Introduced in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine pilot episode “Emissary,” as the station’s primary support craft, the Danube-class runabout has joined now joined the ranks of Eaglemoss/Hero Collector’s line of XL Starship models.
Designed to be more durable and versatile craft than the shuttles that preceded them, the runabout was originally designed by Rick Sternbach and Jim Martin, with a miniature built by Toby Meininger. In addition to many appearances in Deep Space Nine, the runabout also appeared in an episode of The Next Generation (“Timeless”) and an episode of Voyager (“Non Sequitur”).
Measuring approximately eight and a half inches in length, the XL-sized USS Orinoco is largely plastic, with the only metal component being a central component that includes the nacelle struts. The cockpit, rear and bottom of the ship, sensor rollbar, and nacelles are all plastic, which makes the model’s weight feel light despite its chunkiness.
This larger-scale model is more or less an identical upscale of the subscription-sized model released back in 2014, so if you’re just looking for a larger version of what might already be in your collection, you’re in luck. But if you were hoping that the higher price point and additional scale would result in more detailing, I’m afraid you will be disappointed.
Given the XL-sized runabout is much larger original release, it’s pretty disappointing that additional detail was not added to this model, particularly given the premium price that the XL Starships line commands.
Most obviously missing from the ship are a number of grid-lines across the entire model. Particularly on the cockpit, which is smooth and largely devoid of detail, the added grid-lines would have made this model significantly more visually interesting than the model we got.
That’s probably why those lines were added to the studio model in the first place; because without them, it’s just a big grey block.
In addition to the missing grid-lines, the model is also missing contouring along the bottom. Flip the runabout upside down, and you won’t find much about this model that attracts your eye. The studio model, on the other hand, had more paneling and contouring to add visual flair.
And the last of the glaring omissions: the runabout is one solid grey color. In examining shots of the studio model, it is clear that the panels were slightly different colors, and that the overall color scheme of the model leaned a bit more into blues than into the matte grey in the Eaglemoss version.
The runabout does not have a particularly interesting shape, especially when compared to the hero Enterprise ships in the collection. And so, in order to make it visually appealing, it needs added details to stand out on your shelf, and to justify the cost. That may have been part of the decision to give us the Orinoco, with the added sensor rollbar, despite most runabouts in the series — like the ever-present Rio Grande — appearing without it.
And if it was the case that the rollbar was added to give the runabout a little something extra, then it is particularly disappointing that they did not go further to add the additional detailing that a model of this size demands.
The runabout’s stand grips tightly around the nacelle struts, and it is well balanced and stable when up on your shelf. No danger of slippage on this one, unlike others in the series (like the Voyager or Enterprise NX-01 models which have bad habits of falling off their stands).
Ultimately while the build quality is fairly solid, the XL-edition runabout model is disappointing. With no added grid-lines, no contouring along the bottom, and no varied paint scheme, this model amounts to just an upsized version of the 2014 model, with its larger size being the only real draw for collectors.
For the price, these models need to be more than just bigger, and Eaglemoss have shown that they are very capable of producing lusciously gorgeous models with plenty of additional details that justify the XL price. This isn’t one of them.
If you do feel like the XL-sized USS Orinico is one you’d like to add to your personal fleet, however, you can order it today for $74.95 in the Hero Collector webshop, or from the UK webshop for £49.99.
Do you already have this model in your collection, or are you planning to pick it up for your own armada? Share your thoughts in the comments below!