The USS Yamaguchi, a modified Ambassador Class starship, only appeared in one episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (“Emissary”), but the filming model was later used to represent other starships, including the USS Excalibur NCC-26517 (“Redemption Part II”) and the USS Zhukov NCC- 62136 (“Data’s Day”).

As a side note, the Zhukov’s registry is known to have been an error, as the number is way too high. Other Ambassador Class ships had numbers in the 26000 range, not the 62000 range. Also, the name was misspelled as “Zuhkov” rather than “Zhukov” on the filming model.

This kit is pretty much a straight re-use of the 1:1400 USS Enterprise NCC-1701-C kit, with a couple added parts to modify it to the configuration seen in the Yamaguchi and other ships. The neat thing about this kit is that it is molded entirely in clear styrene. My review sample was purchased second-hand on eBay, and didn’t include the stand.

Another neat feature of this kit is that it includes a lighting kit, so the completed model can be internally illuminated.

Now, there are differences between this kit and the Enterprise-C kit. They are:

1. On the underside of the secondary (engineering) hull, 10 life pods must be removed from the area around the stand mounting hole.

2. Also on the underside of the secondary hull, four new life pods (part 19) are added under the curved underbelly section, as well as adding the third shuttlebay under the fantail.

3. A new navigational deflector (part 302) is included, and replaces the original one (although it is among the kit parts).

4. Eight life pods (part 19) and two emitters (part 20) are to be installed on top of the primary (saucer) section, between the aft phaser mount areas.

5. A belly phaser is included (part 16), but depending on the ship you want to build, it may or may not be accurate to include it. Check your references before starting.

6. Also, be sure to check references for the area around the bridge. The upper and lower saucer sections are configured for the Enterprise-C. The other ships have different lifeboat locations, and had prior detail removed in order to represent a different starship.

7. There are differences in painting as well, especially on the Bussard collectors. Check your reference materials before you begin building the kit.

A very good article on the Ambassador variants can be found here:

http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/articles/ambassador.htm

If you want to make your kit filming-model accurate, changes that need to be made include: moving the warp nacelles aft, changing the bridge module, new Excelsior style planetary sensor on the lower saucer section, changing position of the neck/saucer connection, width of the aft engineering hull, and impulse engine color (blue for the Enterprise, red for the others).

The lighting kit includes the wiring, grain-of-wheat bulbs (I’m going to use LEDs on mine), the battery box, and connectors for the wiring harness.

Aftermarket decal sets are available, and I have the decals for the USS Excalibur, as well as additional lifeboats and emitters.

The completed model has the same measurements as the Enterprise-C, with an overall length of about 15 inches, width of 9.25 inches, and height of roughly 3.5 inches.

Review by: Rich “Lonewolf” Dula
Entry created: June 14, 2012