By Delbert Wells - images & text © 2005

Scale: 1/2500 - 1½" / 38mm long, and 2" / 50mm wide (approximately).

Parts: Each ship is a single piece (2 per pack).

Instructions: None.

Decals: None.

Molding Quality: 8 - Some detail obscured at the mold seam at the right rear, and a little rough in a few places. Bubbles are nearly non-existent; one pinhole-sized found on this kit.

Detail: 9 - Just the right amount of detail for a kit in this scale, including some very lightly engraved panel lines.

Accuracy: 9 - Very close to conceptual drawings, which can be found in "The Art of Star Trek".

MSRP: $10.00 USD (~$8.14 CAN/ € 12.14 EUR) for a pack of 2, plus shipping; available from Ravenstar Studios

Overall Rating: 10 - Good quality at a great price.

The Valiant-class escort is the most over-powered and over-armed vessel ever created by Starfleet, the sucessor to the Defiant-class ships.

Image: Underneath

Image: Front view

Image: Top view

What You Get

This model comes 2 per ziplock bag. Assembly instructions are not provided since this is a one-piece kit. As with all of Ravenstar's kits, decals are not provided, so finishing this model will require some creativity.

Mold seam lines are minimal, but they do obscure some detail on the rear. Some rough areas are evident, but can be easily removed by sanding or filing.

Since no instructions, painting guidelines, or decals are provided, the finishing is left completely to the builder's imagination. However, the color palette, paint style, and markings of the Defiant would be a good place to start.

Conclusions

This is one of those Federation designs that I've always wanted, and I was planning to scratch-build one of these ships myself, eventually. But Ravenstar did a great job on this one, and saved me the time and trouble of making it.

The Valiant is that perfect little ship that will add some style and flair to your 1/2500 scale fleet!

Many thanks to Del's wallet for providing the review samples. Manufacturers and retailers, interested in getting your wares reviewed and publicized on a site averaging 3500+ readers a day? Contact us!