Tough little ships

If you like little model starships then you're in for a good time next year!

Back in May, Eaglemoss did a trial launch for a new part work magazine in the UK, Star Trek: The Official Starship Collection. One of my readers, Darth Duranium, has now pointed me to the new Facebook page for that publication, which after having paused for several months will launch nationally in February next year.

There are initial plans for seventy issues/ships, all based on either original CGI files (where available) or newly created models 3D models from Star Trek veteran effects artist Adam "Mojo" Lebowitz (who's previous credits include a whole book for of starship imagery, the Starship Spotter). Eaglemoss were present at the recent Star Trek convention in London, and had a banner sporting twenty-six of the ships to feature in the magazine (including some insanely obscure ones), which they've subsequently posted on Facebook:

At the moment the magazine will be available only in the UK and Ireland, but Eaglemoss are aware of international demand and are looking to CBS to consider launching in other territories.

UPDATE: Darth Duranium has come back with even more information; a complete list of the initial ships planned. You can read that in the comments section of this post (or on the Facebook page). It includes ships from all series, including to my surprise and delight ones from the new movie timeline. Especially exciting are the many Enterprise designs which have never been modelled before.

My personal highlights include the Enterprise-J, USS Kelvin, various Xindi ships, Akira class, Valdore, Enterprise-era Klingon ships, The Scimitar (I wonder how the wings will be presented...), Scorpion fighter, and the USS Dauntless. Exciting stuff, and hopefully the initial 70 issue run will do well enough to fill in some notable gaps, like the Jellyfish, assorted shuttlecraft, the D'Kyr class, Andorian ships, and (in my dreams) the Titan, Aventine, and Enterprise-F.

There is hope for small ship fans elsewhere in the world. Darath Duranium has also pointed me towards news of a revival of the Hot Wheels starships range. Coinciding with the release of the new film next year will be a wave of ships. There are mixed reports on exactly what the new collection will include. Initial rumours indicated the USS Excelsior, and a Klingon battle-crusier form Star Trek Into Darkness. Big Bad Toy Store currently have a preorder for four ships: The Narada, Enterprise NX-01, USS Enterprise NCC-1701, and a none-specific Into Darkness ship. Entertainment Earth also note a ship from Star Trek Into Darkness will be included, and also suggest there will be battle-damaged variants. At any rate it looks like a mix of new and old - See my Hot Wheels starships list for the run-down of previous releases.

Finally Wizkids have announced their latest Star Trek Heroclix game, a second series of ships in their Star Trek Tactics game, due in January. This second series will include ships from an assortment of races, including the Federation, Klingons, Romulans, Vulcans, Jem'Hadar, Cardassians and Ferengi.

It appears it will follow the model of the first Tactics series, with a four-ship starter kit, and individual ship releases. The starter set includes the USS Fearless, IKS Drovana, IRW N'Ventnar, and Jem'Hadar 4th Division Cruiser 1.