Bandai refit question?

I have the original release of this kit as the 1701. I saw that it was reissued with optional markings for the 1701-A or other ships in the class. In my research it seems some of the colors were slightly different between the early and later versions. Does any one have both kits to tell me if Bandai made any changes or are they same kit with different markings?
On Hobbylink Japan's web site, they say it has markings for the Constellation!! Since the ship was destroyed in The Doomsday Machine, this can't be a "refit". Did they build a new one?