My Father's Enterprise Part 1 - A Vintage AMT 1/650 Star Trek Model Kit Build in Memory of my Dad.

Part 1 of a video blog of a build of an original 1966 or 67 horizontal long box edition of AMT's 1/650 scale 18" Enterprise model kit from Star Trek. The model belonged to my father, who passed away from Covid-19 last month. He started the model around 50 years ago, and never got around to finishing it. I will be completing the model so I can have a model that we have both worked on, so it will be like we did the model together.

[@warrenpierce5542]

The AMT Enterprise, favorite model of my childhood, built it in the fifth grade.

[@markvittorini5497]

I hate to hear one losing a parent to Covid, sorry for you loss. Glad to see you building the Enterprise kit!

[@michaelburnett89]

i am building this kit for the same reasons you are. i lost my father in 2018 and this was one of my first builds i did with my dad. this model was later destroyed. heres to you dad thanks for the memories.

[@acterene1]

Great tribute for your Dad. I had a couple of the early kits. The one I had with the lightbulbs had orange semi clear buzzard collectors. There were lights in each one also. They were hard to make a flush connection on the end of the nacelles. The pylons never were strate. They would sag. The triangular stand like you have there was a frosted clear plastic. Of course you had to glue the ship to it, because it would not hold the ship without glue. Have fun. I am probably your late Dad's age. 65? Enjoy and well done.

[@modelkittrove8311]

Thanks Mark, my father was almost 80 when he died. and yeah, I am gluing the model to the stand. There is no way around gluing it if you want use that stand, and I do want to use it because at this point the early version of this model itself has some neat history to it.

[@davidmcgahan5021]

nice video lost my dad 21 yrs ago. he got me into model building when i was young. we built a red baron/sopworth camel balsa wood kit .ill never forget that.

[@smacks999]

Hi.probably too late, but I have built tens of this, actually still have one in my tv room, complete with working grain of wheat bulbs, after fifty years. they don't die if you don't use them.i have the Klingon and Romulan original kits,too (Klingon had lights as well). If you do still need or want advice, let me know. I'm retired now and doing all kinds of models now, almost full time! I'll look for more of your progress. Jim.

[@modelkittrove8311]

Not too late, I had to table it for a while, but back to work on it. Hope to be done soon. I finished hooking up the lights by running the wires to the secondary hull to where the batteries will go, but couldn't get them to work yet. Because my father glued the lights inside the saucer section years ago I don't want to take apart any of the kit he put together to check them or replace them, so if they end up not working I'll just live with that. Thanks, I let you know if i have trouble with anything you might be able to advice me about. Honestly, the biggest question I am wrestling with is the color. I'm not going for an accurate color, but trying to build this particular kit with what a molder would have known about the color in the 60's just from seeing it on TV or perhaps from the art on the old James Blish Star Trek books my dad had on his shelves.

[@C.Brown5150]

I'm deeply sorry for your loss. I lost my father in April of this year, COPD. . I'm happy to see that you're going to finish the kit as respect to and for your father. That's really cool. I'm going to follow your build. And I really enjoyed hearing your back story. Enjoy your build my friend.

[@bobbylum1494]

Hello so sorry that your father passed away. Building that kit is a great way to honour him.

[@2ndpovtube]

Wow, this hit me where I live. Sorry for your loss. I'll look forward to your next post.

[@esbenrasmussen4289]

that 537 is a nightmare... I am still on it. It was my first model, bought it 2 years ago

[@StarlightingProjects]

Came across this video today and I admire your plans to pay tribute to your father. I hope your are doing well and will post an update soon!

[@bobbylum1494]

Looking forward to part 2.

[@bullseyecooper1739]

Hi mate, sorry for your loss. Only the mirror universe had red bussard collectors, the regular enterprise HF yellow-ish/orange 😃👍

[@dennisbisconti4583]

Bullseye Cooper# + you are some what correct the 11 ft model when it was first built was built with no lights in it then when Geane Ronberry got the go ahead for a second pilot they added lights to the windows and some navigation lights when star trek when into a tv series they added lights to the front of the engine's so we when the filmed the series they used stock footage that was already shot of the model in it's orangal form

[@donavanhillman7607]

Such a great idea. What a great way to honor your dad. A very special project and a fantastic piece of history. Have you managed to finish it? Have you put together any more of your dad's old model kits? Very curious to see. I was quite disappointed seeing that this was your only video on your neat little channel after I watched this.

[@jsdad48]

had one myself and as a 10 year old I couldn't get it together wiring, lights, and those darn power nicels.

[@erichawkinsbashkid3444]

Try putting your model in direct sun light to help clear up the yellowing.

[@henryschmitt7577]

If you want to make an accurate 1/650 TOS Enterprise, JT Graphics makes decals for every ship in the class and accurate resin parts including the bridge B/C deck .

[@mitcha1065]

those pylon slots for the clips eventually break.

[@ConkysGhost]

Have you finished it yet? Very interested in how it turned out.

[@modelkittrove8311]

Had to table it for a while, but back to work on it. Hope to be done soon. Thanks

[@robertisaac4357]

Like any ship of a class there are differences form ship to ship, Refits , upgrades, repairs.....all contribute to changes made to ship of the same class.......This kit may be first in class and follow on ships have upgrades and changes with lesson's learned are added to the newer follow on ships........My two cents.....

[@gsr4535]

Tamiya JA Grey. "Japanese Army" grey. Also available in spray can but JA grey may need to be lightened just a bit with a drop of white. 🥱

[@alexrebmann1253]

Has anyone built the revell from germany kit?

[@Scott__G]

Any updates?

[@modelkittrove8311]

Thanks for the inquiry. I have completed the model except for a final clear coat... I'm mostly now waiting for a window to have time to make a video and post it. Hopefully soon. Thanks again.