Diamond Select Enterprise D and More...

I know I've been dabbling on Trekkie stuff recently, but I can't help it. It's part fiction and part science...and I love Star Trek by reason as said...so here goes...

Diamond Select Toys is releasing a new wave of collectibles and memorabilia and the Enterprise D is amongst them.


Enterprise D: A Galaxy Class starship and the 5th starship to carry the name "Enterprise ", the Enterprise D was launched on 4th of October 2363 (happens to be my birthday, approximately 355 years from now), under the command of Capt Jean-Luc Picard. This sizeable starship is capable of seperating saucer section as a means of abandoning either hull in the event of a catastrophic emergency.

The Enterprise D is capable of reaching speeds of up to Warp 9.6:

(That's approx 1,019 x the speed of light or 2.06 trillion kmh, although, USS Voyager has a stable cruise velocity of Warp 9.975 approx 21,473 x the speed of light! or 6 trillion kmh!!!...but then again, Voyager is equipped with a Class-9 warp drive with variable nacelle-geometry... BUT that's another story)

In 2371, Enterprise D was lost when the saucer section crashed on Veridian III after a battle with the Duras sisters. Although their warbird was destroyed by the Enterprise, enough damage was inflicted to cause a warp core breach. Shortly after the saucer had separated, from the stardrive section (where the warp core is), the core breached and the shockwave from the explosion forced the saucer section into the planet's atmosphere and a crash landing. Although most of the crew survived, the ship itself could not be salvaged.

It's been some 4 years since Art Asylum came out with any starship replicas. Years ago, AA did a commendable job with the:

• USS Enterprise A (launched in 2286, the Enterprise A is a redesignated Constitution Class starship, the USS Yorktown which was renamed after Admiral James T Kirk had to self-destruct the former ship in the Mutara Sector and the 'Whale Song crisis') and
  

• Starfleet's first Warp-5 vessel, the Enterprise NX-01 (launched in 2151, under the command of Capt. Jonathan Archer).

But since AA's merger with DS, I noticed that the quality of merchandize has just been amazing. (from the pictures laid out on the net that is) I thought AA was very detailed., but a preview of the internet pictures of DS' merchandize shows that many fans and collectors out there will be able to own ships which accuracy and scaling are close to studio/shooting models.

Forbidden Planet says that DS is also planning to release an alternate future timeline version of the Enterprise D in 'All Good Things', the final episode of ST:TNG. It'll be exciting to see whether this model will materialize (no pun intended) in the collectible market.

This version of the Enterprise D had undergone several significant modifications, including the addition of a third nacelle*, a cloaking device, and a heavy phaser bank/cannon mounted underneath the saucer section.

(Digressing a bit)
*It's worthy to note that the creator of Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry prescribed several 'rules' when it comes to starship designs:

Rule #1 Warp nacelles *must* be in pairs.
"The 'All Good Things' Enterprise is explained not to violate these because it has two warp field coils in each nacelle, thus creating three pairs. The Franz Joseph Designs single-nacelle ships are not official canon..."

Rule #2 Warp nacelles must have at least 50% line-of-sight on each other across the hull.

Rule #3 Both warp nacelles must be fully visible from the front.

Rule #4 The bridge must be located at the top center of the primary hull.

For you ardent Trekkies out there, the DS Enterprise D could be yours at USD50.00. You could try Ebay. I saw some sellers putting this collectible up for pre-order and it may be slightly cheaper, albeit, exclusive of shipping and handling. Or, you could see whether Area 51 Toys at 1 Utama, New Wing is taking orders yet.

Live long and prosper.