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This
is my scratchbuilt model of the classic Trek series USS
Enterprise. She measures over 7 feet in length. The saucer is
about 3 feet in diameter and the nacelles are about 4 feet long.
This model was constructed in the early 80's and even to this day the
model is in excellent condition.
I've always been interested in scratchbuilding models of just about
everything. As a kid I never got the hang of plastic kits, for the parts
were too small and usually never fit. I was notorious for over gluing
to the point of meltdown, windshields usually suffered the most...
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The concept of building a model of the TOS Enterprise came from seeing
it on the series. I was impressed with the design elements of this
miniature and that is what got me interested in building her.
The design was a major departure from the typical cheesy 60's finned rockets. Even
to this day the sheer beauty of its design is timeless.
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This model was constructed from materials called
fiberglass resin and woven glass matt. At the time this seemed to be a good choice, for I
was familiar with its properties and processes.
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All
the cabin lights that are lit are constantly on. All the
navigation lights that are meant to blink, do so as they did on
TV. In some of these pictures the port and starboard running
lights are lit and in others they aren't depending on when the
picture was taken. The Nacelle domes blink in a semi-random
fashion and the fan shape inside spins as it did on the show.
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There were two events in my life time that had a profound effect on me
as a modeler—I met Gene Roddenberry at one of finest institutions,
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. He gave a talk on the World of
Star Trek. I was asked by the promoters if I would bring the model to this
event. This was quite a treat to see my model hanging over the area
where Mr. Roddenberry gave his speech. Talking to him later on a one-to-one basis was truly
thrilling.
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The other event was meeting Ed
Miarecki, the chief coordinator for the restoration of the original TOS
Enterprise for the Smithsonian. I visited him at his home in Springfield, Mass. We had a great time
talking about his part and his crew's part in
the restoration process. He was excited to see photos of my model and
gave me valuable tips to help make my model more accurate.
This picture depicts some of the fine detail that's actually
evident all over the hull, but you have to be pretty close to
see it all.
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Some
of the details are off due to the fact that the model was first
built in the early 80's and information was scarce compared to
what is available today.
Over the years though, there have been several additions,
replacements and corrections to the model to make it more
accurate to the filming model.
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Here's
some under saucer detail. The finishing paints are latex-based. All lettering and stripes other than
hull bulkhead numbers were hand drawn, transferred to frisking paper and
airbrushed directly to the hull.
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Here's
a picture to really show the size of the model. This picture was
taken at the Shearwater Aviation Museum Model Show/Contest 2003.
I'm standing almost touching the port nacelle so you can judge
how big the model really is with me as a reference. There's a
vintage aircraft in the background as a part of the museum's regular
exhibit. The model stand is electric and the Enterprise rotates
in a slow path on its post. There's a halogen lamp affixed to
the bottom of the stand that shines light on the lower saucer.
The Enterprise's running and cabin lights are activated through
the stand as well.
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This
is a composite Stephen did with Adobe Photoshop with a picture
he took of my Enterprise.
Click
here
to see a
picture that Stephen shot of my Enterprise and then composited
of himself standing on the hull near the bridge to scale with
the Enterprise!
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This
is the dedication plaque from the USS Enterprise.
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Photos
and artwork by Stephen L.
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