USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) from episode “Space Seed” with colony ship Botany Bay

The Subject

During the Original Series run the starship Enterprise wore a few different guises.  Generally most external shots were of the same few variants, which were minor, and frankly only super fans generally can identify the differences (I couldn’t, at least until I made this model).  In some cases it was markings, but also some actual variation in the model’s details.  

The major variations are:

• Pilot episode (The Cage and the later two-part Menagerie)
• Production Enterprise
• Production sister ships in the class (just decal changes)
• Mirror Universe (Mirror, Mirror) (decals and details)

I chose to model the Production Enterprise because, well, that’s the one I’m most familiar with.  The shape is unique enough that anyone who comes by and sees my display cabinet will know what it is and I won’t have explain, “well, not really…”

The Model

This is the 1/1000 scale Polar Lights kit, PLL908, which was listed as a snap fit kit, but frankly it would never hold together without at least some polystyrene cement.  In fact, I had to use cement for all the joins, as well as quite a bit of filler.

This kit is also listed as a 2003 new tooling, however the tooling is more in line with an AMT kit from the 70’s, however none was ever produced in 1/1000 scale.

I started this kit with the hope that it would be an easy build, given when it was molded.  It wasn’t.  As already noted, construction required quite a bit of filler, sanding, and cement.  Once I the major sub-assemblies were completed I then attempted to bring them together.  These were the saucer/primary hull, secondary hull, and nacelles w pylons.  Alignment was difficult to achieve and ultimately when I had it all in place I left it to cure overnight, but alas one nacelle shifted slightly and cured solid.  Repairing that was not in me.  I could have modeled the Constellation (Doomsday Machine) but that wasn’t my objective.

Decals went on nicely, and frankly impressed me with their quality.  I had zero issues with decals and that’s a rare occurrence for me any more.  

Summary

I did enjoy this build, even if I did have to use so much filler.  I’ve watched all the movies and series of Star Trek but I’ve never made a model of any subject.  I finally did so and I’m glad for it.

Now, does she need a Klingon Bird of Prey to sit next to her?