Constitution Class Refit Revisited

Kenny and I were dabbling about our reignited passion for the Constitution Class Refit. Known to many as its legendary nomenclature, USS Enterprise this ship was as functional as it was beautiful. One of a kind and those guys really knew how to design starships those days (click here to get an insight of the team who brought us this magnificent work of art). Just imagine this idea was conceived nearly 30 years ago. The design, the concept, the vision of Kirk's refitted Enterprise was simply ahead of its time.

She's one of the most beautiful starships ever built. Her glistening hull, enclothed with aztec motive and many shades of white, pearl and blues and strikingly lined with red pin-stripes. Her ever so pivoted engine pylons, angled back and seem to be ready launch forward, as if an archer at the brink of releasing the arrow into the final frontier. I really marvel at the thought process, not mentioning the hours expended to create and bring to life (at least on the silver screen) this epic starship!


The Constitution Refit looks awesome from any angle. The one on top with a starbase relegated to the background is one of my favourites. Her sensual secondary hull supporting seeming a pair of frail boards, which in turn holds the indispensable warp nacelles. Her profile as she fades into the horizon is often times a moment for me to reckon with. I just can't help wonder if that is what its really like in space. On board a starship.

Functionality= a masterpiece with purpose. Notice the grid lines on the ship up close? Shield generator grids. When energized, they form an energy field which makes another "layer" just a few feet from the hull to absorb incoming fire from enemy weapons. On the bridge, the consoles are designed for task specific functions. The storage of equipment and wares is accomplished with modular recepticles. Crew quarters were designed with minimal space in mind, but have maximum function. Phaser banks are strategically placed on the hull to cover all angles and of course, her main photon torpedo systems. She might not be the most heavily armed starship, but she was still after all, Starfleet's flagship!

As true Trekkers at heart, Ken and I are eagerly awaiting Polar Lights release of the 1/1000 scale Enterprise NCC-1701 which is due to be released end of 2009. One of the more detailed kits ever in the market, PL had 2 years ago released the 1 m long 1/350 scale Enterprise NCC-1701-A, followed by a second release last year incorporating more accurate decals! This intended release is 12 inches long thereabout and would make an excellent addition to our ever growing collection. It would certainly make a nice Christmas present for yours truly. To boldly build what so many are waiting to build.