Hobbyists have had a lot of time at home this past year to work on all their crafty Star Trek projects, and now the fine folks at Polar Lights are ready to add some Delta Quadrant flair into the mix!
Announced late last year, the new 1:1000-scale Intrepid-class USS Voyager is on the way from the long-running model company, with two versions of the famously long-traveled starship to chose from as builders set their course for home.
While this isn’t the first Voyager model released for hobby builders — Revell released a larger 1:670-scale version in Europe a few years back (available here for those interested) — this is the first “official” US release at this scale.
Measuring in at about 13.5 inches when the snap-together kit is complete, the company is offering both an opaque version of the Voyager kit, along with a clear plastic edition which can be paired with internal lighting (not included) and then painted for additional realism.
Each version of the ship model also includes the Intrepid-class’s claw-footed landing gear (for an optional display variant), as well as clear nacelle parts, a clear deflector dish, and clear larger windows (such as the mess hall, etc.) — and movable warp nacelles, to reflect the variable-geometry engines seen in the series.
As with Polar Lights’ other kits, the models will also include all the necessary hull graphics and registry markings in the kits for those final touches.
Each of the 1:1000-scale USS Voyager models are set to retail around $44.99 and are up for preorder now at various hobby-shop retailers ahead of its May 2021 release; if you’re shopping online you can order through the CultTVMan store (opaque version here and the clear version here).
In addition to the new Voyager model, the Round2 team (via the AMT brand) is also reviving their 1:1000-scale USS Excelsior model from several years ago, with a reissue of Captain Sulu’s starship — just in time for the 30th anniversary of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
Included in this 18-inch model are decals to set the ship as either the Star Trek III-era or Star Trek VI-era registry (NX-2000 or NCC-2000), along with a domed display base and detailed sections of the ship like the under-slung cargo bay.
The Excelsior reissue is due out mid-year and can also be preordered from the CultTVMan shop for $35.99.
Round2 promises that they have “lots of other cool Star Trek stuff” on the way for 2021, so we’ll keep our eye out for more announcements as the year moves forward.
What do you think about these model kits — will you take on the challenge of building your own Voyager or Excelsior? Let us know in the comments below!