Which TOS Enterprise do you choose?

[Gregatron]

Pure curiosity, here—

We STAR TREK fans are in a somewhat unique situation. The TOS Enterprise has been replicated in a 1/350 “studio scale” (…but not really, since these three-foot models all replicate the specific details of the 11-footer) no less than five times, by four different companies:

1) The infamous, 2001 Unobtainium, Ltd. version, with both lit and unlit versions;

2) The 2006 Master Replicas model, in both standard and Signature Edition versions, both with lights and nacelle motor effects;

3) The 2012 Polar Lights/Round 2 unbuilt model kit, with optional pilot-era parts, and optional electronics kit with lights and engine nacelle motors;

4) The 2021 static, prebuilt version of the afforementioned Round 2 kit, with no lighting or electronics;

5) The 2023 TOMY die-cast replica, with lighting effects, engine motors, and detachable saucer.


So…which one would (…or did!) you choose, and why? Which one is the best, all things considered? Each has its pros and cons, but they’re all in the same scale, and all based on the same source model. Yet, each has it own individual quirks, inaccuracies, features, etc.

The die-cast TOMY has durability and heft, while the Round 2 kit can be built and customized as the buyer prefers, whereas the MR is prebuild and also has electronics, without the weight or more toylike features of the TOMY, etc.

I dunno if anyone is crazy enough to own ALL of them but it would be interesting to compare them all.

Thoughts?

 

[Nicksdad]

I've owned all three of them, never really wanted the pre built model with no lighting. My personal favorite is the MR. I purchased
3 of the Tomy with the plan of keeping one and selling the other two to pay for mine. I ultimately sold all three recently because I
just didn't like the fact that you had to replace batteries and needed to turn the lights on in two separate areas. Also wasn't really crazy
about the stand. I chose the MR because it has an internal metal armature to eliminate the chance of droop and the outer body is injected
plastic which appeals more to me.

 

[Lanboy]

I bought the MR standard edition and have been very happy with it. The paint work on mine was excellent (not everyone was happy with the paint work on theirs), the metal armature has kept the ship perfectly aligned and the engine and lighting effects are in working order (knock on wood). The Tomy looked good and I loved the idea of a diecast model of the enterprise in that scale; the lighted bridge and shuttle bay were features I would have loved on the MR. The seam lines and screw holes were flaws I couldn't overlook. I did order the Tomy refit though.

 

[division 6]

I have the polar lights model with all the extras and light kit I pre-ordered and got the blue shirt. (Still needs to be built)

I like to build models, it's part of the journey.

 

[Lost in Trek]

I bought option 4 and that works fine for me. I don’t need electronics as I wouldn’t turn them on much and then I’d have to worry about them going bad.

 

[alensatemybuick]

I have a built version of the PL model; I did not build it, though I made some mods to it (to nacelle lighting effect, especially). The nice thing about the model is you can build it (or commission someone to) to exactly your specifications. Mine was built before the Smithsonian restoration, so there a couple things that are not entirely right, mostly in terms of weathering. Also I chose to have all the windows lit, a decision I sorta-kinda came to regret, and I'm not sure I want to mess with it (I've thought about covering the ones not lit on the 11 footer with black tape, but initial attempts looks like ****).

I REALLY like the unlit pre-painted PL model, in terms of it authenticity to the current restoration, but snoozed on it at the time and am not prepared to spend upwards of $1000 for one now (besides, I may be at my limit of Enterprii).

 

[Captain Dunsel]

The Polar Lights 350 Kit and Light Kit, for me.

I am in this hobby to build, not to buy…that’s where the fun is for me.

Also…the Polar Lights kit is without unsightly screw hole covers…

 

[Tosfan1]

Crazy that TOMY put the screw hole plugs on the classic view - the starboard side. Flip the orientation and the saucer support arm obscures the port side. Putting the plug holes on the port side would have been preferable and keep these undesirable issues more out of view.

 

[animator]

I would have bought the MR, but I didn't have the funds. I hope to build a Polar Lights version someday (I have the kit) but still need to upgrade my skills. I have the TOMY and really love it. I love the how the metal feels, the paint job, lighting and I don't notice the plugs unless I am close and looking for them. The TOMY sits a few feet from my desk and makes me happy every time I glance over to it.

 

[Borg69]

It always bugged me on the show they showed all those ports/windows on the outside of the ship, but you almost never saw one on the interior sets.

Of course I mean TOS. TNG, VOY, DS9… were much better.

 

[WinstonWolf359]

I have the pre-built Polar Lights model. It displays really nicely, and at the time I had already missed out on the Unobtanium and Master Replicas ships, and Tomy wasn't on the scene yet. All and all, I feel like I dodged several bullets there.

 

[JediJim]

For someone with the skills, the PL seems like the best option since you can customize it to your liking.

 

[Funky]

The PL doesn’t come with lights, does it?

 

[mtpalin]

The PL doesn’t come with lights, does it?

There is a separate lighting kit available for the model.

 

[scotthm]

I have the MR Enterprise, the TOMY Enterprise, and several Polar Lights kits (both with and without gridlines) needing to be built.
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[Clerval]

None of the above. PL lighting kits are garbage. Get a smooth PL kit, series or pilot options, and a tena or diy light rig and paint it correctly. Nothing else is close enough.