Scale: 1/2500 - about 4"/10cm when completed

Parts: 10 resin

Instructions: 1 page

Decals: None

Molding Quality: 7

Detail: 9

Accuracy: 7

MSRP: $24.95 US available from TM Lindsey

Overall Rating: 9 - well worth the effort

The Model is a 1/2500 scale rendition of the "Constellation class Starship" from "Star Trek TNG". It was seen as the "Stargazer" and the "Hathaway" among others. As with all of T. M. Lindsey's Star Trek efforts this model is in scale with the two AMT/Ertl "Three Enterprise" sets.

The model arrived within a reasonable time from my order, sent by snail mail. The price was $24.95 plus shipping. It was shipped in a sturdy cardboard box with the model itself in a plastic bag and wrapped in bubblewrap. Nothing was broken.

The Model is ten pieces, including base, in a light cream resin. It is free of bubbles and pits. It has a smooth creamy texture. All parts are clean and free of flash and mold lines, but I believe mine would be one of the first run from his molds. I was practically breathing down his neck to get one. This a small model, the total length of the hull assembled does not exceed three and a half inches. There were no decals, but these where promised at a later date, I am still waiting. The base is not really suited to the model. This is not a problem for me since I will use my usual wooden plaque and brass rod stand.

Detail is up to the Lindsey standard, lots of it and finely done. (No he does not pay me to say this). Panel scribing is crisp, clean, and fine enough that I cannot get a fingernail into the lines. Edges are hard and clean. I am reluctant to hand out 10s in my reviews, so this model gets a 9, but it is a very good nine.

Accuracy might be a question. The top side of the ship I have see some decent shots of, but I am mostly at a loss as to the bottom of the ship. I will assume that he has a decent source and leave that one alone. It looks like the Stargazer to me.

The parts fit is clean. The model's main point of connection is the "T" bar pylons that hold the nacelles, more on those in a minute. The rear part of the hull requires fitting to the main hull, this point requires some filling and the instructions indicate this. Why a tighter fit was not possible, or the piece could not have been made as part of the hull, I do not know. This hull piece, and the "Hangar bay door", and the "T" bars are keyed to fit in the hull, the nacelles are not, and this leads to my next point.

Ease of build: Not, pure and simple. The delay between buying the model and getting a camera means that I did a bit of building before this review. As the pictures will show it is not quite "out of the box". Instructions are a single sheet of paper, barely needed as the model is almost self evident. Almost - read the instructions.

The difficulty comes not with the rear of the hull, but with the pylons and nacelles. There is no keying to indicate the proper location of the nacelles. You have to guess and pray. Worse, assembly of the "got to have it straight or the model looks like hell" sub-assembly is a minimum three-handed job. Last I looked I had two. Those hands had better be rock solid as well. After getting one nacelle on, I am building a jig to line up the rest. It is the only way I can ensure symmetry. This is not a beginner model in spite of the small size and few parts.

Even with that small problem I consider the model a worthy addition to anyone's 1/2500 Trek fleet, and a significant design within the Trek Universe. Get this one and keep it. You will not regret the effort.