Star Trek 1:1 Enterprise-E Captain's Chair

[Marc Wagner]

I'm working on building the captain's chair from the Star Trek TNG movies. I've got great reference shots from the 2006 auction.


I have the chair modeled to scale in Blender and have exported the model so I can 3d print the base and armrests. I will be using traditional upholstery methods for the chair.


I started by printing the chair in its entirety at Playmates figure scale so I have a physical example to model the full size chair from.


Progress on the base. I'm using wood dowels to connect the parts and add strength:

 

[Lightning]

You may know this, but for the record, that's the second version of the E chair. The original was stolen near the end of filming Nemesis. They had to make a replacement quickly and they aren't identical. Most obviously, the headrest and hole are not the same. You may want to tweak your model if you want replicate the one we see in 90% of the movies.

 

[Ronldheld]

Was that chair built from scratch for Nemesis, or was another chair modified?

 

[Marc Wagner]

You may know this, but for the record, that's the second version of the E chair. The original was stolen near the end of filming Nemesis. They had to make a replacement quickly and they aren't identical. Most obviously, the headrest and hole are not the same. You may want to tweak your model if you want replicate the one we see in 90% of the movies.

Yes I am aware of this change.

 

[Captain Dunsel]

You may know this, but for the record, that's the second version of the E chair. The original was stolen near the end of filming Nemesis. They had to make a replacement quickly and they aren't identical. Most obviously, the headrest and hole are not the same. You may want to tweak your model if you want replicate the one we see in 90% of the movies.

I wonder, since that was known to be “the last” of the TNG films, if it was arranged to “secretly allow” this chair to be removed by a member of the production and call it an overnight theft with no actual reports filed.

I have heard stories about these types of “show up at this door at this time and I’ll slip you this item” from interviews covering different productions, over time.

This would otherwise be a particularly awkward item to squeeze through the regular stage doors and then cart across the Paramount lot, through the security checkpoints, and into a vehicle outside the lot (if it wasn’t a member of the production crew, who would otherwise have parking inside the lot).

 

[Marc Wagner]

Progress on the base of the chair and the right armrest:


I have installed an auto-return swivel so the chair will always return to the forward facing position.

 

[Marc Wagner]

Arms are finished and now she's ready for some filler work before painting.

 

[Sector2814]

Interesting project. Look forward to seeing the journey

 

[scottsusernames]

That is simply awesome! Are you planning on selling life-size printed components to help offset the cost of this project (hint...)?

 

[MangyDog]

Looking great, but I have one issue. You 3d printed the arm rests... Are you going to use that to cast them in aluminium?

The 3d printed parts wont be able to handle actual use. IE wont take the weight if you lean on them or like me... Use your arm rests to hoist yourself up to sitting cross legged in the chair

If they 3d printed. Maybe think about having internal steel suport?

 

[scottsusernames]

How is this progressing? Any interest in funding your build by selling a kit....?

 

[Marc Wagner]

I'm working on the base still before starting the upholstery. No I'm not doing any kits for this

 

[reelprops]

Following with great interest

 

[scottsusernames]

No kits? Major bummer. But still interested in your build. Please give us an update!!!

 

[Marc Wagner]

Base it finished. Now working on finishing and painting the arms!