Star Trek Voyager Kit Rant

Unfortunately, while Round 2 has the rights (and the molds) to the old AMT and Polar Lights kits, the Voyager stuff was all done by Monogram.   They are pretty out of it.  I don't know if they have the license anymore.  Heck, I'm not sure they're even in business.

It's unlikely there will be a Voyager, or any of the Voyager kits, re-popped in the near future.

Bummer. 

This is not meant to "rub salt in the wound", (if there is a wound), but I just picked up the kit at a local thrift store for ten bucks, (10.50 with tax).....was wondering how good it was , and what the best way to give it light would be, (on a budget)?

(P.S. The store initially put it out for 50....after a few weeks, I went back in and it was down to 10...then I snagged it.)

, Dave.

Depending on which kit you have Monogram vs Revell Ag, the kits were only about $20-$30 when they were originally released.  The Revell Ag kit came with better decals (I think they were from Thomas or PNT models) and it included a collectable pin.

Quite a few years ago Monogram and Revell merged and combined under the Revell name, although they moved from their HQ in Venice, CA to Monogram HQ in Chicago, IL.

The price you see is a reflection of the popularity of the kit combined with it's availability.  Another example of this is original Battlestar Galactica, while it is a terrible kit that again sold for about $20 during a rerelease, now sells for about $100.

I'll get the specifics from the box when I get home.

Thanks Ross.

, Dave

I think the Revell version also contained more clear pieces (deflector dish) and an opened shuttle bay with shuttle than the original Monogram version.

Jester, there are three hobby shops here, plus our IPMS Ottawa group. One of the members will be going into a home (heart attack and extreme ill health), and has been slowly whittling his collection away to other members. I know he has a few Star Trek kits still, and if he has the Voyager, I'll see how much he wants for it. As for the three hobby shops, they still have a few older ST and SW kits on the shelves, and I'll check there as well.

Hartmann352 wrote:

This is not meant to "rub salt in the wound", (if there is a wound), but I just picked up the kit at a local thrift store for ten bucks, (10.50 with tax).....was wondering how good it was , and what the best way to give it light would be, (on a budget)? (P.S. The store initially put it out for 50....after a few weeks, I went back in and it was down to 10...then I snagged it.) , Dave.

 Ten bucks? Man, what a rip off! I payed € 5,- for mine at the Dutch nationals:

Ok, I am really jealous of you guys that practically stole those kits at such cheap prices!! Its sad to hear that this one may not be repopped anytime soon as it is such a beauty!!

That is one sharp ship you have there Borg!

Borg R3-MC0 wrote:

Hartmann352 wrote: This is not meant to "rub salt in the wound", (if there is a wound), but I just picked up the kit at a local thrift store for ten bucks, (10.50 with tax).....was wondering how good it was , and what the best way to give it light would be, (on a budget)? (P.S. The store initially put it out for 50....after a few weeks, I went back in and it was down to 10...then I snagged it.) , Dave.  Ten bucks? Man, what a rip off! I payed € 5,- for mine at the Dutch nationals:

 

That's a BEAUTIFUL paint job.  Can we get more pics?   What kind of paint did you use?  Airbrush, etc?

Jester, I checked with the fellow at our IPMS group last night, and he said the Voyager kit he had was already gone. He did, however, have the USS Reliant kit (partially built, with an extra hull and miscellaneous parts tossed in, but no decals) and the Klingon Bird of Prey (unbuilt). I picked both up, and the Reliant will be easy to disassemble. If you're interested, drop me a line. I still have to get in touch with the three shops, and I already put in a word with our other IPMS club members.

Jagd,

I am really humbled by your efforts and even though you may not turn up anything, I thank you from the bottom of my heart sir!

Thanks, jester, but I'm not done yet. For some time, I belonged to the Science-Fiction Model Builders Association (SFMBA) before it folded, and am still in contact with several old members. I'll be rattling their cages as well.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

I picked up the version with the fiber optic lighting and the shuttlebay detailing for $30 down in Austin at their show last fall.  I forget what Monogram called that release and I'm at the office and not at home so I can't check at the moment.  I wonder if Polar Lights is going to come out with the new Enterprise anytime soon.

The original Voyager relase was a simple kit with basic decals.  Its fit was not that great and its plastic had an odd texture that was difficult to get paint to properly adhere to.  Later on, Revell-Monogram released a "special edition" Voyager that had a much better decal sheet and some clear parts.  Monogram also released a three ship set that included a very simple and much smaller Voyager.  The Bandai Voyager is expensive on Ebay but is far and away the best kit out there of the Intrepid class, and it comes with internal lighting, coloered lenses for the nacelles and sensor dish, and a good display stand.  It is pre-painted and needs only minor touchup work to look truly outstanding.

I understand your pain.  I don't remember how much I paid for this kit, got it off ebay but I know it was more than $50, it was a fun build though.  Yeah it was one of the original Monogram releases.  The simpleness of it reminded me of well all the other star trek kits I've built.  Other than the cutaway Enterprise, they're ususally well hollow shells with a few surface details.

Anyway it came out well, I just wish I had been into modeling back when all these kits were new and they were in stores and suddenly went on clearance, because I remember them being like less tahn $10 brand new at Toys R Us

 

 

Jester75 wrote:

Uggh, why is this kit so stinking expensive???? I absolutely love the design of the Intrepid class but there is no way that I am paying 75 bucks for this kit!!! Any word of them repoping it anytime soon??

Just keep hunting on ebay, you'll eventually get a good deal on it.  I've purchased 4 on eBay and i've never paid more than $40.

I've also purchased them poorly or partially bult and gotten great deals on those as well.  It's not difficult to strip a kit down that some on else started especially if they used their thumb and forefinger to apply the paint.  

Got me eyes open there my friend. There are hundreds of them being sold as Buy It Now auctions for 100 bucks!!

There are currently 11 R/M Voyager kits (and that includes an SE) on eBay.  What you are referring to are the 4 kits being sold by judy4618 who is notorious for overpricing her kits (she was selling those for $125).  I also noticed one other dude on there who thinks he can undercut her by selling it for $5 less.

Check every day and you'll see them pop occasionally at a good price.  Some people have them and just want to get rid of them.