Customer Reviews

Star Trek Classic Enterprise Limited Edition 1-1000 Polar Lights

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Okay, I've had 2 of the old AMT/ERTL Enterprise models (one from the 60's and one from the late 90's). Considering they were the only model of their kind available, they weren't too bad. But last year, Polar Lights came out with this "snap together" version of the same ship. I had my doubts about it because of that, but I got it anyway (it was only $10 so I didn't have anything to lose). I was amazed! Although the model is only 11" long, and the saucer about as big around as a CD, it's packed with tons of "nifty" little features, most notably they let you choose which version of the ship you want to build (there were 3, one from each of the pilot episodes, and the final version used to film the rest of the series), I opted to build the 2nd pilot version. This version has the taller bridge dome, the larger deflector dish and the "spikes" on the nacelles. The series version had seperate nacelles from the pilot version (if compare the pilot model and the series version, you will notice that the nacelles are more of a straight cylinder in the pilot version). One thing I would suggest is to cross out the directions for the ships you ARE NOT building, as it is easy to confuse them and end up with a strange looking ship. I gave the ship 5 stars for fun for obvious reasons, 4 stars for educational value because it teaches you that there is no such thing as a "snap together" model, and 3 stars for durability because it is a somewhat fragile ship (it is not the same as the replicas produced by Art Asylum) and the display stand was somewhat "poorly engineered", so you may want to use the money you saved to get a brass rod to replace it. With the stand being my only issue, I love this model and plan to buy two more!

Both reviews of this kit say that you can make 3 versions:1)Original pilot( Capt.Pike's ship) 2)2nd pilot("Where no man has gone before"-strange energy barrier at edge of galaxy causes Gary Mitchell to become super telepath).3)"production ship",seen in most episodes.

However,you can also make the Enterprise from "Mirror,Mirror";

The U.S.S. Constellation,the U.S.S.Defiant and the U.S.S.Exeter.Which means it is possible to make 7 versions of this kit.Just to let you know. :)

First this is a model kit for display, not a toy for playing
with.

It is a bit smaller than I would have wanted, but the shape
of the kit is spot on. The option to build 3 different versions,
is an awesome plus. It also contains a great set of decals to
match the details of the different versions. If you want to
build it as a snap together kit and decals are worrisome for
you, it also has 'stickers' for all the markings which would be
good for the younger set as well.

I can't recommend this kit highly enough!

My first model kit of this type. For $9.99 I have to say its definitely worth it and very accurate to the Constitution-class vessel. The bridge section is a teardrop shape, not the round shape like the AMT Constellation. A lot of people have problems with the warp nacelles. A good solution is this: the nacelle pylons are two-piece; build this piece first and then assemble the warp nacelles. I think it rather unusual to show a picture of the assembled model with these crooked nacelles in the instructions but who knows why its a minor error at best. Also, the registry for the Exeter in this kit (without cutting and arranging) is NCC-1672 not following the registry given in Franz Joseph's technical manual.

Without out a doubt, for all the complaints about things fitting together, or about it not being a proper snap tight kit, this is easily the most accurate widely available commerical kit of the Classic Trek Enterprise ever made.

Yes, you will have to do some work to make the model seamless and clean. I concur most highly with the other reviewers' recommendation to build it as a glue together, rather than snap tight kit. Just fill in with a good modeler's putty after you've properly sanded and shaped the pieces' tabs, pins, and lines to fit properly. I also definitely agree with the advice some have given here to select which version of the ship you wish to build, and make sure that once you do, you follow only the instructions for that version as well as isolate the other versions' parts. Save those other parts for if you decide to build the other variants, as they make great spare parts, or practice pieces.

That aside, I again must say that this is by far the most accurate model yet outside of various highly expensive limited run kits and premade models. Toss out those horrible old AMT models... unless you've already spent serious time and bucks accurizing them. The Polar Lights model is smaller, but it gets the details right on all three variants, with a few, easily correctable minor issues. But most features and proportions are superbly rendered such as the taper of the warp nacelles, the "tear drop" taper of the saucer section's dorsal superstructure, and the properly smoothed top of the saucer with no raised or engraved gridlines (the 11 foot shooting model did have stenciled lines, but they were so small that they were barely visible, and at the scale of the model kit, would not show up at all).

A special note: THIS IS NOT A TOY!

For kids I recommend most strongly that they have an adult supervise them as this kit requires a lot of attention to detail, and it is really geared for us older kids who've been waiting for a model of the Enterprise like this to come along.

So is this kit perfect? No. But very few kits are, and what this kit lacks it more than makes up for with it's fantastic features and attention to detail.

I ordered the Star Trek Enterprise Kit for my 11 year old "Trekkie" son. I like the fact the kit is easy to put together. In a matter of hours in one afternoon, my son managed to not only put the model together, but also set it up so he could change out the Engine "nacells"(?) at his leasure. This is not the first kit I have bought for him from this company and each one has been a good challenge for him, but not a difficult one. I will continue to buy other models from this company in the future.

This model is perfection that even the excellent Diamond Select toy doesn't quite reach. No, it doesn't light up (unless you get REAL ambitious with your own led concoction), but you won't see such slavish attention to Enterprise's lines anywhere else for the bucks! The nacelles need to be fit into place carefully- examine just how it should fit together before assembly, but they DO go on well. The primary hull needs to be glued, though, in fact I recommend a little glue for most of it, in spite of its snap-together nature.
Highest recommendation!

Not only is this kit a steal at under $20, but it's a blast to assemble! I'm an avid model builder and a Trek junkie so this was perfect! As mentioned in the other reviews, you have options for the three different hull/nacelle/bridge options and decals to make even more options including the Mirror Enterprise (I built the production/standard version). You can't beat the value there. I took mine a step further and glued most seams (to give it durability and a more seamless look) but even without this model looks great completed. I would also recommend the painting as it adds more realism. All in all, this kit is outstanding. Mine's hanging from the ceiling of my son's room now and I'm planning my second one (Mirror version) for the office!

Very good detail, great model for such a low price, needs painting to look good (as all models doe) just becareful with the warp nacales (sp?) it can be a littile pain to put on since you have to slide the flap under two pegs when you connect the engines themselfs to the ship (you might make the flip bend the two pegs, thus carful)

this is an ok model but on mine (that I got for cristmas)the warp drives did not snap on and the box said it did not need glue.