A sentimental favorite among collectors, the U.S.S. Enterprise Refit is the Federation starship that served a five-year mission under the command of James T. Kirk. Then in 2270, it spent 18 months in dry dock to receive a new warp drive and weapons systems.

This particular iteration of the Enterprise is widely considered to be the most iconic, making it easily one of the most recognizable spaceships, fictional or otherwise, in the world.

Creating a 1:350 scale replica of this starship takes 100 hours of work among a team of five artisans from the QMx FX Cinema Arts division. With no orbital space station for its refitting, every stage of the build process takes place in our U.S.-based model shop.

Assembly & Electronics

As the parts are assembled onto the skeleton, proprietary integrated circuitry is integrated. About half of the electronic components are installed at this stage; the other half is added through built-in access ports after assembly.

Powered by a 12-volt AC/DC transformer and controlled with a four-function remote control, these electronics provide the Enterprise with the following lighting effects:

• Blue LED warp-engine illumination, white LED interior lighting.
• Blinking formation lights and anti-collision lights that flash in a pulse-strobe pattern.
• An active deflector dish that ramps up to an amber glow and brightens to blue when warp engines are engaged.
• Firing photon torpedoes that flash red and white.

Aztecing

Following assembly, finer details are painted onto the Refit’s parts. The distinctive Aztec hull plating is also added at this stage, carefully masked and airbrushed with distinctive, unique paints. Ship graphics are then added, along with delicate details.

For those who opt for their Enterprise to appear as it did after its skirmishes with the U.S.S. Reliant from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, battle-damage effects are added at this point in the process. Most notably, the engineering section of the ship is carefully modified, and pulsating LEDS are added to simulate internal fires.

Final Inspection

After all detail work is completed, the last remaining electronics are tied in, and the entire system undergoes a rigorous burn-in test to ensure that everything is functioning perfectly. Once the ship receives final approval from the FX Cinema Arts team, the ship is reverently crated with its dedication plaque and sent exploring new life and new civilizations.