Which TOS Enterprise To Buy?

[SirJediKnightTim]

I would like to buy my first TOS USS Enterprise (I grew up on them) to display with my TOS props. I do like the USS-1701 and 1701-A, and maybe a Klingon ship and some from the TOS movies.

1. I DON'T want a model that I have to paint.
2. Lights would be cool.
3. The larger the ship the better.
4. I've been looking at the AA versions on e-bay, do they look to "toyish"?
5. Snap together model would be best (I'm not a model maker).
6. The MR version is not an option for me at a price tag of around $1,000.00.
7. The more "realistic" looking, the better. But I don't want it to "look" like a model, hence I don't want to paint it, because then it would look like a bad model.
8. Where is the best place to buy them?

Any suggestions guys on a model or AA or something else?

 

[phase pistol]

Well if I'm reading your wants correctly, I dont' think you have much to choose from. The upcoming Master Replicas 3-footer will be the best commercially available model of the Classic Enterprise ever made (unless they screw it up in some new and inventive way :lol )

But yes, it will be spendy. The only thing that comes close is the old Unobtainium 3-footer, but that one has built-in accuracy problems, and it's made of the infamous disintegrating resin.

If you can get a built-up of the old AMT 22-inch long "cutaway" model, that's probably your best bet.

(you can build it without the cutaway parts, that is as a "full" model, but you may need two kits to do it, I forget).

I'm assuming when you say "TOS" Enterprise you mean the 60s TV show version. The "1701-A" (also commonly called the "refit") is the design which made its debut in "Star Trek the Motion Picture", and was seen in all the subsequent movies starring the TOS cast.

The best commercially available model of the Refit Enterprise is the three-foot Polar Lights kit... but it would have to be built, painted and lit for best effect.

There are no large scale snap together kits of the TOS or refit Enterprises.

Later this year Art Asylum will have a 14" TOS Enterprise, to go with the Refit that came out awhile back. Both of these are great little models even though they are actually toys.

There is actually a Japanese snap-together kit of the Refit design, with lights, from Bandai that came out a few years ago. It's pricey but the hull is pre-printed with the markings and decals in place, so that might be a good one to go for as well (I'm told there can be unsightly gaps tho, so you might have to glue it for best effect).

It's about the same size as the Art Asylum refit. So that and the upcoming AA "Classic" Enterprise might make a good pair.

Art Asylum came out with this toy version of the refit in 2003, it's pretty good. For a toy.

- k

 

[CessnaDriver]

Art Asylum picture..........


http://toychest.diamondcomics.com/toys/05_...gEnterprise.htm

 

[SirJediKnightTim]

That's some great information guys. I really like the refit the best. But if I buy the AA refit, I could soon put the original TOS version next to it. But then part of me says to build the 3 foot refit.. I may stop by a local model/hobby/train store that we have around here today. Does anybody have a photo of the 3' refit completed?

I remember Spencers used to carry COOL Star Trek stuff years ago, before they became a porno/halloween store. Do you guys know any online stores that carry the AA refit Enterprise?

 

[Bryancd]

Hey Tim, PM sent

 

[SirJediKnightTim]

OK, who makes a better ship.....Playmates or AA? To be more specific, the TOS Playmates Enterprise or the AA refit TOS Enterprise?

 

[phase pistol]

The Playmates TOS Enterprise is bigger (about the size of the old AMT 18" kit)... but it has some inaccuracies, obvious screw holes, buttons and sound vents, and so on.

Good for its time (early 90s) but the upcoming AA TOS Enterprise (photo in a previous post) will be much better. And in scale with the AA refit.

- k

 

[SirJediKnightTim]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(phase pistol @ May 7 2006, 10:49 PM) [snapback]1240282[/snapback]</div>

The Playmates TOS Enterprise is bigger (about the size of the old AMT 18" kit)... but it has some inaccuracies, obvious screw holes, buttons and sound vents, and so on.

Good for its time (early 90s) but the upcoming AA TOS Enterprise (photo in a previous post) will be much better. And in scale with the AA refit.

- k
[/b]

Ok. I traded to somebody on the RPF for the Playmates TOS Enterprise, new in non mint box. Now I just need to trade that Enterprise to somebody for the AA refit Enterprise (my favorite version Enterprise).

 

[redshirt]

What's the best and most accurate USS Enterprise Orig Series NCC1701 kit out there? I don't mind doing an involved buildup. Also are lights available for the kit you suggest?

And what's the best NCC1701-A Refit kit? The Bandai one looks nice with the electronics included. How accurate is it? How hard would it be to tackle the full Polar Lights 30" one? I'm guessing I'd have to paint the deatail on that one?

Wasn't the Bandai Refit released in a new slightly upgraded version not too long after release with just slightly different box art titles too?

 

[phase pistol]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(redshirt @ May 11 2006, 03:04 AM) [snapback]1242422[/snapback]</div>

What's the best and most accurate USS Enterprise Orig Series NCC1701 kit out there? I don't mind doing an involved buildup. Also are lights available for the kit you suggest?[/b]

The only "really accurate" classic Enterprise kit is the 11" Polar Lights kit that came out a few years ago. It's small, but builds up really nice. It also includes alternate parts and decals to build the versions of the ship that appeared in the two pilot episodes.

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Rev1...port/rev384.htm


All previous models of the Classic Enterprise are deficient in many ways and require major modifications to be acceptable. For example the original AMT kit, the 18" model that has been around since 1968, has that awful GRID PATTERN molded into the top of the primary hull, which must be dealt with. Also the Bridge decks are the wrong shape, and many versions of the kit have serious nacelle-sag problems.

Interestingly however... that old AMT kit was used ON THE TV SHOW in several episodes, to represent the Enterprise ("Trouble with Tribbles"), the USS Constellation ("Doomsday Machine") and other starship class vessels ("Ultimate Computer"). So if you get an old AMT and build it up "stock" and paint it gray... you've got an accurate "screenused" prop replica. :lol

BTW light kits for the 11" Polar kit are available, but you'll pay a pretty penny.

http://www.culttvman.net/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=80

And what's the best NCC1701-A Refit kit? The Bandai one looks nice with the electronics included. How accurate is it? How hard would it be to tackle the full Polar Lights 30" one? I'm guessing I'd have to paint the deatail on that one?[/b]

The "best" refit kit would have to be the Polar Lights three-footer. It would be a major build project tho, and if you really want to do it up right you need the lights and blinkers and whatnot. But I've seen some people posting amazing builds on the board here, and on Starshipmodeler.

The NX-01 from "Star Trek Enterprise" was also done in 1:350 scale by Polar Lights, so you can at least have those two to the same scale. Plus there's a Polar NX-01 in 1:1000 scale which matches the 1:1000 Polar TOS Enterprise.

Wasn't the Bandai Refit released in a new slightly upgraded version not too long after release with just slightly different box art titles too?
[/b]

As I recall the original issue of the Bandai kit is the "NCC-1701-A" version, with the serial numbers printed on the hull. The second edition was a "build your favorite ship" version, with decals included so you could make the registration numbers whatever you want.

I of course prefer the original look of the refit, no bloody "A"...

For more starship tips, check out CultTVman

http://www.culttvman.com/trek.html

Starship Modeler

http://www.starshipmodeler.com/trek/trekship.htm

...and the discussion boards on those sites, and also Hobbytalk

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/



- k

 

[Jedi Dade]

If you want a really good build of the TOS Enterprise at a decent size get a hold of the cutaway version then buy all of the upgrade and correction parts for it. It will cost you about 100-200 after all is said and done and then you need to build and paint it. Its not an easy build since the cutaway needs to be rejoined, but it does make very nice and impressive build when done. If you like smaller models the PL enterprise is the way to go. The Bandai refit is very nice and easy to build but I strongly sugest building it as a glue kit since it has a few fit issues when built as a snap. I found it difficult to remove all of the seams when trying to press fit things. With glue it was no problem. If you want an awesome refit get the PL 1/350 refit. Its awesome but a lot of paintwork and lighting work to finish. I love the look of that aztec pattern but HATE painting it...

Jedi Dade

 

[redshirt]

Thanks Jedi Dade. Phase Pistol your responses are incredibly helpful too.

I'm going to start out getting the Bandai NCC1701 Refit (no A version for me) to warm me up. What's best place to buy it? HLJ.com has it, but I'm afraid of damage between here and there.

 

[CessnaDriver]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(redshirt @ May 11 2006, 10:57 AM) [snapback]1242657[/snapback]</div>

Thanks Jedi Dade. Phase Pistol your responses are incredibly helpful too.

I'm going to start out getting the Bandai NCC1701 Refit (no A version for me) to warm me up. What's best place to buy it? HLJ.com has it, but I'm afraid of damage between here and there.
[/b]

No worries from HLJ. I got the refit, NX-01, Voyager and Enterprise E from them no problems at all.

 

[Jedi Dade]

I got 2 refits (one for me one for a friend) from HLJ - no problems with damaging the model. when building it use a pair of side cutters to remove it from the sprue (to avoid damaging the paint), and use glue to put it together - you will not be disappointed

Jedi Dade