In looking for something other than the "three Enterprise" sets in terms of Star Trek models, and my own creations in the 1/2500, I found Star Cast models based in Florida. I recently purchased two of their kits. The "Sydney Class Starship" better known as the USS Jenolin, from the TNG episode "Relics", and the "Olympic Class Starship", that appears as the USS Pasteur in "All Good Things". I will cover each model in turn.

Scale: 1/2500 - 3.25"/8.25 cm long

Parts: 10 (including base), all in beige resin.

Instructions: One B&W sheet printed both sides. Assembly instructions on one side, painting guide on the other.

Decals: None

Molding Quality: 8 - see review

Detail: 10 - see review

Accuracy: Not rated - looks like a Jenolin to me.

MSRP: $21.95 + shipping, available from TM Lindsey

Overall Rating: 9 - A good addition to anyone's 1/2500 collection

Image: The underside of the hull is shown. The location of most parts is obvious, but use the instructions anyway.

The kit comes packed in a poly bag, and wrapped in bubble wrap for shipping. Nothing was broken.

The model consists of a main hull, various detailing parts to be glued directly to the hull and the pylon-nacelle assemblies. There is a large cut off burr on the hull. The nacelles, which are shipped on their own sprue, have a good deal of light flash, and a very slight mold line. The detail pieces exhibit some minimal flash and no mold lines. All parts are free of pits or visible bubbles on my kit.

All detail is sharp and clear. It holds up to inspection under a magnifier. Areas without details are smooth and regular.

As far as accuracy goes .... it looks like the Jenolin. I never got closer than a look at the TV screen and have never seen any model shots of the studio model. I am happy with it. Whether it has areas that would offend the rabid accuracy hound I do not know.

The instructions are spare but lucid. Paint selection is indeterminate (light grey, dark grey, etc.) and no federal standard numbers used. No decals are included.

The one drawback is the base. It is small, in the shape of the Trek "arrowhead". It has minimal ground contact in the front. I would not personally recommend using it, and do not plan to use it myself.

This is my first resin starship kit. I have bought limited run resin models in the form of horses before. For the money, it is a good kit, and well executed. A good addition to anyone's 1/2500 collection.

Scale: 1/2500 - 5.5"/ 14 cm long.

Parts: 7 beige resin parts (including base)

Instructions: One B&W sheet printed both sides. Assembly instructions on one side, painting guide on the other.

Decals: None

Molding Quality: 7 - see review

Detail: 10 - see review

Accuracy: Not rated - see review

MSRP: $29.95 US + shipping, available from TM Lindsey

Overall Rating: 9 - Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

The model's hull is in four parts: the middle of the ball and secondary hull top of the ball, bottom of the ball, and the pylon assembly. The main hull part has a marked mold line completely around it. It will require work to remove and cannot be ignored. It does not interfere with any detail however. The lower ball part has a similar mold line, but the upper ball is free of mold lines but has a minimal amount of flash. In no case is detail compromised The nacelles also have a noticeable mold line and a little flash. All part are free of pits or visible bubbles.

All detail is sharp and clear. It holds up to inspection under a magnifier. Very little of this model is free of any detail. The sides are covered with windows and lifeboats. In all, an impressive amount of work went into the master for this model - much more than I would be willing to do for any model of my own!

The part breaks are all integrated where panel lines would be so filling should not be required. The alignment of parts is either keyed or obvious, and in the one case where that isn't so, the instructions are clear on how to align it. The one building drawback I see is the nacelles. Getting them lined up will be tricky.

The base is the same as on the "Sydney" model. It is small, in the shape of the Trek "arrowhead". It has minimal ground contact in the front. In the case of the Olympic, my objections to the base are multiplied by the size of the model. The Olympic is too big and heavy for the base provided. Don't use it. I mailed my concerns about this base to Star Cast. They admit it is inadequate, and are working on a "mid-sized" base for models in that size range, but as of yet it is not available as of the writing of this review. I plan to mount mine on a wood plaque to match all my other models.

Is it accurate? It looks like the Pasteur. I never got closer than a look at the TV screen and have never seen any model shots of the studio model. I am happy with it. Whether it has areas that would offend the rabid accuracy hound I do not know.

The instructions are, once more, spare but lucid. Paint selection is indeterminate (light grey, dark grey, etc.) no federal standard numbers used. Decals are not included.

I am impressed by the models, and I look forward to the next Star Cast release. (Editor's Note - Star Cast have recently changed their name to TM Lindsey, to avoid confusion with Starcrafts.)