Penultimate Model Build

Round 2/Polar Lights USS Enterprise 1/350 from Classic Star Trek...

This is what I've leading up to in terms of building models.  This one is big and not cheap.

34 inches long, the most accurate rendition of this model ever mass produced (there are some advanced modelers who have built half scale - 66 inch long garage kits of this which are amazing).  As a kid I remember the old AMT 18 inch model which take a lot of re-working to accurize and not mention the old decals from the 80's were done in the wrong font combined with a raised grid on the saucer.

A full review of this model can be seen watching this link: 

Just a comparison of 4 different TOS Enterprise Models.  The one in the centre (gray with red putty) is a heavily modified Round 2 re-release of the Classic AMT 18 inch Enterprise.  This one will be named USS Constitution NX-1700.  The next one in size is the recently released Round 2 1/1000 scale Enterprise with the SS Botany Bay as depicted in "Space Seed", measuring about 11 inches long.  The smallest model here is from the classic AMT '3 Space Ship Set' (no longer released) and the set came with a Romulan Bird of Prey and a Klingon D7 Battlecruiser.  The model is nearing completion and was heavily modified to resemble how the Enterprise looked in the 2nd pilot episode, 'Where No Man Has Gone Before'.  I made custom decals for it, labeling it USS Faragut NCC-1647 (backstory is this is the ship Kirk served on upon graduating from Starfleet Academy - original universe, not JJ Abrams universe).

A full history of the original Enterprise can be seen on http://startrekhistory.com/models.html outlining the changes in the two commonly used models to depict the ship in the original series.  My build is going to be special and a bit of a 'what if' approach had Star Trek lasted into a fourth season.

Stay tuned...