 

[cloudborn]

Anyone seriously looking into designing an alternate display base?

 

[Ant1988]

Anyone seriously looking into designing an alternate display base?

I really don't think you need to.

 

[Ant1988]

Jebus I hate how they made the shuttle with a gap as well with a split . All the paint globs on the imperfections and a rear seam split to boot. Further, the shuttles look like a cottage cheese paint job. Why in the hell did they not make the shuttles as one piece?

View attachment 1753734

You know what is interesting about the parts you circled??? Every single one has those little imperfections near the shuttle bay. I checked people videos and mine. Those little nicks near the rear lights are exactly the same on all of them. I'm guessing it was an imperfection in the dies before pressing. Kinda interesting actually. Viewing it in real life they are so small you have to get your face right there or zoom with a camera.

 

[1138sw]

Anyone seriously looking into designing an alternate display base?

I hope aftermarket stands come out! I'd be into a better looking and more stable stand!

 

[1138sw]

I really don't think you need to.

I hope aftermarket stands come out! I'd be into a better looking and more stable stand!