Calling All 'Star Trek' Fans: The Smithsonian Needs Your Help Restoring Enterprise Model

[Stellar]

The museum is seeking original images of the iconic starship.

The Smithsonian is restoring the original studio model of the Enterprise used on the "Star Trek" TV series -- and the institution is calling on fans of the show for help.

The National Air and Space Museum said the model of the starship has had eight major renovations since it was built in 1964, and is looking for images that can help them restore it to how it appeared in 1967, during and after the famous "Trouble With Tribbles" episode.

But don't start sending in screengrabs -- the Smithsonian doesn't need those. They're looking specifically for "firsthand, original images or film of the ship under construction, during filming or on public display at any time before 1976."

Images such as this one:



Given that many Trekkies -- or Trekkers, as some prefer -- have meticulous knowledge and extensive memorabilia related to the show, it seems likely that some fans will have just what the museum is looking for.

"Hailing frequencies are open to the public at [e-mail]," the museum wrote in a news release.

More at link: HuffPo

[Gman]

1. But I thought NCC-1701 was destroyed

In the battle with Kahn.

[Stellar]

2. I'm not sure but....

I kind of Remember it being sold at the Christie's Auction some years back.

http://www.christies.com/special_sites/startrek/overview.asp

[onehandle]

3. Also, I thought it was Much bigger than a 1964 Ford Galaxie. nt

[Quackers]

4. Time lord technology

Bigger on the inside.

[onehandle]

5. William Shatner needs to regenerate.

My wife was especially pissed off by Captain Kirk's death in Star Trek Generations.

And she doesn't like the new 'Kirk.'

TARDIS away!...

[kay1864]

7. 11 feet long

http://en.memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Constitution_class_model_(original)

[Kelvin Mace]

6. Different model

That was the 1701A



Not the original 1701



Also, not destroyed by Khan, but by Kirk in ST III: Search for Spock.

Update: See below, where I correct my error.

[Gman]

8. Destroyed with Kahn onboard

I thought it was the NCC-1701 Kahn was on and they flew the bird of prey home. Then they later flew the NCC-1701A.

The article talks about the original (NCC-1701)

[kay1864]

10. You are indeed correct

Both ships in the pictures above were labeled NCC-1701; the top being the movie version, and the bottom being the TV version.

NCC-1701-A was a (virtually identical) replacement for the movie version destroyed by Kirk in ST-III.

/Trek geek

[JHB]

12. It's like this...

Khan died on the USS Reliant. The movie-refit USS Enterprise was blown up over the Genesis planet to keep it away from Klingons led by Reverend Jim from Taxi.

The Smithsonian wants production photos and/or plans and production materials of the ship from the latter half of its production run.

[Kelvin Mace]

13. No, Khan was on the USS Reliant when

the Genesis device blew up.

The Klingon Bird of Prey showed up in ST III.



Actually, I am in error (the horror, the horror). The ship in ST:TMP and ST: TWoK was a refit of the original series ship, NCC-1701. After being destroyed in ST: TSfS, a new ship was built and assigned NCC-1701A.

NCC-1701 went through 4 refits:

First: After Captain Pike's command, before Kirk took over (Pilot with Jeffrey Hunter)

Second: Minor engine/anti-matter intermix changes during Kirk's command (TOS with Shatner)

Third: Internal changes during last two years of five year mission adding holodeck and bridge defense system (TAS with Shatner)

Fourth: Major overhaul and refit under Captain Decker, though Admiral Kirk took command (ST:TMP)

[backscatter712]

11. OK, now I'm curious what happened to the movie model.

There was the model that the Smithsonian's restoring, that was used in the TOS TV show.

Then there was the model used, that represented both renovated NCC-1701, and NCC-1701A, starting with Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and ending with Star Trek VI, The Undiscovered Country.

[JHB]

17. It may have been used in TNG...

Part of a refitted Constitution-class hull is seen for an eyeblink amid the wrecked starships after the battle of Wolf 359 in "Best of Both Worlds"
http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/articles/wolf359-other.htm

[backscatter712]

9. No, no, no!

It self-destructed in orbit around the Genesis planet!

[Archae]

14. The NCC-1701...

That Enterprise was revamped and rebuilt in the movie "Star Trek The Motion Picture."

It was badly damaged in "The Wrath Of Khan."

It was destroyed by self-destruction to prevent it falling into Klingon hands in "The Search For Spock."

At the end of "The Voyage Home," a new Enterprise, NCC-1701-A was introduced.

It was damaged in "The Undiscovered Country."

The actual fate of the 1701-A is in dispute, the ship was destroyed in one of the books authored by Bill Shatner.

[Action_Patrol]

15. I'm glad the Smithsonian people have a sense of humor

When they first removed the Enterprise from the Air and Space Museum, the empty case just had a sign that said "It's Cloaked"

[Beartracks]

16. LOL. Win. n/t