Model

Multiple realities

(covers information from several alternate timelines)

For filming models used in Star Trek productions, please see Studio model.

For model as an occupation, please see Model (occupation).

A model was typically a small-scaled reproduction of a large item such as a building, a sailing ship, a starship, or a space station. Models were commonly employed for decorative, illustrative, recreational, or instructional purposes. Usually such models concern inanimate objects. Representations of this kind of animated subjects are usually referred to by the denominators "statue" (the large-scaled ones in particular) or more commonly "figurine".

In his childhood, Miles O'Brien had spent many years building model starship engines. (TNG: "All Good Things...")

When Neelix was young, he built what he described as extremely detailed scale models of orbital tethers at one tenth scale. He later claimed to have "worked on an orbital tether". (VOY: "Rise")

Jake Sisko, as a child, played with starship models. When he took an interest in Bajoran girls, his father playfully asked him, "Wasn't it a few weeks ago that you were playing with model starships?" Jake, however, corrected him by reminding him that it was more like "a few years ago." (DS9: "Move Along Home")

Displayed models

20th century

In 1996, Rain Robinson had a model of the SS Botany Bay on display in her office at the Griffith Observatory. (VOY: "Future's End")

For further information on the model, see DY-100 display model.

In the same year, Henry Starling's desk incorporated a model train. (VOY: "Future's End")

In 2000, Henry Janeway kept a model of the clipper ship Sea Witch next to the cash register of his bookshop. (VOY: "11:59")

21st century

The Crash-n-Burn Bar operating in Bozeman, Montana in 2063 contained a display with several rocket models. (Star Trek: First Contact)

22nd century

As a child, Jonathan Archer built some model spaceships with his father. One such model could be flown by remote control. (ENT: "Broken Bow", "Similitude")

For further information on the model, see remote controlled model spaceship.

In 2143 and onward, several early spacecraft were on display in Admiral Maxwell Forrest's office on Earth, including models of the Phoenix, two space shuttle orbiters, and several vessels of the Apollo series. (ENT: "Regeneration", "First Flight", "The Expanse", "Home")

The Phoenix model was a replica created by The Franklin Mint.

In 2152, Ensign Travis Mayweather kept a model of Nomad in his quarters aboard Enterprise NX-01. (ENT: "Dead Stop") He also used to possess models of the clipper Sea Witch and the Phoenix in his quarters aboard a previous ship he served on, the ECS Horizon. (ENT: "Horizon")

The Nomad model was inserted into the set for Mayweather's quarters by the series' art department, rather than being scripted to appear. (ENT Season 4 DVD "Dead Stop" audio commentary)

The Phoenix model was a replica created by The Franklin Mint.

23rd century

In the early 2230s, young Michael Burnham kept a model of an NX-class starship alongside photos of her and her father, Mike Burnham, by her bedside. She also had a model of the Torus 4 Deep Space Research Outpost they lived aboard near the foot of her bed. (ST: "The Girl Who Made the Stars")

In 2255 of the alternate reality, James T. Kirk played with a broken salt shaker model of a Kelvin-type starship at the Shipyard Bar. (Star Trek)

In 2259 of the alternate reality, Admiral Marcus kept fourteen air and spacecraft models in his office. These models included the Wright Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis, a V-2 rocket, an X-15 rocket plane, the Vostok 1 spacecraft, a Gemini capsule, Enterprise (OV-101), an Ares V rocket, the USS Enterprise ring ship, the Phoenix, the NX-Alpha, Enterprise NX-01, the USS Kelvin, and the USS Vengeance. (Star Trek Into Darkness)

These "History of Starflight" models were created by QMx FX Cinema Arts for the film, and were later auctioned off in Prop Store's June 2023 Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction: Los Angeles 2023 auction (see here for further information).

An opening establishing shot in a scene ultimately cut from the film as released, established that Marcus also had a model of a prime universe original configuration Constitution-class vessel, the USS Biddeford (NCC-0718), suspended from the ceiling of his office. Not a part of the QMx model line-up, the nature and the origin of the model is unclear. (Star Trek: The Compendium Bluray special feature, "Deleted scenes")

USS Enterprise metal model trapped in crystal

In 2267, Sylvia used sympathetic magic and a transmuter to affect a voodoo charm of the USS Enterprise. When she heated the model on a candle's flame, it caused the real ship to dangerously overheat in orbit. Korob later sealed the Enterprise model in a transparent crystal block in order to surround the orbiting ship in a force field. (TOS: "Catspaw")

For further information on the model, see Constitution-class model (original).

In 2269, Captain James T. Kirk and his landing party were surprised that Flint kept a model of his ship, the USS Enterprise, at his home. Much to their horror though, it turned out that it was in fact their own actual ship, miniaturized by the omnipotent Flint as a means of deterrence. (TOS: "Requiem for Methuselah")

Use was made of the actual three-foot filming model in what turned out to be its last new on-screen appearance, later use of stock footage excepted.

In 2285, Admiral James T. Kirk kept several wooden models of historic Earth sailing ships in his apartment in San Francisco. (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)

These, along with most of the other items displayed in Kirk's apartment, were rentals from prop company Modern Props, Inc. (Starlog, issue 71, p. 22)

Epsilon IX studio model as display model in the officer's lounge

In 2285, a model of an Epsilon IX-type station was displayed on a wall in the Starfleet Officers' Lounge. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

This was the actual studio model for the station as used in The Motion Picture. (text commentary, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (Special Edition) DVD) For further information on the model, see Epsilon IX station.

Thruster suit miniature as display model in The Search for Spock

In 2285, a model of an environmental suit was displayed in the entrance of the Starfleet Officers' Lounge. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

This was the actual studio model for the suit as used in The Motion Picture. For further information on the model, see thruster suit model.

Constitution class model, Kirk's quarters

In 2293, Captain Kirk also kept a model of his first command, the USS Enterprise, in his quarters aboard the USS Enterprise-A. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

For further information on the model, see Constitution-class display models.

In 2293, the Federation president kept a model of the Eiffel Tower in his office. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

24th century

Somewhere in the early 2310's the young teenager Jean-Luc Picard built a ship in a bottle model of the Promellian battle cruiser at his ancestral Château Picard home in La Barre, France. The model was still in Picard's possession seven decades later. (TNG: "Booby Trap"; PIC: "The Star Gazer", "Hide and Seek", "The Next Generation")

The model concerned a copy of the model that came with issue 142 from 2019 of the Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection, that its project manager Ben Robinson had sent to Star Trek: Picard's Production Designer Dave Blass for set decoration, and which had already debuted in the series' second season teaser trailer of 5 April 2021 as a mantelpiece – albeit admittedly barely visible. [1] The prop was later sold at auction. See: TNG studio models for further information.

Enterprise and Enterprise-B models at Chateau Picard

The Promellian ship-in-a-bottle model was not the only model kept in the living room of Château Picard, as Picard remembered that models of the refit-Enterprise NX-01, USS Enterprise, USS Enterprise-B, Miranda-class, Deep Space Station K-7, and Regula I had been there as well. (PIC: "Hide and Seek")

The refit-NX-01, Enterprise (retcon configuration), and two space station models were, like the Promellian battle cruiser model, issues from the Eaglemoss publication as well (issues SP6, XL11, SP10, and SP24 respectively), whereas the size of the Miranda-class model was a dead give-away of it almost certainly being the 1:537 scaled AMT model kit. The lit Enterprise-B model was identifiable by its size and stand as the 2013 electronic toy issue from Diamond Select Toys. The appearance of Eaglemoss' refit-NX-01 model was actually the very first confirmation in canon that Doug Drexler's hitherto apocryphal refit-design has indeed existed in-universe, before its later, more pertinent appearance in Picard's third season.

In 2327, in a Q-recreated alternate timeline, recently graduated Ensign Jean-Luc Picard, while awaiting his first commission, kept a display model of a starship in his quarters. (TNG: "Tapestry")

This was a reuse of the Malcorian warp ship model that was previously used in TNG: "First Contact". For further information on the actual model used, see: Malcorian warp ship.

Anika Hansen playing with a model of a Borg Cube

In 2353, young Annika Hansen sometimes played with a model of a Borg cube that belonged to her father. (VOY: "Dark Frontier")

Young Annika is playing with a 1994 Playmates Toys Electronic Borg Cube, No.6158

Constitution II class model in ready room

In 2364, Captain Jean-Luc Picard kept a model of a Constellation-class starship in his ready room aboard the USS Enterprise-D throughout the room's lifetime. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint"; Star Trek Generations) However, this model was briefly replaced by that of a refit-Constitution-class starship at various points in the same year, (TNG: "The Battle", "Hide And Q", "Too Short A Season", "The Big Goodbye") as well as by a piece of artwork. (TNG: "The Arsenal of Freedom")

For further information on the Constellation-class model, see Constellation-class model.

For further information on the refit Constitution-class model, see Refit Constitution-class display models.

In 2364, Groppler Zorn of the Bandi kept a model of Farpoint Station in his office in the Old Bandi City. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint")

In 2364, Commander William T. Riker kept a model of a refit Constitution-class starship (TNG: "Haven", "Lonely Among Us") and a miniature of the Class F shuttlecraft in his quarters aboard the Enterprise-D. (TNG: "Lonely Among Us")

A refit Constitution-class model starship was also displayed in one of the guest quarters in 2364. (TNG: "The Neutral Zone")

The Class F shuttlecraft model was the actual studio model originally used in The Original Series. For further information, see Class F shuttlecraft model.

In 2364, a model of a long range shuttle was on display in the guest quarters aboard the Enterprise-D that Anne and Mark Jameson and later the Brekkians Langor and Sobi stayed in. (TNG: "Too Short A Season", "Symbiosis")

This model was an unmodified AMT/Ertl model kit, No. S972. The same shuttle model was also included in Wesley Crusher's quarters during the following year in "The Dauphin".

In 2365, Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge built a model of the HMS Victory as a gift for his former commanding officer, Captain Zimbata of the USS Victory. (TNG: "Elementary, Dear Data")

This model was the personal possession of Gene Roddenberry. (Star Trek Encyclopedia, 3rd ed., p. 544)

In 2365, Worf tried to build a model of a sailing ship but was interrupted by his door chime and broke the ship's mast. He also kept a metallic model of the D7-class in his quarters. (TNG: "Peak Performance")

The sailing ship model appeared to be a special purpose prop and does share some design similarities with the Klingon Barge of the Dead sailing vessel, last seen in the later Star Trek: Voyager episode "Barge of the Dead". It was described in the script as specifically being "a model of an antique Klingon sailing vessel."

The D7-class model was an otherwise unmodified 1989 nine-inch (pre-sale evaluation) model originating from The Franklin Mint's Pewter Star Trek Starships line.

Constitution II class model variant, Drafting Room 5

In 2366, a model of a refit Constitution-class starship was on display in Drafting Room 5 of the Mars Station at the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, recreated by Geordi La Forge on the holodeck of the USS Enterprise-D. Alongside the refit Constitution-class starship model, a smaller model of a pre-refit configuration and a Klingon D7-class model were also on display, whereas else in the room a model of a Galaxy-class starship was displayed as well. (TNG: "Booby Trap")

The refit Constitution-class model was a reuse of the model seen previously.

The D7-class model was a reuse of Worf's model, previously seen in "Peak Performance", whereas the smaller original Constitution-class model originated from the smaller, 1:1600 scaled, 1984 or 1989 issue of the three-piece AMT model kit, No. 6677.

For further information on the Galaxy-class model, see Galaxy-class display models.

D'deridex class model on board of the Decius

In 2367, in an illusion created by Barash, Admiral Picard kept a model of a D'deridex-class vessel in his office aboard the Romulan warbird Decius. (TNG: "Future Imperfect")

The D'deridex model was an unmodified part of a three-piece AMT/Ertl model kit, No. 6858.

In that same illusion, Riker kept a model of a Nebula-class starship and another model of the Apollo 11 lunar lander. (TNG: "Future Imperfect")

The Nebula-class model was labeled with the name and registry of the USS Melbourne and was one of multiple concept models that Ed Miarecki built for "The Best of Both Worlds". The Melbourne, however, was later seen as an Excelsior-class starship. See the USS Melbourne article for more details.

In 2367, Malcorian science minister Mirasta Yale kept a model of the Malcorian warp ship in her office on Malcor III. (TNG: "First Contact")

This was the first production use of the model.

In 2368, Timothy and Data built a model of the Temple of Kural-Hanesh. (TNG: "Hero Worship")

Constitution class model, Wesley's quarters

In 2368, Wesley Crusher kept a metallic model of a Constitution-class vessel in his room on the Starfleet Academy campus in San Francisco. (TNG: "The First Duty")

This was an unmodified ten-inch pewter model released by The Franklin Mint in 1988, model 810, of the Enterprise.

Benjamin Sisko kept a model of the Daedalus-class starship in his office on Deep Space 9. In the same room, he also kept models of a Miranda-class starship and another of a Nebula-class starship and, in later years, a large model of the International Space Station, complete with a docked space shuttle orbiter. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

The Daedalus-class model was of the USS Horizon. This model was especially created for Deep Space Nine by Greg Jein at the request of Michael Okuda, and was a copy cast from the original he made as a reference model for Okuda's 1993 reference book, Star Trek Chronology. For further information on the model, see Daedalus-class model.

The Miranda-class model was of the USS Saratoga and constructed from the modified, newly-released AMT/Ertl model kit, no. 8766. The Nebula-class model, the same one as described above in "Future Imperfect" (though the two small nacelles were soon replaced by a modified sensor pod), was an inaccurate depiction of the Nebula-class version Melbourne, but as mentioned above, the Melbourne was later revealed to be an Excelsior-class starship.

The model of the space shuttle docked with the International Space Station was given to the series as a gift by Majel Barrett-Roddenberry. The art department staff made one minor alteration on the model, changing the name of the shuttle to bear that of the Enterprise (OV-101), even though that orbiter never made it into space in real life. (Star Trek Encyclopedia, 3rd ed., p. 619)

In 2369, Keiko O'Brien's classroom aboard Deep Space 9 featured five starship models, including Miranda-, Galaxy-, Daedalus-, and Nebula-class starships, as well as one other, unidentified vessel. (DS9: "The Nagus")

The four identified models were all reuses of the models seen previously.

In 2370 a model of the early Earth starship, Bonaventure (C1-21) was added to the collection of starship models in Keiko O'Brien's classroom. (DS9: "In the Hands of the Prophets", "Cardassians")

This model was originally created by Greg Jein as a reference model for depiction in Michael Okuda's 1993 reference book, Star Trek Chronology. For further information on the actual model used, see Bonaventure (C1-21) model.

In 2372, Admiral Leyton kept several silver-plated display models in his office at Starfleet Headquarters on the Presidio. Among others were a refit Constitution-class, a refit Excelsior-class, and a Galaxy-class. (DS9: "Paradise Lost")

In 2373, the observation lounge aboard the USS Enterprise-E contained display cases with golden models of all six Federation starships named USS Enterprise. During the Enterprise's trip to the year 2063, some of the models were broken when Captain Picard slammed a phaser rifle into the case. (Star Trek: First Contact) The models were eventually replaced. (Star Trek Nemesis)

Production Illustrator John Eaves constructed many of the golden models for Star Trek: First Contact from commercially available model kits. For further information on the models, see the studio model sections of the Constitution-class, Ambassador-class, Galaxy-class, and Sovereign-class.

The gold USS Enterprise-B model seen in Star Trek: First Contact was cast from the Playmates Toys electronic starship. A garage kit of the USS Enterprise-C was used to create the gold models of it. [2]

Sovereign class display model in Star Trek First Contact

In 2373, Captain Picard kept a model of the USS Enterprise-E in his ready room aboard the ship. (Star Trek: First Contact)

Only the tip of the saucer and a shadow cast on the wall of this model was discernible in First Contact. It was cast from John Eaves' own study model and only used in this movie. For further information, see Sovereign-class model.

Flying saucer model, Far beyond the stars

In 2374, Benjamin Sisko experienced a vision from the Prophets during which he was transported back to Earth in the 1950s. At the offices of Incredible Tales magazine, a model of a flying saucer UFO was seen. (DS9: "Far Beyond the Stars")

In 2375, Miles O'Brien had created an historical scale model of the Alamo compound. (DS9: "The Changing Face of Evil") When his daughter, Molly, was attempting to touch the model, Miles shooed her away and told her that "it's a model, not a toy." Keiko sarcastically added that, if that was the case, "then maybe it belongs in a museum." (DS9: "What You Leave Behind")

Discovered through a stroke of luck, the model of the Alamo was bought off-the-shelf by Set Decorator Laura Richarz for the episode, just in time for filming. The Alamo defenders were actual HO/OO-scale Alamo toy figurines, but the Mexicans were not, as Richarz could not locate any. She therefore utilized the closest approximations, Napoleonic War-era French soldiers. (Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 1, Issue 9, p. 112)

By 2375, the Malon Pelk had built a model of an old Malon ship for the son of his colleague, Fesek, but he also enjoyed playing with it himself. (VOY: "Juggernaut")

This was a reuse of the aforementioned Bonaventure (C1-21) reference model as built by Greg Jein, previously featured in "In the Hands of the Prophets". Green light flooding obscured the original colors of the model.

Maquis raider display model in Teero Anaydis's office

In 2377, the Bajoran Teero Anaydis kept a small model of a Maquis raider in his house. (VOY: "Repression")

This model originated from the smaller, 1:1400 scale, Revell-Monogram three-piece model kit set, No. 3607. (Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 2, Issue 4, p. 112)

In 2377, Tom Paris pxut together a baby crib mobile with models of Voyager, a Klingon Bird-of-Prey, and a D-7 battle cruiser for Miral Paris. (VOY: "Prophecy")

The mobile featured repainted Hallmark Klingon Bird-of-Prey and Voyager Christmas ornaments, combined with an AMT Klingon D7 battle cruiser model.

In 2378, Joe Carey was building a model of the USS Voyager, the ship to which he was assigned, in a bottle up until his death in that year. At the time of his demise, he had almost completed the model and only had one nacelle left to finish. (VOY: "Friendship One")

This was a modified and repainted Christmas ornament released by Hallmark in 1996.

Sovereign class clear display model in Star Trek Nemesis

By 2379, Captain Picard had replaced his original ready room USS Enterprise-E model with a new, transparent one. (Star Trek Nemesis)

This model was a transparent acrylic cast, again taken from the John Eaves study model. Three of them were manufactured and one of them was sold as Lot 7450 ^{Lot 7450 (X)} in the May 2008 It's A Wrap! sale and auction for US$480. For further information, see Sovereign-class model.

Ensigns D'Vana Tendi and Sam Rutherford enjoyed putting together a working kit model of the USS Cerritos in their free time, however, Rutherford etched nonsensical directions into the parts of the model, making completion of the kit very difficult. This was done to intentionally prevent them from completing the model since they enjoyed making it so much together. In 2381, Tendi gifted a kit model of Deep Space Nine to Rutherford, and they both promised never to finish it. (LD: "An Embarrassment Of Dooplers")

25th century

Enterprise-D Galoob micro machine in glass tumbler

In 2401 starship model mementos were sold at Guinan's bar to commemorate Frontier Day, which included a mini-scaled Enterprise-D model. One of them was dropped by a bar patron in the glass tumbler of his beverage while he was surreptitiously observing Jean-Luc Picard and William T. Riker. (PIC: "The Next Generation")

The small model concerned a release from Galoob's 1990s Star Trek Micro Machines line.

Guinan also sold larger scaled models for the same occasion, which were prominently showcased in two display cases on the bar counter, and which included Galaxy-, Miranda-, Intrepid-, and Federation-class models. The Galaxy-class models did not do well in sales, because no one wanted the "fat ones", as per the bartender. Guinan had actually already started to sell gold-plated Enterprise-D models five years earlier. (PIC: "The Next Generation", "No Win Scenario")

Identifiable by their very distinctive model stands, these models originated from Eaglemoss Collections' Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection partwork series, some of them modified such as the gold-plated ones in the left display case on the bar counter. The Federation-class models were modifications of the Collection's original configuration Constitution-class models. A behind-the-scenes bar set picture was posted by Star Trek: Picard show-runner Terry Matalas on his Twitter account, and where the models were more clearly discernible. [3]

All 50+ models were supplied to Picard's art department by Eaglemoss' Collection project manager Ben Robinson, after Matalas had made a request to do so. [4]

In 2450 of an alternate timeline, Jake Sisko kept a model of Deep Space 9 in the living room of his house in Louisiana. (DS9: "The Visitor")

Jake Sisko's model can be identified as a 1994 release of Franklin Mint's "Limited Edition Pewter Starships"-line.

External link

Physical model at Wikipedia