How AMT Saved Star Trek

[@scaleicons]

A quick edit: thanks to all of you who pointed out that I used the wrong clip to illustrate the TOS Original Set Tour. In my hunt for a clip that adequately showed ( in just a few seconds ) the level of detail involved in the attraction AND conveyed the “group tour” aspect, I inadvertently picked one from a totally different attraction! I had no idea that there was a competing attraction/set in Georgia, and both the TOS tour in Ticonderoga, NY and the Neutral Zone Studios set in Kingsland, GA deserve better. I’ll add a card to the video with a link to the correct location. Thanks to all of you who fact-checked this for me!

[@iamgermane]

The "Ticonderoga set" you reference was with a different team. You showed the other fan-film maker in Kings Island, GA for Star Trek Continues. In total, there were three fan-made ST:OS sets built. The first being in Minnesota and/or Texas.

[@dennisbisconti4583]

@scaleicons + you forgot to mention the interior kit also offered for the first run of these new shuttle craft kits without interior's 😊

[@2000spqr]

75 I built the kit. I didnt have paints and all the stuff that is needed but as a kid I was fine with all that. My Dad came home from work and said; "Son.. Why dont you stop wasting your money on such s**t!" My anger rose as my dismay rose even higher, my love for Star Trek and replica kits where at the zenith of my heart mind and soul. My mom came to the rescue that night by adding.. "You know, if you do not add the chairs and inside stuffs, you could make that into a Star Trek money bank." SAVED!.. So that is what I did, I would put my allowance into that AMT model.

[@scaleicons]

What a cool use for the kit! Thanks for sharing!

[@jerrykiss1]

I built the original in 74 was disappointed in it, also built the round 2 one for my grandson, and am now building the one with the included interior very impressed with it! Got the interior finished and it looks great fully painted and decals installed, they did a great job!

[@scaleicons]

Awesome! I love hearing generational kit building stories! My kids grew up building models alongside me. No grandkids yet, but I hope to be able to do the same when/if they arrive!

[@robertbeck168]

If Desilu had OK'ed the shuttle craft for "Enemy Within", I wonder what role it would have played in the episode. Much of the drama and urgency in the episode was how to fix the transporter and rescue the landing party. The shuttle craft would be great for Sulu and company but much of the excitement would have been lost.

[@scaleicons]

Agreed…if the shuttle was available the easiest solution to keep the drama going would be to invent some weather phenomenon that would prevent landing.

[@robertbeck168]

@@scaleicons That makes sense., There's certainly no way they would have crashed it. 😀

[@Starshipsforever]

It's also important to note that AMT also helped significantly with a cash-strapped 3rd season Star Trek with a new major adversary vessel: the Klingon D7 battlecruiser. AMT wanted to continue to cash in on the massive success of their now iconic Enterprise kit and so they commissioned on their own with Paramount/Desilu's blessing a second kit during the time between the end of Season 2 and the beginning of Season 3. Matt Jefferies designed it and two master models were built, one being used to make the kit from, and the other as part of the agreement was taken for a time for use by the studio. The one used for by the studio wound up being donated to the Smithsonian, then was returned to Paramount briefly as a reference where the Robert Able and Associates FX crew dismantled it and sent it back to the Smithsonian that way! Luckily the museum was able to restore it. Robert Able and Associates are believed to have also been responsible for the original 3 foot Enterprise going missing as it was loaned to them by Gene Roddenberry but never returned! The other model that was used to master the kit was kept by Matt's brother and sold at auction to Paul Allen and placed on display at his Museum of Science Fiction in Seattle. The other big assist was that two of the AMT Enterprise kits were used by Matt Jefferies to save on cost and time for Season 2 for use in "The Doomsday Machine" and "The Trouble with Tribbles". The one for the Constellation was obvious, but the other is less obvious since it was used to represent the Enterprise orbiting around Space Station K-7 (in far shots) and as the starship as seen from the window's of Mr. Lurry's office. It was even customized to have lit windows and nacelles, but this effect is not visible, sadly. The Constellation model was likely trashed or lost, but the Enterprise one was saved and kept by Matt Jefferies and his brother, and now also is on display at the Seattle Museum of Science Fiction.

[@scaleicons]

SPOILERS!!!!! LOL! I’d originally planned to include the D-7 story in this video, but when doing my research I realized it would have made for far too lengthy a video, so the D-7 will be showing up sometime down the road. Thanks for taking the time to write…your info is greatly appreciated and I’ll be adding it to what I’ve already compiled.😀

[@mikedicenso2778]

@@scaleicons Trek World did a fairly comprehensive video on the Klingon model. Worth checking out.

[@scaleicons]

@mikedicenso2778 thanks, I’ll check it out!

[@Starshipsforever]

@@mikedicenso2778 Trek World is a real gem. He also has a video going into detail about the fate of the shuttlecraft full scale exterior set prop and the two foot FX model. And speaking of the 3 foot model going missing, he's also got a great one on the history of the 3 foot model's loss and who might be responsible.

[@Starshipsforever]

I can concur that Trek World's videos are top notch, especially his research. He even managed to get a hold of a copy of a super-duper rare photo of the 11 foot model's port side when it was at Howard Anderson Studio being filmed for Where No Man Has Gone Before! It actually disproves a long-standing fan community belief that the model was built in the first place without detailing on that side. And while it is clear it was less detailed than the starboard side, it was finished up enough that windows, starfleet pennant markings and some engine details where there. At the point in time the photo was taken, the port side was already being destroyed to make way for the heavy electrical cables and lights since the model was built without lights or even the ability to easily put them in. The rest was ruined when the call to modify the model to put in the nacelle rotating lights was put in by Gene.

[@bertruttan129]

I did build a OG model. I built the 1st one like the box pictured it. yrs. later another one with detailing more like the TV series shuttle. Can't wait til the 2022 2nd model shows up so i can build it and add it to the collection. first model build age 12yrs. old. - 2022 2nd model build 60 yrs old. yup, been at this for awhile. Still love every moment of model building. Maybe I will convince Elon to build a real starship ENTERPRISE!! He's on my phone list. That's were model building lead me in real life. I build the real thing as a career.

[@planca3430]

im 70 i know the feeling on the old thing. been there done that too lol. just us old kids now.

[@MrMichelPM]

Excellent video and almost all info on the U.S.S. Enterprise Galileo shuttlecraft was accurate and spot on!👍😉😎🖖

[@scaleicons]

Thank you!

[@hagerty1952]

Great presentation. A couple of comments: The first depiction of a shuttlecraft in TOS was in "The Menagerie, Pt. 1," bringing Kirk and Menendez to the Enterprise as it was under way to Talos IV. This episode aired almost two months before "Galileo Seven" and only showed the shuttle in an in-space long shot. Also, it belonged to Starbase 11, not the big E, but it was obviously the series shuttle. Second, I have a guess, with absolutely no evidence, as to why they might have pushed the first version of the kit into production in '74. Aurora had some "2001" kits around that time that included the "Moon Bus" which was reasonably popular. Maybe they just wanted to offer a little competition?

[@scaleicons]

Thanks for the kind words, Jack! Hmm, that’s a possibility for the delay. It also occurred to me after posting tue video that Paramount’s purchase of Desilu may have thrown a monkey wrench into existing licensing deals.

[@RobertSpitzer]

I think I bought the jacket. I didn't recall it being from a model kit.

[@boblum3360]

Yes the jacket was from the model kit. It was only available to USA addresses as I sadly found out after my cheque was returned to me in Canada.

[@RobertSpitzer]

@@boblum3360 While I did love the jacket. I don't think it was terribly well made.

[@johnnelson1446]

I have seen the actual building that the Gallieo was bulit at In downtown Phoenix. I think it is a car shop now!

[@scaleicons]

Fascinating! When I found the pictures of the Winfield shop I wondered if it was still used for that purpose.

[@johnnelson1446]

@@scaleicons I am downtown this week. I will try and take a picture of the location. 🙂

[@jhoodcomics]

What an incredible overview of the history and contents of the Galileo model kits. Very nicely done, sir!

[@scaleicons]

Thank you very much for the kind words, greatly appreciated!

[@shuntguy]

I thought you were going to talk about The Doomsday Machine. When you see the Constellation from the rear as it enters the machine it is clearly an AMT model Enterprise. The effects crew had run out of time or money and needed a quick fix for the shot. One of the production crew ran to the nearest hobby shop and bought an Enterprise kit. A quick paint job, a date with a blow torch and they had their damaged Constellation.

[@scaleicons]

You’re absolutely right, shuntguy. I do talk about this in my video on AMT’s Enterprise kit…you should definitely check that one out!

[@RossAWaddell]

The new PL kit builds up beautifully. I remember buying the old AMT kit in the 70s and being really disappointed.

[@pawpawstew]

"PL"?

[@RossAWaddell]

Polar Lights@@pawpawstew

[@scaleicons]

I’ve never heard a bad review of the new kit. Gary Kerr actually chimed in on my Facebook page and added that he designed the exterior of the kit too.

[@RossAWaddell]

Gary is amazing. Love your videos, btw. Shoulda said that before.@@scaleicons

[@scaleicons]

@RossAWaddell thank you very much!

[@montylc2001]

Being a avid modeler and having built many a Trek kit since the late 1960's, old and new, but never had nor wanted to the AMT Galileo 7 kit. A friend of mine had one and I just considered it ghastly. When Polar Lights released theirs I knew it was time to build it. Wonderful kit. I just frosted the inside of the windows so you could not see in it. I now proudly sits in my display case. Great video, highly anticipate your coverage of the D-7 history. And you just earned another subscriber.

[@scaleicons]

Thank you very much! Greatly appreciated!

[@C.Brown5150]

Very interesting and informative video.👍

[@scaleicons]

Thanks!

[@Caseytify]

I built the '74 kit, and now I understand why I felt disappointed. Still, it wasn't nearly as bad as the 1/3 kit of the phaser, communicator, and tricorder. One of these days I'll scratch together the $$$ to buy a copy of the new shuttle kit. ... would love to see videos on the D7 & Warbird.

[@scaleicons]

@Caseytify I plan to do videos on everything you just mentioned eventually!

[@3mr4ldknight]

Well done! Worth the wait!

[@scaleicons]

Thanks very much! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@WShawn]

I built the old AMT kit when it came out. 13-year-old me thought it was fine, but it now exists only as a bunch of broken parts.

[@marcmillis8461]

Along similar lines to how long it took for that kit to come out, I recall something similar. Flip phones - real 'communicators' - actually came out before there was a readily available, accurate toy set of the Trek communicator (along with phaser and tricorder).

[@scaleicons]

One of my greatest disappointments in life was finally seeing AMT’s equipment set, and then realizing how small they were! Although I always wanted it as a kid, I’m actually glad I never got it because of the size difference.

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

A really good look at the history of the shuttle, thanks!

[@scaleicons]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@scifiguy26]

As a model builder I found this video very informative & photos of the shuttlecraft I've never seen before 👍 subscribed 🖖

[@scaleicons]

Thank you very much! I hope you find other videos to enjoy on my channel!

[@boblum3360]

For a 1970s and being a kid in the 1970s this shuttlecraft kit was good enough. Accuracy of models is an "adult thing". The kit I had as a kid is long gone, but I bought a re-issue, as well as the new kit.

[@scaleicons]

That’s a great point, Bob. Truth be told I wasn’t too concerned with accuracy as a kid growing up in the 70s 😁

[@michaelvincent4280]

I also reworked the original kit and added interior details best as I could, bringing it alive. Even rebuilt the landing gear. This was all noticed by anyone I showed it to. Made for great outdoor shots. The DS9 shuttle kit I built and detailed was on the front cover of Modelers magazine.

[@rickfipps1489]

I really enjoyed this episode, very informative, but I have a request regarding another line of model kits that's outside the sci-fi world . The MPC 74 haunted mansion and pirates of the carribean model kits, I'd love to know more about the creation of those lines and history behind them. Any enlightenment of them would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[@scaleicons]

Well, I was today years old when I found out about these kits! Great idea, and I will definitely add them to my list of subjects to tackle. Thanks!

[@philhatfield2282]

I built the original kit way back when I was a kid. I was, to put it simply, unimpressed. The mini was so simple to put together, but so boring looking I think it got relegated to the "un-played, un-displayed, uncared-for" pile. I do have to say that the newest release with all of the details DOES look rather fabulous, but I don't know if I would ever pick it up.

[@scaleicons]

The new kit is packed with detail…I’m very, very tempted, but I’ve got so many other kits to get through in my stash. But then again, a properly detailed and accurate Galileo kit has been on my wish list for decades, so…

[@RobBon12]

I'm impressed. Good job and accurate.

[@scaleicons]

Thanks so much Rob!

[@RobBon12]

@@scaleicons You're very welcome. Really great and concise. In all my years of working on Trek and being friends with various alumni in the Art Department (even having a two hour chat with Matt Jeffries at one of the Xmas parties), you informed me of something I did not know(!!): that those front grills where actually landing lights. Paint me impressed. :)

[@scaleicons]

@RobBon12 very kind praise, especially coming from someone on “the inside”! (I thought I recognized your name but didn’t want to assume). Yes, those landing lights were a huge surprise to me as well…props to Gary Kerr, who uncovered that nugget when he interviewed Gene Winfield as part of his research for the model kit project.

[@michaelsullivan1262]

Ouch! Wrong set tour shown!

[@TheSquaredM]

When I get my bowl of warm water and my scissors, I love me some deck-als. Not to be confused with pick-als!

[@scaleicons]

#DECKLES 😉

[@Name-ps9fx]

I was about 10 when I got the Shuttlecraft, and thought it was cool! Close enough for me at the time... I'll keep my memories, thank you. 😊

[@scaleicons]

I was about 10 in the late seventies when my friend got the kit…I wouldn’t get my own kit until the late 80s. For years I was absolutely convinced the shape and dimensions of the kit were correct! Thinking back brings back lots of great memories too! Thanks for watching!

[@michaelsullivan1262]

You showed the Georgia? Star Trek Continues set, not Ticonderoga.

[@zirconic9]

Yeah, totally different group and location.

[@lancebakore497]

I've built the 1991 and the most recent Polar Lights releases. The PL is very intricate and detailed, and can be frustrating at times. The 1991 wasn't too shabby, but looks like Poor Uncle Ed compared to the PL version. 🖖

[@MrMichelPM]

Actually AMT stands for Aluminum Model Tooling Company and NOT Toy company! One of its, original owners was Gene Winfield, who built the 3/4 scale shuttlecraft for TV Show and many decades later, was responsible for its recovery and restoration from near collapse of this iconic set/spacecraft, from years of neglect and exposure outside weather. Up until its recent full restoration, this 3/4 size spacecraft set/set piece spent its entire life outside and exposed to nature’s wrath and was in very bad condition, with a chunk of its outer shell collasped!

[@Donleecartoons]

I built the original kit twice. Second time I built it the way I thought it looked better, with the nacelle struts extending above the side strakes instead of hanging off them. (I was 12) I never could understand why the kit was so inaccurate compared to the filming model or the "full size" (note quotes) set prop. And after I found out AMT built both, well ... I had even more trouble understanding that. I've seen the new kit in hobby shops. I've also seen its pricetag. It's in line with most kits these days, including repops of kits I bought for three or four bucks as a kid, but these days I have other things I need to be doing with that kind of money. DEE-kals or DECK-els? Either way they're my least favorite part of building a model.

[@scaleicons]

The inaccuracies are definitely a head scratcher to me as well. It’s not a missing detail here or there, it a barely recognizable shape!

[@brookestephen]

The final design of the shuttlecraft doesn't actually fit the Franz Joseph blueprints. I like the 3/4 size better for that! You can it more than one on the shuttle deck.

[@charlesbard2331]

I always thought the model, shuttlecraft should have had a transparent top so you can set up a diorama inside and be able to look in on it from above.....

[@scaleicons]

An interesting idea. Many years ago, I misremembered once seeing the top half being molded in clear styrene!

[@brookestephen]

I know jeffries & roddenberry were aviators, but why would a competent designer arrange the mode of propulsion to completely depend upon the landing struts? I mean it's a beautiful design, but not safe.

[@whiteknightcat]

Deckels? A deckel is an out-of-the-ordinary cut from the shoulder of the steer.

[@datacipher]

Sigh…just because you pronounce it that way does not mean people in other countries pronounce it that way. If you ever manage to get out of your mommy’s basement you might discover this.

[@whiteknightcat]

@@datacipher If you had bothered to reply the video, he didn't JUST pronounce it the way he did, but he also spelled out the word. So no, it was not just a matter of pronunciation. Maybe if you got your head out of your ass you'd have seen that.

[@cessnaace]

Why do you pronounce decal dekal? As for building the model kits, I never did that. I'm not talented that way. I do buy them though. I even have a Space: 1999 Eagle kit.

[@mem1701movies]

1:54 looks like the ENTERPRISE D in a way

[@scaleicons]

Yeah, all of his designs look like they inspired later generations of Star Trek designers.

[@cabbievonbump]

I built the original kit of the Galileo kit way back when, but didn't do a good paint job. In fact, I think my paint job looked like a Picaso on booze. LOL I still had fun playing with it. Tell me, people, that you didn't play with your shuttles or starships back in the day. LMAO.

[@scaleicons]

Oh yeah…I played with ALL my models!

[@ewmhop]

HAVE THE 75 KIT,BUILD IT AND IN THE 90S.TURN IT INTO A ALL BLACK SPACE RAIDER W/GUNS FOR A WARGAME SETUP. STILL HAVE IT IN STORAGE TOTE SOMEWHERE IN THE LOCKER.I PAID A DOLLAR FIFTY FOR THE KIT.

[@Parallax-3D]

“Decle?” What’s that pronunciation all “aboot?” 😂

[@scaleicons]

LOL. It’s how I pronounce it eh!

[@allanegleston4931]

the enterprise was originaly supposed to land but the studio heads balked . thus the transporters and shuttle craft.

[@swishersweet3756]

Over the years I built those Star Trek AMT models many times each. Ah, the memories.

[@scaleicons]

Same here! I think I built the old Galileo 3 times since the mid-seventies…

[@dpsamu2000]

I was ok with the model. I was 14, saw the show on a 19 inch bw TV, and threw away the box after building. Didn't really have much to compare it to for detail, and at 14 wasn't looking for detail. I bought my first Enterprise model when I was 11. Didn't understand the lines on the saucer. Concluded they were due to the model being based on an early model design mistake that was carelessly uncorrected. Found out the real reason 4 decades later from a youtube video. Easy to assume flawed execution of the model considering the flawed nacelle end caps, flawed nacelle strut connector design, Infinitesimally short life of the rice lightbulbs, and the utterly useless stand design.

[@austinreed7343]

Funny, a certain model company saved a certain other space epic…

[@scaleicons]

Go on…tell me more 🙂

[@austinreed7343]

@@scaleicons Basically, this series didn’t do well in the ratings, and the initial toys for it by a company called Clover did terribly, due to their inaccuracies. However? Then a modeling company stepped in to help produce models for the series to accommodate its older demographic, just in time for the theatrical releases. As a result, they became a phenomenon, and soon even discarded concepts were being made. The two companies entered a healthy relationship, making new series like Xabungle, Dunbine, Vifam, and L-Gaim. By 1985, a sequel would be released… Zeta Gundam.

[@scaleicons]

Interesting…so these companies pretty much salvaged the Gundam brand? I know very little about this aspect of modelling, I’ll have to dig into it further! Sounds like the makings of a great video!

[@austinreed7343]

@@scaleicons Exactly; Bandai saving Gundam led to them buying Sunrise sometime in the 90s.

[@scaleicons]

@austinreed7343 great info! Thank you very much!

[@AutismusPrime69]

The most gorgeous enterprise of all time is the 1701-d.

[@scaleicons]

It’s definitely top 3 for me…and depending on the mood I’m in, it can easily slide into the #1 spot 😀

[@DrWhom]

11:09 its not it's

[@charlesbard2331]

1:58 I also like the other modtles to like the K7 space station with with its Enterprise miniature the Klingon battle cruiser the romulan Wartburg the Enterprise bridge model Mr spark stunning a multi-headed dragon cuz I believe he'd rather study it then kill it and even the interplanetary UFO which sadly did not make Star Trek. That's too bad because I thought it was the gorn star ship....

[@flybobbie1449]

Transporter idea is in a 1950's sci fi film.

[@scaleicons]

Really? Which one?

[@flybobbie1449]

@@scaleicons Not familiar with old films. YTuber did best 10 1950's sci-fi films, transporter in one of those films. And Thunderbirds TV series made 1964 showed a mobile phone in a wallet, just like the one i have now with c cards in. Not much original. Space 2001 1969 had iPads.

[@fragilegods]

Great stuff but what's the deal with "deckels"?

[@scaleicons]

Glad you enjoyed it! As for “deckles”, a lot of viewers have commented in other vids that I’m mispronouncing it. But that’s how virtually every modeller I’ve ever met here in Canada says it. I guess you could say I’m owning it!😃 #deckles

[@fragilegods]

@@scaleicons Thanks for the explanation. :)

[@scaleicons]

​@@fragilegods I'm trying to make it a thing now...feel free to post with #deckles LOL

[@fragilegods]

@@scaleicons OK, #deckles it is. :)

[@RossAWaddell]

I’m Canadian (Toronto, ON) and I’ve only ever said DEE-cals.