Author Topic: Lost 3 foot Model of the Starship Enterprise Has Been Found! (Read 9125 times)

Robert_the_Doll · « **on:** 11/01/2023 01:22 pm »

The prototype 33" model of the Original Series Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise model has been found according to RFP:

https://www.therpf.com/forums/threads/red-alert-lost-3-ft-tos-enterprise-found.354596/

The model was built in 1964 by Richard C. Datin as a guide for building the 11 foot primary studio model, but wound up in a number of early SPFX shots since the 11 foot model was not ready until late in "The Cage" pilot's post production. The 3 foot model went on to be used in various effects shots during the series and was extensively used for publicity photo shoots by itself or with series principle actors. It has the honor of being the last Enterprise model filmed for the original series as it was used to represent the shrunken starship in "Requiem for Methuselah".

The model was thought lost, deemed stolen, actually, during production work on Star Trek: Phase II, which later was converted from a television series into Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Theories abounded as to who was responsible, most particularly Robert Able and Associates staff when they were kicked off the production for failing to meet their obligations.

If this is true, it needs to be returned to the Roddenberry estate. It was stolen from them and rightly is theirs, and it is a priceless surviving piece of movie and television history that need to be properly cared for.

Robert_the_Doll · « **Reply #1 on:** 11/01/2023 11:38 pm »

More photos showing in great detail the damage and deterioration of this priceless artifact.

hartspace · « **Reply #2 on:** 11/01/2023 11:58 pm »

In reading the comments following the linked article, it has all but been confirmed as the real thing. And the Roddenberry estate has been in contact with the eBay seller who may not have realized what he had.

Starshipdown · « **Reply #3 on:** 11/02/2023 12:40 am »

It's time to start following the paper trail and see where it leads. I want to know who stole it.

AS_501 · « **Reply #4 on:** 11/02/2023 01:44 am »

Then what's on display in the Smithsonian (which I believe was restored by museum curators)?

punder · « **Reply #5 on:** 11/02/2023 02:23 am »

In guitarland we call this “roadworn” and pay handsomely for it!

In 1977 I, a little pissant from a tiny East Texas nowhere town, on a school trip got to visit the newly commissioned National Air and Space Museum and shot several rolls, on my Kodak Instamatic, of the big ol’ “official” Starship Enterprise. I still treasure that memory.

hartspace · « **Reply #6 on:** 11/02/2023 04:20 am »

Quote from: AS_501 on 11/02/2023 01:44 am

Then what's on display in the Smithsonian (which I believe was restored by museum curators)?

The 11-foot model in the NASM is the filming model that was used in almost all the special effects shots from the 2nd pilot on. The 3-foot model was apparently used for the early SFX shots in the 1st pilot before the 11-foot model was completed.

Robert_the_Doll · « **Reply #7 on:** 11/03/2023 12:19 am »

For those curious about the color of the discovered 3 foot model versus how it appears in publicity photos or in "Requiem for Methuselah", all they have to remember is that bright studio lights and the film stock changes how it looks. Here is a photo of the newly born Rod Roddenberry being posed with the model and you can clearly see that it has the same blue-grey color, amber red nacelle hemispheres, the same color as its bigger 11 foot sibling.