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Polar Lights Model Kits: 4 weeks of Christmas Part 2
Continuing weekly Polar Lights Model Kit updates for the month of December, here is a look at the U.S.S. Reliant mockup that was reviewed recently. This is a much anticipated addition to our Star Trek line of 1:1000 scale kits. This is a new source and the prototype had a few unexpected flaws (like the wavy saucer) as well as the usual amount of fix up we find that is required. A slight mishap resulted in broken Starboard phasers.
Other than that the ship isn’t in too bad of shape overall, but as anyone reading this blog will know that the devil is in the details. Most notably are the grid lines on the top of the ship, not just the saucer section, but the rear end as well. We’ll get that fixed up as well as the other 20-odd points of interest pointed we out to the factory.
Next week… Kong!
Beautiful! Between Reliant, Kane, and Sulaco, what a year 2014 will be! Thanks to all of you at R2.
Jeff
Well, flaws at this stage or not, I am really looking forward to this kit! Thanks for posting the update! 🙂 It looks great!
Looks great. Probably buy one when they are available.
However, I would love to see an announcement about a big scale Klingon K’tinga. Sorry to hi-jack this column but the K’tinga is the holy grail of Star Treks kits for me.
A 1:350 Klingon D-7 & Romulian Bird of Prey are also my holy grails for Trek kits!
Looks good! I’ve been waiting for this one for a while. I see that some online retailers are taking pre-orders for supplemental decals for this kit. Can you tell us anything about these? Are they going to be similar to the aztec decals you produced for the AMT Reliant?
Jamie, hobby websites that list this kit as a pre-order are also listing a decal set for this kit as well. What are these decals? If there the Aztec markings, why are they not included in this kit? Cost concerns? The Refit kit has them, was it not possible to include them in this kit? The Reliant is being listed at around $27 and the decals at $22, that makes the total at over $50 w/tax and/or shipping. A bit expensive for a 1/1000 kit, no?
The add-on decals are for the aztec patterns and surface details. All standard markings will be included in the kit. We felt it was important to keep the price point reasonable. Decals add a substantial amount to the end price, but we wanted to make sure those were still offered to those that are interested in them.
Figured it was a cost issue. While it’s a bit of a disappointment that the Aztec decals aren’t included, I can see your point. Modelers that would have paid the premium for the kit w/decals, will most likely have no problem paying for them separately. For the rest, who wouldn’t have used the decals, at least they won’t have to pay the extra cash for decals they don’t want.
That’s great news about the Aztec decals, Jaimie! I’m sure I’ll be in for a set, though I do appreciate the hard work some people put in to actually painting those patterns!
I’ll definitely be building up this kit. What I would REALLY like to see is a 1:350 version of this! What a neat model kit that would be!
How about a kit of conversion parts to build a 1/350 Reliant from the 1/350 Enterprise???
Actually, after working on this small one, I see all of the differences between the Refit and Reliant. A lot looks similar, but very little is truly the same.
Just saw the pre-order for this kit for $27 & assumed it came with aztec decals like the 1/1000 Enterprise. WRONG!! They are an additional $22.00!! On the same site they had the 1/1000 Enterprise for only $22 with the aztec decals. You can count me out on this one. Way too much for a 1/1000 kit. Think I’ll grab a couple 1/1000 Enterprise kits before they get the same treatment.
Way too expensive for me. I can’t see putting over $50 in a 1/1000 scale Reliant. I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.
Jamie,
Not to switch topics, but I just noticed that the Exploration set lists
it is made in the USA!
Nice! thanks for keeping the jobs here.
I’ll buy at least 2 now!
Are they still expected this month?
Thanks
Looking forward to building many Reliants! Jamie – Any update on when the Space:1999 Eagles will hit the shelves?
phicks- The Eagles should be arriving any time.
spock62- I’m glad you see our point.
Mach7- We do what we can. Most of our Hawk and Lindberg kits are produced here and our MPC Titan and Vostok rockets will also be produced in the US.
The 1/1000 series just keeps getting better! The Reliant will make a welcome addition to the fleet, for sure. Has there ever been any talk (or suggestion) of a ST-TMP drydock structure in the same scale?
The more I look at this kit, the more I’m looking forward to it! Can’t wait to see it on shelves! Jamie will the decals include the option for more names (at least on the optional sheet)?
Brad (the other one).
Brad- We’ll see. We’ll pack as much as we can into the decal sheets just like we normally do. If we have room, we’ll add some optional names.
For this particular scale I would love to see the next
offending be the klingon Bird of Prey.
This kit would be more in scale with the 1701A 1/1000 refit
and be more accurate then the previous offering from the
old adversary set. In my opinion this is one of the most
popular of the Trek ships and would make a great addition
to the Star Trek model franchise.
Also I think Trek enthusiasts wouldn’t mind having that
offering as well.
Fortress
Jamie, great work as always on this 1/1000 Reliant! I’m looking forward to seeing this one released.
However, I have to ask, has the costs of producing kits gone up that much since the 1/1000 Refit premiered? The 1/1000 Refit is less then the pre-order pricing I saw on one of the sites for the 1/1000 Reliant and the Refit also includes aztec decals.
I already know what the answer will be but I thought I would throw it out there.
I don’t think it is something that I can really explain online. If you see me at a show, I can talk you through it. It isn’t a simple matter. There are a lot of factors.
Jamie,
Another beautiful kit. But I’m looking at a new Cylon Raider the size of a serving platter, 50s sci fi kits and the start of an Aliens kit series, and I’ve just gotta think it’s time for 1/1000 and 1/350 K’tinga and Quonos kits. With the great Refit kits out, how can you not? It’s like kitting Kirk without Spock, Roy Rogers without Trigger, Lassie without Timmy, Fred without Barney, Scooby without Shaggy.
I was disappointed in your assessment of resin model producers. yes, they are heavier than plastic, but on the whole, they are a lot cleaner than a plastic kit. in addition, all of the 100 plus products I have bought on line all have better detail then the best plastic model kit. in fact, most model kits, if you would rate the model companies, polar lights, round 2 comes a very sad last position. the only thing that saves round 2, as a company, is their star trek line… most of which can and should be replaced by a garage resin producer. In addition, polar lights/round 2 will not keep it’s consumers up to date of the release dates of their kits. in the past, they have missed all(that I know of)of their release dates… I understand that problems happen, but they refuse to admit to it. try calling or writing them, it is easier to build a model from scratch than getting a answer from then. At most, I am truly disgusted with them.
The person that started the discussion regarding resin kits is no longer with the company.