Enterprise 1701 and 1701-A and light kit

I wish I had the original 1701.  I might be picking up one at our contest the September.

The upgrade to the "A" made a lot of changes to the design of the ship.  Last year I saw the original series ship completed with its light set and I would have to say that it's specifically for that model.  With the original Enterprise you could look down into bridge and the panels and screens were lit up.  The lighting set included the effects for the nacelle caps so you could see the fire as well as the rotating parts.  The hanger deck and the dome above its opening were both lit.  The "A" model has a very different hanger deck, and the windows on the side of the hull along with lights in the sides and ends of the nacelles, as we;; as the inner parts over the secondary hull as well as the navigational deflector.

From what I've seen on the model, the original lighting set calls for the inner nacelle areas to be lit up also but this is not correct.

Scotty,

The Polar Lights lighting kit is specifically for the TOS 1701 Enterprise. The 1701-A, or the Refit as a lot of Trekkies will call it, has completely different engine nacelles, so the spinning Bussard motors, etc, won't even fit nor would they be acurate.

There is a lighting kit specifically for the Refir kit, but I don't think Polar Lights/Round 2 makes one. There is a company called Tenacontrols that makes a lighting kit for the Refit. It has circuits for the deflector dish and photon launchers as well as all of the navigation strobes.

Tenacontrols also has a kit for the TOS 1701 that replaces the Round 2 lighting kit, although you won't get any clear parts like you would with the R2 kit. The Tenacontrols replaces the noisy motors with a circuit board that simulates the spinning Bussards.....way cool to see.

The stuff ain't cheap, though. I'm saving my pennies so I can get the Tenacontrols set-up. You'll probably need to research both lighting kits to get a clear idea idea of what you'll be facing. Check out SciFiModelAction 's website. There are tons of posts there dealing with both the TOS Enterprise and the Refit.

If you see a TOS kit with lit engine nacelles, it means the modeler decided to represent the original design of the studio model. The lit nacelles were axed by the studio due to the added expense. The 1701-A,  which first appeared in the first studio movie, HAD lit engine nacelles.

Hope I didn't create any more confusion for you.

Matt

Thanks guys!! I figured the light kit was for TOS 1701 but wanted to make sure before I went down that rabbit hole. Kit looks awesome! I saw one built in RI and it was huge but builder put the light kit in but didnt work. Ugh that would be my luck and heartbreaking. As someone who doesn't know much about sci-fi this looks like it would be a blast to build. Thanks again!!

I pulled the trigger last year and added the 1/350 TOS Enterprise to my stash pile. I've been collecting all of the PE parts and getting the lighting effects ready. I bought the R2 light kit for the clear parts, but plan on using the Tenacontrols set-up for the rest of the ship.

That Refit kit is gorgeous when finished properly....but looks complex to both build and light. I' m chicken to even attempt it.

She's a monster.....3 feet long and the saucer section is about the size of an old-school LP record (pains me to say old-school....I have way too many LP's still in my posession. I feel old now).

Matt

I have an unopened 1/350 NC-1701A in my stash, along with vinyl  Aztec paint masks.  It will probably stay there unbuilt until I croak.  I built the 1/350 NX-01 and the 1/350 C-57 D, both came out fine but were a real PITA.  I just don't feel like tackling another beast like that.

That is me as well! I want to build it but will be chicken to start it. I seem to have thoughts of "oh this is going to be beautiful!!" But my skill level makes me think....oh I don't know if I can make it as such. I saw one built up and it was awesome. Just now think about packing them up when I move with the Navy. But did pretty good in most kits with my move from FL to CT. I just think the kit is awesome....add the light effect and it is a show stopper!!! And LPs. Haha I know about those, have many Elvis LPs my Mom left for me.

I bought the "A" and have the stencils for the Aztec paintjob.  That's what is so scary about the whole project, the patterns.  I've had it for years and it still sits on my shelf, just above my Seaview.  I'll probably end up selling that this year at out contest.

Anyway I built the NX-01 and put it in alternate universe markings as the I.S.S. Averger.  It's not lit but has the red plastic caps on the nacelles.  My next one will be lit, and if I can find a set for the hanger bays, I'll have one or two doors open and shuttle pod coming out on its tether.

Very cool! I pulled the trigger and picked her up with light kit off of amazon. It was impulsive but really aren't we all like that in this hobby. Hahaha. I looking forward to it...being done and lit.

Building those big kits is not difficult.  It's the finishing that will take a lot of time and putty and paint and sanding to make the seams disappear and it drove me crazy.  Needs lots of patience and elbow grease and I would suggest not doing it in your house, but out in the garage.  Lots of sanding dust as you go through many coats of primer, paint, and putty.

Thank you Chuck for the tips. I will follow your advice on it. How did it go together?