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- Verified Buyer
I recently began collecting these Star Ships from Diamond Select/ Art Asylum. They are very well made and look absolutely fantastic. Each ship does have features unique to the actual product. Mostly small variations as far as lights and sounds. As well as graphics. The Enterprise E is the next ship in line following the Enterprise D. This particular model is actually quite well made and looks nearly like its full sized movie ship. Although somewhat smaller in scale as compared to the Enterprise D and the Klingon Bird of Prey, the E is still nicely proportioned. Right out of the box she looks like the quintessential Star Ship. The one element of this particular ship I like are the lighted nacelles. They light up in both a beautiful rich blue and red color. Along with various sound effects, the nacelles look awesome when activated. The activation button is the actual bridge on the saucer section of the ship. Now I would like very much to address two issues that others have addressed as far as the negative aspects of this particular model. First, the stand. Let me be absolutely clear here and please follow my advice. The stand is of the ball type. The ship comes with two distinct battery covers which enable one to play with the ship and have no hole and another cover which does have a hole. This hole is somewhat tight and "great" caution must be taken when pressing the ball stand into the hole. A little spit will help. Once you start pressing this in make sure you handle the ship and stand in such a manner that your grip in the stand will not allow it to break. Don't assume anything. There is a reason this is difficult. The purpose of which is to make sure the ship is secure and can be positioned in multiple positions without falling. Once on, the ship can be displayed in any manner you feel looks good. Just take your time. Second issue. The so called lettering on the nacelles. This is the copy right lettering on both nacelles on the lower portion and it is visible. Personally, I agree the company could have placed this lettering somewhere else, but in reality, it does not in anyway detract from the awesome job they did with this particular ship. I highly suggest that unless you are a really gifted modeler, that you do not attempt to remove or deface this writing. Like anything else, it will grow on you. Some suggested using a solvent or lightly sanding this area. While that may or may not work, consider this, the value of the ship will be greatly decreased by defacing the actual copy right information. In short, I suggest leaving it alone. The only other source of contention from some who purchased this particular Star Ship are the lights. Although quite beautiful, there is no activation button which allows for them to stay on. My other ships all have that feature. Why the company did not incorporate this feature into this ship is beyond me, but in reality, it does nothing to take away from the fact that this was and is a really nice model and well worth the asking price.The details of the E are well done. Everything from the various Aztec patterns to the actual graphics and logos look crisp and clear. Although when the lights are activated, there is residual light bleed thru on the hull and nacelles. Again, a very minor issue and hardly worth mentioning. The E is my fourth ship and although somewhat smaller in scale to that of the other three I have, she still looks great as a collector piece. The boxes these ships come in are worth saving. They are well made and look very nice. Also, they are practical. Should one decide to move/relocate, the ships can be packed properly away. Thus ensuring no damage comes to them. A life long Trekkie, I find these Star Ships remarkably inexpensive compared to actual models one must spend months constructing. Mind you, I have great respect for those that have both time and skill to build models like the Polar Lights Enterprise A. Although clearly larger in scale and greater in detail, they do, none the less, take great skill and patience to construct. So, the alternative is Diamond Select or perhaps Playmates. Both sold here on Amazon. I highly recommend all the Diamond Select Star Trek Star Ships. They are well constructed and incorporate excellent detailing not really seen too often on something sold as a mere toy. The truth is these are collector ships and although children can play with them, they make absolutely awesome adult collector pieces. Clearly all that remains is the Voyager! A ship which I hope Diamond Select/Art Asylum will create and hopefully in a larger scale.End Transmission
