Building the 1:350 Refit Enterprise

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The Refit Enterprise has been around for quite a while and it continues to be a popular model.  It generated a lot of excitement back in 2005 when it came out.    It is still one of the more popular Star Trek kits.   As a result, I am often asked for recommendations about lighting, decals, etc.   What follows below is a list of products available in the CultTVman Hobbyshop.

This version of the Enterprise is referred to as the “Refit Enterprise” because it is considered to be a rebuilt, supped up version of the original TV Enterprise.  Sometime after the original five year mission, the Enterprise was upgraded to what we saw in “Star Trek The Motion Picture.”   For “The Wrath of Kahn,” the studio model’s pearlesenct paint scheme was changed and this coloring was maintained and tweaked for each new movie.   Of course the 1701 was destroyed in “The Search for Spock” and replaced with the 1701-A at the end of “The Voyage Home.”   There were minor changes to the studio model for each movie and it is up to you to decide what details you want in your build up.

The first thing I will tell you is that this is a great kit.  As with any model, if you look close enough, you’ll find something that isn’t correct.   The original issue of the model from 2005 included a stand that really didn’t support the model well.  This was corrected for the reissued kit.   The 2009 version also includes a full set of Aztec decals.   More about that later.

I’ve provided some details and links to products in the CultTVman Hobbyshop.  Other products may be available elsewhere.   It is really up to you to determine what you want to  purchase, how you want to detail your kit, and how much effort you want to put into the project.   There is no right  or wrong way to do this.   Keep in mind your own skills and abilities when you plan your model project.

THE MODEL KIT

First you need to buy a kit.

DETAIL PARTS

Over the years there have been a number of aftermarket detail parts produced for this model.   Each of these products is designed to enhance the plastic kit, adding additional details.

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The Paragrafix photoetch detail set is one of the most popular and reasonably priced products available.   This set comes with shuttle bay details, arboretum walls, rec deck interior, exterior airlock used by Kirk and Spock in TMP, airlock doors, warp engine details, impulse engine grills, window frames for the officer lounge, rec deck and arboretum, the lighted ring around the deflector dish, cargo pods, crewmen, and more.  It also includes “shadow casters” printed on translucent film for the windows.

This detail set allows you to build the Enterprise shuttle bay as seen in Star Trek V.  It includes decals and clear parts.

More details for your model.   Can be displayed in the shuttle bay, or outside the ship

This set includes clear replacement impulse engines, shuttle doors and nacelle details

LIGHTING SETS

This is a big model and there is no single way to light it.   The Refit Enterprise featured interior lighting, navigation lights, strobes, impulse and warp lighting, phasers and photon torpedoes, and more.  It can get very complex very quickly.    There are several packages from different vendors that can be used individually or combined to achieve the lighting effects you want.   I’m just listing the lights available in the CultTVman Shop.  There are others produced by different companies.   I really haven’t built or used any of these, but they are from reliable, dependable companies.   No matter what your choice, it is good to have some understanding of electronics, as well as some soldering skills.   Don’t be afraid of these.   You may want to start with a simple lighting project before attempting a bigger project like the Enterprise.

Paragrafix markets a great product called EasyLED.  These are flexible strips with embedded LEDs and adhesive backing.   You can cut them to various lenghts.   You can solder connections, or you can use their solderless connectors.    The “Large Spaceship Kit” is a generic set of EasyLED strips that can be used in the large 1:350 NX-01, Refit, or TV Enterprise kits.   It includes white LEDs for the interior and red LEDs for the impluse engines.   EasyLEDs are also available in smaller units and multiple colors for many different lighting needs.

Madman’s light kit is also a general light kit that can be used in either the Refit or the NX-01.   The two circuit boards allow for flashing navigation lights,  and strobes, as well as internal lighting.   This set comes with fiber optics as well.   You’ll still need to determine your own placement of the LEDs and effects.   This kit also features easy to use “wire wrap” connectors on the circuit boards to minimize soldering.

The TenaControl set is combination effects unit designed for the Refit.   The effects are impressive.   It includes navigation lights and strobes, impulse effect, duel colored navigation effect (amber/blue), a landing bay sequence, crystal light effect and warp effect.    The board is assembled and features easy wire connectors.  You’ll still need to solder the LEDs.   It does not come with interior or static LEDs so you’ll need to add those separately.

 

FINISHING

As I noted earlier, the Refit Enterprise featured an elaborate paint scheme, often described as an “Aztec” pattern.   The model in “Star Trek The Motion Picture” was painted with pearlescent paints, which created a multicolored shimmering effect depending on how the light kit it.   It also had more green in the paint pattern.   In the later movies the ship was repainted with a more uniform Aztek panel and blue highlights.   What is the best way to achieve this elaborate paint scheme?   It is really up to you.   You have several options.

In the past, modelers had to suffer the tedious job of cutting elaborate paint masks from friscut paper.   Aztek Dummy simplified this with their ore-cut vinyl mask set.   You start by painting a base coat of paint.   Peel the masks and attach to the model and paint a second complimentary color.    The effect is a two toned Aztec panel design that simulates the paint scheme on the studio model.   You can enhance the effect with multiple shades of paint and color.

The other alternative is to use decals to detail the Aztec patterns.   This is sometimes referred to as “wallpaper decals” because the decals cover the entire model.  You spray a base coat of paint before applying the decals.   The current version of the Refit Enterprise from Polar Lights does NOT come with Aztec decals.   These are also sold separately.

JTGraphics has put out their own replacement markings for the Refit.    These are high quality decals printed on thin decal film.