I recently completed the Polar Lights 1/1000 Enterprise Refit.With the exception of the Aztec decals,I can't see anybody having any issues with it.FYI,a 1/1000 Reliant was just released.

The original Polar Lights 1/1000 scale Enterprise and Battle cruiser were snap and even came with optional peel-n-stick decals as well as traditional water slide decals. Markings included ships from the pilot episode, regular TV series as well as the cartoon series versions.

To correct Rob, the markings are 1st pilot, 2nd pilot,  production version, ISS Enterprise from Mirror Mirror, and USS Defiant, USS Constellation, USS Exeter,.

midnightprowler

To correct Rob, the markings are 1st pilot, 2nd pilot,  production version, ISS Enterprise from Mirror Mirror, and USS Defiant, USS Constellation, USS Exeter,.

My D7 has markings for two different Klingon ships (from the TV show) and the two Romulan ships from the animated series.

If you intend on aztecing any starship,lay down a seriously shiny coat of gloss first.We're talking as close to mirror finish as you can get.Then use plenty of decal solvent when applying the decals.

Yes, the D-7 does, but I am talking about the enterprise. That kit has the markings I mentioned. I know, I have built 2 of them.

I've done most of Polar Lights' 1/1000 kits and they're all nice builds. From what I've read and heard though, the PL 1/1000 TOS Enterprise as mentioned above is pretty much the gold standard for beginners. Never heard a bad thing about that kit.

Now that I think of it, the 1/1000 Klingon D-7 Battlecruiser had  an issue with the thin neck strut and its attachment to the main body of the ship. Mine was crooked and I understand a lot of 'em were. There was even a resin correction part made for it. I just shimmed mine with styrene and putty. YMMV.

 Chris

I'm extremely interested by this thread as I want to get a Star Trek kit in the near future.

Thanks for the comments btw.

And what about those "non snap-on" kits ? Are they easy enough to build ?

Like the Revell Into Darkness Enterprise, or the AMT Reliant ?

I haven't built and of the newer kits but the older AMT/Ertl ones went together pretty well. Only problem is the nacelle struts have a lot of weight on them, the movie refit due to the size and overall design of the struts had a bad problem of them breaking if not braced.

midnightprowler

Yes, the D-7 does, but I am talking about the enterprise. That kit has the markings I mentioned. I know, I have built 2 of them.

I recall the AMT/Ertl Reliant having some minor issues to make it fit better, but overall it was a pretty decent kit. I think the best Federation starship model AMT/Ertl made back in the day was the USS Excelsior (and the retooled Enterprise-B). Compared to the TOS Enterprise, Enterprise-A, Enterprise-D, Enterprise-C, Enterprise-E, Defiant and Reliant.

The Excelsior had crisper detail and better fit. I know some people complained about the ribbed neck portion, but overall it was a better model than the other kits from their line.

FYI,when building the AMT Reliant,attach the roll-bar to the pylons first.Best way to get them lined up and installed on the hull correctly.

Enterprise NX-01 - It's modeled in color, has very few pieces. Yes you have to glue it but it's a very good beginners model.

Or there are some snap-fit star wars models that are pre-painted.