Preserving the 1701 studio model

[Husker]

In this exclusive interview, TrekCore sits down with Smithsonian Air & Space Museum curator Margaret Weitekamp and chief conservator Malcolm Collum to discuss the ongoing conservation project to preserve the original "Star Trek" USS Enterprise filming model for future generations. Recorded in January 2015.

I love the fact it's a conservation rather than a restoration because in it's current state apart from the paint layers that were added it's an original model. If they start changing and replacing things then to me it's not the same.

[asimogorov]

I am glad the Smithsonian is even doing it (and not considering it a piece of junk), there must some trek fans out there.

[Patrick]

Its an incredible model and for how old it is, its remarkable its in as good shape as it is.

The Enterprise D model on the other hand (at least the 4ft one), well thats another story.

[Hohndo]

Its an incredible model and for how old it is, its remarkable its in as good shape as it is.

The Enterprise D model on the other hand (at least the 4ft one), well thats another story.

Do tell.

[Patrick]

Well The 6 foot D model was sold at the Christie's auction for $500,000 to Paul Allen and is on display at the gift shop of the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle.

The 2 foot D model I'm not sure what happened to.

As for the 4 foot model, the studio loaned it to Planet Hollywood in 1995 however they lost track of it. In 2000 when the restaurant defaulted the model was found in very rough shape, cracked, nacelles broken and with drill holes in it and covered in grease from being hung over a grill for a while. It was cleaned up and apparently is on tour according to what I've read.

Apparently too there was a 3 foot constitution model (the Smithsonian has the 11 foot) which was built before the 11 foot model and Roddenberry apparently loaned it out to someone and forgot whom and its never been seen since.

[Husker]

There were pics posted by Doug Drexler of a D model about that size (2 foot) in storage along with a D7 and some other ships and stations a while back on Facebook. It may be the same one.

[Fitzgerald]