Analyzing the Lost Starship: The Resurfaced Enterprise Model from 1964" 🚀

Embark on an enthralling journey with Jen from Trek World as we unravel the mystery surrounding a long-lost Starship Enterprise model. 🛸
This exquisite piece was initially crafted by Richard Dayton in 1964 before the creation of the larger, 11-foot model we're more familiar with. 🖌
Hidden from sight since the 1970s, this treasure resurfaced in an unexpected eBay auction, sending shockwaves through the Star Trek community. 🌌
Dive into the rich history, scrutinize the photos showcasing the model's intricate details, and join us in the meticulous analysis confirming its authenticity. 🔍
Be prepared to delve into the unknown, explore the alterations this model underwent over time, and witness its evolution through rare photographs from Star Trek's golden era. 📸
Our voyage uncovers not just a model, but a fragment of Star Trek's legacy, rekindling the magic that continues to captivate hearts globally. 🖖🚀
#StarTrekLegacy #LostEnterprise #RichardDatinModel #TrekWorld #StarshipUnveiled #1964Enterprise #StarTrekDiscovery #EnterpriseModel #HistoricFind #StarTrekHistory #EbayTreasure #RoddenberryLegacy #StarTrekAuthenticity #TrekModelMystery #StarTrekCommunity

[@hodges1263]

I hope this is confirmed to be legitimate. I would love for it to be restored by the same team that did the 11 foot Smithsonian restoration, then displayed for the public.

[@SeansModelBuilds]

Get paint samples, like they did when they restored the 11 Footer 7 years ago.

[@robertbeidler3765]

I agree

[@Anth230]

@divinelightshine Nope. Restore. Especially since the guy apparently tried to clean it with pine sol ... 😂....can't you see the attempt at wiping away 44 years of grime?? So all that "DNA" has been disturbed by someone who didn't know what he was doing...

[@jv-lk7bc]

stabilize but otherwise leave as is. It'll be a great companion piece and helpful reference for future 11 foot restorations. (such a bummer this didn't show up while they were beating the bushes for original sources!)

[@michaelhall2709]

@divinelightshineIt’s a value call with no right or wrong answers, but all things considered my judgement would be to restore it to the state it was in when it last sat on Roddenberry’s desk. Water damage from being left in a storage unit has nothing to do with the model’s historical use, so reversing that damage, while intrusive, can be justified under the circumstances. In the end, it would just be a real shame to leave such a valuable artifact looking like a piece of junk, even if restoration throws a Ship of Theseus element into the mix.

[@RailRover65]

Great analysis, thank you! Good to see the 3-foot Enterprise has arrived home safely (more or less) from its "59 year mission".

[@TREK-WORLD]

"59 Year Mission" - I LOVE that! 😀😀👍

[@GeorgeAlexander-bj4fk]

I am overjoyed! I believe this is definitely the lost miniature. The base and the missing hangar door is what makes me believe this is the real thing.

[@Starshipsforever]

You missed another big opportunity to show that the model is the real one and a detail that a forger likely would miss in trying to create a duplicate: @12:19, the saucer underside has a slightly raised, linear imperfection that curves down from the bottom of the triangle marking and around almost to the upper base of the neck. This can be seen in the iconic publicity photo taken in the 1966 of the ship posed against a cloudy sky backdrop, and you can just make out the flaw. An point that was made on the RFP forum was an analysis of the stand's wood base, using the 1976 Gene with the model on his desk, and the wood grain pattern appears to be a match for the one seen in the auction photos. This would be also be incredibly tough to duplicate and would be a dead giveaway once experts can get a first hand look at it.

[@TREK-WORLD]

Yeah. There were a few things that I didn't really spend time on that I could have. But it became a time crunch for me to get the video together. It's been a wild and crazy 48 hours for me. 😀

[@mikedicenso2778]

@@TREK-WORLD You probably should've split this into a multi-part series since there's so much to cover.

[@GeekFilter]

But the wood grain DOESN'T match, similar but not the same. If you look at the plaque in the found model there's an oval, it's on the middle left (the plaque overlaps it a little) and on the original it's lower down and right. Also the base's bezel is rounded not squared off and it's a bit wider. It's possible that they replace the and transferred to plaque, but it's not possible that it's the same one from the photo with Gene. And if I was trying to fake a model I'd totally manufacture the same blemishes. If you noticed it, it's like the forger would too.

[@dwrdwlsn5]

@@GeekFilter By that argument, if the FRAME that the Mona Lisa is in is not the same as Da Vinci put it in, then the PAINTING has to be fake. It is not like a piece of even laminated wood will deteriorate and maybe be replaced in the years since the... Oh... wait... CAN it be a fake? In today's world of high tech shenanigans, sure it could be. Is it? We will see.

[@paullubliner6221]

It was a crack in the turned pine saucer induced by R. C.Datin himself during the conversion to the later version.

[@adamkorin5863]

How wonderful. I have renewed hope that the original Space Station K-7 model may one day show up also.

[@scottlyttle5586]

I believe the original K-7 space station model was never lost.

[@mikedicenso2778]

The Burton Holmes angle takes this whole thing to another level of conspiracy theory. This hints that someone knew they were holding something that could land them in a lot of hot water, but they didn't want to toss the model out, so they kept it hidden in a roundabout way so that tracing the model's theft back to them wouldn't be so easy. The person or persons then for whatever reason didn't get back to the model or they had it, then when the heat got turned up after a number of years, they called in a favor to take it off their hands for while.

[@TREK-WORLD]

That's a very plausible explanation. I love a challenge! Hopefully we'll be able to figure it out. But right now, if I owned a store company in CA, I would be checking to see if I had any units registered to him. Lord knows what could be inside.

[@mikedicenso2778]

@@TREK-WORLD Apparently this wasn't owned by him, but it was a company that continued to use the name many years after his death and the death of his partners.

[@nowhereman1046]

@@TREK-WORLD I bet it changed hands quite a few times and there would be a real kerfluffle if some of those names got out.

[@doc_sav]

@@TREK-WORLD In many states, including CA, it is illegal for storage unit owners to tamper with units that have gone into non-payment at all. They have to be locked until the auction, presumably to prevent owners from abusing technicalities to seize their clients valuables. I am sure this is not always fastidiously observed though, and the owners could always plant a friend as a bidder in the auction and then get the property later under the table, as long as it wasn't too high profile.

[@TREK-WORLD]

Agreed!

[@subliteral]

I always harbored some hope that this model would eventually resurface , and it seems substantially certain that this is it! I'm on the side of a deep cleaning but perhaps only a limited amount of restoration work - maybe fixing the previous poor repair work and trueing up misaligned & sagging portions of the model. This really is an important event in Trek history and I'm looking forward to what's next!

[@trekkiejunk]

Toooootally. Just a cleaning and repairing. I don't think it should be restored with new paint, decals and missing parts. Let it be of its time.

[@thomasackerman5399]

An update. Rod Roddenberry is in discussions to get the model back after verifying its authenticity. He released the following statement to Trek Movie just 2 days ago: "Along with much of the Star Trek community, I was excited and pleased to learn that the original 3-foot filming model of the Starship Enterprise appears to have been discovered after being missing for decades (pending full authentication). I can confirm that I am now, through an intermediary, in contact with the individual who possesses the model.”

[@thomasackerman5399]

Here is the full statement from Rod Roddenberry: “Along with much of the Star Trek community, I was excited and pleased to learn that the original 3-foot filming model of the Starship Enterprise appears to have been discovered after being missing for decades (pending full authentication). I can confirm that I am now, through an intermediary, in contact with the individual who possesses the model. This prototype played a key role in the visualizing design of the famous television starship during Star Trek’s early development in 1964. Once the show went into production, the model was actually filmed in numerous visual effects shots seen throughout the life of the original Star Trek series, along with a larger, 12-foot model that is currently displayed at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. I am convinced that this prototype model holds immense significance for Star Trek and its 58-year history. From its creation in the mid-60s until about 1977, the model was in the possession of my father, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. Unfortunately, it went missing after being loaned out during the production of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Beyond its physical value, the greater significance is this prototype Enterprise model really represents the underpinning ideas my father imbued into the series. That we are clever, resilient and can learn from our mistakes. We can and will move beyond archaic belief systems. And once we truly embrace the infinite diversity all around us, both in form and idea, we will then take those next step into a prosperous and unlimited future. Guided by this principle, one of my primary goals over the past decade has been to locate, recover, and digitally archive significant Star Trek materials and artifacts through the Roddenberry Archive project. The intention would be to scan it in the finest detail for the Roddenberry Archives and after rigorous scrutiny make it available to the public. Furthermore, I firmly believe that a piece of such importance should not be confined to any private collection. This iconic artifact should be enshrined along side the 12-foot shooting model at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, where it can serve to help tell the story of television history, the history of space exploration and ultimately, a beacon of hope for the future.”

[@DeadeyeJim327]

You might also examine the wood grain from the baseplate. No two pieces are identical, so it could make for an excellent fingerprint to match between photos.

[@nowhereman1046]

It's already been done on the RFP forum and the wood grain appears to be a close match.

[@ChrisCooling]

Rod did not have the auction taken down; after Bill Krause said that, Rod was asking on socials how to be put in touch with the seller. The seller now says that "its out my hands and with a proper team" whatever that means.

[@paulm.newitt3246]

I have the exact hull color match for this prop, that I matched from overspray on the blueprints (backside) that Richard Datin showed me many years ago. I'm happy to share that it it's to be restored. I just remembered...that there was a modification that Jefferies asked Richard did that might help with checking authenticity. I also think it should be left unrestored (but cleaned).

[@TREK-WORLD]

And it turns out that the nameplate was on it in the Roddenberry desk photo. I think it should be left as is as well. Just like the left the 18" AMT that Matt auctioned off.

[@dalethelander3781]

​@@TREK-WORLDWhat, it doesn't deserve a Smithsonian-level restoration?

[@doc_sav]

Restoration is really not what you'd want to do with such an iconic piece of film history if you could avoid it. Some people don't think the Smithsonian restoration is exactly perfect either.

[@dalethelander3781]

@doc_sav Both the 1991 and the recent restorations had to be done. The 11' model was falling apart. In 91, Ed Miarecki stripped the paint completely off (except for the top of the saucer, the Smithsonian declared the saucer top off limits), reinforced the engine pylons, filled splits in the wood with 2-part automotive Bondo (wouldn't have been MY choice, but, hey, no MY yob, meng), and repainted. Ed had a decal sheet made up for the markings and pennants. What riled fans was that Ed over-exaggerated the panels with a heavy-handed airbrush job. The most recent restoration corrected Ed's work.

[@doc_sav]

​@@dalethelander3781That is really interesting, thanks for taking the time to break that down.

[@Radioman-pv5np]

Something that I didn't see in the video is a comparison of the wood grain on the base. The clear shot of the model on Rodenberry's desk shows a very clear look at the grain. If there is a similar angle of the auction, you could look at that as well. Not a smoking gun necessarily, but another piece to the puzzle.

[@Cyber.Lynx.]

At least one of the two shots of Mr.Nimoy holding the model was used on the album cover of "Leonard Nimoys Presents Mr. Spock's Music From Outer Space". My brother had a copy of that one, signed by Mr. Nimoy. We were very fortunate to encounter him during a telethon for handicapped children at WPSD in Paducah, Ky. My father was quite impressed by him, saying that he was one of the few celebrities who asked intelligent questions about the children being supported by the telethon. May they both rest in peace.

[@allendean9807]

It’s funny; i thought it was common knowledge the 3-foot model had been lost during the phase2/motion picture era. Sometimes i forget, not everyone is a Star Trek fan! Great video- i hope it’s the real deal and Rod can restore it to its original glory

[@PBryanMcMillin]

I think the most definite way to confirm if it is real, or not, would be to find a clear picture of the base and see if the wood grain matches. It would take a lot of work, but a convincing copy of the model could be made, but wood grain is like a fingerprint. No two pieces of wood have the same, identical grain.

[@willmfrank]

Unfortunately, that would prove only that the base was or was not authentic; it would have no bearing on the authenticity of the miniature

[@genusg]

I know the base could be changed but if the Roddenberry estate has enough clear pictures the wood grain pattern could identify it. You can age a model but you cannot change the grain pattern in wood.

[@tribecca710]

Agreed, even in the photograph on on his desk shows enough woodgrain to identify that base

[@RichardEKranz]

Thanks for letting us all know about this important event.

[@-mattwood]

Congratulations, nerds! I loved the original series growing up as a kid in the 70s and 80s. This is a classic piece of television history - hopefully it can be brought back to it's original state and displayed for the public to appreciate.

[@enterprisedavidcain]

This need to be next to the 11 foot model in the Smithsonian

[@cbspock1701]

Agree and it needs to be restored

[@GeorgeAlexander-bj4fk]

I doubt that Rod Roddenberry’s going to donate it to the Smithsonian.

[@enterprisedavidcain]

@@GeorgeAlexander-bj4fk I hope he will, it’s the first physical model of the enterprise and it’s so historic

[@jonathankirsch2121]

I think it should go to a museum on the west coast. Putting both models together seems like hoarding, give fans the chance to see them separately if one location is more convenient than the other

[@s2turbine]

Wasn't there a big stink because they once asked the Smithsonian if they could have it back to study it for a new project and the Smithsonian told them to buzz off? Wherever they put it, I hope Rod has learned the lesson to keep ownership of it and only lend it. But, I can see why he wouldn't lend it at all, because that's how we ended up here in the first place!

[@davidjames1389]

So incredibly cool that this was found, and that Rod claimed it before it vanished into the ether again. And love getting to see it up close like this, even in it's rather decrepit state.

[@SeansModelBuilds]

Will it be Restored to its' Original Appearance like the 11 Footer was? Is there room to display it in the same case at the Air and Space Museum?

[@76TomD]

Rod has not claimed it per his requests for help in contacting the seller whom states he no longer has it

[@wz2001]

There is also a mild bump like disturbance that you can see on the underside of the main saucer section, as well as on a TV series shot of it that match. For me that guarantees that this is indeed thee 3 foot model.

[@Nowhereman10]

It was not in a TV screencap, it was in a publicity photo from 1966. Either way, that flaw has been on the model for decades and is a very unique signature of the model that helps identify it from forgeries.

[@wz2001]

@@Nowhereman10 I always thought that was a shot from "Tomorrow is Yesterday".

[@Nowhereman10]

@@wz2001 Nope. The difference is that for the publicity shot (it's actually part of a series of the model suspended against a sky backdrop from different angles) the 3 footer is against an actual physical backdrop on wires, whereas in the episode, the model is suspended, and then superimposed on the separately filmed sky element .

[@Twistedmetal-qe8kx]

Awesome, great video.

[@michaelparks6120]

I love your vids and analysis of such niche topics...I get all excited about these things and my girlfriend calls me a nerd and my guy friends just feign interest, so your channel is much appreciated!😊

[@TREK-WORLD]

Thank you for the kind words. 😀😀😀

[@RetiredUSNChief]

For those who object to its restoration...honestly, get over it! Restoration of something like this would definitely not harm the value, either economically or culturally. About all you can say it would negatively impact would be the misguided feelings of some fans. Restoration is about repair and preservation, as close as possible to original state and materials. This is essential to the longevity of such an iconic item as this, and without it all you're doing is letting it lie in endless disrepair and a more vulnerable state. A well performed and documented restoration simple becomes a party of the glorious history of something like this.

[@wz2001]

It's not like polishing an old coin. It won't lose its value if restored.

[@PatJones82]

Very well done sir! An excellent video!

[@TREK-WORLD]

Thank you for the kind words! 😀

[@timrose9826]

I’ve always wondered about that model… thank you

[@pilkpulk8284]

You can clearly see from the grain of the base plate ( its like a fingerprint) that it is the model from the desk photo. no doubt.

[@AvengerII]

I think this is legit, too. The photo of Gene's desk with the model on it from 1976(?) shows some damage. It looks like the front intercooler on the inner, forward side of the port nacelle had already snapped off. You can see the intercooler on the inner, forward starboard is still there in the photo (ie, the nacelle closest to Gene). There might have been more damage to the outer cooler on the top side of the starboard nacelle. It looks half-missing, half-snapped off to me unless the camera lens distorted the image. Those nacelles are weird ducks. Even when they're properly aligned, half the time they look out of of alignment depending on the angle. I wouldn't be surprised if there was more damage to the model than was obvious here. I still think the Roddenberry home would have been a better home for this than wherever the model has been been for the last 44+ years. It's going to need serious restoration/reinforcement to keep it from collapsing. We only see the surface damage now. It might have been X-rayed to see how badly the wood's deteriorated. Fingers crossed that the worst damage is to a fixable paint job but already has misalignment with the nacelle struts and main dorsal pylon.

[@iro6758]

If this thing was a fake, I'm pretty sure that whoever did it could make waaaaayyyy more than 1 grand building models. This is fantastic 🤯

[@xlerb2286]

That's my thought. Despite how much value we place on it as an important artifact from Star Trek the book value of it isn't that great. And the research necessary to create such a convincing fake would reveal it is considered stolen and couldn't be sold on an open marketplace like eBay. Plus as you say the amount of skill that it would take to craft a replica could be used to make way more money faking artifacts that could be sold on an open market. I know there are Trek fans that would empty out their bank accounts for that (me included). But that's small potatoes in the world of forgeries.

[@DougCurtis_plus]

I've just seen lots of post by Doug Drexlet and Eugene Roddenberry, that the models authenticity was confirmed and that Eugene is in possession of it now!

[@Forcemaster2000]

The statute of limitations for burglary in California is 3 years. Wouldn't matter after that.

[@neilkurzman4907]

The statue, a limitation’s covers being charged with a crime by the government. It doesn’t mean what you stole is legally yours now. They are still recovering stolen paintings and artwork from World War II.

[@weschilton]

Holy cow this is amazing!

[@JMChladek]

Two things to add. First is there is at least one image of the 33" when it was used in a View master reel of the episode "The Omega Glory" alongside an 18" AMT model. Secondly, in Gary Kerr's analysis he also matched portions of the wood grain pattern in the stand between the Roddenberry office photos and the auction ones.

[@sheetpostmodernist398]

That was one of my thoughts as well. If there are good photos of the base itself, matching up the grain of the wood should give something on the same level as a fingerprint for ID purposes.

[@nowhereman1046]

@@sheetpostmodernist398 It's been done on the RFP forum and the match is very close.

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Great job ❤

[@paulveltum7968]

Glad to hear. Thank you!

[@michaelhall2709]

I remember when THE VOYAGE HOME was being released and the visual effects team at ILM gifted Roddenberry a beautiful photo of the Enterprise-A, partly as recompense for losing this model. Man, how the worm has turned, and who would’ve believed it?

[@mpshields]

That's it! 🖖

[@infowarriorone]

Nice analysis, looks legit.

[@unitruth]

Fascinating, looks like Gary Kerr is going to be busy again.... maybe. He only lives like 2 hours away from me. I wish I could meet him.

[@aw3752]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@TREK-WORLD]

You are so welcome!

[@cwpinti]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video. Great run through of the find, the original and the verification process. Hoping its real and its back to Rod Rodenberry and family.

[@TREK-WORLD]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and found it informative.

[@montylc2001]

Fascinating.

[@choppergirl]

Quite possible, I bought Jensen's forerunner flying model to the NCC-1701 on fleabay for 38 bucks... a super rare kit Volmer Jensen VJ-24w.... the lister had no clue what it was. Neither did I, until I scanned thousands of tail photographs to identify it online before I bid. G00G73 Chopergirl's Dorothy VJ-24w. How's that for scoring some Star Trek memorabilia 17 feet long, 10 feet tall, and 38 feet wide. Nobody's done that since they fond the Star Trek Shuttle Craft derelict and forgotten in some back lot yard.

[@anaetachandler8699]

Given the two links on Burton I would say it was a batch of storge units rented in most likely many locations and maintained post death until lost and refound via auction by his family etc. most awesome news. Definitely agree with that photos say this is the long lost model 🎉🎉😊 agree with one commenter if this it having the Smithsonian team restore it like they did the 11 foot which is absolutely beautiful

[@peterharoldjanakjr2078]

@TREK-WORLD Take the b/w of the model on Rodenberry's desk with him to the side. Look at the wood grain. Compare the grain to the ebay photos.

[@vengeance1701]

Given Holmes' importance to Paramount, it could be a generic name used for things associated with them.

[@TREK-WORLD]

Good point! Kind of like "Allen Smithee". It's still too early to verify the facts just yet - but I'm curious to see what becomes known.

[@manuelkong10]

the name on the storage shed is the most interesting part of the story

[@KOSMOS1701A]

i would LOVE to hear what happened during the time between its theft and recovery. like how long was it kept in storage, did it exchange hands, was it shown off at some point?

[@deadlyradiation7977]

History in the Making 🥰

[@davidvega1212]

Good work! Wonder if the plan is to keep it as is or restore it.

[@trekkiejunk]

Nimoy wore gold/green in WNMHGB. The shirt he is wearing holding the model, with the large, black collar is most certainly the one from The Corbomite Maneuver, the first official episode of the series, after the pilots. We don't know whether it was before or after the filming of the episode, but it has to be around that time. I would guess just prior, as they probably took publicity shots in the new uniforms.

[@TREK-WORLD]

Good catch!

[@respectbossmon]

As someone who, as a kid, watched Star Trek in the late 60's, I'm enough of a nerd to wish this discovery to be authentic. If it is, restoration would be essential. Who will setup the crowdfund to pay for it? I'd think there'd be many out there who'd gladly add their few bits to the effort.

[@genehunsinger3981]

I'll bet every-1 is LAWYERED UP.The guy just hit GOLD.

[@TREK-WORLD]

The very first thing the seller needs to do is contact a lawyer. This is way to valuable and high profile for him to take any legal or financial risks. It's like finding a winning lottery ticket.

[@TK-ff5kc]

Wow, that's crazy.

[@aaronbice2167]

I never thought this would happen in my lifetime what a trill.

[@stevenstocker9873]

I feel sorry for the sellers which now is going out of pocket because they have received an items, unknown to them to be stolen. Definitely for an item missing for nearly four generations...

[@STho205]

He bought an abandoned storage locker. I don't know what else was in there. He started the auction at $1000 so he didn't expect much considering...maybe $3k. There is a statute of limitations on theft and merch. Special exceptions are made for stolen Jewish art, native items and items of historic cultural treasure like ancient egyptian or greek pottery. I really doubt this would fit those definitions, though to you it might. The estate if they get it back will probably offer the person a finders fee for cooperating.

[@vidiotgod]

Music loop was annoying for sure but thee video overall is quite convincing, Thanks for posting.

[@jasonericson]

Was there another similar size model used for shooting? I was at a digital effects company in the late '90s that was working on a Trek series (Voyager maybe?) and they had a small model of the Enterprise that was in a wooden crate that they were using as a reference for digital effects. I had sat down on the crate while my friend was talking to one of the employees there and the employee had me move and lifted the lid of the crate to show us the model. I was mortified that I was sitting on what he said was one of the original models used to shoot the original series, that's why I remember it so well.

[@TREK-WORLD]

Interesting. It was long believed that it was someone in one for the effects companies actually had the model for years. You may have actually seen the model before it ended up in a storage locker for decades. And to answer your question, there were never any other studio models made of the Enterprise during the original series. Just the 3ft and the 11ft.

[@TREK-WORLD]

I'm curious though.... you saw a smaller TOS model? Or was it the Refit model? There was an 18" Refit reference model made at the time of TMP.

[@jasonericson]

It was a smaller TOS model. I remember because I commented about the rough quality of the ship and was told that a lot of detail wouldn't have been captured by cameras in the 60s. @@TREK-WORLD

[@chrisddawson]

Wow!

[@necromancer6897]

That is cool

[@SolitaryWolf]

Suggestion. Take a good look at the wood grain on the plaque to see if it matches any of the photos that are available. There are distinct patterns that will determine if this is real or fake. But the information you provided sure makes for a good case.

[@mrgcav]

Thank you.

[@trekker683]

I never thought it would ever be found. I figured it was in some rich guys' private gallery or had been destroyed by accident, and Paramount was too afraid to tell Gene.

[@TREK-WORLD]

Yeah... I was convinced that it was in a private collection. No matter how we found it; there's still a ton of drama surrounding how it disappeared. I hope we can begin to reconstruct the entire story.

[@BuShips]

I don’t know where you got the Kirk/Shatner b&w photo but there are color versions on the web. It, like the Spock one, would have been in color to promote the show.

[@TREK-WORLD]

I actually have way more publicity photos of the model then I could use on one page. However,, I chose the B&W because of the high contrast priding a more detailed view.

[@leerilea1709]

It would be great to find the Constellation

[@GeorgeAlexander-bj4fk]

The AMT model that was used in the Tribbles episode, which orbited the K7 station is now in a museum owned by Microsoft cofounder, Paul Allen.

[@dthorne4602]

I believe it was thrown in a dumpster

[@dalethelander3781]

​@@GeorgeAlexander-bj4fkThe Constellation, Commodore Matt Decker's ship, NCC-1017 from "The Doomsday Machine." An 18-inch AMT kit with battle damage applied with a welding torch.

[@nowhereman1046]

@@dalethelander3781 Not a torch. If you look at the detailing, there's actual wires and other bits and bobs in the damaged sections, which shows that like with the K-7 Enterprise, it was more heavily detailed and worked up than it had a right to be given the relatively low resolution of TV screens back then.

[@dalethelander3781]

@@nowhereman1046 I was talking about the black scorching. It was done with a torch, not paint applied with an airbrush.

[@greenhilldesign]

veery interesting

[@Bargle5]

There is now a Smithsonian magazine article confirming it is the real deal. Do a search for Smithsonian Original ‘Star Trek’ Enterprise Model Resurfaces and it will pop right up.

[@douggraham5082]

Wow very interesting! Amazing if this is the real McCoy!

[@dalethelander3781]

I see what you did there.

[@wteg4356]

The ship still has some good "bones".

[@DsWildfire]

Hope it's real and gets where it belongs. Word on note to you can't see photos in the bottom left when your pip is over them.

[@TREK-WORLD]

😀😀 oops!

[@Pledgeman]

Thanks for the info. If true I hope it makes it back to the rightful estate of the owner!

[@spencerificus]

I wonder where the small Enterprise models on a chain, one in a plastic mold from the “Catspaw” episode are? I would love to see the Constellation with the damage found.

[@mikedicenso2778]

The 2 "Catspaw" miniatures were made of metal and one was encased in Lucite. The other one was the one seen suspended on a chain above the candle flame. Afterwords, the one on the chain was painted grey, and then used as the USS Enterprise in "The Doomsday Machine" for when the ship is shown being drawn inside the planet killer. Later, after the show was cancelled, they sat in storage, then the unencased one was lost, while the Lucite-encased one was donated to the Smithsonian Institution along with the 11 foot model, one of the D7 models, and a couple other items. The AMT model used for the Constellation was thrown out, and another AMT model was used for "The Trouble with Tribbles" as the little Enterprise used to depict the starship orbiting Space Station K-7.

[@Nowhereman10]

@@mikedicenso2778 The K-7 Enterprise AMT model was kept in Matt Jefferies' care and then his brothers until it was auctioned off in the early 2000s. It's on display in the Museum of Science Fiction in Seattle.

[@leerilea1709]

​@@Nowhereman10we are not talking about that model, we are talking about the AMT model that was made into the Constellation

[@Nowhereman10]

@@leerilea1709 But Mike mentioned the Trouble With Tribbles 18" AMT model and I was following up on its fate.

[@spencerificus]

@@mikedicenso2778Thanks for the explanation. I always wondered where they all went.

[@joe9739]

Im pretty sure im a generation...2, maybe 3 fan. I watched ToS movies/TNG with my family as a little kid, but i never got hooked until 2006 when 'Star Trek 2.0' came on G4TV. About 6 months before the 40th anniversary 🖖

[@TREK-WORLD]

Hi! One of the things I love reading the most on the channel are the stories that viewers share about watching Trek with their family. The reason I like those so much is because in those settings discussion naturally occurs. Which then fires off imagination. Some of my favorite Trek memories were watching TNG with my Mom and talking to her about that week's episode. She never really "got" Star Trek TOS. So my early fan years were solitary. But seeing her so animated for episodes like "Inner Light" are some of my core memories of her now that she has passed.

[@TREK-WORLD]

And I hit Enter too soon! 😀 Anyhow, welcome to the channel community. If there's anything you want to discuss just drop me a line at [e-mail]. Or try to catch one of the Friday livestreams. Our core group of fans feel like family to us.

[@joe9739]

@@TREK-WORLD Thanks man, lol I'm kinda stuck as a Trek fan my family were super casual viewers, and my friends watched Trek 2.0 for laughs, so when I set out and rented the first two movies for us to watch they were like 'ooohhhhhh......' As we say on Earth, C'est La Vie

[@jeffsaxton2051]

Just a note, it was Richard Datin, not Dayton who built it. Datin was a train guy and professional model builder in Hollywood.

[@TREK-WORLD]

Correct! I’m assuming that you must be referring to the automated CC that KZbin does. It always spells things phonetically based on the vowel sounds. And the only time Darin’s name was on screen was the auction and the business card; which both had the proper spelling. In 1979, he switched careers and moved from LA to Carson City and devoted the remainder of his life to trains.

[@jeffsaxton2051]

Ah, didn't know the text was automated entries. I have a few railroad history books that feature Datin's sketches of historical scenes along the Carson & Colorado Railroad.

[@TREK-WORLD]

It's actually a kind of parallel story to what happened with Wah Chang. They both were not officially recognized for years, and both of them left practical effects to turn to their passion in the later years of their lives. Datin with trains and Chang with culture.

[@DavidStahlOLDHAPPyMACs]

As a model maker the finger prints are all over it. without looking at the model in person I would bet this is the real deal

[@maxsmodels]

looks legit.

[@jimhines5145]

To me it looks like the wood base is bevelled on Gene's desk, but in the auction photos, they are squared right angles.

[@wz2001]

That's just the camera angle. The wood grain matches.

[@AvengerII]

It's ironic that they might use parts from a Polar Lights 1/350 scale Enterprise kit to repair the 33.5" wooden Enterprise model! As Capt Robert April remarked, since the scale IS the same, they could use the commercial kit to repair the recovered wooden model! The decals would fit and they could probably replace the broken-off, lost intercoolers with parts from a PL kit, too. Still, it's going to have to be examined, taken apart (AGAIN!), reinforced and glued. It's obvious at least one half-assed job was done in the past to fix the model after it was damaged... There's speculation the people who damaged and stole this model in the first place were employees working for Robert Abel(msp?) Associates on the original Star Trek motion picture. It's sad it wasn't treated better but I think it can be restored still. They'll be able to reuse most of what's left from appearances in the photos. The ball is in Rod Roddenberry's court on what they'll do with this next. A full-restoration, or stabilize the present condition.

[@diggingattycho7908]

They can't, none of the parts would match up.

[@Anth230]

The ball is still in the storage container guys court. There is zero communication going on. I bet this thing lands in a private collection.

[@TREK-WORLD]

Actually, the Polar Lights kit are not the way to go. Rather than decals, they could airbrush on the markings. And trying to glue plastic parts onto the model would be a nightmare as it would no longer be 100% authentic. A professional woodworker could work miracles on the model without needing to use any of the plastic kits.

[@garyjohnjacquard]

The grain pattern on the base will tell the tale

[@Strato13]

Was made of wood? Fascinating..

[@GeekFilter]

As of about 10 days ago the owner still had't responded to Rods emails and Rod wasn't the one to take down the listing. There's some worry that he'll now go to an auction house or something like that. So some of that info is accurate and some is the result of the internet equivalent of the game of telephone! My red flag is look at the woodgrain base and then compare it to the original w/Gene. They don't match. And the bezel around the edge is rounded to whereas this is square. It's possible that they replaced the base at some point, but that at least gives me pause. You could fake the model but you can't fake that exact natural wood grain.

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

16:15 I don't knw the picture on the right the gooseneck looks like it has three screws holding it to the base. This really doesn't mean much but there is no plaque in the black and white.

[@mikedicenso2778]

Yes, the plaque is there in the 1976 photo as well as other photos taken of it while Roddenberry had it. The stand itself existed as far back as 1966, so the plaque may also have been on it as well, especially as the model was used in numerous publicity shoots and tours, including an early sci-fi convention.

[@boblum3360]

A stolen item is still a stolen item. It should be returned to the estate of GR. My hope is that it is put in the Smithsonian in the same case as the 11 foot studio model. It is also my hope that it is not restored. Just place it on a stand that will prevent further sagging and call it a day.

[@TREK-WORLD]

Nonetheless, "Stolen" is the word used by Majel many times.

[@boblum3360]

@@TREK-WORLD I as a 1970s Trekkie and long time builder of models recognized the ebay listing as the long "stolen" 33" model. I did not bid on it for two reasons, both reasons had no positive outcome for me. 1) Purchase a stolen item and wait for the police to show up at my door since eBay would have the ship to address or 2) buy a fake. Both i would be spending money on nothing. The fact that the model was sitting in a storage locker and not proudly displayed in someone's home indicates the dubious possessional ownership. I hope the model goes back to the estate and it is donated to a museum so that I can someday go see it.

[@TabbyTimeOut]

@@TREK-WORLD Was it reported stolen?

[@TREK-WORLD]

I've never seen any indication that he did. And I've always kind of wondered if the letter that Gene wrote Paramount was done to provide paperwork to an insurance company for a claim. But, in any case, we'll never know. I've seen many fans who are 100% certain there was no police report. But what they're really saying that they are 100% certain that something doesn't exist. Which is a neat trick!

[@theOnly_Gatsby]

nice

[@guyjackson132]

- Dick Datin's business card with his Klump Avenue address (he moved to Malibu in the later years of his life) is taped to the bottom of the stand. That sealed the deal for me. - The GR/Katzenberg letter will be very important with respect to actual "clear title". That's important to donation to the Smithsonian NASM (See Chapter 22 of Datin's daughter's book). - At least 3 things can happen to the miniature. 1. Preserve as is. This can prevent damage by any repairs. 2. Preserve MOSTLY as is but do minimal repairs to stabilize from further deteriorization. 3. Do complete repairs. Unfortunately...documentation is sketchy. Reference photos are non-existent. Datin took either 1 or 2 photos while it was at Howard Andersons but unknown if his daughter still has it/them. No known other reference photos are around from Paramount (Desilu), Howard Andersons, etc. Only the film episodes, publicity photos and the few "Behind-The-Scenes" photos shown here with GR/Datin, GR/Hunter and GR behind his desk. Datin's daughter DOES have 1 set of Matt Jefferies blueprints with hand written notes (Jefferies and Datin). - Should title go LEGALLY to Rod...then there'll be the matters of storage/stabilization/repair. Who knows...there may be a future Kickstarter/GoFundMe for that. There's precedent...the Smithsonian NASM set up a Kickstarter for the conservation/repair of Neil Amstrong's Apollo moon suit and Alan Shepard's Mercury suit...

[@Hedgehobbit]

I hope the dude that found it made more than $1,000. Just think of how disappointing it would be to luck upon a relic like this and not get paid.

[@TREK-WORLD]

So true. It will be interesting to see how this all played out once the dust settles. But that may still be a while.

[@jcortese3300]

I very much hope this is legit and that it winds up next to its big sister in the Smithsonian. I absolutely love the promo photos with it!

[@dalebachman2892]

It so cool that the 33” model has (hopefully) been recovered. It’s sad to see the effects of age and poor storage have had on the model. On the other hand, the model in its present condition clearly shows that model was was made from wood. Growing up in the age of plastic models ( I.E. AMT) , I had alway found it difficult to believe the original models were made from wood. But… There is, The proof is in the photos! Btw, Would it be better to restore the model or preserve it in it’s current condition?

[@TREK-WORLD]

That's a good question. I would recommend they do nothing to the model at all without consulting the Smithsonian for guidance.

[@dalebachman2892]

@@TREK-WORLD agreed!

[@ideamiles2318]

​@@TREK-WORLD When the Smithsonian got the 11-foot model, the curator or whoever in charge of the Star Trek exhibit only wanted to clean the model, not restore it. However, Mike Okuda and the other experts brought in to advise (possibly including Drexler? I can't remember, but there's a good video/interview out there with the curator woman and one of the Mythbusters), those experts convinced the Smithsonian to allow them to restore it--mainly because the lights and nacelle spinners are so cool. If Okuda is involved again, I assume this model will also be restored.

[@dalethelander3781]

​@@ideamiles2318Uh...the Smithsonian wanted to get rid of the heavy-handed paneling and weathering job from Ed Miarecki's 1991 restoration.

[@nowhereman1046]

@@dalethelander3781 Where Miarecki is concerned, the word restoration needs to be in heavy quotes. He literally could've gone to both Matt Jefferies and Richard Datin, among others, they were still alive, and asked for help. But noooo....

[@earth2006]

The biggest questions are. One. If real and returned, is it restored ?. Two. What happens next.?

[@nicholaschristakos2394]

If it were a forgery, there would be no wood base or business card. It would just be the ship.

[@thurin84]

sleuths should find period pics of the base and compare the woodgrain visible to the auction pics. everything else could be replicated by a knowledgeable modeler. but the woodgrain is absolutely unique and, while, with a great amount of work, could be replicated visually, would not be convincing when examined closely in hand.

[@KeesKouwenberg]

Now that is like finding the holy grail! Another thing, as clearly seen, the model doesn't have grooves on the saucer. Why do ALL models of the NCC 1701 from TOS we can buy, and I mean ALL (I think :)) have grooves on the saucer. When I watch TOS, I don't see grooves, and now on the original model, I don't see grooves? Anyone knows why the grooves?

[@TREK-WORLD]

The lines weren’t there when the models were originally created. Gene had the lines added to the top of the saucer on the 11 foot model during the run of the series. Mat Jefferies didn’t agree about them, so Gene had them drawn on (in pencil) by someone else. Matt said they would never be seen on the low resolution TV sets at the time; which is correct. He didn’t agree with weathering or any panel lines on the surface of the ship. But the decisions were Gene’s and not his.

[@KeesKouwenberg]

@@TREK-WORLD Thank you, mystery solved :) I like the smooth and unweathered surface better too btw :)

[@3ccdmike]

That wood grain on the stand bace.

[@leerilea1709]

Definitely the real thing. Too bad it wasn't better cared for.

[@colhero]

Im fairly convinced this is the original. Aside from the comparison points already mentioned, one of the big giveaways is the shape of the Primary Hull. Both the original and the Ebay model have a more bulbous shape to the top and bottom halves of the Primary Hull. So this would not be a modified version of the Polar Lights model - unless someone went to GREAT LENGTHS to shape it this way. And if it was a fake, why not straighten the nacelles a bit?

[@TREK-WORLD]

Good catch! I was aware of this, but just didn't think to mention it in the video. The saucer was "flatter" because Datin did the model on his workshop lathe, which resulted the flattened bottom of the saucer.

[@76TomD]

Seller apparently stated it is no longer in his hands but with a team. Rod still has been asking for help contacting the seller

[@Anth230]

Yeah. In the hands of lawyers i bet..😂...if he didnt know the worth before he certainly knows now. Especially after being emailed by dozens of fans... I have a strong feeling this thing will eventually fall into a private collectors hands.

[@76TomD]

@@Anth230 considering it's stolen from Roddenberry, he may run into trouble

[@Anth230]

@@76TomD Pretty sure that is not gonna stick. Unless it was reported stolen. There is that letter from Roddenberry. But that can play out in a lot of ways.

[@76TomD]

@@Anth230 it's been documented for nearly 45 years as having been stolen.

[@Anth230]

@@76TomD a lawyer is gonna ask....documented by who, was there a police report etc. etc. I'm not saying this guy is gonna keep and sell it for sure. But I'm pretty sure he's talking to lawyers and has it in a secure location. Fans emailing him just made the situation worse I'm sure. I doubt he has seriously contacted anyone who wants the model back. The guy is a storage unit buyer. It's how he makes his cash. He's just not gonna give it up without a fight ....

[@earth2006]

To be honest, this is what I thought was going to happen, I thought it would of been in a box in the back of an attic somewhere.

[@mikedicenso2778]

I'd hoped it was in a shipping crate with supports and all for the saucer and nacelle pylons, but instead it looks like it was delivered by Gene (through Jon Povill) to Robert Able and Associates as-is without a shipping crate and craddle of any kind.

[@johnwarren2420]

No matter what is reported if I was the man who found it in a storage unit, I would want to check with the LAPD or whatever police department when the model was reported stolen and make sure a police report was made that the 3ft Enterprise was stolen. If no police report was made that man who found it in a storage locker is the owner he is going to need a lawyer but he is going to make a nice profit from the locker lol

[@clarkharvell5242]

So wonderful that it has been found!!!!

[@CIS101]

Been a Star Trek fan since childhood, but currently not an avid fan. Before today I knew that there was the small, and large studio models, and I saw the large one at the Smithsonian the first year it was displayed. So this video is all news to me. If it was stolen well that was a really mean thing to do to Gene Roddenberry. I don't quite understand any suggestion of a hoax, but as of 14:20 it sure seems like the real thing to me.

[@diggingattycho7908]

I'll say it, that's the same model. Just with the evidence presented here. There way to many things in the photos, that would be overlooked by someone making a quick buck. The only they could be replicated is with access to the original miniature. With finding that miniature, that wraps it up for the mysteries of Trek. Kind of sad really. Honestly I knew it was out there, there was enough stories of what happened to it. To leave questions but nothing definitive. People are forgetting, the models in STTOS were not Gene's property.