Polar Lights USS Enterprise NCC-1701 1/350 scale model Star Trek Motion Picture

Polar Lights/Round 2 1/350 scale Enterprise. The final product of my build project videos. Although I don't consider myself a "Trekie" I am a fan and I have always just loved the look of the Star Trek starship. It had been over 10 years since I had built a scale model,but my business was slow at the time so I was pretty excited to do something so grand and since I had a lot of free time on my hands, I jumped right in. I thought I would have her finished in 2-3 months...I soon realized it would be at least 6. There was a model show for Kingsport's Fun Fest on July 17, and I made that date my goal. That self-imposed deadline would keep me motivated and drive me to finish it rather than loose interest and it be forgotten on a shelf in the closet. I got her finished with less than 2 weeks to spare.

I added a lot of details, such as photo-etched parts from 2 different manufacturers, 2 lighting kits, the main kit being from Trekmodeler.com, but I wanted something to lead the observer's eye into the shuttlebay so I spliced in another sequencing light kit for the runway. I also wanted a display base with some "presence" so after much searching, I finally found the answer right under my nose. A modified aquarium stand from Walmart... I think it fits her very nicely! I have to say Polar Lights just did an amazing job designing this kit. From the beautifully molded parts to the mini-kits like the shuttlebay and arboretum, it's just a fun (although intense) kit to build. When Round 2 re-released the kit they even bettered it! I would recommend buying the Round 2 re-release as it has a MUCH better mounting system for the base(One point instead of 3) and the Aztec decals. I highly recommend building her if you have the time. This build was started in Mid-late January and completed over the July 4th holiday. I estimate approximately 550 man hours went into it. I just wish I had a decent camera to film it with..and maybe a nice shooting rig so I could do some smooth pan shots. I used a Casio point and shoot Exilim, so not much screen quality....maybe if I get or borrow a nice camera I'll do a re-edit.

If you are really bored and have some time to kill, you can see the entire progress of the build in my other videos. I uploaded 10 videos over the course of this build with all kinds of tips and tricks I learned during the construction. Since this video was made, I removed the dish and painted the yellow dish light with transparent red, making for a more screen correct copper color, and it really sets her off in standby mode!

PS...Oh Yeah, It got best of show for the contest I had built it for :)

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Darren Marks]

HAY MAN A GREAT JOB AND SUCH DEDICATION. THANKYOU FOR THE INSIGHT AND YOUR VIDEO(S).TOP JOB OF THE DETAILS AND LOVE THOSE LANDING BAY LIGHTS.I HAVE THIS MODEL AND WAS WONDERRING WHETHER TO LIGHT IT UP OR NOT-THE LIGHTING REALLY DOES SET IT OFF.BUT I HAVE NOT OPENED THE PLASTIC BAGS YET SO IT IS A BIT OF AN UNDERTAKING. A CREDIT TO YOU AFTER 10YRS OFF THE GAME. THANKS AGAIN KIND SIR AND ALL THE BEST...

[helipilot27]

Thanks...One thing I have learned, if you are leaning towards lighting, do it. If you do not, no matter how good a job you do on yor model, you will always look at it and wonder what it would look like illuminated. You don't have to go the top dollar option of the trekmodeler kit, there is a guy on ebay selling kits for 90 bucks. Even if you were to just use cheap LED strips, you could just do a basic illumination for 20-30 bucks or so.

[JAY OH]

I saw a similar model on amazon and was considering buying it .I thought the price was a little much (76.50) After seeing this video it looks to be well worth the money

[helipilot27]

The amazon model is no doubt a much nicer model...you should buy it and prepare to be amazed.

[Ryousuke10]

Do you know the intem number of the amazon ship? it it is better than your ship, I so would pay those $76.

[helipilot27]

Nope don't know the item number...but no doubt a much nicer model for 76 bucks...come on, I mean 76 dollars for a scale model, how can you go wrong?

[DODmayhem]

I actually felt emotions watching this video. Absolutely incredible. I hope I can become this skilled. I've started with some 1/2500 scale models and they are going pretty good. Don't come with stands though...kinda weird. But I am building my way up to this. And eventually lighting too. This is a very inspirational video. Thank you!

[Nabarun De Vreeze]

stunning truly amazing, I"m thinking of buying this one too

nice work

[jon spiro]

cool

[rennmaxbeta]

Looks fantastic. Great job. It's such a beautiful looking spaceship. A perfect design. The JJ Trek Enterprise on the other hand looks like toy crap.

[Chas UGC]

What is the video list that you mentioned to show the construction? I would really like to see it. Also, it would great to know the accessory kits used, and which ones are crucial and which are not as important. I think the running lights in the shuttle bay is crucial and absolutely breathtaking.

[Chas UGC]

Awesome, absolutely awesome! I came upon this video while thinking about building another Enterprise like I did as a teenager. Wow, would I like to build something like this. So, I guess you used a lot of cement glue, and accessory kits. I don't think the human figurines came with the kit, and neither did the lighting. Where can one get all the accessories with lighting to build a kit like this? Awesome Model. You deserve 1st prize for sure. Thanks for sharing.