When Round 2 released the 1:350 scale Refit Enterprise in 2008, legions of model-building Star Trek fans clamored for a model of the USS Enterprise from the original television series in the same scale. In 2008, Round 2 indicated that it was looking into the possibility of producing the kit, but the modeling public held their collective breath, in case the project was cancelled. In 2010, Round 2 announced the formation of the 1701 Club, which locked in the right to be able to purchase a special edition kit prior to the release of the kit to hobby stores and/or major suppliers.

In 2012 . . . history was made as the 1:350 TOS USS Enterprise was finally released. After more than four years in development, and over two years after the 1701 Club was founded, the model became a reality.

This kit was released in two versions. The first was a numbered Premiere Edition that was sold to the members of the 1701 Club. This kit was only “officially” available through the Round 2 website, priced at $149.99 but offering free shipping. Within days of their release, the kits were appearing on eBay with starting bids of $300 or more.

The Premiere Edition box featured rainbow effect artwork and a numbered certificate of authenticity. Membership in the 1701 included a free tee-shirt with the Club logo (yellow, blue or red, depending on when you signed up for the first come/first serve club membership – mine was red), and e-mail newsletter updates as the development of the kit progressed. A total of 1,701 Premiere Edition kits were released, and the review sample is kit number 932.

The “standard edition” of the kit featured different box art and was priced at $159.99, although some on-line retailers offered it for $129.99.

The box for this model is massive (shipping weight is 8 pounds!) when compared to what is seen on hobby store shelves, but it’s about the same size as the Refit Enterprise box that was issued in 2008. The rear of the box features information about the kit, and the sides of the lower box half feature color photos of the completed model and includes color call-outs and decal locations. Here are some photos of the box:


This is another view of the top of the Premiere Edition box, showing the "rainbow" effect.


The rear of the box. This is the same on both editions of the kit.

Here are the sides of the lower half of the box, showing the call-outs mentioned above.





And finally a photo of the top of the Standard Edition box.


Regardless of which version of the kit you purchase, be assured that the box contains oodles of styrene goodness. There are over 150 parts in this kit, and they are organized by baggie. The parts are finely molded in light gray with windows in dark tint, white and clear styrene. A runner of bronze parts is included for the sensor dish at the front of the secondary hull. The kit also features a full interior bridge (can be installed either offset like the filming set, or in-line with the viewscreen facing straight forward), a hangar deck and shuttles. The primary hull diameter is 14 inches, the secondary hull is 11 inches long, and the warp nacelles are 14.5 inches long.

A full decal sheet is included, and it replicates all of the markings on the original filming model, right down to the stencil marks. Shuttlecraft markings are included for the Galileo and the Columbia.

The upper and lower halves of the primary hull do have finely etched lines which replicate the deflector grid. You can keep the lines, or you can fill them in for a “smooth” appearance. It’s up to the builder, and whether or not they are “cannon” has been an ongoing discussion among modelers.

There are alternate detailing sets available for this model, but be prepared to suffer from sticker shock. Following is a list of extra “add-ons” that may be purchased:

USS Enterprise Supplemental Pack (includes parts to backdate the Round 2 model to either the 1st or 2nd Pilot version) - $29.99

USS Enterprise Lighting Kit (includes 95 pre-wired LEDs for the Bussard domes, navigational beacons, strobes, and internal lighting) - $165.95

USS Enterprise Weathering Decals (10-sheet set of decals to replicate the weathering on the filming model) - $56.95

USS Enterprise Photoetched Parts (vents/grilles for the impulse engines, pylons, and warp nacelles, plus logos) - $39.95

USS Enterprise Deluxe Accessory Pack (combo pack of the photoetched metal, lighting kit, and weathering decals) - $229.95

A supplemental photoetched set is also available from Paragraphix and sells for $29.95. It adds extra details that are not included in the P.E. set from Round 2, including masks for the bridge, shuttlebay and fantail. Bridge pieces include the control panels and display panels, and crew members are also provided. Strips are also included to fit into the “windmills” in the nacelle domes.

The completed model is over 32 inches long.

This is a massive kit, and one that I’ve been waiting for since I was a kid. It’s a big chunk of change, but if you can scrape together the funds, get one of these kits. You won’t regret it!

Review by: Rich “Lonewolf” Dula

Entry created: December 17, 2012

NOTE: THIS ENTRY MARKS THE 500TH REVIEW POSTED HERE ON THE WEBSITE!