Star Trek - The Official Starships Collection Issue 3 Review

I was pleasantly surprised when my issues 2 and 3 of "Star Trek - The Official Starships Collection" came through the post together.  (Issue 2 - USS Enterprise NCC-1701 can be read here).  Issue 3 is the Klingon B'rel-class warship - better known as a Bird of Prey as seen in Star Trek III The Search For Spock, and featured in many other Star Trek movies and series.  Although not one of my favourite Star Trek ships, I'm pleased to say that after the slightly disappointing issue 2 Enteprise model, the quality has once again returned to the standard seen in issue one's Enterprise D.  The ship is extremely detailed, with an effective weathering texture to make the vessel look dirty and used.

 

Although smaller than the previous models, it still looks good at a length of 88m and a width of 132mm

 

My only criticism with this model is that you are unable to position the wings in attack or landing mode, but that really doesn't bother me too much.  A fantastic looking model and I really hope the quality of the Enterprise NX-01 is just as detailed in the next issue.

Star Trek - The Official Starships Collection Issue 2 Review

I've just received the latest two issues of Star Trek - The Official Starships Collection.  Issue 2 is the USS Enterprise refit (NCC-1701) from Star Trek - The Motion Picture.

Compared to the Enterprise D model, this one lacks the detail that made the D look so good.  The actual model itself is not bad, and does look very much like the original movie Enterprise, but seems that extra fragile - don't let the kids play with this one, otherwise you might find yourself having to superglue the nacelles, or the primary hull back on!  Windows, docking ports and small details are present, but what is lacking is the 'aztec' style texturing on the hull (which apparently is present in the future Reliant, Excelsior and Enterprise A models).  I like the transparent plastic which they have used in the nacelles.  When held up to a light source, they glow as if the ship is in warp.

As with the previous issue, the magazine is nice - nothing special.  Some nice photos of the actual movie prop used in the original movies, and some information about the ship, where it had its refit, and when it was destroyed - pretty much everything a hardcore Star Trek fan will already know!

 

The model is 135mm long, with a width of 62mm

 

Conclusion : - Although nowhere near as detailed as the Enterprise D (which is a shame since this is my favourite version of the Enterprise), it is still a very good model and will look great alongside the other ships in the collection.  I'm hoping that Eaglemoss will correct the issues with the model when they release the Enterprise NCC-1701-A further in to the collection.