Pics needed of Studio TOS E and contactable professionals info

CessnaDriver

CessnaDriver

Master Member
RPF PREMIUM MEMBER
I have the ear temporarily of a person of influence at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.

We all know the original studio scale is not painted as she was during filming. But to someone involved in the function of a large museum with real hardware these things are not priorty one with taxpayers money or obvious as it is to us. That being said. I have a chance to bring the issue up and present to the eyes of someone that is of influence.

I need a good photo of the underside of the saucer preferably during filming showing that the pencil thin grid lines were faint and nearly imperceptable on screen, and a comparison to the aggressive and exaggerated grid lines that exist now. Preferable all in one image so it is obvious how wrong things are today. Asking here because I think someone may already have something perfect and ready to go from all the Master Replica discussions.

Also, I wish to point them in the right direction as to who are the professional contacts and where to reach them. People in the industry who understand what is wrong with the model as she is in the Smithsonian and are qualified to give advice to them if asked.

Mike Okuda comes to mind immediatly.
And the gent who painted the Master Replicas paint master, I believe he was a working professional on Trek as well. And cleary is intimate with accuracy issues.

Anyone have the professional contact information for these two?

Or anyone else that is an industry professional that would be taken seriously?

This is a long shot, but it is a chance to plant a seed for restoring her the way she is supposed to be.

Thanks in advance.
 
I will forward your info up the chain... people who know people...

Man it would be fantastic if we could get a refurb going on the old girl. :D

- k
 
<div class='quotetop'>(phase pistol @ Aug 31 2006, 03:58 PM) [snapback]1310780[/snapback]</div>
I will forward your info up the chain... people who know people...

Man it would be fantastic if we could get a refurb going on the old girl. :D

- k
[/b]
Click to expand...


Fingers crossed. Or at least when they decide to do it someday that they know who to talk to about it.
 
I will be more than pleased to offer any help that I possibly can including, but not limited to, restoration and complete repaint simply for the honor of being able to do it.

Based on what I know of the last restoration, the model is still, for the most part, intact. It needs minor cosmetic issues addressed, plus a complete repaint. I will have a larger than the norm model prototype completed soon that will be painted as she should be. No gawd-awful "aztecing", inaccurate colors, no ultra exaggerated weathering streaks or other interpretations. Photos of this model will be made available to the NASM should they be interested. I have the facilities, equipment and experience necessary to complete the refurbishment. My only request is that they pay freight each way plus supply necessary insurance

I do have a photo similar to what you are looking for. It can be made available to your NASM contact.

Thanks.
 
Thanks for your offer greatly. I have found the pics I needed and have made a nice little simple presentation that clearly shows the problem.

Your work precedes you sir.

And your skills and knowledge are what she desperately needs.

I wish they had come to folks like you in the first place. I think they tried back then but just didnt get hooked up with the right person in the end, and just didnt realize anything was particularly wrong.

That being said, I am going to illustrate the problem simply, and gently point them in the right direction to people that they should consider authoritive voices (as I am just a regular shmo that got lucky and gave them a little help on a small Trek related matter, but they did listen and make a change) . After that all we can do is cross our fingers and hope the seed takes root so we actually do get to a point where they are looking for people to do the job. I am sure the decision process to even go through with it involves considerable discussion by such a large museum.
My hope is that it I can actually get this person of influence thinking about it. That is the first step.

I would love nothing better then to hear that she was being taken off display for a while for a "sprucing up".
 
Oh this is TOO exciting.

I can pass information on to Gary Kerr and Mike Okuda if you need... aside from that... 100% support coming your way.

ThomasModels would be MY choice for the restoration, to be sure...

-r.
 
Hopefully if Thomas get's it he'll invite us all over for a BBQ when he's done to see it in person. :thumbsup
 
Cessna,
This would indeed be a wonderful opportunity. However, IF they decide it is a direction they would like to go, let's be sure the powers that be understand there are more 'in the know' people than just the couple mentioned above. One example, Jim Key from Custom Replicas, as most of you know, is right up there on knowledge of the old girl, along with some other folks that he worked with in the research of the 66" replica. (Visit their 1701 page or mine: http://customreplicas.com/Enterprise.htm or http://squaremodels.com/66enterprise.htm.

I encourage you to ensure the NASM looks outside the box. Just because there are some artists that worked on newer Trek stuff, does not make them a TOS expert. I think there are a few of us that could even collaborate on such a wonderful undertaking if it were ever to come to light.

Thank you for even bringing this to the attention of the board.

Best Regard,
Sean
 
Beyond such surface-detail issues such as "how prominent the grid lines" or "how much weathering", aren't there SERIOUS structural problems with the 11-footer becoming evident?

Buckling of the paint due to sagging?

I thought I had seen evidence of this in photos taken a couple years ago. A lot of the structure is wood, after all...

- k
 
Pictures I have seen the port side warp engine is sagging a bit too.
Reminds me of the old AMT models I built as a kid.
 
I am off to Seattle in the Morning, hopefully I will be able to bend an ear of someone that can help the cause.... :)

Roger
 
Yes, there are some structural issues that would need to be worked out. The starboard nacelle is sagging a little, which has caused a hairline crack along the right side of the secondary hull. And at least one of the acrylic light panels is sliding out of the hull.

The model probably needs to be supported under the nacelles and not just from the original mounting point, as it is now.

When the E was on display back in the early 90s after the last big refurb it WAS supported under the nacelles, but when it returned in 2000 it no longer was. :unsure
 
It used to be hung from the ceiling, with big eyebolts drilled right into the wood at three places: secondary hull spine and both nacelles. It hung this way for years, and this may have contributed to the structural issues, as the model was never intended to be supported by the nacelles (rather the reverse.).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
studio prop of the Delos hovercraft from westward
Replies
1
Views
447
joberg
joberg
Dazza007
YAFF - A 3D Printed Replica of the Studio Scale Millennium Falcon (Files)
Replies
17
Views
2,371
Studio Kitbash
Studio Kitbash
AlexD
Studio Scale Y-Wing Fighter: Blue Leader
Replies
6
Views
627
Studio Kitbash
Studio Kitbash
S
Studio Scale Rising Star from original BSG
Replies
4
Views
428
sleepless
S
ave4uevoli
1/650 Enterprise D - by Helios Models - LOTS of pics
Replies
17
Views
3,202
modelerdave
modelerdave
Back
Top