Category Archives: Star Trek

Collectible, Featured, Star Trek

UnBoxing | Star Trek CLOAKED DEFIANT from Eaglemoss

Leave a comment

It’s one “Tough Little Ship” and is being offered as a Convention Exclusive for fans attending NYCC! The USS Defiant Cloaked — now you see it, now you don’t!

When Star Trek: Deep Space Nine introduced its hero ship the USS Defiant, among the most stunning revelations about the vessel that would be used in defense against enemy incursions emerging from the nearby wormhole was that it was possessed of cloaking technology! The reason this was so controversial to fans is the fact that the ability for starships to move so stealthily throughout space was often associated with Starfleet’s enemies, and not in keeping with the Federation’s promise of peacekeeping and exploration.

The USS Defiant was also constructed with a singular purpose and that was to repel enemies and even the odds on the battlefield, most significantly to deal with the threat of the dangerously provocative Borg. The muscly little ship was to be moored in defense of the edges of Federation space at Deep Space Nine which was in Bajoran territory and captained by the station’s commander Benjamin Sisko. The ship saw its fair share of conflict, proving formidable against the Dominion and the aforementioned cybernetic alien Borg in Star Trek: First Contact.

Now Eaglemoss Collections / Hero Collector has given collectors an opportunity to own their very own bit of stealth technology with the exclusive “Convention Only” model of the USS Defiant NX-74205 “Cloaked” and available to fans attending this season’s New York Comic-Con. The high-end collectible will be available during the convention season, but only for as long as it remains in stock. The modelers at Eaglemoss will be selling the specialty item at their booth, along with displays of all their most exciting new releases.

Convention Exclusive

For those intrepid fans brave enough to traverse the subway ride to the West Side of Manhattan this fall, Eaglemoss Collections / Hero Collector made the endeavor even more special by offering Trek enthusiasts an opportunity to pick-up the exclusive collectible. The model of the USS Defiant NX-74205 “Cloaked” was available in a limited production run of only 2.500 individual pieces. The model is molded in transparent plastic to simulate the “cloaked” effect and includes a display stand and 20-age magazine in the newer, more compact issue.

Upon the re-release and reissue of the Star Trek The Official Starships Collections, Eaglemoss Collections / Hero Collector decidedly repackaged many of the ships in the line in a new smaller-range blister box. The “cloaked” USS Defiant is accordingly packaged. The model itself is handsomely detailed, made to simulate the effect of being in stealth mode, collectors should be warned — it is incredibly fragile; as I learned to my own detriment. Since it is a plastic recast of the originally offered die-cast model, the forward fuselage snapped after sliding off of its stand.

The transparent plastic is extremely brittle and if you’re as unfortunate as I have been to discover, the plastic is not easy to just glue back into place. The piece that has come off doesn’t slot easily into place and the plastic does not immediately adhere, so tread carefully collector.

USS Defiant NX-74205 CLOAKED | Convention Exclusive | Star Trek The Official Starships 

Advertisements
Collectible, Featured, Star Trek

UnBoxing | Star Trek PLANET KILLER from Eaglemoss

Leave a comment

One of the most fearsome encounters during Kirk’s first five-year mission aboard the USS Enterprise brought the crew in contact with the Planet Killer now immortalized in a Special Edition model from Eaglemoss.

The most dangerous weapon in the galaxy has entered the edge of our galaxy and left behind a path of destruction. When Captain Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise intercept the Doomsday Machine, it has already destroyed the USS Constellation and left its commanding officer in a terrible state. Commodore Matt Decker is determined to destroy the machine even it means taking down the Enterprise. As part of its line of “Special Edition” releases Eaglemoss Collections introduces the Planet Killer.

The mysterious weapon of mass destruction that threatened the USS Enterprise was impenetrable and fired an antiproton blast that laid waste to everything in its path. Commodore Decker had the Enterprise fly over the Planet Killer’s surface and fired several phasers at point-blank to no effect. Decker attempted to fly into the Planet Killer to destroy it himself, but in an initial power play, Kirk resorted to detonating the USS Constellation inside the Planet Killer effectively shutting down the doomsday weapon and saving the heavily inhabited system of Rigel.

Doomsday Machine

In the episode “The Doomsday Machine” the ominous appearance of the Planet Killer lends much speculation to its origins. Kirk compares it to an “H” Bomb, while Spock confirms that it may, in fact, be a “robot”. The Planet Killer didn’t appear to have a crew but moved as if it was possessed of consciousness and attacked the USS Constellation and the USS Enterprise. Its path of destruction is clear though and had the crew of the Enterprise not been able to stop it, the casualties to nearby habitable systems would have been monumental.

Measuring approximately 8.5 inches in length the Eaglemoss model of the Planet Killer may not appear as formidable as the actual one (which was several miles long) but the die-cast representation and surface coloring are impressively close. The model itself also rests solidly on its display stand. The most coveted feature is the installed lightbulb accessory that brightly mimics the furnace-looking maw of the Doomsday Machine. When it’s not lit the mouth of the Planet Killer is painted accurately to look just like it did on film.

The Special Edition release is also packed with a 20-page magazine that elaborates on the specifics of the Planet Killer as it appeared in “The Doomsday Machine” episode chronicle its path of destruction and eventual demise at the hands of Kirk and crew. The magazine also provides background on the possible origins of the device and how the idea for the Planet Killer came to life in the script. The editors at Eaglemoss do need to work a little more diligently, as there are several typos throughout and the contents is a misprint from the issue relating to V’Ger.

Planer Killer | Special Edition | Star Trek The Official Starships Collections from Eaglemoss Collections | $49.95 available on the Eaglemoss Collections website or as part of the subscription service.

Collectible, Featured, Star Trek

UnBoxing | Star Trek Discovery USS EDISON from Eaglemoss

Leave a comment

Among the ships in the Starfleet armada that answered the USS Shenzhou’s distress message at the Battle of the Binary Stars the USS Edison was lost with all hands onboard after valiantly pushing against the Klingon forces.

Designed as a troop transporter intended to move soldiers and small range fighters into the thick of hostile confrontations, the USS Edison NCC-1683 was introduced at the beginning of Season One of STAR TREK DISCOVERY and was part of a series of background ships that would help illustrate the depth of the Federation’s initial confrontation with the Klingon Empire at infamous Battle of the Binary Stars. The ship’s designer John Eaves attacked this latest assignment in the same fashion as any of the hero ships he’d approached in the past.

 

Though a lot more compact in size by comparison to the larger USS Discovery the USS Edison NCC-1683 is a Hoover-class ship with an unusually diamond-shaped aft station that appeared crafted as a landing bay where small one-person fighters could be loaded and deployed in mass and into combat situations. The engineering hull was housed beneath the main saucer section of the ship and was uncharacteristically swept forward instead of a naturally aerodynamically back with the nacelles nestled on either side in a catamaran style.

When Eaves submitted the various design options for the fleet ships that inhabited the 23rd Century of STAR TREK DISCOVERY the similarities in the silhouette of certain ship designs encouraged the design team to make minor adjustments and modifications once Eaves initial pitches made the cut. The USS Edison quickly moved up the ranks and although it had relatively little screen time, the Hoover-class may eventually return in another iteration in an upcoming episode of the new series. Its triangular aft area has a design appeal that is evocative of the USS Reliant.

 

Ship In The Line

Delivering on its promise of quality collectible items Eaglemoss Collections release of the USS Edison NCC-1683 marks the sixteenth release in the line of models based off of designs appearing in STAR TREK DISCOVERY and is a larger offering than their standard models, excluding the “XL Editions” which are their latest more elite line of collectibles. The USS Edison remains interesting in that it continues to push the envelope of starship designs, but still has a way of remaining faithful to canon and fan’s expectations.

The model itself is beautifully detailed and captures the spirit of the starship, with amazing sculpted parts in both a high-end plastic and die-cast metal.

USS Edison NCC-1683 | Issue 15 | Star Trek Discovery The Official Starships Collections from Eaglemoss Collections | $54.95 available on the Eaglemoss Collections website or as part of the subscription service.

Collectible, Featured, Star Trek

UnBoxing | Star Trek V’GER Special Edition from Eaglemoss

Leave a comment

Counted among one of the strangest and largest starships in the line of vessels that the USS Enterprise has ever confronted, the alien V’Ger is finally recreated by Eaglemoss Collections as a Special Edition release.

A threat so enormous that Admiral James T. Kirk personally undertook the mission, captaining the USS Enterprise which was still in the midst of a refit, to intercept an alien presence on a collision course with Earth, V’Ger the alien spacecraft introduced in Star Trek: The Motion Picture made quite the cinematic impression on the wide screen. The starship was the first ship that faced off against Kirk and his crew when the Star Trek franchise was brought to film in 1979.

The model of V’Ger is expertly detailed to match its onscreen counterpart.

The vessel was making its way across the cosmos on a trajectory towards our solar system. Its final destination? Earth. Although the USS Enterprise met V’Ger head-on, the starship itself was so big that on screen audiences hardly got a good view of it; it wasn’t until the eventual release of the “Director’s Cut” of the film that V’Ger was fully realized. Eaglemoss Collections now features as part of its Star Trek The Official Starships Collection a “Special Edition” of the model — beautifully detailed and sculpted from plastic and die-cast metal parts.

V’Ger’s engine up close.
A close-up of the vessel’s maw that swallows up the Enterprise in the movie.
The model measures approximately 8.5 inches.
Close-up view.

Special Edition

Although Eaglemoss had announced earlier this year that it would be extended its line of models to a total of 160 individual pieces, the “Special Edition” releases which stand outside of the original line and the XL Edition ships may continue beyond the limits of the run. V’Ger comes in at just about 8.5 inches and includes a display stand to pose the model sturdily on your shelf. The package also includes a 16-page magazine that covers the design ideas and approaches behind the ship that would appear in the film.

V’Ger | Speical Edition | Star Trek The Official Starships Collections from Eaglemoss Collections | $44.99  available on the Eaglemoss Collections website or as part of the subscription service.

Collectible, Featured, Star Trek

UnBoxing | Star Trek Discovery USS ENTERPRISE

Leave a comment

The most renowned vessel in Starfleet gets redux and steals some of the thunder from the hero ship in the latest spin-off series Star Trek Discovery is now available as a model available from Eaglemoss Collections.

In this season of Star Trek Discovery the crew of the 23rd Century Crossfield-class ship found themselves on a unique mission, and in order to fulfill their directive they were led across the galaxy by a new captain. Captain Christopher Pike was brought onboard after his own ship, the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 intercepted the USS Discovery while en route to Vulcan. The Constitution-class ship is part of a venerable lineage, its name dating back to a proud history, including the first warp-5 ships that pioneered Starfleet’s inaugural voyages.

DSC_1174

Pike’s ship was not among those that intercepted the Klingon armada at the Battle of the Binary Stars; on the instruction of the Federation’s senior admirals the captain was ordered to take the Enterprise as far away from the battle as possible. When one of his crew was compromised, Pike sought out Starfleet officer Michael Bernham, the brother of Enterprise science-officer Spock, who had gone missing while chasing down a mysterious series of signals that were appearing throughout the quadrant.

While Pike served as the Discovery’s provisional commanding officer during the course of its mission to find Spock, the USS Enterprise under the command of its first officer Number One, provided auxiliary support in the field until it became imperative to engage in tandem in order to complete the mission. The crew of the USS Enterprise worked heroically to help the USS Discovery in its final plan — a plan that would ultimately lead to the disappearance of the USS Discovery and its entire crew.

The Model in the Series

This is the second model of this version of the USS Enterprise reproduced by Eaglemoss Collections. The 8.5” model crafted in high-quality plastic and die-cast metal is Issue 12 in the series dedicated to covering the vessels from Star Trek Discovery The Official Starships Collection. The first model was slightly larger in scale and premiered as a Special Issue from the XL Edition of ships. Both are beautifully detailed and capture the spirit of the ship that continues to capture the imaginations of fans of one of the most enduring sci-fi franchises in entertainment.

The model is packaged with a 16-page glossy magazine that includes ship specifications and behind-the-scenes designs that inspired the show’s team to take on the legendary starship. modernizing it for an entirely new generation. The USS Enterprise was also relevantly upgraded to fit in with the era of Star Trek Discovery but also to align with Star Trek canon and its enduring legacy. It was important to the show’s creators that it still remain familiar and could suggest it evolves into the Constitution-class ship of The Original Series.

USS Enterprise NCC-1701 | Issue 12 | Eaglemoss Collections Star Trek Discovery • The Official Starships Collection

Visit Eaglemoss Collections for more on the series of models.

Collectible, Featured, Star Trek

UnBoxing | Star Trek Discovery KLINGON SARCOPHAGUS SHIP

Leave a comment

At the center of the dramatic conflict that encapsulated the premiere season of the newest spin-off from the Final Frontier, Eaglemoss Collections releases the “Special Issue” part of its line of Star Trek Discovery Starships Collection

Unmatched in size and scope and now part of the continuing line of releases from Eaglemoss Collections the Klingon Sarcophagus Ship part of the Star Trek Discovery Official Starships Collection is appropriately the first “Special Issue” in the line of high-quality models offered to avid fans. Intricately detailed and measuring 12” in length from stem to stern, the model is an impressive reflection of the warrior races might and dedication to tradition and gives collectors an unparalleled glimpse into the vessel at the center of the first season of the hit show’s conflict.

The model includes a 16-page magazine detailing the vessel’s background and design inspiration.

Appearing to be centuries old, the Klingon vessel also known as “The Ship of the Dead” represented one of the mightiest houses within the Klingon Empire. Restored to its greatest by T’Kuvma, the enormous ship remained hidden from prying eyes as the self-styled leader of the reunification moment worked to bring the warring houses of the Klingon Empire together against what he perceived was their common enemy: Starfleet and the Federation. T’Kuvma fashioned the ship, which measured 2,550 meters in length, with cloaking technology, and honored its dead by attaching their tombs onto its hull as a ceremonious form or armor.

In the year 2256, the vessel would play a significant role in the Battle of the Binary Stars, when it encountered the Starfleet exploratory ship the USS Shenzou and served as the focal battle of a melee between the two enemy fleets that would result in the Klingon/Federation War of the 23rd Century. Although formidable, the Shenzou’s captain and first officer Michael Burnham (portrayed by Sonequa Martin-Green) bypassed the Sarcophagus Ship’s defenses, boarded the ship and engaged the Klingons, including T’Kuvma in hand-to-hand combat. There were many casualties in the battle and the vessel was eventually destroyed by the USS Discovery.

Ship Design

Keeping with the uniquely organic look established for the warrior race for the new Star Trek spin-off, the Klingon Sarcophagus Ship exhibits many of the traditional design specifications associated with the Federation’s longstanding enemies. Determined to enhance audience expectations, the ship’s designer Sam Michlap wanted this particular vessel to reflect the spiritual side of the alien race, as well as inspire awe. The ship was described as being “centuries-old” so Michlap capitalized on the Klingon’s culture and spirituality to exploit a design unlike anything was ever seen, which was far more refined, artistic and tribal.

In the 16-page magazine accompanying the model from Eaglemoss, the designer contextualizes his approach. “From a design point of view they wanted to start with gothic architecture and the Middle Ages,” Michlap explains. “This was going to be as sculptural and tribal and as primary, as primitive and earthy as possible.” The designer explored and presented various silhouettes before the production team settled on the final design, which still had plenty of references to the familiar “bird of prey” feel that has become long associated with the Klingons. The surface texture of the ship would become the biggest departure as he drew inspiration from Islamic architecture.

A view from above of the model details the surface of the ship including where the entombed Klingons reside on its hull.
An aft view of the Klingon Sarcophagus Ship.
The model itself measures an impressive 12″ in length.

Working from the outside and then fashioning the interior sets, Michlap’s design gives the impression that the Klingon Sarcophagus Ship could have been crafted from stone or even bone, with stained glass window fixtures, giving it a formidable and still elegant, predatory appearance — a space-faring cathedral, both defiantly beautiful and deadly. The ship at the center of the Star Trek Discovery reintroduction of the Klingons, successfully altered fan expectation of the warrior race and broadened understanding of these characters that have long played a significant role in Star Trek continuity and lore.

Eaglemoss Collections | KLINGON SARCOPHAGUS SHIP Star Trek Discovery The Official Starships Collection is a “Special Issue” release and available through the Eaglemoss website here.