Hi, folks![:)]
Just popped into my local hobby shop, and they had the Bandai Enterprise E on the shelves, for 6,000 yen ($50 US). Who knows what this means for world-wide distribution, but I thought ya’ll would like to know it’s actually out.
Still haven’t built my STTMP Enterprise , so I’m holding off on the E.
Thanks for the tip, J-Hulk! I’m sure that between here & Culttvman’s forum, someone will have a review for us within the week.
And for those of you that don’t already know, and can’t wait,…
I am hearing that people that preordered here are currently receiving their orders.[;)]
Went and had another look at the kit tonight. After rummaging through the box, I decided against getting it. The main reason is that I’m not that big of an Enterprise “E” fan, but the other reason is that to me, the complicated pre-painted pattern, while probably accurately replicated, is just way too high-contrast in my opinion. I mean, it was just screaming at me! My first impression was of an Enterprise E that had been drawn by Jack Kirby in the blazing colors of the Golden Age of Marvel. Just my opinion, of course, but the E in the films seems to have had a much more subdued overall finish.
Now, for you serious hardcore Trek modelers who had no intentions of keeping it in the Bandai paint to start with, I reckon that’s no problem, since ya’ll will repaint the whole ship anyway (what’ll ya do for decals, though?), but I was going to be nice and lazy and completely content to keep it box-stock. But since it’s got that wacky black-light Pink Floyd poster look to it, I’m gonna have to pass.
Too bad, since I thought the STTMP Enterprise was done beautifully.
I have heard some purists complain about that one too, though.
Anyway, that’s my opinion of the kit. You may think it’s perfect, or intend to repaint anyway, in which case, I’d say get it, cuz it’s certainly a very good kit aside form the factory dazzle finish!
The problem stems from the bumped up contrast that was done to the Nemesis Enterprise CGI model. The pattern on the hull in that film was horrible too.
Was it that bad in “Nemesis?” Only saw it once.
Oh well, I guess the kit is “accurate,” then!
When I was watching the film I said to a friend that “the Enterprise had a rash”.
So it’s not the “Aztec Pattern” anymore?
Now it’s the “Rash Pattern!”
Guess ya need bright splashes of color these days to attract young moviegoers raised in these “extreme” times!
Seriously, the kit looks like Taco Bell released it! Lots of wild colors.
I would have never used the term “Azteck Pattern” for what was on the Enterprise-E. It isn’t the same motif that the Refit Enterprise had. I think they bumped up the contrast for Nemesis because it is such a dark film, cinematographically speaking.
Right on all counts, Cobywan!
Well J-Hulk,
I’ve had my Enterprise-E on order from Hobby Japan since it was annouced- it’s been shipped now. Maybe I should have waited![[xx(] I was really impressed with the Refit version. I have not built it yet, but when I do I will tone down some of the green areas. That version of the ship was repainted for almost every film, and the contrast between colors got more distinct as it went along. There are good sources on the web- including a site by the guy who painted the original STMP version. I like the E version- but they should have used “First Contact” as the inspiration! Maybe they’ll here and listen to the complaints.
Could it be the Japanese just like bright colors? I remember reading that ILM did some effects for one of the japanese films and had to go back and bring the colors up to an unrealistic level that screamed “special effect here!” Seems the japanese like’m bright!
Justimagine, could be!
But, as Cobywan said, the E might just be that bright (in Nemesis, anyway).
I’d say if your a fan of that version, you won’t be disappointed. Actually, having thought about it, it wouldn’t really be that hard to tone the whole thing down yourself with washes or whatever if you feel it’s too high-contrast.
When you get your kit, post and lemme know what you think of it. Building mostly gray German armor these days may have caused my eyes to become a bit too sensitive!
Hello all,
We have a discussion about the E-E over in the Starshipmodeler.com site at this link:
http://www.starshipmodeler.net/cgi-bin/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10854
Many pictures of the open box pieces have been posted showing the open windows, model reviews, etc.
Also, we have a member on that forum who speaks/reads Japanese and frequently lurks in the BB that Bandai employees use to discuss the Trek line. News has it that the E-D will be the next ship after the NX-01. I organized two polls for all of us to vote on the most desired non-enterprise ship in 1/850 scale and 1/1700 scale. So far, the Reliant is winning the 1/850 scale and the Excelsior is winning the 1/1700 scale. This member will post the results of the two polls as well as a formal request for all of the enterprises for us on the Bandai BB. We are hoping this will send a message to Bandai that they will seriously consider from those of us who are fans of their models.
If you are a member of Starshipmodeler BB, please feel free to enter the Star Trek Forum and vote. If not and if you are a fan of Star Trek, you may want to join up.
Thought I’d share this with you. The two polls will end this Tuesday.
Thanks, OM!
Good news on the E-D. My favorite version!
A nice Excelsior is quite welcome, too.
What is that BB the Bandai employees use? I’d like to check it out!
To quote ZC,
I don’t have a url but maybe you can get the site from the name.
Thank ya Sir.
I’ll give it a spin!
J-Hulk
if you do find the Bandai board and can read what’s going on, Please post some news here.
Thanks.
Will do!
Found the Kyushu Nine Forward site, and took a quick look around. Only saw a few passing comments about a future D, but tons about the NX-01.
Here’s a pic:
If I run across any other hot news about upcoming Bandai starship releases, I’ll be sure to post 'em.
J-Hulk
I found a website that translates web pages from one language to another. Can you post the url to the
Kyushu Nine Forward site? I’d like to see if I can link up and read what’s there thru the translator
Thanks