My weekend trip to see the 11ft Enterprise
- Thread starter WinstonWolf359
- Start date
WinstonWolf359
Sr Member
The Enterprise is no longer hanging outside the gift shop, since 2000 or so it's been on display in a very large glass case in the basement section of the gift shop, at the very back. If you don't know exactly where to look, you're better off asking someone that works there, because you'd be hard pressed to simply stumble across it, it's hidden pretty well. :unsure
And to clarify, the Enterprise is at the Air and Space museum on the National Mall, not at the Dulles facility. Although Dulles does have the space shuttle Enterprise on display.
And to clarify, the Enterprise is at the Air and Space museum on the National Mall, not at the Dulles facility. Although Dulles does have the space shuttle Enterprise on display.
I need to get my arse down there and check this out. Too bad driving in DC is a total nightmare.
Vaderman
Sr Member
I realize Ed M. was doing what he thought was right, but man that %^$#ing grid has been a pet peeve of mine for many years.
I really hope they consider moving it to a more prominent place for the fortieth and getting Greg (J.) or someone else to do the next restortation.
The worst part is that the grid gets into so much licensed and other product because of it being on the Smithsonian display - people use that as their argument for it's authenticity.
The only time I was there, I was in DC for a convention and literally ran over to see it, had no camera with me, and it was in dire need of a restoration. Who knew it would come out looking like that?.? :-\
I really hope they consider moving it to a more prominent place for the fortieth and getting Greg (J.) or someone else to do the next restortation.
The worst part is that the grid gets into so much licensed and other product because of it being on the Smithsonian display - people use that as their argument for it's authenticity.
The only time I was there, I was in DC for a convention and literally ran over to see it, had no camera with me, and it was in dire need of a restoration. Who knew it would come out looking like that?.? :-\
SVTStingRay
Sr Member
speaking of the dulles museum, isnt the close encounters mothership there, ive seen it listed but i havent seen any pictures.
GroundskeeperWillie
Well-Known Member
HAH. BrianM you spotted the little R2 on the Close Encounters ship too? I was psyched when I noticed that when I was there this past spring.
And I'm BUMMED that I didn't realize the Star Trek Enterprise was in the gift shop of the NASM--I was just there in the spring and had no idea that was hiding out in there. They REALLY should do more to let people know that's there--I would have loved to have seen that.. :angry
And I'm BUMMED that I didn't realize the Star Trek Enterprise was in the gift shop of the NASM--I was just there in the spring and had no idea that was hiding out in there. They REALLY should do more to let people know that's there--I would have loved to have seen that.. :angry
<div class='quotetop'>(KUROK @ Jul 17 2006, 09:04 AM) [snapback]1282423[/snapback]</div>
Yes that is surprising to see this late in the game. Some simple mock ups could cover that up.
Or maybe it was left that way to demonstrate the issue to visitors and that the Enterprise was still serving a useful function as an engineering donor.
Anyways, looks like they have the problem whipped now with Discoverys second flight returned safely today.
Yes that is surprising to see this late in the game. Some simple mock ups could cover that up.
Or maybe it was left that way to demonstrate the issue to visitors and that the Enterprise was still serving a useful function as an engineering donor.
Anyways, looks like they have the problem whipped now with Discoverys second flight returned safely today.
GeneralMayhem
Sr Member
I wonder if they'll move it to a more prominant location with the 40th coming up?
I did get to the NASM at the mall too. Asked the girl at the information counter where the Star Trek Enterprise was at and she looked at me like I was from Mars. She had no idea. I didn't see it in the gift shop so I thought they moved it. Finally I looked in the "basement" and there she was. I tried not to repete pics:
Actually it's kind of nice, once you find it, you can get close and nobody bothers you when you drool on the case.
Look what is missing here. I never noticed that before. Can you see it on the show?
Worst paint job of all time.
Actually it's kind of nice, once you find it, you can get close and nobody bothers you when you drool on the case.
Look what is missing here. I never noticed that before. Can you see it on the show?
Worst paint job of all time.
GeneralMayhem
Sr Member
<div class='quotetop'>(BrianM @ Jul 17 2006, 11:12 PM) [snapback]1282858[/snapback]</div>
That's where the cables for the electronics used to run out the side of the secondary hull. That was closed off the first time it was restored, back in the seventies. That side of the hull never had details.
Look what is missing here. I never noticed that before. Can you see it on the show?
[/b]
That's where the cables for the electronics used to run out the side of the secondary hull. That was closed off the first time it was restored, back in the seventies. That side of the hull never had details.
AnsonJames
Sr Member
Marecki should be tortured for that paint job - what was he thinking?
Lets just hope the next person to restore it has some respect as opposed to trying to make it look like a modern film miniature.
Lets just hope the next person to restore it has some respect as opposed to trying to make it look like a modern film miniature.
GeneralMayhem
Sr Member
Yeah. Too much "interpretation" of the original look, and not enough study of the original condition of the model. Very disappointing.
