The USS Enterprise Studio Model's Return to Display

At the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum (NASM)

The original Star Trek television series 11-foot USS Enterprise studio model returned to display at the NASM during late March 2000, after over a seven year absence from exhibition. Clearly, the NASM--the world's most visited museum--is proud to have the model back on display. Every entry door to the museum features a full-length sign, which boasts, "Visit our new museum shop--see the original Star Trek USS Enterprise model," along with a full-color photo of the model. Additionally, a six-by-six-foot 3-D "animated" sign points NASM visitors to the lower-level of the gift shop--the new home of the USS Enterprise model. Showcased in a brand new, large all-glass display case, the model is the centerpiece of the NASM's new three-story gift shop, which had its grand opening during January 2000. Yes, this is obviously a ploy to increase traffic (and sales) in the museum gift shop. No matter, the model looks beautiful in its new spacious display area.

The model's internal lighting system is not functional in the new display; however, numerous spotlights pointed at the model keep it brightly lit. A new display plaque is next to the Enterprise, which features a rare never-before-published photo of the model and its model-makers from December 1964 just after construction was completed (donated to the NASM by The IDIC Page webmaster, William S. McCullars). The model is displayed at eye-level, instead of all previous NASM Enterprise exhibits, which had the model hanging high from the ceiling.

Click on the small images below to view a larger, more detailed photo.

[The USS Enterprise in her new display case at the NASM]

The Enterprise model in her new display case at the NASM. The inset photo is the model's new display plaque.
 
 
 

[Overall shot of the top of the model]
 

The Enterprise model is displayed in an four-walled and roofed glass display case. The ceiling, however, is mirrored. With the camera aimed at the mirror, I was able to get a fairly decent shot of the top of the model, in spite of some of the casing support beams blocking the view.
 
 
 

[Port aft saucer section]
 

Here's the port side of the upper saucer section.
 
 
 
 

[NASM 'animated' Enterprise sign]
 

This large six-by-six-foot "animated" sign at the NASM points visitors to the Enterprise display. (Photo © 2000 William S. McCullars, animation courtesy of Petri Blomqvist.)
[Yes, Virginia...there be grids]

According to original model-maker, Richard C. Datin, the USS Enterprise studio model had no grid lines on the saucer section when he built it (nor when he modified the model for Star Trek's second pilot and the "production revisions"). Instead, these were later added to the model by an artisian at the studio before filming on the first season commenced. The grid lines were drawn in pencil. The NASM reports that the Royalite plastic upper saucer section has not been modified during its renovations, with the exception of minor paint touch-ups and replacing deteriorating or missing decals. The wooden teardrop B/C deck and bridge dome, however, has been renovated.
 
 
 
 

[Tear-drop B/C deck and bridge dome]
 

Here's a shot of the tear-drop B/C deck and bridge dome, also taken in the display case mirror.
 
 
 
 

[No need to read that sign]
 

This photo shows that the NASM, in their delayed wisdom, removed the "joke" sign added during the 1991-92 renovation.
 
 
 
 

[The Enterprise's impulse and nacelle engines]
 

This photo, a bit overexposed, shows the upper saucer hatch that has no internal lighting (it's merely painted-on), the impulse engines, and the forward nacelle domes.



 

 

Please visit The IDIC Page - '91 Enterprise main page.

And also The IDIC Page - '91 Enterprise - Page Two.

And, last The IDIC Page - '91 Enterprise - Page Three.

Return to The IDIC Page - Enterprise main page.

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