Many starship aficionados and collectors have been wondering if there were going to be studio scale or museum quality versions of the new Star Trek feature film ships. Well, to paraphrase the classic Captain Kirk, the word has indeed been given and Trekmovie has all the details of Quantum Mechanix’s new license for Star Trek.
CBS Consumer Products and Quantum Mechanix have announced that QMx was granted a license for collector grade collectibles from the new Star Trek film. QMx is a leading maker of replicas, objects and prints from a number of sci-fi licenses, including Battlestar Galactica, Serenity, and Stargate. Regular readers of TrekMovie know about "The Enterprise Project" where artists have been painting and reconfiguring scale models of the new film’s USS Enterprise. Quantum Mechanix is the company that has been building the Enterprises used as a canvas by the artists.
For 2009 QMx has two Star Trek products planned for collectors:
Artisan Edition Studio Scale USS Enterprise NCC 1701
The Artisan Edition Studio Scale Enterprise will be 34 inches long with working lights and exacting detailing in paint and design. QMx promises that "each Artisan ship is assembled, wired, and painted by hand in a working model effects shop. The process, while more resource intensive and more time-consuming than overseas manufacture, ensures discerning collectors get a replica of unsurpassed quality." These models will be based on the series of ‘artist models’ that QMx made for paramount (see Enterprise Model Gallery), but QMx tells TrekMOvie they are making ‘dozens of improvements’, including improvements in the electronics, and lighting, as well as having the shuttle bay doors open to see inside. They will also be making improvements to the ‘plasma effect’ of the nacelles and adding an effect for the impulse engines as well. QMx will not give us a price or even a range right now, but assume these are not going to be cheap. Each ship will be handmade here in the US and will be the same quality as those made for studios.
Here are some pictures of the ships made for Paramount previously to get an idea of what the Studio Scale Enterprises will look like (but note the modifications mentioned above). More photos at the QMx site.
QMx ‘Star Trek’ New Enterprise model made for Paramount…will be similiar to ‘Studio Scale’ model sold to public later in 2009
Mid Scale Replica Enterprise
And for those who are on a budget, but still want something more detailed than the Playmates toy version, QMx will also be making a 10" ‘mid-scale’ replica’ of the Enterprise in 2009. While smaller and affordable for many fans, these models will feature quality designs and hand painted detailing, but no lights. According to QMx, they will be similar to the Stargate F-302 they make, which retails for $120. No pictures of a 10" Enterprise are available, but here is a look at that Stargate ship to get an idea of the quality of their work.
Qmx F-302 model from Stargate
Ordering information for both will be available hopefully soon. Both will be availble direct and one or both will will be available at Sideshow Collectibles, Entertainment Earth and local comic stores and hobby shops (via Diamond).
That’s Not All Folks!
QMx tells TrekMovie that they are already thinking about additional ships to make in both the studio scale size and the mid scale size for 2010. They also plan to make additional Star Trek collectibles, but would not give details. Looking at their lines for Stargate and Serenity, these other items could be prop replicas, art prints, posters, and/or T-Shirts.
Qmx Malcolm Reynolds Stunt Pistol from Serenity
More info on QMx at their official site. You can also track progress on their project making a studio scale version of the Firefly ship from Serenity at fireflyshipworks.com.
With the new feature film in the theaters, TrekMovie’s The Collective articles will continue to bring fans all the news about new film and classic items from all versions of Star Trek.
Wish I could afford it…I refuse to say the F word.
I wish they would make a die cast version like Corgi did….
Anyone know if Corgi will make the new Enterprise Die Cast like their previous models?
If not, I am going to paint my original Corgi Enterprise with a blue dish and nacelles.
SWEEEETTT! I’ll have to get the ”smaller” one. Oh, and is there any word of Round2 getting any of the rights to do the kits from the movie?
OK, I have a merchandising question: where are the companion books? Not the novelization, I mean the “Art of Star Trek,” The “Star Trek Movie Companion,” “Making of …”. I have those books for Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and others but are there no such plans for Trek? I’d love to see the production art for the new film.
I’d also like to get my hands on the new uniform shirts, but that can wait.
I have the second wave of Mal’s Serenity pistol, pictured above. The first batch had a much-superior paint job compared to the one I got. Don’t get me wrong though, the construction and materials are top-notch, as are all of QMxs stuff. Why they screwed up the paint on that gun though is a mystery to me. Wish I could find one of the first ones.
I’ll probably go for a Mid Scale E. The Playmates has some proportion issues which do not do justice to Church’s design at all.
Hope they do the Trek props too!
Let’s see…… FIFTH!
Terrific. If only they would make a model of 1701-A. I’d get one.
1 Im with you. Maybe the 10″ though…
This past weekend I bought the bridge and transporter playsets and all the figures. They are the first Trek ANYTHING, besides dvd’s,that I have purchased since the MEGO bridge set in the 70’s…literally!
I guess I’m back collecting in a big, big way….DAMN!
Hopefully their ‘mid-range’ Enterprise wont have any large and glaring inaccuracies such as the platform for the F302 being labeled BC-303
Where is this “window” to the bridge supposed to be? I don’t really see it on the detailed shot of the top of the saucer …
Also, did I miss something? Are there going to be actual model kits like the AMT retro-releases? And if so, why aren’t they already on the market?
Good! Hopefully Quantum Mechanix can tell us the definitve answer to the question:
“What is the length of the new starship Enterprise?”
I’m a science fiction modeler. I want a damn MODEL THAT I CAN BUILD AND PAINT MYSELF.
Paramount? J.J? You’ve done everything else for this movie perfectly. How about something for us modelers?
10 Ithink the window is on the underside of the saucer. seems more logical to me but maybe I just got turned upside down during the film!
The pics look awesome. I’m sure I’ll get one of those Enterprises. Although, they screwed up the Buzzard Collectors just like Playmates did. Onscreen, the E doesn’t have the vertical band over them.
The new E looked ok on screen, and looks ok on its own (sort of), but whatever you do, don’t put your Playmates ’09 E next to your AA/DST E-A.
The TMP/E-A puts it to shame!
I wonder if the odd proportions of the new E were deliberate to facilitate “filming?” In other words, so that it looked good from the most “photographed” angles. Sort of like forced perspective- from the rear there would be less perspective distortion due to the tapered nacelles.
Or maybe I’m just trying to rationalize the screwey look of the damn thing…
I’m glad to see that Master Replicas did not get the license this time. They used to make some fantastic collectibles but their quality really slipped in recent years and they have not been at all timely in releasing their products.
The 34″ replica sounds interesting but it’ll probably be simply too big for most collectors. As such, I’ll be checking their 10″ model. Too bad they aren’t doing an intermediate size like 18″; that would have been a good compromise.
I’ll probably pick up the 10″ model as well. I do wish Polar Lights could get a license as well as OMX to do scale models. OMX could do the very nice build ups, and Polar Lights could just release kits of the same ships.
That way, I could get the 34″ one from Polar Lights without having to pay the probable $1,000-1,200 it’s probably going to cost for the finished product from QMX.
Oh, and I’d LOVE to have the Kelvin too. I love that ship.
Personally I like the look of the Kelvin better than the new Enterprise. At least the Kelvin doesn’t look like three different ships mashed together…
Since Round 2 has announced the TOS Enterprise as a 1/350 kit for 2010, I may sell my Master Replicas Model to fund one of these Quantum Mechanix Models.
Oooh, Serenity. NOW we’re talking.
I would SO save up for that Enterprise, even if it took a year to save up for it!
What beautiful models! I love the new USS Enterprise.
Question: Can we get an article on whether the “real” ship upon which it is based is about as long as the TMP refit, or instead, up to 3,000 ft long? There is a raging debate over this at StarTrekMovie.com and the TrekBBS.
I wish, I had the money to buy this ship. Well, it’ll probably never be released in Europe anyway.
Any chance Johnny Lightning will make a plastic version like the rest of their star trek line?
Speaking of that… where is this months edition of Nacalle Monthly? If it’s held up at the distibution center on Vulcan again, there will he hell to pay!
#26
What distribution center ?
Yay! An F-302!
I believe Hot Wheels has made a die cast model of the new Enterprise…couldn’t find one in Wal-Mart, but they had a few of the Enterprise-A, -D, and the Reliant as well
@ 14.
Actually they do..it is a translucent strip but the vertical stripe does exist on the digital model and as you’re never very close to it its not visible.
Also keep in mind in some instances we had to change the ship shot for shot so there are things in there that you all may not have noticed that are in the final model.
IE: the front deflector dish shrinks into the body when the ship goes to warp and the nacelles have vents that open upon preparing for warp.
I believe Andy’s guys will be putting the vents into the final model.
-B
Hat Rick, I was watching the movie closely tonight (btw, *sold out* for the 7:15 IMAX show in Northern Virginia… yay!) and there is just no way that the movie Enterprise is even roughly close to the original starship size-wise. This is one MASSIVE beastie… I can definitely believe the 2,500-3,000 foot lengths.
RD, the bridge forward viewscreen window is at the base of the upper saucer bridge module, in the front slot that is lit up. The 3 slots are windows in this movie version; in TMP 1701-A version they appeared to just be lighting.
Ok, OK.. firt off.. these studio scale, professionally built models are great, but i don’t have 1200 to spend on something that will sit on a shelf. What about model kits? Who has the license to produce a good scale model of the new E or the Kelvin, etc? Thats what I am looking for.. As a model builder, i want to build one for myself.
Secondly, I saw the movie twice, the second time paying quite alot of attention on the “E”. It is NOT 2000-3000 feet long. All you have to do is scale the shuttlecraft coming out of the hanger bay, with the ship itself and you can see it’s definately the size of the original, or very close to it. The interior shots of the brewery, or whatever they used were horrible, and made the engineering section look more like a Borg Cube, than the engine room of the most powerful things man has created up to this time. JJ i think wants to have you believe this ship is big, but whenyou see the scenes of shuttle flying by the hull at the shipyard, and then again in the hanger bay, you can clearly see that it may only be marginally larger.
I loved this movie BTW, but the bridge having a window was odd, especially since that window was where the light comes out of the ship to light up the name/NCC number on the hull. The bridge is actually up further, just like the old ship, so they kind of screwed that up as well.. no big deal, they have the next one to get it right!!
Come on Companies…Make some kits for us modelers out there!!!!
They added 3 new light areas just rear of the USS Enterprise NCC 1701 lettering to illuminate that. The Bridge window is behind that at the circular base of the bridge module itself.
@9
Its labeled BC-303 cause its supposed to be the 302 on the deck of the Prometheus about to launch.
4
Seconded about the “Making Of” books. I can’t believe they’ve got ones out now for the new Terminator and even freakin Angels and Demons… but no Star Trek?
Did Paramount think we wouldn’t be interested???
That thing will probably cost more than the Camaro I’m trying to buy. Otherwise I would totally go for it.
Toy Palace Germany says it is 1250 euros.
Now I’m going to go look up the exchange rate.
Ouch. 1700 dollars.
Definately WILL NOT be buying the new E to build. Horrible design.
The writers should have stuck with destroying the aft part of the ship when the Cores went off.
@2 Mattel is producing Die Cast (sort of) Star Trek ships; among the line up is the new Enterprise, but it’s not out yet. Already in stores is the TMP 1701, 1701-D (saucer seperates), and Reliant, with the Bird of Prey scheduled to be out in the next wave. They’ve also got a bunch of redecos listed, mostly Battle Damaged variants, but also the TVH Saratoga and HMS Bounty.
@9 BC-303 is the desgination for the Prometheus; The base for the 302 model is supposed to be the landing bay.
The more I see it, the sillier it looks …. gosh I’m hoping that it gets a refit in the next movie.
#42 Agreed… the nacelle pylons have to go, they are just ugly. And her neck is way too thick to go with that skinny bottom.
I don’t vomit when I see her, but still, I’d certainly fancy a refit.
Called around today, had to reiterate Star “Trek” not “Wars” for Walmart, they had nothing, expect nothing too. Walked into Toys R Us and started to tear up that there was a huge display right in front. It has been WAY too long since Star Trek has been on the shelves. Got all 3 hot wheels ships, big playmates enterprise and am still playing with the good communicator and tricorder. What I REALLY want now is Spock’s future ship and the big Romulan ship. Hey, and wouldn’t those be fun to build? Got the large figures too, all were spot on but Kirk. These are all for my son of course (ha!) My husband, retired Commander looking all dangerous with his goatee buys the phaser today on the Marine Base.
Wally World had the die cast Enterprise models and the Reliant for @12 bucks..displayed with the new actions figures etc. the 1701 from TMP, TWOK , 1701D from NextGen, Bird of Prey, as well as the new E! I don’t think they were Corgi..maybe Mattel…
The Hot Wheels Reliant is really nice- perfect for one’s desk.
Have to get a TMP-E next.
#30- Fascinating. Wish those actions were visible in the movie.
Hat Rick
The new E IS waaaaaaaaaaay bigger than the original. Way bigger.
The new bridgecap has two decks (see the 2 high portholes on either side of the cap. In the film you see tiny people in there, where as the old one had room for only one deck, The aft section of this new bridgecap also apparently is large enough to incorporate an officers lounge.
The new Hanger bay is far bigger as well. Don’t judge the forced persepective of the shuttle coming out. Look at the scene where the cadets first enter the hanger bay you see many many more shuttles stacked on either side of the deck. The original did not have the space for this and had room for only one shuttle at a time on the back of the flightdeck. or two but running the length of the ship. this one has shuttles facing one another on each side plus room for an entire flight deck in between. And when the shuttles land they crewmen on the deck look like specs.
The sets we saw below decks, water reclamation, Uhura’s listening station, and the Laverne and Shirley beer factory engineering are too vast in scale to fit in the dimensions of the original secondary hull.
Unless they didn’t pay close attention to the size of the sets, effects and interiors compared with the actual dimensions of the ship, this Enterprise is Galxy class sized, no doubt about it.
How about a refit from TMP!
Soon I’d like to see a close up screen cap of the bridge module 3/4 view from the front, showing the bridge viewscreen in the forward window slot. It sure does look like there is room for 2 decks in there now. Plus it should generally fit the circular corridor behind the bridge set that you see Kirk running into the bridge from. Maybe this new ship is scaled twice as big as TMP refit and TOS E after all.
# 48. You can get a 1/350th scale (35 inches) Refit from Round 2 models.
http://www.round2models.com/models/star-trek/starship-enterprise